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Here
are the five movies nominated in the Best Animated Feature category: |
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Coraline Studio: Laika, Focus Features Director: Henry Selick Written By: Henry Selick, story by Neil Gaiman Voice Talent: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Keith David, Robert Bailey Jr., John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ian McShane Synopsis: Selick's stop-motion take on Gaiman's spooky kids book centers on a young girl, ritually ignored by her parents, who discovers a secret portal to an alternate reality in their new house populated by "Other" versions of her family and neighbors, with buttons for eyes. While at first she thinks her dreams have come true, her Other Mother's wicked intentions soon become alarmingly clear. Release Date: February 6 The Highs: The film combines a highly original story with fantastic design and animation so meticulous you'd think it was a CG effort. Selick's flair for mixing the unsettling with the endearing always wins over audiences and critics alike. The Lows: Bambi this ain't. Will the Academy lean for a film with more frights than tear-jerker moments, and from an underdog studio? |
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Up Studio: Disney/Pixar Director: Pete Docter Written By: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson Voice Talent: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Delroy Lindo, John Ratzenberger, Bob Peterson Synopsis: An elderly man embarks on a fantastical journey to South America by launching his house into the sky with a mass of colorful balloons. Things get complicated when a young scout stows away on his makeshift aircraft, and once they land a giant bird and talking dog join the fray while the unlikely group squares off against a mad old adventurer/inventor and his dirigible full of hyper intelligent hounds. Release Date: May 29 The Highs: The unusual choice of a hero lends perfectly to the film's emotional message about embracing life, no matter where it takes you. Pixar once again delivers gorgeous, texturally rich CG landscapes and moments of improbable levity in this adventure tale which has won over even the skeptics. The Lows: While the film delivers, its unconventionality might not be enough to trump the film snobbish tendency to dismiss "Disney-ish" films and the persistence of CG, a trend which has begun to unravel this year. |
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Fantastic
Mr. Fox Studio: Fox, Regency Ent., Indian Paintbrush Director: Wes Anderson Written By: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbauch, from the book by Roald Dahl Voice Talent: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Jarvis Cocker, Owen Wilson, Willem Defoe Synopsis: Roald Dahl's tale of an exceptionally crafty fox who constantly outwits his curmudgeonly farmer neighbors comes to life with Anderson's unique style in beautiful, vintage-y stop-motion (think Wind in the Willows meets Royal Tenenbaums). Release Date: November 13 The Highs: Anderson is one of the hottest directors around, and the excellent preview clips showcasing his aesthetic flair and the utterly perfect casting choices are generating plenty of excitement among animation fans and film enthusiasts in general. The Lows: This being the director's first animated foray, we have to admit we're a little nervous about the well publicized fact that most of his directing was done via e-mail! There are some things even Facebook can't accomplish. |
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The
Princess and the Frog Studio: Disney Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker Written By: Clements, Musker, Rob Edwards Voice Talent: Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Bruno Campos, Terrence Howard Synopsis: Set in Jazz-age New Orleans, the film follows a young African American girl whose life is turned upside down when she helps a voodoo-cursed Prince who's been transformed into a frog, setting them off on an exciting adventure through the Louisiana bayous. Release Date: November 25 [limited] The Highs: Disney's return to the princess genre--and traditional animation--comes highly anticipated. With the toon house's first African American heroine, a jazzy soundtrack by Randy Newman and less common fairytale source material (however loosely interpreted), it looks to be a triumphant return indeed. The Lows: While the animation and musical numbers are sure to wow, it remains to be seen whether straddling the classic/contemporary line will be eye catching enough for the Academy. |
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Secret of Kells Studio: Cartoon Saloon Director: Tomm Moore Written By: Fabrice Ziolkowski, story by Tomm Moore Voice Talent: Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Mick Lally, Brendan Gleeson Synopsis: Set in the 9th century, this graphically intoxicating 2D film follows a youth named Brendan living in a monestary in Ireland. When he befriends a monk who opens his eyes to the wonders of art through his illuminated manuscripts, Brendan embarks on a dangerous journey outside the monestary to complete the historically important Book of Kells. Release Date: - The Highs: We've been talking up this Belgian-French-Irish co-pro for what feels like forever, and festival juries and film critics around the world have joined in to sing the praises of Kells' striking illumination/scrollwork-inspired animation, charming story and overall enchantment. The Lows: As of publishing, it still hasn't been confirmed whether Kells will see an Oscar qualifying theatrical release this year! Sure the competition is stiff, but like our moms used to say, "You'll never know until you try!" |