Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Shorts (2009)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Movie review
From Time Out London
After the ‘Spy Kids’ trilogy, more family frolics from Robert Rodriguez as writer, director, producer and editor. This time, a rainbow-hued wishing stone appears the answer to bullied schoolboy Toby’s problems, but, as ever, it’s a case of being careful what you wish for. Before long, junior has to contend with rampaging crocodiles, a giant nasal bogey, thimble-sized aliens, his pal sprouting telephone ears and so forth.The chaos comes so thick and fast that Rodriguez slices the action into a series of shorts as Toby (Jimmy Bennett) tries to get his head round events. Like so much else, this might have seemed a good idea at the time, but it holds up the flow, and makes a half-baked story even scrappier. You can’t fault the film’s exuberance, but it’s draggy in spots, with the grown-up cast (rotund James Spader’s sinister gadget magnate, William H Macy’s nervy bio-scientist) outshone by Jolie Vanier’s little terror – nattily monikered Helvetica Black.
Author: Trevor Johnston
Time Out London issue 2035, 20-26 August 2009
User reviews of this film
-
- o[ said...
- Posted on Oct 29 2009 15:05 ah!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- jakkkk said...
- Posted on Aug 15 2009 09:16 awsum film very funny verry good!!!!!!!! recomend it to all ages! every1
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Jimmy Bennett, Charles W Short, Kat Dennings
Rated: PG
Duration: 89 mins
UK Release: Aug 21 2009
US Release: Aug 21 2009
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing






What do you think?
Post your review now