For the last several years I have gone to see the Academy Award nominated shorts--both live action and animated. This year is a first for the animated category in that as we sat watching, I overheard a lot of murmurs about how bad the nominees were. The folks watching seemed, at times, genuinely mad at the choices. Fortunately, after three very sub-par films, the final three were excellent and it seems pretty clear that the race is between "La Luna" and "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore". And, like the last couple years, following these nominees, they showed some animated shorts that were not nominees but were sort of like runners up--and the folks I talked to preferred these films to several of the nominees.
"La Luna" is a very unusual film considering it comes from Pixar. While the computer animation is, as always, exceptional, the story itself is quite different from their usual shorts. Instead of going for laughs, the film clearly is intended more as an art film. It's gentle, sweet and clearly worthy of being nominated. And although I prefer another short (about flying books), I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed if "La Luna" won--there is nothing not to like about the film. It screams quality throughout and his VERY high on charm. It's also a film that can be enjoyed by all ages and all sorts of people (even film snobs). It's just that the other one is just a teensy bit better in my opinion.
"La Luna" is a very unusual film considering it comes from Pixar. While the computer animation is, as always, exceptional, the story itself is quite different from their usual shorts. Instead of going for laughs, the film clearly is intended more as an art film. It's gentle, sweet and clearly worthy of being nominated. And although I prefer another short (about flying books), I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed if "La Luna" won--there is nothing not to like about the film. It screams quality throughout and his VERY high on charm. It's also a film that can be enjoyed by all ages and all sorts of people (even film snobs). It's just that the other one is just a teensy bit better in my opinion.