My Year of Dicks

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.

We caught this on a showing of all five 2023 Oscar-nominated short animated films, and this was saved for last because it is definitely not for kids, kind of on the PG13/R borderline.

But it was also definitely a case of saving the best for last. The quest to lose one's virginity depicted is not a cartoon version of "Little Darlings", that's for sure. It's a raw, honest, and laugh out loud hilarious recounting of a coming of age, perhaps at a particular time and place, but one pretty familiar to me.

The story is told in five chapters, and there's equal parts humor and menace as we move through Pam, the protagonist's, quest to enter into what is perceived as the entry to adulthood. While it may not pass the abstention-only crowd's standards, the ultimate message is about trust and love, and the story is much more realistic than anything one could get away with in a straight-up regular film.

I particularly appreciated the change in animation style at key moments, which created some more laugh out loud moments as the visuals changed to reflect Pam's inner journey. The framing with what looks like real clips from a contemporary 1991 video diary was an excellent device for connecting the animated character with a real person.

Super hilarious squirm scene: "The Talk" with Dad. 10/10 to the writer for putting this one in there.

Very brave, and by far the best of the five nominated shorts, but I'd be shocked if it won; the Academy is still too white, too male, and too old to really appreciate this kind of film making.

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.

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.

Saw this at the Brooklyn Film Festival and loved it. Gorgeous, unexpectedly emotional animation; beautiful writing; wonderful vocal performances. I've been thinking about it since I watched it. A 90's story in suburban Texas, but the feelings and yearnings and disappointments are universal.