Dood van een Schaduw

I just got back from seeing the five Oscar-nominated live action shorts and was pleasantly surprised. After seeing a mediocre batch of animated shorts yesterday, I was so happy to see that the live action films are among the very best I've ever seen nominated.

Of the five films nominated for this award, I would have to say that two films are definitely the best. The problem is that the films are both so perfect, BOTH should get the Oscar and I would be equally thrilled if either won. "Henry" and "Death of a Shadow" are simply magnificent films from start to finish. And, while I SLIGHTLY preferred "Henry" (ever so slightly), "Death of a Shadow" is definitely the more creative of the two.

"Death of a Shadow" is set in a steampunk sort of world. As for the story, it's a bit vague--and some might dislike this. But, I actually think this made the story work just fine. It begins with Nathan standing on a dark street in what probably is Belgium. Here's where it gets weird--you hear a commotion and see shadows along the wall--but there is no one there!!! But, when Nathan looks through a weird camera-like device, he can see a murder taking place! And, at the moment of death, he snaps a picture of the dead man. Then, he returns to a weird building (full of steam-powered gear and a WEIRD gallery), he extracts the shadow from the camera and gives it to a twisted bald man who mounts it on the wall--like some sort of twisted museum. There is MUCH more to the story than this--but I don't want to spoil the film. Suffice to say, it's VERY touching and perfect...absolutely perfect. The best thing, aside from a mind-blowingly original story, is just how cinematic the film is. It looks like it cost many millions and is an amazing journey. See this film...it's AMAZING.