So, since we weren't able to go to theaters, we watched this year's Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts on a screen in our home. It was a bit less fun, of course, but the contents were still good.
Our local indie theater didn't make it through the recession, closing back in November - which was a shame. The Osio in Monterey, CA was a great little spot. Hopefully something opens in its place, or it reopens, so that we can do this in person next year.
Anyways, here are the nominated-shorts. Spoilers, of course.
Burrow
This was the Pixar offering. The rabbit wants to build a burrow, and learns the value of having neighbors. I thought it was fairly boring, and not as cute as other recent Pixar offerings - there's no real character development.
Genius Loci
I liked this a lot. The main character is struggling, and we are left wondering if she's having mental problems, drug use, or something else (until the end, which is admittedly still a bit vague). The artwork is beautiful, and there are nods to modern artists like Kandinsky, Chagall, and Picasso. I really thought this was going to be my favorite.
Opera
I don't know what this hot mess was. It was interesting, I guess, but overwhelming - maybe I'd have enjoyed it if I was able to explore it and interact with it? As it was, it felt sort of like a glorified screensaver. I think I figured it out, but only by accident.
If Anything Happens I Love You
This. Destroyed. Me. And by God, it had better win. Rarely has a work of art had such a crushing emotional impact as this animated short had on me. You should watch it. It's on Netflix. This is why we make art: to make you feel something.
Yes People
After weeping, this was a nice palate cleanser. But, on its own, these Icelandic apartment-dwellers are really nothing special. Again, the characters are two dimensional (at least figuratively) and there's basically no plot. A few amusing moments though, which none of the others had.
And there you have it, that's this year's crop. Even if one of the weaker offerings wins, there aren't really any bad ones. Three of them are *fine*, and one is Great, and one is Phenomenal. Seriously. Go watch it!
As always, there was a Highly Commended section that followed, comprised of the following three shorts:
Kapaemahu
This was a rather pretty short, with really nice visuals. It told an interesting little story, based on a real site and its legends in Hawaiian mythology and culture. Could have replaced any of the other fine entries.
The Snail and the Whale
I like Diana Rigg, and I like Rob Brydon, and I like very pretty background animation, but no. Hells no.
NO. Run from this as you would run from a whale that gave you that look.
To: Gerard
An older man passes on his sleight-of-hand to a young girl who takes his inspiration and then builds it into a career as an adult. This was rather saccharine, but not poorly animated or anything. Again, it was definitely *fine*.
Go watch If Anything Happens I Love You.
