2016 Oscar Live Action Shorts

My Pick: Day One

Oscar Winner: Stutterer

2/7/2016 - Day One (2015 short) - 8-/10 - Its poignant intensity and almost too strong of a dramatic tale shook the audience. Many in the theatre were crying, though I felt there was enough levity and outsider empathy to keep the sorrow and situational shock at bay.
Seemed perfect Oscar bait, and it may win, but I thought it was a rousing and moving cinematic jolt. Alive and robust with decent direction. Felt like a special film to me.

2/7/2016 - Hok (2015 short) - 7+/8-/10 - Topical about a horrendous and enduring conflict, while focusing the tragedy through view of a childhood friendship. Dramatic and moving, but it's possible excellence seemed stifled to me. It was quite good; well shot, wisely constructed. But there seemed to be something missing to me for it to be truly special.

2/7/2016 - Stutterer (2015 short) - 7/10 - Quirky and sharp, it was equal parts saddening and smile inducing. An enjoyable and effecting gem.

2/7/2016 - Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut) (2015 short) - 6/10 - A tough and intense ticking-clock-of-doom pic that generates heartbeats and emotion, but is light on full fledged story. Nicely done, but lacks excellence.

2/7/2016 - Ave Maria (2015 short) - 5+/10 - Cute and entertaining, but somewhat light. Average, but enjoyable.