Perhaps the essence of the GI Joe Stop-Motion Film Festival is captured in the music video Dick Cheney Goes Hunting. After a Cheney look-alike action figure accidentally blows away an entire team of yeti hunters, the plastic Veep dances to the Yeti Remix of the Vengaboys Boom, Boom, Boom. No spoilers here, but lets just say this short will be stuck in my mind for a long time. Quirky, funny, and often absolutely amazing, the inaugural touring festival offers 19 films good for 90 minutes of violent comedy. (The actors are sometimes surprisingly lifelike and smooth.) From a spoof of Saving Private Ryan to a few close encounters with zombie soldiers, its impressive what guys with action figures (dont call them dolls!), a camera, and way too much time can do. Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St., 523-3935, www.grandillusioncinema.org. $5$8. 7, 9, and 11 p.m. JOSHUA LYNCH
Thu., May 15, 7, 9 & 11 p.m., 2008
