Littlest Finch

So last night, Tim and I went to see the Oscar Live-Action Shorts at the Coolidge (Boston’s only independent non-profit local theatre!). I was ASTOUNDED by how amazing the films were – my favourites being ‘Instead of Abracadabra’ and ‘The New Tenants’. The latter featuring an actor I absolutely cannot stand – Vincent D’Onofrio. You know it’s good if I say I enjoyed something with D’Onofrio. He’s on my top list of unwatchable actors. I don’t know what it is – the head bobble, the same smug know-it-all-ness that permeates every performance? All the films were good, but those two – having a much more comedic feel were more my style. Kavi was also really well done. The young boy that played Kavi was just stunning.

Synopses:

The New Tenants – two gay men move into an apartment and some unexpected visitors arrive to ‘welcome them’.

The Door – after Chernobyl, the town is evacuated and a family deals with the aftermath.

Instead of Abracadabra – a ne’er do well Swede entertains delusions that he is a magician, while his parents are just trying to get him a job and out of their house. His catchphrase? Chimay! (Instead of Abracadabra) Not to be confused with “Shemale” as one of his friends questions. (See photo)

Kavi – a young Indian boy works as a brickmaker alongside his parents, for a nefarious slave owner.

Miracle Fish – on his birthday, a young Australian boy gets an interesting gift from his father, a fish that reads ‘compassionate’. This will come in handy later when a horrible tragedy strikes.

All in all, I was extremely impressed with the shorts this year. I still need to catch the animated ones, but we’ll see if I have time before the Oscars on March 7th. I’d be extremely pleased if either Instead of Abracadabra or The New Tenants won.