My Year of Dicks

I watched this film as part of my yearly oscar round up (best animated short) and was so struck by it that I felt like I needed to write a review. The film is (at the moment) available to watch for free on vimeo, do check it out.

The connection between this film and the work of Richard Linklater is easily made because of their similar visual style and use of rotoscoping animation. The film uses this technique quite smartely creating a sense of universality whilst remaining deeply personal. The mixing in of both real life footage as well as more fantastical animation works briliantly and enhances the aformentioned personal touch. We aren't just watching a story, we are experiencing the life of an actual person and are being drawn into their perspective. The rotoscoping technique, as a result of its intentionally rugged and crude finishing, not only brings us deeper into the mindset of the main character but also evokes the hazy memories of, and nostalgia for the 90's.

The connection with Linklater does not solely lie with its animation, its storytelling too very much reminds me of films of his. Just following a person around as they experience the awkward beauty of life, and love. Many will recognize elements of themselves in this film and look back at their early romantic endeavours with a mix of joy and dread, but hopefully mostly a sense of having learned from their past. The film jumps from failed relationship to failed hook up to failed one night stand, all with plentyfull teen angst. This angst and awkwardness is continuesly undercut with breezy comedy that one cannot help but smirk at. I wouldn't call the film a comedy, but that's what makes its humor so effective, it is everday, it is the kind off humor you would experience with your friends.

The voice-acting of the film fits perfectly with the tone and storytelling. You never contemplate that these are actors, the voices are those of the characters.

I haven't seen the other nominated films yet, but they would have to be hella great to beat this. Check it out. While you're add it also give Linklater's latest, Apollo 10 1/2 a watch on Netflix.

A seductive and more adult themed short than most the ones nominated! Incredible colors, engaging, youthful, and well made! This short is focused on wanting to lose her virginity which is interesting and provocative. Seems like a weird one to be award worthy yet awesome and respectable how the main woman realizes to reject the necessary jerks. Strange how I was on a different app and loaded Hulu where this was on front page almost as if technology sensed what I wanted that was odd. Plenty of cool moments, cute, charming, and romantic; well deserving of praise this is wonderful adult themed short.

The super cheesy narration of our young protagonist secret journal nicely embellishes the numerous animation styles presented ; continuously changing depending on the emotion or the effect any person in the scene has on her, which augments the ''could have been corny dialogue'' with some much-needed support by elevating what it tries to communicate quite successfully. It's also cool to have the 90s portrayed this well, especially since there isn't much cinema venturing into the nostalgia of that era. It's positively intimate, hilarious and intentionally cringy (in a good way). Favourite Oscar short of 2022.

I went searching for this short after seeing someone complain about it being on Hulu. I figured if it made someone clutch their pearls online I would probably be interested. I was right.

I found this animated film to be incredibly well-done and relevant. The main character, Pam, had perfect and understandable reactions to certain things. Her inner monolog could've been my own when I was a teenager, and I thought her struggles and reactions were spot-on. Her friends, including her male friend, had appropriate behavior for teenagers, to include that "one friend" who always instigated risky behavior. I'm sure we all had that friend who always had questionable intentions.

With no spoilers, the ending great. Again, some of the events in each chapter literally could've been my own experience and, I'm sure, what teenagers now are going through. There was a feel-good message at the end that was great advice for any young woman, especially in the current societal pressures women in general face. I can definitely see why the film has received so many awards.

I watched My Year of Dicks the other day as part of the Oscar Shorts. I thought since there was a minute-long screen saying "The following film is not suitable for children, viewer discretion is advised", it would be at least a little sexy. But no, I saw the whole twenty-four minutes of it and I was completely flaccid at the end. (I get that it was based on a memoir so they couldn't change too much.) Still, the actual plot was at least a bit intriguing and well-structured, the writing was okay, and the animation was pretty good and a bit surreal at times. Overall, I would recommend this, but not to someone trying to get a boner.

7/10.