As I sat watching this year’s Oscar nominated short films one of my friends offered a one-line review, “Huh! They’re short.”

The Oscar winner, "Logorama."

What is it about a film less than an hour and a half long that does not quite click with us? I mean, each year more short films are made than feature-length and yet, without asking, I can tell you my parents saw not one short film last year. Neither have my grandparents, my siblings, pretty much most of my friends, and me, until the night before last. I am here to let you know this is a real problem, folks. This year’s Academy-nominated short films were some of the finest films I have had the joy of watching in some time, but lucky for you (and my parents) they are playing at the NARO this week!

At a time when parsimony is king and efficiency is paramount, why do we not embrace short films as a more proficient way to get our art? It seems to me that with our smart phones keeping us connected and scheduled, tweets giving us as much as possible with 140 characters, and people constantly looking to squeeze and shave minutes from a day, that we would be running to get in line for 15 minutes of joy. So, what’s the hold up?

I have a theory (please do not stop reading), and it is this: With a short film you get what you give. Short films don’t have the time to tell you everything. They do not have the space to give you much resolution and a neat conclusion. They do not have the patience to walk you to a neatly tied up ending. Short films say so much in a brief span, and they leave you with homework. The credits might as well say, “Now go home, and think about it.”

Unfortunately though, most of us have decided that entertainment means “not thinking,” and I think we are missing out. Sure you could spend two hours watching Transformers, but I’ve got to ask the pretentious questions here. What will you take away with you? What have you done other than pass some time and acquire a slew of Deceptacon fun facts?

"French Roast," from, you guessed it, France.

This week the NARO will be showing the Oscar nominated shorts. Both live and animated, these films are not to be missed. They touch on many different topics and exist in varied genres and periods. If one is to search out some commonality amongst these films, it is surely to be their greatness. However, films are far better experienced than summarized, and so I encourage you to get out and see these yourselves. Here, in as few words as possible, are some highlights to whet your appetite.

One cartoon teaches lessons about judging those around us; tackling first impressions and social appearances head on. Another turns a mirror on the viewer, imagining a world made up of personified brands, and logos (not too imagined). One of my favorites imagines a literal life and death struggle between the Grim Reaper and a doctor saving a woman’s life. Another perfectly captures the uncomfortable nature of childhood. Other films touch on modern day slavery, Chernobyl, a nun in disguise, the randomness at the end of life, the wonder at the beginning, and all the phases in between.

These films tackle a number of interesting ideals and yet each asks you to ask something of yourself. Perhaps that explains our reluctance to watch short films year round, and not just once a year (or never) when the Academy has narrowed it down to an elite handful for us. I am here to say these short films are worth the time! We take from them a new perspective, a new voice, a new skill, and memories that will stick with you.

These short films ask questions, but do not give you the answer. That is for you to figure out. They are films you carry with you, and you reflect on them when they reflect on you. I hope you will all take the time this week to make it out to the NARO, and let each of these films ask you their question. After all, great things truly do come in small packages.

The 2010 Oscar Nominated Animated Films are scheduled to run through Thursday at the Naro Cinema. Visit narocinema.com for more info.