Every year, shortly before the Academy Awards, the short film nominations are released as four films. They are:
2018 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Live Action
2018 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Animated
2018 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Documentary, Program A
2018 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Documentary, Program B
My wife and I visited our local independent theater yesterday for a double feature. We were able to watch the Live Action and Animated programs. Hopefully we will be able to pick up the two documentary programs as well sometime during the week. This post will examine the Animated nominations along with my guess as to which film will win the Oscar.
Dear Basketball
The animated shorts began with a tribute to basketball in the form of a narrated later from Kobe Bryant to the sport he loves. The animation comes in the form of pencil sketch type motion that has an impressive look. Overall, the film is a bit thin, but it did manage to win an award (The Annie Award) already for best animated short. I really enjoyed the animation, but the story was less than compelling. And it felt a bit self-aggrandizing as Kobe Bryant produced this film as well. Run time: 6 minutes.
Negative Space
Negative Space was an interesting examination of the odd relationship between a boy and his father. They boy bonded with his father around the proper way to pack a suitcase. The animation explains how clothing should be rolled, folded or placed into the empty spaces. The father seems to travel a lot. But the boy seems fulfilled by the simple text messages regarding his accomplishment of packing his father's bags. Perfect. A simple affirmation for a boy with an odd relationship with his father. The film has an abrupt and humorous ending that may just cause you to chortle. Run time: 5 minutes.
Garden Party
In terms of pure animation, Garden Party is by far, the best this year has to offer. But it was incomplete for me. The film follows a trajectory of tragedy from the perspective of the animals that occupy a dwelling. It is a bit macabre. I think it was meant to be a bit humorous, bit it fell flat for me. A waste of exceptional animation. Run time: 7 minutes.
Revolting Rhymes
Revolting Rhymes is the first of two films that were made based on poems by Raold Dahl. The film bears a strong resemblance to previous nominees Gruffalo and Room on the Broom. The story is a dark retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White fairy tales. It is a bit long, but it does manage to entertain. This is the longest entry with a run time of 29 minutes.
Lou
It seems that an animated film from Disney's Pixar makes it into the running. This year, that film is Lou. A schoolyard bully is confronted with the Lost and Found box. Not your typical lost and found box. One where the contents become animated creating a fun, intelligent interaction with some delightful visuals. The film has a little bit of everything, making it the most complete of the entries in my opinion. Run time: 7 minutes.
Commended Films
Lost Property - A fun paper-machete examination of a lost and found office whose sole employee is made redundant. When the short appears to be headed to a dark place, it finds redemption instead. Interesting animation, decent story, but a bit slow. Run time: 10 minutes.
Weeds - The shortest of the animated films, but possibly one of the best. Kevin Hudson packs a lot of meaning into the three minutes he spends examining the life cycle of a dandelion. Run time: 3 minutes.
Achoo - A clever short about an undersized dragon attempting to compete with more experienced dragons in a contest to create Chinese New Year's displays. His allergies eventually propel him to greatness. Run time: 7 minutes.
And the Winner is...
Who should win: Lou. Lou is the most complete of the film this year. It tells a story without dialogue, the animation is sharp and the action is fun to watch. Pixar won last year with Piper so the Academy may not want to give the award to an animation powerhouse two years in a row.
Who will win: Revolting Rhymes. This is just a guess. There was equity in this year's nominations. Dear Basketball has already won an award, but it seemed a bit thin to me, stacked up against this competition. In light of the prior losses of Gruffalo and Room on the Broom it might seem this one has little chance. But I am guessing the Oscars relent this year and award Revolting Rhymes with the best animated short Oscar.
Here are some trailers to help you decide for yourself:
