Score: 4

"Mediocre"

submission: Final Fantasy: Job Losses

date: August 16, 2009

The mishmash of visual and audio assets further diminish a weak script. However, even with better writing, I could see this premise fueling only a marginally better movie.

On a positive note, the production itself appears clean.

Score: 9

"So glad I didn't see it"

submission: TF: Revenge of the Lolin'

date: July 26, 2009

Between this and the reviews, I'm so happy I haven't seen Transformers 2. . .

Excellently paced, written, and polished. Good job, Kirb.

Score: 5

"A missed opportunity."

submission: Spongebob Sickpants

date: March 14, 2009

I see what's going on here: sick, twisted gross-out humor, much like the Garbage Pail Kids. Unfortunately, many of the set-ups lack a certain something to make each punchline special in its own right. About halfway through, it all became very predictable. (Drug addict Sandy is a notable exception, however her potential was unexplored.) Also, the pacing seemed too slow. The source material is clever and bouncy. This should have been crazy and spastic.

Overall, the movie needed better story-boarding/scripting and tighter delivery.

Score: 9

"Amazingly funny!"

submission: "A Slice of the Action"

date: March 14, 2009

The title card had me expecting a far darker affair, what with the many evil interpretations "terrible boyfriend" can have in the name of comedy. Thankfully (and tastefully) the short delivers a far lighter, though no less evil, punchline.

If it at all possible, I'd love to see more of Michael. He has series potential.

Score: 5

"Mediocre and uninspired."

submission: Watchmen trailer

date: March 14, 2009

The intro and visuals gave me high hopes for either a hilarious parody or stylish reinterpretation. Instead, the movie proceeded to deliver bland, lackluster punchlines in the vein of the "_____" Movie series. Other than the bit with Night Owl, this short barely raised a chuckle from me.

Score: 8

"Simple, stylish, and to the point."

submission: Racism!

date: March 10, 2009

The message is old, but this execution is fresh. I found the symbolism of the full-body colors and face shapes elegant. Unlike other PSAs, this one brings attention to the "self-fulfilling prophecy" aspect of hate and discrimination.

Now if only there were a way to get people who need to see something like this to 1) do so and 2) make them understand it. To me, actually getting the message to those who need it proves the most difficult part of ending intolerance. At the very least, this is a start for future generations.

Score: 8

"Works well enough."

submission: Narwhals

date: March 10, 2009

Great art design and a catchy beat made me watch three iterations of the song before realizing it only looped. I'd love to see a full second verse of this, if only because the pacing of the bridge at the end simply begs to have a unique verse follow.

Still, this will likely remain in my head all day. Nice job.

Score: 10

"I feel conflicted."

submission: Saturday Morning Watchmen

date: March 9, 2009

Part of me wants to see this become a full-blown series, but another part of me feels doing so would diminish the impact of this parody.

A stunning work in all aspects, I had flashbacks of the Toxic Crusaders watching this. The short perfectly captures the injection of kid-friendly tropes into a product whose source material is anything but. Viewers require neither working knowledge of Watchmen nor old Saturday morning cartoons to enjoy this work. Those "in the know," though, will be treated to an amazing homage to both.

Score: 9

"Still as beautiful as ever."

submission: Another Day Seven

date: March 7, 2009

I have not visited this series in quite some time. After watching this installment I feel I have done myself a grave disservice by staying away for so long.

For those new to Another Day, these movies are simple in concept, but broad in scope. The character designs and animation presentation combined with an always suitable accompanying song create a soul-enriching experience unlike any other. Any person with the slightest appreciation for life will find something in these movies which makes life worth living all the more.

Score: 4

"I appeciate the effort. . ."

submission: Walmart Siblings

date: February 15, 2009

. . .but this work falls short of its assumed purpose.

I enjoy the art style. I enjoy the shrieks. I enjoy the randomness. And I enjoy what the imagery tries to convey. But altogether, the movie still lacks a great deal of context. I myself worked at a Wal-Mart for almost six years, so I think I "get' this. For anyone else, though, I'm believe this may be too subtle.