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IMDbPro

Shorts

  • 2009
  • PG
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
8.4K
YOUR RATING
William H. Macy, James Spader, Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Devon Gearhart, Jimmy Bennett, Leo Howard, Rebel Rodriguez, Jolie Vanier, and Jake Short in Shorts (2009)
Shorts Theatrical Trailer - The discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes a stir in the suburban town of Black Falls, and grand-scale chaos occurs when the object falls into the hands of local adults.
Play trailer2:22
20 Videos
73 Photos
Animal AdventureAdventureComedyFamilyFantasySci-Fi

A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.

  • Director
    • Robert Rodriguez
  • Writers
    • Robert Rodriguez
    • Álvaro Rodríguez
    • Víctor Ugalde
  • Stars
    • Jimmy Bennett
    • James Spader
    • Kat Dennings
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.8/10
    8.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • Writers
      • Robert Rodriguez
      • Álvaro Rodríguez
      • Víctor Ugalde
    • Stars
      • Jimmy Bennett
      • James Spader
      • Kat Dennings
    • 48User reviews
    • 99Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos20

    Shorts
    Trailer 2:22
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Trailer 1:31
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Trailer 1:31
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Clip 0:45
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Clip 0:50
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Clip 0:52
    Shorts
    Shorts
    Clip 0:34
    Shorts

    Photos73

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    + 67
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    Top Cast68

    Edit
    Jimmy Bennett
    Jimmy Bennett
    • Toe Thompson
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Mr. Black
    Kat Dennings
    Kat Dennings
    • Stacey Thompson
    Jake Short
    Jake Short
    • Nose Noseworthy
    Trevor Gagnon
    Trevor Gagnon
    • Loogie
    Devon Gearhart
    Devon Gearhart
    • Cole Black
    Jolie Vanier
    Jolie Vanier
    • Helvetica Black
    Rebel Rodriguez
    Rebel Rodriguez
    • Lug
    Leo Howard
    Leo Howard
    • Laser
    Leslie Mann
    Leslie Mann
    • Mom Thompson
    Jon Cryer
    Jon Cryer
    • Dad Thompson
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Dr. Noseworthy
    Angela Lanza
    Angela Lanza
    • Teacher
    Alejandro Rose-Garcia
    Alejandro Rose-Garcia
    • John…
    Cambell Westmoreland
    • Blinker #1
    Zoe Webb
    • Blinker #2
    Chris Orf
    Chris Orf
    • Goofy Host
    Tina Rodriguez
    • Female Employee
    • Director
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • Writers
      • Robert Rodriguez
      • Álvaro Rodríguez
      • Víctor Ugalde
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews48

    4.88.3K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    7devgibbs

    Through the Eyes of a Child

    I saw this with my son (10) and his friend. I expected to fall asleep because of the poor reviews on IMDb, but to my happy surprise it awoke the inner child in me. The wishes were plausible for children and the FX were enjoyable. The two kids with me complained that they would have had better wishes than in the movie or about this and that, but they barely moved a muscle while it was playing, didn't ask for popcorn or snacks.

    Overall, this is a great family film in the Disney vein of talking Herbie cars and other implausibilities that I loved as a child and am glad I saw with my child. Better than Spy Kids 2 or 3D, Shark Boy and Lava Girl.
    6bearfaceproductions

    A family film with good imagination

    OK, so I do not like movies like this. But I have to say that this movie was kinda fun, and it had an original plot that is something that kids really want to see. Good clean comedy comes out of this movie every once and a while. A good laugh can be expected from this film. I gotta say that the creator had a really good imagination when making this movie, he really knows what kids would really wish for. The kids acting was fair. On the other hand the adults become a little stupid. The special effects looked a little cheap. And sometimes the imaginative stuff goes a little to far. But I only recommend it for kids 9 and younger. They are sure to enjoy this film and have a thrill. But teens and adults may find this movie to be not so good, because since its meant to be only for kids, people over the age of 13 might find this movie to be way too childish. But it is somewhat fun. This is an ordinary family/kids movie which is slightly a little good as any other.
    5aaron-49330

    I honestly don't know.

    I have very fuzzy memories of religiously watching this movie as a kid and to be honest, I thought I just imagined this movie in a dream.

    It's not that good but I really can't give an honest review of this movie. All I can say is that is incredibly surreal and gross.

    This movie is just such an experience that I can't explain.

    It really does feel like a movie that I just made up as some false memory and I really just can't believe it actually exists and wasn't a figment of my young mind.
    5samsloan

    2 Ridiculous

    I saw the movie and thought it was 2 ridiculous. However, some of the kids in the audience laughed and seemed to enjoy it, so we should give it a chance.

    The high spot was child-actress Jolie Vanier who played the female lead. I predict a great future for her.

    Computer graphics and special effects were great and very well done.

    Actually, it is hard to believe that anybody thinks this movie will be successful.

    I would say that this movie is not suitable for anybody over ten. However, one adult I spoke to after the movie said that she liked it.

    Sam Sloan
    7tavm

    Robert Rodriguez' Shorts has some imagination and humor that goes down easy

    Just watched this movie from 2009 on a single children's matinée showing at 11 am with my movie theatre-working friend. With Robert Rodriguez' name attached, I expected something silly with some good laughs and I did. The title is meant to convey that it's a series of short segments as told by the main kid character in connection with a whole feature that deals with a wish-bearing rock. I think I liked the one about the booger monster the best with second being that bit where Leslie Mann and Jon Cryer as that kid's parents are being literally stuck together. Oh, and I didn't know that this was the first time that Cryer and James Spader had been in the same movie together since Pretty in Pink some 23 years previous. Anyway, I was amused most of the time and wouldn't mind seeing this again with my nieces and nephews. So on that note, Shorts is worth a look if you're in the mood for something imaginative and humorous.

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    Related interests

    Ben Whishaw in Paddington (2014)
    Animal Adventure
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      DITRADE(Robert Rodriguez): [fictional brand names]: Toby is seen eating Great White Bites cereal, also seen in Rodriguez' Planet Terror (2007).
    • Goofs
      Blinker #1 blinks (at around 31 mins) while opening a cellophane bag over his cereal bowl. Blinker #2 blinks (at around 22 mins) in the background during the classroom scene where the aliens are circling the bottoms of the students' desks while the teacher is conducting an experiment with catalysts.
    • Quotes

      Helvetica Black: Shall we do this?

      Toe Thompson: I just realized something. I know why you have them beat up on me everyday.

      Helvetica Black: 'Cause I hate you?

      Toe Thompson: Because you love me. That's right isn't it? We're both outsiders, We're both ignored, we both have railroad tracks for braces. we're lonely and boring and always getting in trouble because we have nothing else better to do.So, you're head-over-heels in love with me and that makes you furious! Am I right?

      Helvetica Black: How about... NO!

    • Crazy credits
      When the closing credits reach the song section, Jimmy Bennett states he wrote the song 'Summer Never Ends' thereby his wish came true
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Marc Pease Experience/Shorts/Post Grad (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Spy Ballet
      Written by Robert Rodriguez

      Courtesy of MRX Music Corp. (ASCAP)

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Shorts?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Shorts" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 21, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Arab Emirates
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Warner Bros.
      • Warner Bros. (Germany)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shorts: The Adventures of the Wishing Rock
    • Filming locations
      • Texas School for the Deaf, 1102 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ
      • Media Rights Capital (MRC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $40,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,919,166
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,410,339
      • Aug 23, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $28,972,508
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 29m(89 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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