"Give me my bloody Oscar!"
Let’s face the facts everybody: 2011 will probably go down as one of the most disappointing years in animation. That being said, I’m actually glad that the Academy was able to come up with five worthy candidates for this nomination category. Sure, Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin: Rise of the Unicorn should have made this list, but maybe its obnoxious sense of entitlement throughout the entire awards season turned off many voters. I personally enjoyed the film, and happen to feel that much of the backlash was because it was a CGI film using motion capture, a film technique that is clearly not embraced by Oscar voters. Oh well, their victory was at the Globes. It amazes me how soon we forget that this category was created a little over ten years. Some people find the category pointless, but I don’t particularly mind because adults tend to gloss over animated films like they are child’s play, so it’s great to have movie’s biggest night focus at least a minute and a half on animation. Speaking of adults, while these nominated films certainly aren’t dark and twisted this side of Tim Burton, one could argue this is the most “mature” and “adult-oriented” animated lineup we’ve ever seen. Even Kung Fu Panda 2 wasn’t afraid to dive deep into dark territory. So while Animation of 2011 may be looked back in hindsight with scorn, I absolutely have zero problem with the Academy’s five nominated selections.
The 2012 Nominees for “Best Animated Feature” are…
- A Cat in Paris — Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
- Chico & Rita — Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
- Kung Fu Panda 2 – Jennifer Yuh Nelson
- Puss in Boots — Chris Miller
- Rango – Gore Verbinski
Read more on Oscar Circuit: Best Animated Feature…
 Believe it or not, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has an Oscar campaign going just like The Artist or The Help does. The Autobots aren’t just gunning for Decepticons (shudder), they’re gunning for Oscars too (double shudder). Here’s the story from Deadline on the campaign afoot:
Although studios are furiously spending big campaign bucks on new TV spots to try to bring home the Best Picture Oscar for the likes of The Descendants, The Artist, Hugo, The Help, Moneyball and others, there hasn’t been a big broad pitch and TV ad spend to influence less visible below-the-line crafts categories. Until now.
Read more on ‘Transformers’ is getting a full on Oscar push?…
 I am deeply honored to have been nominated by the Academy for my work on Hugo. Every picture is a challenge, and this one – where I was working with 3D, HD and Sacha Baron Cohen for the first time – was no exception. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you’ve been recognized by the people in your industry. I congratulate my fellow nominees. It’s an impressive list, and I’m in excellent company.
- Martin Scorsese, Producer/Director of HUGO
Read more on Oscar Nominees Reactions…
 Some studios have made their 2011 Awards or For Your Consideration sites LIVE. They’re up and running and it’s so fun to look at them when considering what films will or will not be on Oscar’s radar. Not everyone is up yet and some aren’t listing categories but it’s good to see the roster that some of these studios have on their hands. Weinstein has a squad this season. Another Weinstein Oscar ceremony? We’ll see. Check em’ out below.
The Weinstein Company:
-The Artist
-Coriolanus
-The Iron Lady
-My Week with Marilyn
-Undefeated
-W.E.
-No categories listed.
20th Century Fox:
-Rio
-Rise of the Planet of the Apes
-No categories listed.
Sony Pictures Classic:
-The Skin I Live In – No categories listed.
Read more on Studio FYC Sites are LIVE…
Categories: Editor, News Tags: anonymous, arthur christmas, Beginners, Cars 2, disney pictures, Editor, focus features, For Your Consideration, Hanna, Hugo, Jane Eyre, Kung Fu Panda 2, Like Crazy, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Moneyball, My Week With Marilyn, news, pariah, pirates of the caribbean, puss in boots, Rango, rio, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Shame, sony pictures, Super 8, The Adventures Of Tintin, the artist, The Debt, The Descendants, the girl with the dragon tattoo, The Help, The Ides of March, The Iron Lady, The Tree of Life, the weinstein company, tinker tailor soldier spy, transformers, undefeated, war horse, Warrior, Win Win, Winnie the Pooh, Young Adult
Well, folks, my most anticipated film of the year is releasing this week, so naturally I’m very excited. Or at least, I WOULD be if it wasn’t only showing in New York and Los Angeles. Grr…
 Nope, it’s not The Hangover: Part II, though I’m sure general audiences are quite excited for it. I won’t waste any space giving a plot synopsis, since it’s pretty much the same as the first film; just replace “Las Vegas” with “Thailand.” Mainly for that reason, critics have been unsparing in their condemnation of this sequel, calling it a near-carbon copy of the original with none of the freshness or energy. Well, the freshness and energy seen by most other people, as I thought the first film was mean-spirited junk. But hey, I’m clearly in the minority, as this surefire formula (and make no mistake, it IS a formula) for success is set to take Memorial Day weekend by storm. The online buzz and advance tickets have been huge, and I’ll be shocked if this doesn’t end up with at least $100 million by Sunday.
No, neither is it Kung Fu Panda 2, although the first one is still one of the best things Dreamworks Animation ever produced. Now the Dragon Warrior, Po must face an even greater threat to China along with his friends in the Furious Five, as well as discover his mysterious origins. Reviews have been mostly positive, though critics seem split on whether the film surpasses its predecessor. The increased emotional heft to the story has been praised by some as heartfelt, while others are claiming that the sentimental elements make the movie less fun overall. Parents who are understandably wary of letting their kids see the raunch-fest of The Hangover: Part II will probably find the simultaneous release of this film as a relief, and should be reflected in a very strong $85-90 million opening. Read more on Weekend Openings (May 27-29)…
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