Hole in the Paper Sky (2008)

A brilliant, misanthropic math genius is inexplicably drawn into an unusual friendship with a laboratory dog.

Director:

Bill Purple

Writers:

Howard Kingkade (original screenplay), Bill Purple

Stars:

Jason Clarke, Jessica Biel, Garry Marshall

5 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jason Clarke	...	Howard Ferp
Jessica Biel	...	Karen Watkins
Garry Marshall	...	Warren
Stephen Collins	...	Mr. Benson
Jeffrey Nordling	...	Prof. Cory (as Jeff Nordling)
Sarah Bastian	...	Mom w / Kids (as Sera Bastian)
Eric Amadio	...	Bearded Chess Player
Peter Cilella	...	Chess Player #2
Timothy Hornor	...	Lab Tech
Tanya Smith	...	Tournament Coordinator
Kendall Katskee	...	Librarian
Lily Ganahl	...	Kid #1
Quinn Ganahl	...	Kid #2
Buster	...	Dog #39
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christopher Jenkins Holmes	...	Chess Player #1

Storyline

A brilliant, misanthropic math genius is inexplicably drawn into an unusual friendship with a laboratory dog.

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Taglines:

Life Breaks Through

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Iron Ocean Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Living Life
by Ben Kweller

User Reviews

I'm completely blown away

Whenever I see someone write that this is the first time they've reviewed a film, I always wonder wonder what film would make me take that step. This is it.

I just finished watching it. I set my DVR to program a bunch of the "Stars in Shorts" films the other day, and this was the first one. I knew nothing about it in advance. As I watched it, I knew I recognized the leads, but couldn't think of their names, and figured I'd check out the credits at the end. My DVR cut it off! After I finished sobbing (from the film not my DVR) I wanted to recommend it to my friends, but I didn't know the title because my DVR started it a little late as well. I had no idea how I was going to be able to find out anything about it. I went to the "Stars in Shorts" website and couldn't see it listed. Luckily I remembered that Garry Marshall and Stephen Collins were in it as well so I was able to find it that way on IMDb.

I was about to link it to my friends, but I read the description and I feel there's no way the film can really be appreciated if you read that first. If I had read it I wouldn't have watched it. Math genius? Wounded animal? No thank you. Then I read the storyline further down the page, and that's pretty much the movie. Talk about spoilers! Why watch it if you're just going to describe it right there?

I was already a Jason Clark fan (even if I couldn't remember his name) from Brothers, but I think his performance in this was flawless. I can't believe a story this powerful can be expressed so fully in so short a time. Everyone associated with this film deserves an award...even the dog :) I think it's remarkable how Howard's struggle in the days after seeing the dog are as clear as day without him having said a word about it.

I don't know how to end this, but I want to tell the "powers that be" that something should be done about the description and storyline. Maybe something simple like, "An unexpected encounter changes a man's life forever." I don't think ANYTHING should be given away.