Watch Kids' Reviews of
SHORTS

The film "Shorts," directed by Spy Kids' mastermind Robert Rodriguez is set in the suburb of Black Falls where all the houses look alike and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated whose BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. If that little device reminds you of an IPhone on steroids, you're right. Rated PG for mild action and rude humor, it bears an impressive cast (Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, William H. Macy, James Spader and Jimmy Bennett) who bring to life a simple story where children save the day. The film evolved as a collaborative effort with Rodriguez' own children. In this well-paced tale, 11-year-old Toe-Thompson is hit on the head by a rainbow-colored rock that changes his world. This rock grants wishes to anyone who holds it and the kids find out that you have to be careful what you wish for. It's not always what you planned. If you wish that you can fly, you might end up being a bird. One kid's ears turn into a telephone handset. Everyone who finds it tries to have fun with it and by the time they figure it out, it gets passed on to someone else. Of course, when the adults get their hands on the rock, chaos ensues. One guy wishes to be the most powerful guy on earth. Toe and his friends end up having to join together to save their world and learn about the value of teamwork. "Shorts" inspires children to find reasonable solutions to problems and addresses issues such as making friends and is the perfect summer film for the whole family. It definitely appeals more to boys than girls, particularly the giant bugger which the boys in our jury loved! Younger children might find some scenes too scary such as when the children fight odd-looking aliens, adults transform themselves into other beings, buildings get destroyed and mayhem reigns. But, in the end, the good ultimately wins. Kids and parents will love "Shorts." Kids especially will love the idea that they are smarter than the adults around them. It's pretty predictable but definitely makes for great fun-filled entertainment that families can enjoy together.

"Special preview screening in select venues" Eleven-year-old Toe Thompson is the designated punching bag for the bullies of the suburban community of Black Falls, where his and everyone else's parents work for Black Box Industries, makers of the do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. But during a freak storm, a mysterious Rainbow Rock, which grants wishes to anyone who finds it, falls from the sky. Suddenly, the neighborhood that Toe already thinks is weird is about to get a lot weirder. As the Rainbow Rock ricochets around the town--from kid to kid and parent to parent--wishes-come-true quickly turn the neighborhood upside down in a wild rampage of everything from tiny aliens to giant boogers. From Robert Rodriguez, director of "Spy Kids," comes a magical fantasy adventure told through a series of shorts that each brings to life the sometimes wonderful, often terrible, and totally out-of-control wishes that become far more than Toe and his neighbors ever imagined." Shorts" stars Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Devon Gearhart, Leo Howard, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Written and directed by Rodriguez, the film is produced by Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellán, with Dan Lin, Hunt Lowry, Mohammed Khalaf and Edward Borgerding serving as executive producers. As he often does, Rodriguez serves as his own director of photography, editor, visual effects supervisor and composer on the film. In theatres August 21, 2009, the film has been rated PG by the MPAA for mild action and some rude humor.