MOVIE BUFF-ET: 2018 Oscar-nominated short films showing this week at AMC Fiesta Square

The Silent Child / Courtesy

Action, animated comedy, and eroticism are on tap this week at local theaters with “The 15:17 to Paris,” “Peter Rabbit,” and “Fifty Shades Freed” opening in local theaters today.

I’m not particularly excited about any of them, but everyone’s tastes vary.

Clint Eastwood directed “The 15:17 to Paris,” and I usually like his movies. The gimmick for the film which was inspired by a true story is that the heroes who fought off an armed-to-the-teeth terrorist on train actually play themselves in the movie.

“Peter Rabbit” features animated rabbits and other varmints battling the actor who plays Gen. Hux (Domhnall Gleason) in the two most recent Star Wars films in what seems like a cross between “Babe” and “Home Alone.” Rose Byrne also stars in the movie, which is always a good thing. James Corden and Margot Robbie voice two of the bunnies.

“Fifty Shades Freed” is the third and thankfully final installment in the Fifty Shades Trilogy. Last year’s “Fifty Shades Darker” was the absolute worst movie I saw in 2017. I won’t be fooled again.

What does look interesting to me are the two compilations featuring the 2018 Oscar-nominated short films that are playing at the AMC Fiesta Square Theater this week. Here is a rundown on the films included in each compilation.

2018 Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Pictures

Dekalb Elementary

A mentally unstable young man carries a semi-automatic rifle into an elementary school. He holds a school receptionist hostage and instructs her to call 911.

The Eleven O’Clock

A psychiatric patient creates trouble when he begins to believe that he is the doctor instead of the patient.

My Nephew Emmett

Two men invade the home of Mose Wright, an African-American preacher in Mississippi, to abduct his 14-year-old nephew, Emmett Till, who has been accused of whistling at a white woman. Mose knows that his nephew’s fate will be sealed if the men succeed in taking him.

The Silent Child

A deaf four-year-old named Libby is about to start school, but she is unable to communicate. Libby is assigned a social worker who teaches her sign language. Libby’s parents are skeptical and create a roadblock to their daughter’s ability to be educated.

Watu Wote (All of Us)

Members of he violent terrorist group Al-Shabaab, stop a bus and demand that the Muslim passengers identify the Christian riders also on the bus.

2018 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Pictures

Dear Basketball

NBA legend Kobe Bryant describes his love for the game in his inspiring poem that is brought to life by veteran animation director Glen Keane. The short is set to the music of legendary composer John Williams.

Garden Party

Frogs and toads live the high life at a luxurious villa, but is the fun over when they discover the whereabouts of the villa’s owner?

Lou

Lou is the keeper of the lost-and-found box at an elementary school. he tries to teach a bully that giving will make him feel better than taking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVf0PogfHdU

Negative Space

Sam’s father bonds with his son by teaching him how to pack a suitcase.

Revolting Rhymes

Remember all this fairy tales you doted on as a youngster? Well, according to the Wolf from the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” those stories weren’t as innocent and as fun as you might have thought. The film is based on rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake.

Classic Corner

Casablanca

The Skylight Cinema in Bentonville has a special treat for Valentine’s Day. Northwest Arkansas newest cinema is hosting two showings of the the 1942 classic “Casablanca” at 6:30 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Humphrey Bogart stars as the no-nonsense night-club owner Rick, who is knocked for a loop when his old flame Ilsa, played to perfection by Ingrid Bergman, turns up in his establishment with her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried), a Czech Resistance leader who has escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.

There is romance, political intrigue, twists, turns, double-crosses, and heart-wrenching decisions before the climax, which features one of the most selfless acts in film history.

The film is expertly directed by Michael Curtiz and features strong character turns by the likes of Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Conrad Veidt.

And of course there is that song, “As Time Goes By,” sung by Dooley Wilson as Sam the house pianist.

There might not be a perfect movie in existence, but “Casablanca” is close.