9-28-25 — Christina Critiques GenreBlast Film Festival Films (Part 6)

Title: BABY BLUES - GOING DARK

Directed by: James P. Gleason

Country: US        Run Time: 19 minutes

Themes: Debt repayment, wrong place/wrong time

Content Warning: TEETH

Synopsis: A doctor and her nurse have a very interesting day - it almost seems like something isn’t right with them. I would like to see a medical license, please.

Favorite line(s): “I don’t think you need to be a snowflake.”

Thoughts: Hilarious. The two actresses make the whole thing so Abbott and Costello almost. Just shenanigan after shenanigan. The actor that is put through it at times, made me laugh so hard. But… there were teeth. And if you know anything about me, I hate them. But watching that part is 100% worth it because the premise of BABY BLUES is a chef’s kiss.

Title: BOILING POINT

Directed by: Nathan Declan Gallagher

Country: US        Run Time: 18 minutes

Themes: Hope vs. reality

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: Douglas is like Alexander - he’s having a no good, rotten, bad day. And to think, it eventually involves a boy band… called Guy Time.

Favorite line(s): “Fuck you! Fuck you! And you! And fuck you!”

Thoughts:  First off, damn it all this was relatable. I mean, not the boy band part but if the viewer replaces the boy band with any gross positivity that just amplifies the cherry on top of a shit sundae, then you will get this film. I also have never wanted to punch a woman more than Douglas’s wife. That was stellar acting, lol. We are all Douglas.

Title: AUTOPHAGY

Directed by: Edie Lawrence

Country: UK        Run Time: 11 minutes

Themes: healthcare instability, homeless/affordability

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: A man must watch as the world around him is changed. His wife, neighbor, and even he is not immune to this change.

Favorite line(s): “The Octopi Epidemic reaches new heights.”

Thoughts:  How claymation and stop motion can make you cry get heavy boots, I can’t explain. There is so much social commentary injected into this short. The only words are from a radio and the rest… well, heartbreak. To have to watch while a sickness takes hold and there is nothing you can do but watch and hope, this will be relatable as well but in such a different way than my previous review. AUTOPHAGY will stay in my heart on etched on my soul until my last breath.

Title: THE MAN THAT I WAVE AT

Directed by: Ben Hyland

Country: UK        Run Time: 11 minutes

Themes: conceived imperfections, technology

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: Dave and Denise seem to have the perfect relationship, but sometimes, things aren’t as well as they seem. One wave and Dave’s whole world will change and not for the better.

Favorite line(s): “Who was the instigator of the first wave?”

Thoughts:  Talk about heavy boots, this took a turn neither I nor my heart was ready for. Emotional damage is the only thing I can think of for the film. Just the crassness of Denise and the need from Dave, pure heartbreak. Don’t be tricked with this one with all of its brightness, get the Kleenex ready.

Title: SUPER CRITICAL

Directed by: Joel Osment

Country: US        Run Time:  7 minutes

Themes: End of the world

Content Warning: offscreen nuclear aftermath

Synopsis: A laboratory doctor and her subordinate must come to terms with their new world and it won’t be easy for either of them.

Favorite line(s): “Sign here. Just here. It’s fine. This guy right here. And I’ll run it back to HR.”

Thoughts:  I’m not going to lie, this is 100% relatable as well. I would be that subordinate, asking dumb questions. Some may think it’s to keep with the life I previously had, no. Not at all. I want a closer parking spot, my days off, and door dash. I wish to not be judged. But I will be and I’m OK with that, I’ll be fat, less tired, and relaxed. Absolutely stellar and such a hilarious idea for a short.

Title: CONNECTION

Directed by: Tom White

Country: US        Run Time: 22 minutes

Themes: Relationships, communication, manipulation

Content Warning: Self-harm and suicidal ideations

Synopsis: A man has an opportunity to revisit some of the better times with his wife but of course, they come with a high cost.

Favorite line(s): “I know you can hear me.”

Thoughts:  Wow, wow, wow. CONNECTION was absolutely not what I thought it was going to be about. And I love that with films, especially short ones. The main actor really put his heart and soul into his part, it was so real. And the story itself, the world building? It felt like I had been watching a series for years within such a small timeframe. Truly devastating from beginning to end.

Title: D3B & JOAN

Directed by: Isaac Rathbone

Country: US        Run Time: 14 minutes

Themes: Forbidden love, technology, over-reach

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: An android is being sent on a mission that will take them to a distant planet… but she wants to remain on Earth for one simple reason, love.

Favorite line(s): “I know how to scan a diagnostic report. Thank you!”

Thoughts: Oddly sweet, endearing, and funny. Gl2n is your classic oblivious guy and that actor hit it spot on. I was laughing at the scene where he is working on the dashboard, making sure it is good to go. Something about that complete oblivion as a foil to the female main characters just worked. “Gl2n does not stimulate my … programming needs.” But the end is perfection.

Title: ASTROVAN

Directed by: Matt Heder

Country: US        Run Time: 16 minutes

Themes: Nature vs. development, conspiracy theories

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: Max lives a quiet life in the woods and he has a neighbor, Roger. After losing his dog, Max only has Rog and his duck, Helen, to keep him company when not working or making cooking videos. But something just doesn’t seem right.

Favorite line(s): “I heard that song, Linger. It’s a good song I guess. I mean, it’s chick music for what it’s worth.”

Thoughts:  Again, the perfect casting for characters. Somehow Rog and Max just seem like they are made for those roles. Rog and his crazy conspiracies, Max and his loyalty to his pupper. Also, can we talk about the naked Asian guy? No? OK, I didn’t see a thing. Beautiful setting, crazy story, and perfect casting. And there’s a bit of social commentary in there as well. One can never go wrong with a bit of that thrown in.

Title: BATHBOMB

Directed by: Colin G. Cooper

Country: Canada        Run Time: 10 minutes

Themes: infidelity

Content Warning:  … um… severed body parts

Synopsis: A couple try to have a relaxing night; one making the bath, the other in the bath. But… the bath bomb has a secret treasure in the middle. What could it be!?

Favorite line(s): “I’m such a little bitch.”

Thoughts:  This went from 0 to 100 in like 2 seconds. Here are some of my actual notes: “Girl - jaw on the floor!” And “Good lord in heaven.” The absolute insanity of the situation and the coldness of one of the characters took me by such surprise. But oh, was that surprise a wonderful payoff for the viewer. … although, in the future, no bath bombs for me, thank you.

Title: THE SHAVER MYSTERY

Directed by: Dean Bertram

Country: US        Run Time: 14 minutes

Themes: Conspiracy theories

Content Warning: N/A

Synopsis: A short glimpse into the works of Richard Shaver and his publisher, Ray Palmer.

Favorite line(s): “Accidents don’t just happen.”

Thoughts:  Holy Toledo. I’m gonna be honest for a second. I thought this was a hoax short. I mean, the story of Shaver and what he wrote just sounded absolutely like sci-fi. I was wrong. I bought The Shaver Mystery book from Amazon. I can’t wait to see the entire documentary. Definitely eye-opening.