Top Hollywood movies that had their genesis in obscure short films

Whatrsquos common to almost every major Hollywood filmmaker be it Martin Scorsese or Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan They all started their filmmaking journey with a short film Feature films happened much later in the course of their respective careers It is no surprise then that some of the best Hollywood flicks had their genesis in less ambitious works With Oculus hitting the marquee mdash the horror movie is based on a shortie by the same name mdash hitlist points out some films that had their genesis in obscure shorties by the same directorsMovie Her 2013Based on Irsquom Here 2010Director Spike Jonze Cast Joaquin Phoenix Rooney Mara Amy Adams What is it about As opposed to its title the film is a superb tale about him An experimental story set in the notsodistant future about a lonely man falling madly in love with an Operating System only to rise above his loneliness before the credits rollMovie Mama 2008Based on Mamaacute 1997Director Andreacutes Muschietti Cast Jessica Chastain Nikolaj CosterWaldauWhat is it about The basic plot is about a ghost who has developed an incredible bond with childrenMovie Boogie Nights 1997Based on The Dirk Diggler Story 1988Director Paul Thomas AndersonCast Mark Wahlberg Julianne Moore What is it about The rise of the porn industry in the US during the lsquo70s which spawned some memorable characters mdash and some embarrassing situationsMovie Napoleon Dynamite 2004Based on Peluca 2003Director Jerusha Hess Cast Jon Heder Whatrsquos it about This cult movie is about a socially awkward guy who is not afraid to express himself in whichever way possibleMovie Cashback 2006Based on Cashback 2004Director Sean EllisCast Sean Biggerstaff Emilia FoxWhat is it about Being able to freeze time mdash and thus people mdash at will may not be the best possible solution to curing a terrible heartbreak Or is itMovie Half Nelson 2006Based on Gowanus Brooklyn 2004Director Ryan FleckStar cast Ryan Gosling Shareeka EppsWhatrsquos it about A drug addict who also happens to be a school teacher and canrsquot seem to get a hold of his life or the one he hadMovie thx 1138 1971Based on Electronic Labyrinth THX 11384EB 1967Director George LucasCast Robert Duvall Donald PleasenceWhat is it about The movie which is set in the 25th century is about a dystopian world that is too futuristic even for the idea of a rebellionMovie 9 2009Based on 9 2005Director Shane AckerStar Elijah Wood Jennifer Connelly What is it about An interesting mix of dolls doing what humans have been trying to in so many animated films earlier mdash save humankindMovie Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1995Based on The Hard Case 1995Director Guy RitchieCast Jason Flemyng Dexter FletcherWhat is it about Gang war crime bloodshed and then some more Undoubtedly the ultimate blueprint of Richersquos style of filmmakingMovie District 9 2009Based on Alive in Joburg 2006Director Neill BlomkampCast Sharlto Copley Jason CopeWhat is it about In this scifi venture apartheid continues in South Africa Only this time around the division is between humans and aliensMovie Frankenweenie 2012Based on Frankenweenie 1984Director Tim BurtonCast Catherine OrsquoHara Winona Ryder What is it about The protagonistrsquos love for his dog compels him to build a lab in the attic of his house to bring his beloved pet back to lifeMovie The Raven 2012Based on The Raven 2010Director James McTeigueCast John Cusack Alice EveWhat is it about A rather fictionalised version of Edgar Allan Poersquos life where he pursues a serial killer whose murders bizarrely mirror those in his own written storiesMovie Bottle Rocket 1996Based on Bottle Rocket 1994Director Wes Anderson Cast Luke Wilson Owen WilsonWhat is it about Initially supposed to be just another case of robandrun but as minutes pass it turns complicatedMovie This is The End 2013Based on Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse 2007Director Seth Rogen Evan GoldbergCast James Franco Jonah HillWhat is it about A bizarre story about celebs who are finding it hard to come to terms with the end of the world as they know itMovie The Pact 2012Based on The Pact 2011Director Nicholas McCarthy Cast Caity Lotz Casper Van DienWhat is it about After the demise of the protagonistrsquos beloved mother she confronts a harsh reality from her past that is bound to trouble her present