Looks like 2009 will have been a good crop for Toons at the movies, as for only the second time the next Oscar ceremony will see 5 films nominated in the “Thanks for Trying” category, otherwise known as Best Animated Film.
The Academy (of Motion Picture arts & Sciences, just in case…) officially announced 20 animated films to have been submitted this year, with the obvious front runner being ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL, also in line for “Best F*cking Title of the Decade”.
under their rules a minimum of 16 nominations are necessary to have more than 3 nominees. Last time so many films were being considered was back in 2002 when Miyazaki’s masterpiece SPIRITED AWAY took the Gold. And the Japanese director might see his PONYO get just as lucky if some analysts’ predictions come true: what if Pixar’s UP gets nominated for Best Film as well? The assumption is that members who would vote for it in one category would overlook it in the other, which means it might not win AT ALL. A crying shame if you ask me.
Here are this year’s submissions, as listed by the Academy (of Motio… oh screw it):
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle for Terra
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
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