My Year of Dicks

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.

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.

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 wanted to watch it immediately after I saw it being announced at the Oscars with the audience and hosts laughing while they're mentioning the title. I got curious immediately and I just gotta see what this is all about. By the way, the movie is free on Vimeo or on the website of the film, that's where I watched it.

My Year of Dicks is about the film writer Pamela Ribon's sexual awakening during her teenage years in 1991. It is a short 24 minute comedy coming of age animation movie. The story is based on her short memoir, "Notes for Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn't Share in Public)."

I really enjoyed the animation style with some real-life footage of Pam blended in, it looks unique and creative. The voice acting is also great. It is also interesting to see the life of a person being told through animation.

I like this movie and I recommend it.