Quasi at the Quackadero: time travel and psychological self-study in a fun fair
Sally Cruikshank, “Quasi at the Quackadero” (1975) Here’s a great little cartoon about a mismatched couple, Anita and Quasi, living in a science fantasy future and…
Jumping (dir. Osamu Tezuka): experimental short snapshot of the human condition through a child’s viewpoint
Osamu Tezuka, “Jumping” (1984) Boing! BOING! BOI-I-I-ING-G-G!!! Here comes “Jumping” by the legendary Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astroboy, who made a fair few experimental anime film…
Doggy Poo: cute existential heartwarmer about the value of all creation
Kwon Ohsung, “Doggy Poo” / “Ganggajidong” (2003) Here is a very sweet and beautiful little film about having purpose in life and being valuable in the greater…
German and German-language Films
Das Rad: little film about rocks packs in history of human development and ecological themes
Chris Stenner, Arvid Uibel and Heidi Wittlinger, “Das Rad” / “The Wheel” aka “Rocks” (2003) Made with a mix of stop-motion and computer-generated styles of animation…
The Matrix: film trapped in formula Hollywood action-thriller matrix of convoluted plot, trite message and flat characters
Larry and Andy Wachowski, “The Matrix” (1999) Strip “The Matrix” of its sci-fi trimmings, its computer FX and choreographed martial arts and gunfight scenes and what…
A Chairy Tale: fable about importance of communication, respect and equality
Norman McLaren and Claude Jutra, “A Chairy Tale” (1957) A delightful little number that even young children will appreciate, this Canadian short is a fable about…
True demon movie hiding in “Kakurenbo: Hide and Seek” but weak story and characters need more work to bring out the monsters
Shuhei Morita, “Kakurenbo: Hide and Seek” (2004) A very lavish short film that uses cel-shaded animation to render the CG imagery three-dimensional, “Kakurenbo” has a definite…
WikiSecrets: questionable motives and agenda in documentary that smears whistle-blower
Marcela Gaviria, “WikiSecrets” (2011) Took in this documentary on SBS1 last night on the case of Bradley Manning, the US soldier arrested in May 2010 f0r…
Cat Soup: surreal meditation on life and death, time, religion and the universe
Tatsuo Sato, “Cat Soup” / “Nekojiru-so” (2003) Here is a beautifully animated surreal short film which superficially looks like a children’s film but is clearly intended…
Rubber Johnny: small dense film in which a universe of transformation and realised ambitions is contained
Chris Cunningham, “Rubber Johnny” (2005) Started small as a commercial based on the idea of a raver’s body morphing into different shapes as he dances, then…