2010 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (Animated) – Review

Shorts International and Magnolia Pictures have been teaming over the last few years to theatrically show and release on DVD, the Oscar nominated short films. It’s a great showcase, year in and year out, offering fans of cinema a rare glimpse at one of film’s more neglected areas. This following review is for the programing of the Animated Shorts. For more information, click here.

French Roast:

(Directed by Fabrice Joubert, France) This 8 minute short is semi-cute, but the payoff is underscored. The film follows an uptight business man as he discovers he forgot his wallet. To stall time, he keeps ordering more cups of coffee, hoping to figure out how to pay. While it is paced excellently, it just never gels and the jokes seem flat and conventional. Rating:

The Lady and the Reaper (La dama y la muerte):

(Directed by Javier Recio Gracia, Spain) This short reminds me a lot like a long-lost Animaniacs segment. An elderly woman longs to be with her dead husband, finally dies, only to be caught in a tug-and-pull between the Grim Reaper and a hot-shot doctor. It’s a breeze, highly entertaining, and offers up a darkly comedic ending. Look for a great end credit joke, as well. Rating:

Wallace and Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death:

(Directed by Nick Park, England) – Having reviewed the film here and as well as another review here, I won’t go into it too much. The 30 minute film is a blast, as Wallace and Gromit fans will be instantly pleased. Rating:

Granny O’ Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty:

(Directed by Nicky Phelan, Ireland) – Here’s another short that feels undercooked. I longed for the joke to go on, as in 6 minutes we see a Grandma offering up an odd retelling of the Sleeping Beauty legend to her young granddaughter. It wants to be quirky and hilarious, but it falls flat. The CG and the 2-D animation looked great, though. Rating:

Logorama:

(Directed by Francios Alaux, Herve de Crecy, and Ludovic Houplain, France) – Here’s the program’s best short. It’s an adult-themed satire full of profanity, blood, and violence, but don’t let that dissuade you for seeing it. The 16 minute short tells of a world where corporate logos have come to life, as everything is part of the corporate machine. Esso Girl and Big Boy are caught in a Heat-styled gun fight between Ronald McDonald and the Michelin Tires. It’s brilliant, dark, and very funny. You might also want to re-watch it since there’s a lot of cameos. The satirical elements might go over some people’s heads, but Logorama is one of the more original animated shorts in years. Rating:

Also shown were three “Highly Commended” shorts:

Partly Cloudy:

(Directed by Peter Sohn, USA) – If you went to see Up or bought the Blu-ray/DVD, then you’ve seen this. It’s a very cute short with your typical Pixar humor and warmth. Rating:

Runaway:

(Canada) – Using some old school animation, this if one quirky short. A runaway train is out of coal and needs to get up the hill. It’s decent, mildly funny. Rating:

The Kinematograph:

(Directed by Tomek Baginski, Poland) – Why wasn’t this nominated for an Oscar? This heart-breaking short tells of a old man on the verge of discovering color film, only to have his wife offer up the solution. She dies, crippling the man’s life, as his invention is never known, allowing the Lumiere Brothers to make their moving pictures. It’s really, really good. Rating:

Conclusion: This year featured a slew of CG animated films, some looked spectacular, others bland. I was hoping for more diversity, yet what was seen offered up some interesting talent. Not as good as other years, but still is recommended.

Overall: Rating: