And those nominees...

[athena]

I was happy to see Surf's Up get nominated, if only because I think more people need the opportunity to see that film.

Haven't seen Persepolis yet... although I've heard good things about it... would kinda like to see it win for the sheer underdog factor.

That said, if I were a betting person, my money would be on Ratatouille... even though it didn't personally blow my mind... I just get the feeling that Pixar's got this one in the bag.

[Toonboy]

Persepolis doesn't seem to have the pulling power. Such is the fate of indie films. Seems like it's a battle between Surf's Up and Ratatouille.

[starlac]

Well it would seem that this is the first year where I haven’t seen any of the nominees, which to me is an awkward aspect to think about; oh well.

I do feel that the French film is kind of the underdog in the Oscar race, remembering that Triplets of Bellville lost out to Finding Nemo. So, if that continues to be the case then the question is: will it be third time lucky for Sony (after Open Season and Monster House), or will Brad’s rats take it?

Going to see about finding copies of those short films if I can.

[athena]

Is it my imagination, or was this a rather forgettable year in feature animation? I've been sitting here racking my brain as to what else came out this year that could've been nominated.

There was... The Simpsons Movie... and...?

[starlac]

Yeah, not a great year it would seem, but here’s everything else - animation wise - released in 2007.

TMNT, Meet the Robinsons, Happily N’Ever After, Bee Movie, Shrek the Third, Beowolf, Alvin and the Chipmunk (though the later two might have been too late in coming for nomination).

Anything there look like Oscar material?

EDIT: Oh, and Enchanted

[GrafSpee]

Actually, Enchanted may not fit within the criteria for animated films for the Academy Awards (it must be animated for 75 percent of the film to be considered). I haven't seen Enchanted but I suspect that they spend too much time in the real world to be up for nomination.

One animated movie we wouldn't want to forget is the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie :) Not on a lot of nomination lists.

I don't understand why Sony didn't put up Paprika for consideration this year.

[GrafSpee]

I do feel that the French film is kind of the underdog in the Oscar race, remembering that Triplets of Bellville lost out to Finding Nemo.

The biggest problem is that Sony has limited the viewing of Persepolis to such a small amount of theaters that it is likely that few of the Academy members will have seen it. Persepolis will probably lose out for the same reason that Howl's Moving Castle lost -- not enough exposure.

[Lucky_Bob]

I'm hoping Ratatouille gets the win... although I wouldn't be DEVASTATED if Surf's Up did since I loved that also.

I haven't seen Persepolis.

Personally, if I had my way I'd put Rat up for Best Picture as it was the best movie, live action or animated, to come out this year.

[Magnus]

No Paprika?? Darn it, Sony...for once show some faith in your own production! Sigh...

[GrafSpee]

No Paprika?? Darn it, Sony...for once show some faith in your own production! Sigh...

I wonder if there are limits to the number of films that a studio can put into contention for a particular category (which is why Sony limited themselves to Persepolis and Surf's Up)?

[starlac]

Okay, I had a look at the official rules on the Oscar’s website.

Well one of the Oscars rules are that the film has to had been showed in a cinema in Los Angeles County for a period of at least a week to be eligible for the award (with a normal rate of advertising to that effect).

No Paprika

According to imdb’s release dates for Paprika, it had a release in LA in 2006. If so it wouldn’t be eligible this year as all nominees’ original Los Angeles County releases must be between Jan 1st and Dec 31st of the year prior to the Oscar ceremony.

There is also an eligibility/short-list to nominee ratio in effect, since the next threshold – sixteen films eligible – was not met this year then there can only be three nominees, if sixteen where released they could have nominated up to five.

Films prints are to be given to the academy for and I quote:- “…screened by the Academy for the membership in advance of distribution of final ballots.”

Further on it states:-

“…An invitational letter will be sent from the Chairperson to a list of active and life Academy members requesting their participation. Those serving on the screening committee will be required to see 80% of the submitted eligible films.”

Which basically means that the members have a chance to watch each film at least the once, whether they do is another matter. Although it would appear that, if you’d part of the committee this year at least, you’d have had to have see all three films (unless you can walk out after watching 2 complete films and a bit of 3).

For animated features it would seem that all eligible films are put on a first shortlist, so if it meets the rules then it goes into contention for initial voting, this voting creates the nomination list. If this is so then the studios don’t get much say outside of an ability to refuse nomination – by not submitting a print of the film. Members who had a part in the film’s production or marketing - etc - cannot vote for their film at this point.

[GrafSpee]

I guess that it should surprise nobody that Ratatouille took the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. I liked the other two nominees more but I don't have a problem with Ratatouille winning. Ratatouille lost out on its other nominated categories.

I didn't see any of the short films so I didn't have a favorite. Peter & the Wolf took the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.