The letter “K” is not the easiest of letters. Historically, there are few classic films that begin with the letter. Offhand, I can only think of a couple of films like “Kasablanca,” “Kat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Katch-22.”
Of the shorts that I have seen, only two are being listed below. I am sure that I will come across more as I continue to hunt for better shorts (as that is what I am recommending to you, dear reader). In the meantime, here are a pair of excellent films, with one that might just keep you up at night.
Killer Kart
You can watch the video here.
The Apocalypse can take many forms. Often, we are prepared for Zombies. But what if the threat was already there? What if a group, already in place, snapped and began its decimation of humanity? What if the threat was no further than your supermarket?
This 2012 horror-parody explores just that scenario. Spot-on fun with homage to films like “Jaws”, “Alien” and, of course, “Night of the Living Dead,” this film by writer/director James Feeney, has amassed at least 17 awards at numerous film festivals. It should be on every horror aficionado’s Watch List.
Kitchen Sink
You can watch the video here:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77b_1325533813
Now, I’m not guaranteeing that this will still be there, but this 1989 short film may be the New Zealand version of “Eraserhead”. Shot in grainy black and white, this film is creepy. Originally, I found this on New Zealand’s film board online site. It is now pay-per-view. Liveleak.com appears to have gotten a copy. Writer/director Alison Maclean weaves a bizarre tale of what we find in the drain. The short was nominated for Best Short at Cannes and won Best Short at Sitges.
She has also directed episodes of such American TV shows as “Sex and the City,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” and “The Adventures of Pete and Pete,” along with “Gossip Girl,” “The Tudors” and “The L Word.”
Sadly, these are the only films that I could include whose titles began with “K” on the list. I was originally going to skip this letter and go right to “L”, until I remembered that “K” is also the first letter in a reoccurring theme in short horror films. I am speaking of “Kids.”
K is for Kids
As many parents know, children always think that there is something under the bed. Generally, it would be a monster of some kind. Adults who grew up during the Cold War, would know quite well that there are no monsters under the bed. There are Communists.
Enough history.
Bedtime is the best time for fright. Here is equal time for the monster under the bed.
The Little Witch (2013)
From the United Kingdom, directed by Alasdair McBroom.
Tuck Me In (2014)
From Spain, directed by Ignacio F. Rodo.
Both tell the same story, one from the perspective of the little girl, one from the perspective of the little boy. Both are getting the Father. What’s up with that? Maybe it is revenge thing against Disney, who notoriously does in Mothers in their films.
It should be noted that these are not the only two that use this theme. Plugging in the words “something under the bed” in Google for videos is likely to turn up at least ten films, all with a similar punchline.
The Monster Under My Bed
A spin on this theme is brought to you by Karlijn Scholten of the Netherlands, in her 2009 Student film, which is not on imdb. However, Karlijn is on the site for her work in the Animation Department of an animated feature called “Pim & Pom: The Big Adventure”.
This is a very endearing and heartwarming short.
Monster Problems
This 2015 short, directed by Adam Green, explores the problems that three monsters have with trying to eat young Elliot. The cagy child has made it under the covers before they could grab him. The arguments and finger pointing begins! Hilarious, this short re-enforces everything about monsters that you believed as a child.
The monsters are played by Derek Mears (“Sleepy Hollow”), Kelly Vrooman (“The Chica Show”) and Colton Dunn (“Key and Peele”).
Dinorider
How does anger manifest itself? Is there revenge for the abused? And, is it all real? Peter Lopes’ 2010 animated short, from Denmark, poses those questions.
Once again, a letter has been removed from the alphabet. As usual, I am grateful to IMDB, Youtube and Vimeo, who continue to amaze and enlighten. I will have to look into Liveleak more often, who helped to provide the film from New Zealand. And, like Canada, New Zealand has a film board website, that should be looked into for the best their country has to offer.
