Feb 22, 2008  |  By: GREG MARZULLO  | COMMENTS     

favorite web site, which we see him plugged into at the film’s beginning, features all manner of power-over fantasies, including white men doing natives of various stripes.

Gossip gets around the office, and Murray’s Latino boss starts putting the moves on the closeted nervous wreck. Adding to Murray’s difficulties are a sputtering vehicle and the appearance of a beautiful horse that seems to stalk the man, eventually forcing him to indulge his cowboy fantasies and meet his boss at the local rodeo.

Joel Moffett as Murray is a comic gem, especially as his anxiety mounts to a fever pitch, ending in a hilarious breakdown (reminiscent of Jack Lemmon’s performance in 1970’s “The Out of Towners”).

“Offline” is the worst of the shorts, combining tiresome clichés with mediocre acting and a deplorably pat ending. A reclusive gay man only hooks up with online guys until his therapist forces him out into the bar scene (a questionable step up). Once at the bar, he only sees men’s computer profiles over their faces and heads, but finally he meets that special someone who changes his perception. Don’t worry — the thrill of short films is that they’re over quickly if they suck.

A powerful short, “United We Stand” combines strong technical filmmaking with a tight plot to make a statement on imperialism, war and the tragedy of homophobia. The first third of the film is taken up with one long shot over a battlefield (seemingly in Iraq), revealing sobbing children, mangled bodies, raging fires and soldiers locked in combat with guerillas.

Two American soldiers hide out in a makeshift bunker and they end up having sex in a scene that is passionate yet sometimes tender, highlighting the need for people surrounded by death to engage in one of life’s most positive affirmations. However, nothing lasts forever, including an interlude of sweetness in the midst of war’s insanity.

The main highlight of Monday’s films is “Unraveling Michelle,” a documentary self-portrait by indie filmmaker Michelle Ann Farrell (née Joseph Richard). Before our eyes, Joseph becomes Michelle through a series of emotional and medical processes. Featured characters include Michelle’s business partner, her film crew, her amazingly supportive mother and others from her day-to-day life.

An ex-heroin addict, then-Joseph lived in Baltimore for many years as a man during the day and a woman at night, heading out to clubs with understanding girlfriends all decked out as his feminine self. After kicking the drug habit, Joseph starting getting into film and actually created his own artistic company.

During “Unraveling,” we see Joseph develop into a fully realized woman, but not without some cost, including a failed business relationship and friendship. Despite the occasional downer moment, the film captures a seemingly indomitable spirit whose unflinching gaze (especially in