9-14-25 — Christina Critiques GenreBlast Film Festival shorts (Part 3)

There’s so much greatness below that I can’t contain myself.

Let’s get into them.

Title: UNRESOLVED

Directed by: William Coughlan

Country: US               Run Time: 7 minutes

Themes: Resolutions, contentment

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: A woman is beginning a new journey in her life but she’s not dealing with it well. At least until she gets a bit of help from an app a friend recommends.

Favorite line(s): “It’s the ‘eye of the resolver’ kind of deal.”

Thoughts: First, how was done in 48 hours?! It’s not only cleverly written, but the acting and cinematography is stellar. The woman who plays the “resolver” of sorts, was so good. She was this awkward, unsure kinda of newbie character and it worked! Hilarious and a feel good film, this one is a must see.

Title: HOUSEWIFE

Directed by: Jacob Lazarow and Greta Guthrie

Country: US               Run Time: 5 minutes

Themes: Unreliable characters

Content Warning: Death

Synopsis: While cleaning, a housewife finds an old dollhouse. But what happens when the house wants you to play it?

Favorite line(s): “Look at you, you’re a mess. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Thoughts: Wanna talk open-ended? HOUSEWIFE is for you! It’s 100% weird but once the viewer looks a bit deeper, they find so much more. Does this imply mental illness? Is the housewife bored and fantasizing about a crazy happenstance? Nostalgia gone wrong? Past trauma surfacing in a bizarre way but relatable to the character? There are so many options! And that is the recipe for a great film and story. (Personal note: now I will be side eying all dollhouses in my home.)

Title: WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A LAWNMOWER

Directed by: Moon Abbott

Country: US               Run Time: 5 minutes

Themes: Accidents, married life, sexism

Content Warning: Death

Synopsis: A married couple is preparing their home and backyard for what seems like the makings of a perfect afternoon with friends.

Favorite line(s): N/A

Thoughts: The male character was so insufferable that I had to back the film up to watch the pitcher scene twice, catharsis at it’s finest. The camera work was spectacular and the music/sound effects were amazing. They both added so much to the film. Did I mention how terrible the husband was? That’s quality acting, forcing the viewer to have such a visceral reaction. That speaks to not only the acting, but the casting and script.

Title: dont.4get2smile

Directed by: Stefani Alessandro Pennesi

Country: US               Run Time: 10 minutes

Themes: Technology and the bad side

Content Warning: Stalking, post-mortem photos, jump scares

Synopsis: After two friends are killed in mysterious ways, two other friends try to figure out why. Then the notification chimes.

Favorite line(s): “She looks bad.” “How bad?” “Closed casket bad.”

Thoughts: From my notes, “DAMN! That makeup artist’s skills are on point. Holy shit.” I was SO impressed with everything about this film. But hats off to the makeup artist. Not only was it well done but it looked so freakin’ real. So much so that I had to go watch something funny because the characters were stuck in my mind’s eye. A definite must watch for any horror fan!

Title: CALL EARL

Directed by: Jordan Pfeifer

Country: US               Run Time: 5 minutes

Themes: Fitting in, friendship

Content Warning: Kidnapping

Synopsis: Three girls invite the loner over for a slumber party. Fun, right?

Favorite line(s): “Well, any friend of the girls is a friend of mine.”

Thoughts: While there is minimal horror in the normal sense (blood, etc.), the music and pacing make this one of the scarier films I’ve seen. The hesitation on the FMC’s part and the girl that attempts to help her - soul crushing. A true look at the cattiness of girls and how trying to fit in and follow the crowd can have dire consequences.

Title: PIZZA TIME PIZZA

Directed by: Nicholas Thurkettle

Country: US               Run Time: 7 minutes

Themes: Wasted life, bigger opportunities

Content Warning: Impending existential crisis

Synopsis: Sean just wants a freakin’ pizza. He didn’t order a side of sass or existential crisis but he will get both, free of charge.

Favorite line(s): “Do you have thin crust?”

Thoughts: From my notes: “Existential crisis for one, please.” “Jesus, the heaviness of such a funny film.” The chemistry between Sean’s character and the voice on the phone is insane. They played off of each other so well. It added a humorous element to a very heavy film, even though one wouldn’t think that from just an order for a pizza.

Title: CHRIST DANCE

Directed by: Taylor Nice

Country: US               Run Time: 2 minutes

Themes: Church, religion

Content Warning: Religious images

Synopsis: A woman dances and mimics religious poses (praying, crucification)

Favorite line(s): N/A

Thoughts: Um… holy (pun intended) crap. This was wild from the second it starts to the last. It was so unsettling that I dissociated for a few minutes. The music (if it’s called that) in the background almost makes you want to cry but not because it’s beautiful. It’s the most upsetting thing I’ve ever heard and it matches what I watched to the tee. Simply put, it’s an attack on all of your senses. The woman in the film: is she possessed? Experiencing God in some way? And the background: is it a sermon? Someone speaking in tongues? A Satanic chant? Who knows! But, friends, this film does what it set out to do, fuck with the viewer to the point of questioning their own sanity.

Title: INCESTRY.COM: Trace Your Roots

Directed by: Tyler Council

Country: US               Run Time: 3 minutes

Themes: Family

Content Warning: Incest

Synopsis: Want to find family members and fuck them? Why not try this website.

Favorite line(s): “Discover your roots and then root them.”

“… and most importantly take the skin boat to Tuna town.”

Thoughts: From my notes: “WTF?” “What in the fuck did I just watch?” Guess what I laughed so hard at some of the absolute insanity. (Which I needed after CHRIST DANCE). It looks and feels like an actual commercial and so it’s jarring when the viewer is reminded, and numerous times at that, what the commercial is actually about. Need a chuckle? Get your favorite family member and have some quality time. (I just threw up in my mouth a bit.)

Title: PRIDE IN OUR STEPS

Directed by: Jonathon Riles

Country: US               Run Time: 2 minutes

Themes: LGBT+ history and the refusal to stop advocating

Content Warning: flashing lights/digital effects

Synopsis: A short history of the fight for LGBT+ rights

Favorite line(s):  “… in a storybook where the shoe fits permanently…”

Thoughts: This was a powerful short. The colors and the voices were so intertwined and intermingling that the viewer couldn’t look away one second. In such a short time, the viewer is shown what has happened and what is to come. The synonyms and metaphors for feet, walking, steps, was such an interesting use in it. And the ending: S.O.S. - Save our Soles. Chef’s kiss.

Title: POPPA

Directed by: Peter Ahern

Country: US           Run Time: 1 minute

Themes: ummmmm… fatherhood?

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: A man is cutting his nails and chewing bubblegum… until he begins choking on it.

Favorite line(s): “Poppa?”

Thoughts: As I’m typing this, I’m cackling and shaking my head at the craziness of this animated film. It definitely doesn’t go the way the viewer thinks. Let me tell you something, there is a whole lot happening in one minute. Honestly, I can’t say too much without spoiling it but it’s something everyone should experience.

(Unable to watch the following: SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL AGES, VHX, LAST SACRIFICE, and COLD DEAD HAND due to access availability issues).