20 Toons want Oscar

November 12th 2009, 1:39am

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