Short Films (Richardson)

I watched “Soliders” and “Spinal Tap”.

“Soldiers” implements the technique of the late reveal. It’s a fairly simple story, and it only really has one plot device, in that the main character is actually a ghost. Not much to say about this one. It’s kind of a one trick pony, and it feels incomplete to a degree. However, the premise is powerful dealing with loss and lack of closure. It looks like the film was shot on a rig (it’s too shaky to be a steadicam). I like the shoulder mount aesthetic, and I find it to be a stylistically appealing choice when shooting drama pieces.

“Spinal Tap” I think only had four camera set ups. Curtis seems to like the rig style of filmmaking. Based on these two films, the substance of story likely carries more weight to Curtis than the complicity of the shot. There is nothing glamorous about this film. There is nothing visually breathtaking. It just feels gritty and “regular”. Two guys are in a bar quoting their favorite movie is a very relatable set-up. I think it’s a great premise, using the “Spinal Tap” as a crutch instead of discussing real emotions. But like most feature and short films, Curtis uses cursing as a crutch to move the story forward dramatically. It’s a mistake I see a lot, and it sacrifices good writing. But it’s a good focus on what it means to be a friend to another person amidst a personal tragedy.