Shorts

Shorts (2009) — watch online on iFILM, a family sci-fi comedy written and directed by Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids). The story centers on eleven-year-old Toby, who lives in Black Falls — a suburb where every house looks identical and every adult works for the Black Box Corporation, maker of the world's most coveted gadget.

Then Toby finds a colorful wishing rock. It grants wishes. Immediately. Without any grace period for regret. Crocodiles rain from the sky. A kid turns into a booger. The town's adults — played by Leslie Mann, Jon Cryer, William H. Macy and James Spader — abandon all pretense of maturity and start scheming for the rock just as hard as their children do.

Rodriguez made this one with his own kids in the cast — Racer, Rocket and Rebel Rodriguez all appear on screen. At 89 minutes it moves fast, with a scrambled timeline and the kind of logic that only makes sense in a good way. Stream Shorts (2009) online on iFILM.