What I Watched -- Animated Shorts

SLIFF movie #3 was really a dozen different movies -- the animated shorts!  (Not to be confused with animated pants, which are a totally different thing.)

Le Gouffre (trailer): two friends on a hiking trip run up against a seemingly uncrossable valley.  Their determination to get to the other side inspires the nearby townspeople, and they return the favor.  Verdict: loved it.

The Ledge End of Phil (trailer): a lonely cubicle dweller accidentally locks himself out on the window ledge of his office building.  Verdict: okay.

Canuck Black (trailer): this film uses an interesting combination of animation styles to tell the story of a bear cub who was adopted by a hunter.  When the hunter turns up dead, the bear is questioned by the police.  Verdict: dark and messed up, so of course I liked it.

Deep End (Bill Plympton site): this sketch celebrating topless girls sets a hilarious Bill Plympton song to film.  Verdict: quite amusing.

But Milk is Important (trailer): a wacky stop-motion animation about a recluse and his uninvited imaginary friend.  Verdict: some funny bits, but not a favorite.

Holding Brother's Hand, or How the Jelly Explodes (trailer): the sort of cute but also weird story of two brothers fighting and sticking up for one another.  Verdict: just okay.

The Centipede and the Toad: a graceful centipede and a cranky old toad cannot seem to come to terms.  Verdict: I didn't get it.

Dwarf Giant (trailer): a young Inuit trying to catch a bird gets more than she bargained for.  Verdict: okay.

Oh Willy... (trailer): very interesting cloth animation tells the very strange story of a man who returns to his nudist colony roots.  Verdict: um, what?  I'm confused and a little repulsed.

Imposteur (trailer): a man and a deer switch identities.  Verdict: another one I didn't understand.  (Maybe I was getting tired?  It was late, after all.)

Last Resort (trailer): two sisters are left in charge of the family resort and have to face their worst enemy, the four-year-old littlest sister.  Verdict: amusing.

Rabbit and Deer (trailer): another dual-animation-style film, this time about friendship's ability to endure change.  Verdict: loved it.

So we started and ended on a high note, with some questionable choices in the middle.  There was one film that wasn't shown, Somewhere Down the Line (trailer).  If you happen to see that one anywhere, let me know how it is.