I've just come back back from seeing this year's crop of Oscars' Live Action Short nominees. TIME FREAK seems to be this year's answer to last year's winner, GOD OF LOVE. These two movies are very much alike, as both are on the quirky, funny side of things, and - unless I missed something - TIME FREAK was also filmed in New York City. Perhaps what little TIME FREAK lacks in charm (compared to GOD OF LOVE), it makes up in what could be considered serious, maybe even philosophical questions it raises. However, the overall similarity to GOD OF LOVE may end up hurting this movie. Last year, GOD OF LOVE was the only comedy in a relatively gloomy field; this year, it is just the opposite - the funny vote might be split 3 or 4 ways, with the only completely serious film (RAJU, which was also quite good) perhaps emerging as the favorite.
Anyway, to make a short story even shorter - a neurotic genius invents a Time Machine. What will he do with it? The answer might surprise you. Without giving away too much, I will just say that traveling back in time to kill Hitler is not on the agenda.
This was probably my favorite movie of the bunch - I give it 9/10. I do think the Live Action Short field is quite strong this year, so I would not be surprised if any one of these movies were the winner.
