tom-kendall

My hat is off to Susumu Kimura, who both wrote and directed this gem of a short. The concept, plot and script are spot-on. Every actor without exception gives a superb performance. The setting and cinematography are perfect. 'Submittan' is precisely the right length, not one second too long nor too short. For all this: nine-point-five stars, and very close to a ten, in my view.

But, in common with all too many shorts, the musical score is in-your-face portentious, over-written and loud. It's not a score for a very fine film; it's a score for some kind of video game, and as such, it's as inappropriate as Worcestershire sauce on a hot fudge sundae. I think what's needed is a very lightly scored, minimalist effort that subtly points up the almost static drama. I give the present score four stars.

So, overall, seven stars.

This is what happens when you pay writers - who are channeling the movie 'Stand by Me' - a nickel per word.

I've watched three episodes. I'll watch episode four. But unless it turns around a whole bunch, I'll quit. It's not worth it to watch four minutes of content sandwiched between two three-minute sequences of commercials.

If he looked familiar to you, the Wizard was played by Armin Shimerman, an actor who has appeared in just about everything.

Possibly his most memorable role was the Ferengi Quark, in Star Trek: Deep Space 9 (1993-1999). It was certainly his longest-running role: he appeared in 172 episodes.

He was also in 19 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

So now you know . . .