Monday Short Film Pick 8/16/2010 – DRUNK HISTORY

Since we are in the enviable position of playing catch-up with this ongoing new series, it seems only right to kick off week two with one of the more genius new short form ideas of this young century, even if everyone has been preaching its glories for some time now. Created by comedian Derek Waters and directed by Jeremy Konner, Drunk History consists of severely sloshed individuals trying to formulate coherent sentences and recount a lesson in American history. If that weren’t a funny enough premise alone—which it very much is—Drunk History takes things to a whole ‘nother level by having famous actors reenact these half-assed monologues. In addition to lip-synching the narration, they are sometimes snapped out of the drama of the moment by an off-screen burp or hiccup or vomit.

Vol. 5 surprised and excited everyone by winning the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. If the idea of a goofy made-for-the-web comedy short beating out more artistically inclined films seems disturbing or wrong to you, just press play below and those worries will go away (and if they don’t, you’re an uptight weirdo). ***I suppose these videos are NSFW, but I also can pretty much guarantee that your cubicle will become the life of the office if you take the plunge and start spreading the word.***

Drunk History Vol. 5: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln (w/ Jen Kirkman, Will Ferrell, Don Cheadle, Zooey Deschanel)

As a bonus, let’s add the latest edition to this post, which is just as hilarious in its own right. Seriously, these things are getting better and better. Don’t stop making them, please!

Drunk History Vol. 6: Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison (w/ Duncan Trussell, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover)

— Michael Tully

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