Stalker: Krym
Another showcase of how a few guys with a vision can create an atmosphere that Hollywood can barely touch upon. Stalker isn’t the kind of game that could be turned into a big budget motion picture. It works better in this form, as you can see from the brooding and oppressive trailer above.
Half-Life: Beyond Black Mesa
Though the Half-Life series has always been renowned for its narrative intricacy and memorable protagonist, there’s so much more going on in the Half-Life universe than just the adventures of Gordon Freeman. The film is certainly well made for a fan enterprise, and seeing the weapons and creatures of Half-life in this format is interesting enough in itself.
Paperboy: The Movie
Putting anything as abstract and bizzarre as the universe of Paperboy into the mould of a serious action movie will always yield comical results, and this mock trailer for Paperboy: The Movie doesn’t disappoint. It finally gives a back story to our silent protagonist, and they even get that weird guy who lies down on the street spinning his legs in the air in. Classic.
Portal: No Escape
You’d think a sci-fi title like Portal would make for on overly ambitious fan film project, but Dan Trachtenburg really nails it in this short film. It manages to capture the isolated tone of the Portal games and features some quality computer animation and action to boot. Even though the textbook humour of Portal is missing, the film manages to offer a self contained narrative with a great ending, all in a concise five minute package.
