Made in Utah (part 2)

Brandon Ray Olive’s short film “Txt…” is a beautiful heartwarming tearjerker, I just can’t help but love it. I loved the story, loved the characters and the actors that portrayed them. That movie is raw with emotions, particularly coming from Cory C Dangerfield, who also wrote this lovely story and of course, the promising young actress Ariel Dawn, who both exhibit outstanding performances. This movie speaks for all. It shows how our little effort can make a huge impact on someone whom we are unaware needed it the most. It also taught me that the generation gap isn’t a hindrance for us to communicate and understand one another. Hence, it is a way where we can share experiences from the past and the present for a better future. This film’s overall quality is an award-winning caliber, made the competition even tougher. Cheers for this amazing film!

I liked watching films with intelligent concepts and Stickup Kid is definitely one of them. I liked how well thought about and well researched the concept is. The story is smartly presented making it an interesting watch. The story is nice but it made me think of what it wants to convey. Well, in this film, it is evident that what comes around goes around but it also shows ironic situations that people get into. The robber before is now being robbed. The best thing about it is that the main character used his knowledge to make things right again. The short film is dramatically intense. I enjoyed watching it and wished that it is longer than just nineteen minutes. Everything is great from the concept, plot, pace and of course acting. Superb directing from Daniel Yen Tu.

I love Andreas Peterson’s short animated film “When Pigs Fly” It is super cute with a very significant story applicable to kids nowadays. I like that the story is inspiring in terms of innovation and the willingness to strive hard to reach for one’s dream. It will remind the younger generation of better results when one pursues his dreams with an all-out determination and heart. The animation is very well-made too. I love the simplicity, only proves that less is more. It also has a very captivating musical score that adds intensity to every scene and makes it more exciting. Great Job!

Grief is something so difficult to go through. People have different ways to move on from a loss and the common thing about it is that it is all difficult. Static shows the painful grieving of a man as he has just lost his best friend. What happened to him could be true or just part of his imagination but it is a good way for him to move on. This concept in a film creates that inner pain. I can definitely feel the emotions that Nathan is feeling. I love this short film’s drama and twists. Static is enjoyable, light and gave a beautiful emotion.

I had fun watching Greg Kiefer’s short dark comedy film “French Lessons” The story is very witty, creative, plus twisted, the perfect equation for my kind of sick comedy. I love the concept of the craziness of how to learn things the easy but painful and fast way. The cinematography and the ensemble cast also deserves a highlight. The quality is excellent, passed with flying colors. Brian Deaver and Kent Lloyd did amazingly well, very impressive if you ask me. They contributed a huge factor in making the dark comedy convincing and effective. Awesome work, hope there will be more!

I super loved Christy Summerhays’ short film “Dark Energy” it is incredibly impressive. The story is spot on excellent, so is its cast. I loved how it focused on emphasizing one’s value as a woman, friendship, self-respect, and most of all helping out those who can not stand for themselves. Jennifer, Amy, and Karen are the kind of women I’d like to hang around with, women who value one another, respect each other’s difference in opinion and perception but still loves you and have your back no matter what. These lovely and awesome butt-kicking trio was remarkably played by Colleen Baum, Lauren Call, and Tiffani Di Gregorio. And of course, Tamari Dunbar did impressively well too, playing the role of Sarah. These women are superb, the bond between them and the connection they had with their characters, made their friendship appear real, makes me want to be part of their group. Now that’s what I call an outstanding ensemble cast. High props to this Extremely Awesome movie, Cheers and Congratulations!

I am loving Michael Edwards’ animated short film “A Sequence of Events”. At first it all seems like a simple and harmless depiction of animated shapes moving in motion with the blow of the wind. But then, it became intriguing, more like a murder mystery involving shapes. The graphics are very cute and creative. I appreciate that there is a story within, plus the correlation of every scene/block to one another is very interesting. It is playful and triggers interest in the mind, Well done!

Kelsie Moore’s short documentary “Dark Skies” gave a new and deeper meaning to darkness. This film illuminated my thoughts on how each of us sees the dark skies and the darkness that surrounds us by night, as well as how we humans tend to spoil its beauty. In as little as less than 9-minutes, they have captivated me with objective facts about the night sky that are often ignored and the personal significance it brings to many. Watching this film makes me want to go to Mark Bailey’s observatory located in Torrey, Utah called “Portal to the deeper cosmos” and discover the natural beauty of the Dark Skies.