Wildest Dreams

Billed as "a rock ‘n roll adventure about believing in yourself," this student film is about Randy, an angst-ridden, stressed young musician/composer who is trying to write a hit song for his favorite pop idol Russ Calvin, whose star is somewhat on the wane. This short won a school award and garnered a student Oscar nomination, which was probably well-deserved for great execution of standard student-film dazzle (long tracking shots, impressive moody lighting, quick edit montage, etc.). However, it suffers from being extremely dated (big hair '80s) and sporting a tortured plot with little character development. Even the primary message about self-confidence is somewhat buried under the filmmakers' apparent excitement about getting to fire a real gun to "a rousing rock score." Not recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)