Yup, we’ve learned that the 12 animated features being considered as nomination for the Academy’s big night have been announced. The twelve titles submitted are:
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
Bee Movie
Beowulf
Meet the Robinsons
Persepolis
Ratatouille
Shrek the Third
The Simpsons Movie
Surf’s Up
Tekkonkinkreet
TMNT
Now, without even having seen all of these, I can tell you which three SHOULD be nominated: Persepolis, Ratatouille and Tekkonkinkreet. Which three probably WILL be nominated? Ratatouille, Shrek and Surf’s Up (it’s about penguins; think it ain’t gonna get nominated?). Depending on the Academy’s thoughts on motion capture, Beowulf has a shot at it too.
Point is, aside from Ratatouille, it’ll probably be a bunch of Hollywood gobble-dee-gook that gets nominated and not the truly good stuff. We shall see I guess. If Alvin is nominated, I might have to vomit in my sleeve.
No Paprika?
I concur with Tekkon Kinkreet. Based on animation alone, this film should be the clear-fire winner. In terms of story and presentation, Ratatouille no-contest.
Of course, i haven’t seen Beowulf or Persepolis yet…
I actually prefer Paprika over the rest, including Ratatouille and Tekkon Kinkreet. There was just something about it that had me from the opening scene right until the end. If I really try to think about it I believe it comes down to the visuals with the score more than the movie itself but it still likely my number one movie of the year.
I am inclined to agree (only issue with Paprika, and it’s a small one, is the ‘gigantic city-destroying grey man at the end, echoes of Akira for no apparent reason). Ratatouille was a perfect film from point A to Z, and only beats out Paprika (which admitted is more ambitious on many fronts) by a hairs-bredth.