Mr. Dentonn

Though I like shorts I like it frustrating when their scale is simply too big for the available runtime. If the credits roll and I feel like it needed more, it's failed. And sadly that's certainly what we have here.

It tells the story of a girl and her little brother who find themselves under attack from a mysterious entity (That looks suspiciously like the Babadook from the same year).

I get the impression from this that it was made in hopes of getting funding for a full length feature, clearly they didn't get it and I'm not surprised.

Though it looks the part and is definitely well made I have to say when the credits began I was left unsatisfied. It hadn't told a story, it was more like a snippet from a feature length movie and that didn't sit right with me.

Well made, but somewhat pointless.

The Good:

Looks great

The Bad:

Ultimately feels a tad empty

You know the story. Because it is more than predictable sketch of old Gothic stories and familiar fairy tales. But the axis of seduction is not exactly the story itself but the manner to use the details for show it, from cinematography, music and special effects. And the fine build of tension. An old fashion craft. And a great result.

On a cold winter night, Laura reads his brother David the story of a strange creature that attacks children. Suddenly, a shiver runs Laura's body, feeling a strange presence in the house. It's him.

Anyone watching this short today (2016) is going to immediately connect it with the Babadook. The top hat, the mysterious bedtime story that appears out of nowhere. But, because both were made / released in 2014, it seems like it has to be a coincidence, right? A big one ,but a coincidence just the same.

We rarely see independent filmmakers working with this level of production value. The camera, the music, the costumes and makeup... this should have been an international hit from the second it was released. Seek it out if you can, well worth your seven minutes.