|
by Camden Ferrell  Every year, the Academy nominates 15 short films for an Oscar in 3 different categories: live-action short, animated short, and documentary short. These categories highlight the brilliant work being done in the short form for the medium of film, and it’s often a source of some of the year’s most timely and thought-provoking films. This year is no different with these short films covering a range of topics from abortion clinics to a dystopian society where kissing is punishable by death. For better or worse, these categories are a reflection of the moods and attitudes in our current year, and it’s always interesting to watch these films which don’t necessarily get as much attention as the feature length nominees every year. Below, I will rank the short films within each category while also sharing what I believe should win and will win at the Oscars next month.  Live-Action 5. Jane Austen’s Period Drama A light-hearted and humorous short that goes on for far too long. Despite only being 13 minutes, this is a short whose central misunderstanding feels like it has exhausted its goodwill by the end of its opening sequence. It’s sketch comedy that doesn’t understand the beauty of ending before the joke grows old. Institutions like SNL know to limit even its best material to only a few minutes, and the main joke of Jane Austen’s Period Drama is comedically adequate at best. If nothing else, it’s a competent palate cleanser among the more serious nominees, but it’s a nomination that has me scratching my head regardless. 4. The Singers During one evening, a dive bar sees itself become a place of musical jubilation as an unplanned singing contest takes place. Even though it has some great messages about the power of music and its ability to unite us in harmony if only for a moment, this is a short that feels lacking elsewhere. The writing and storytelling is decent but forgettable, and the final product fails to leave a mark like some of the other nominees. 3. Butcher’s Stain An Arab employee at an Israeli deli finds himself being accused of tearing down a hostage poster at his workplace. He must navigate his troubled home life with a workplace that seems to be at odds with his existence. It’s the obligatory social justice nominee in this category, and it’s one that is very well-made even if its subtext is less than ideal. There are some interesting moments of character interaction and a solid leading performance, but this one has the same problem that many social justice docs seem to have. It feels like it places the burden of integrity on the victims of political violence while and makes its empathy conditional on their behavior in the face of adversity. It’s undoubtedly well-meaning, but it’s somewhat lost in the execution. 2. A Friend of Dorothy A young teenage boy befriends an older woman in this adorable short. They bond over the daily chores he performs as well as his blossoming aspirations to act. It’s a sweet story that doesn’t overstay its welcome. However, one does wish it dived deeper into some of the themes and ideas that are suggested by its title. Despite its shortcomings, it’s a harmless and charming doc that will leave you smiling. 1. Two People Exchanging Saliva In this dystopian world, kissing is an offense that is punishable by death. Additionally, the way to pay for things in this society is to be slapped in the face. Malaise is a young employee at a department store who attends to frequent shopper Angine. They both have their own turmoil but quickly bond together over her routine visits to the store. In a world that prohibits intimacy, these women grow close in spite of it all. It’s a lovely and imaginative short that doesn’t make this “alternate” world too gimmicky like other similar shorts. Even amidst its absurdity, it never loses sight of the human experiences that bind us all. What Should Win: Two People Exchanging Saliva What Will Win: Butcher’s Stain  Documentary 5. Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud Brent Renaud was an American journalist and filmmaker who was tragically killed in 2022 by Russian soldiers. His work was important, and his dedication to his craft is admirable. That being said, this documentary is a paint by numbers portrait of his life and demise, and it’s one that feels unorganized especially as its runtime reaches the limit of what qualifies as a short. Its highlight reel style execution of the various injustices Renaud captured have mixed effect, and it’s a shame that such an interesting man couldn’t be eulogized in a better way. 4. Children No More: “Were and Are Gone” Another typical social justice doc for the genre, this movie still manages to strongly convey its message. It follows a group of Israeli protestors who stage silent protests in solidarity with the innocent Palestinian children who are dying due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. Can it feel like it pats itself on the back at times? Yes, but it’s important to recognize that people are not their government and vice versa. Seeing the unfiltered reactions to this display is proof that this documentary needed to be made. 3. The Devil is Busy This documentary follows the daily operations of an abortion clinic in Atlanta. I thought this made the most of the short film format to succinctly tell a story while also imbuing an undeniable message from the filmmakers. It’s another doc that unfortunately needed to be made, and it’s one that balances the complex emotions and events that one might find at a clinic like this one. 2. Perfectly a Strangeness What will likely be the least liked of the nominees is one that I found completely captivating. It follows three donkeys who discover an abandoned observatory in an unnamed desert region. It is beautifully shot and makes the most of its interesting albeit unpredictable subjects. Works on a superficial level but also on a more existential level as we grapple with our place in the universe. 1. All the Empty Rooms Steve Hartman embarks on a journey to take photos and document the bedrooms of children who were victims of school shootings. This framework is simple and allows its subjects to speak for itself. Seeing the bedrooms and hearing the accounts from their loved ones is tragic but necessary. It’s yet another documentary that unfortunately had to be made. It’s a stark reminder that grief doesn’t end when the news cycle does, and it’s a seemingly futile call to action for this to never happen again. What Should Win: All the Empty Rooms What Will Win: All the Empty Rooms  Animated
5. The Three Sisters This is truly a baffling nomination from the Academy. An overly simple short with less than stellar animation and a story that is so frustratingly rudimentary. It feels excessively long despite being quite short, and it doesn’t ever really justify its reason for existing. It’s not offensively bad, but it’s hard to think of a positive spin for this one. 4. Butterfly What will likely be the winner this year, Butterfly is a short that revels in its gorgeous animation and harrowing story. It follows a Jewish swimmer’s memory of life during WWII, and it’s one that leverages the creative capabilities of animation to tell this story in a unique way. Maybe I’m not as high on the final product as others, but it’s still a great piece of short filmmaking. 3. The Girl Who Cried Pearls This was one that took a while to win me over, but it’s an interesting story that begins quite formulaic but gradually distinguishes itself among other animated shorts. The animation is creepily uncanny and will linger for long after it ends, but it’s memorable if nothing else. I appreciated the open ended nature of its story and the tone that its director establishes and maintains throughout. 2. Forevergreen An orphaned bear finds himself de facto adopted by a benevolent evergreen tree. We watch as this cub grows up with this father-like tree. This short has really adorable animation and a heartfelt story that might make you cry if you let it. There’s no complex layers to unpack with this one, just a good old-fashioned heart melter with cute creatures. 1. Retirement Plan Ray is a man who dreams about what life has in store for him in retirement. This short plays like a visual poem, one that creates a unique sense of optimism and melancholy that will make you smile and hurt in all the right ways. The animation is nothing impressive but it almost feels like a perfect fit within the ethos of the short. Short, simple, and powerful. What Should Win: Retirement Plan What Will Win: Butterfly The Oscar-nominated shorts will be coming to theaters nationwide February 20. Find listings here: https://www.oscarnominatedshorts.com/
0 Comments
Review by Jonathan Berk  It’s hard to believe that Stuart Gordon’s instant cult classic, Re-Animator, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. My relationship with the movie is relatively new, but I’d been aware of it for most of my life. I’ve had friends who have loved it for decades now, even if it feel it feels like just yesterday that they saw it for the first time. Although nearly two years have passed since I initially watched it back in October of 2023, I haven’t forgotten how Herbert West shocked and horrified me, but also made me laugh. At the time, I viewed it on streaming, but now, thanks to Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures, we can relive the glorious gore in a beautiful 4K UHD restoration, approved by producer Brian Yuzna. This new 4K restoration brings new life to the visuals of this already iconic film. Yuzna himself exclaimed, "It looks great! Especially if you have a big screen! An excellent restoration, it is like seeing it for the first time again." The clarity and detail of the 4K UHD make this Lovecraftian tale look fantastic, and I was very pleased with the overall presentation of the film on both discs. While fans probably don’t need a refresher, Re-Animator tells the story of Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs), a brilliant yet unhinged medical student who discovers a serum that can reanimate the dead. Of course, if you play god, you’re bound to encounter horrifying consequences. Gordon's film masterfully blends grotesque horror with dark humor, creating a cinematic experience that has kept horror fans coming back for generations. The cast, including Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale, and Robert Sampson, delivers memorable performances that perfectly capture the film's style and tone, which is hard to imagine anyone else being able to pull off.  This 40th-anniversary release is a true celebration of Re-Animator's enduring appeal. Fans can choose from four editions – each packed with both new and legacy bonus features. The highlight of this release is the Ultimate Limited Edition Box Set, which includes a 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo, a 150-page hardcover book with interviews and essays, collector's art cards, and a Dr. Hill collector's bobblehead. For the truly obsessed, some lucky fans will even find a green "re-agent" in their order, granting them an exclusive signed poster and a special Re-Animator gift pack.
Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures are no strangers to giving classic films the 4K UHD treatment. Their previous restoration of Invaders From Mars was met with universal acclaim and even won a Saturn Award for Best Classic Film Home Media Release. With this release, they continue their commitment to preserving and sharing cinematic treasures with new and old audiences alike. The 40th Anniversary 4K UHD release of Re-Animator is a must-have for any horror fan. Whether you're a longtime devotee or a newcomer to the madness, this restoration will re-animate your love for this cult classic. Just as Barbara Crampton says, "People love this film! Over time, Re-Animator has only gained more fans who understand its evergreen appeal of an outrageous story, told with humor and horror in a grand and almost operatic way. To see the beautiful new 4K restoration in all its cult glory is a sight to behold. I know cinephiles will enjoy it for years to come." By Camden Ferrell  Flying Lotus debuted as a filmmaker with his film Kuso, an utterly disgusting and provocative anthology film that inspired walkouts at its premiere in 2017. For better or worse, it marked the cataclysmic arrival of a bold and visionary creator. Several years later, he is releasing his next feature Ash (although he did direct a segment from V/H/S/99). While both of his features feel completely different, there seems to be a few threads that bind the bodies of work from their visual style, shock value, and often subtle subtext. Both films tackle humanity in the context of change. Whether that’s interstellar pioneers on the precipice of a new era of humankind, or if it’s disconnected stories following a mutated world in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake. In Ash, we follow Riya, an astronaut who wakes up bloodied to the horrors of her dead colleagues with no memories of what happened. In a moment of fear and confusion, Riya asks herself, “Who Am I?” I think this question serves as the foundation for Flying Lotus’s main fascination in his newest movie. He seems particularly fascinated with the concept of memory, and how we are able to define ourselves through our memory. If we forget who we are, then what do we have left? How can we understand who we are, if we can’t even remember? This is a thematic thread that is rarely front and center in Ash, but it’s one that feels ever-present in this survival thriller. Even if the story itself can feel derivative and sometimes meandering in its execution, Flying Lotus never makes it feel boring, and this looming exploration of the self contributes to that.  This doesn't seem to be a new concept for the filmmaker. Underneath all of the fecal matter and bodily fluids in Kuso, it seems he spent some of the segments exploring cultural identity in a unique and idiosyncratic way. I find myself thinking of the segment Smear which follows Charlie, a boy who is force-fed nauseating food by his mother, leading him to embarrassment and discomfort. I viewed that as a rejection of culture and values from those who came before, and I found this story to contain similar questions about who we are in this world. In a strange world after disaster, Charlie grapples with this desire to figure out who he is amidst the fear of continual inundation of quite literal toxic material. Within this segment, Flying Lotus seems to also plant some ideas regarding racial politics in our tumultuous world as we see an unnamed and uninvolved Black student getting punished when Charlie defecates himself. Understanding who you are is already complicated as is, but it’s exacerbated when you’re in a world that is cruel and confusing.
One of the more surface-level ties between both films is its ability to shock viewers with disturbing imagery. While his first film uses this imagery in excess (seemingly without reason quite often), Ash feels more intentional in its use of shock value. It contributes to the more sinister narrative of this story, and it serves as a reminder of the horrors that humans are capable of as well as the horrors of the unknown. Even if one does not enjoy the films of Flying Lotus, it’s hard to deny he has a singular voice and talent for creating unique and unnerving atmospheres. In Kuso, he creates an unsettling and almost dystopian wasteland. It’s literal waste, moral waste, or both. In Ash, he unsettles viewers not with dystopia but with more conventional mortal horrors and more indescribable existential dread. It’s more straightforward than his debut feature, but it’s one that feels more mature in practice, and it doesn’t sacrifice the cinematic staples that gave him a unique voice back in 2017. Ash is in theaters on March 21. By Camden Ferrell  The 97th Academy Awards take place this weekend, and I have watched all 35 feature nominees. I'd like to detail below my personal rankings for all nominated films before the awards while also highlighting what I think should win in every category. Below, I will rank the 35 features, talk briefly about them, detail the categories for which they are nominated, and bold/underline the category name if I think that particular movie should win (not necessarily what I think will win). Without further ado, let's begin. 35. Elton John: Never Too Late Nominations: Music (Original Song) Maybe it’s moderately engaging for novices to Elton John and his music, but even then, it’s not particularly compelling. It has good music as expected, but it’s not enough to support a blandly executed documentary that doesn’t shine any new light on the iconic singer. 34. The Six Triple Eight Nominations: Music (Original Song) One of Tyler Perry’s better efforts, this is still a pretty boilerplate historical film that suffers due to its own inability to take creative risks. It covers a piece of history that deserves the spotlight, but it also deserves a more interesting movie. 33. Sugarcane Nominations: Documentary Gorgeously shot and undeniably important, this documentary both shines and suffers in its prolonged meditative pace. It never really finds a good rhythm but that doesn’t discredit its occasional moments of artistic brilliance. 32. Black Box Diaries Nominations: Documentary Another documentary that is fiercely brave and important, this is a movie that also suffers from its pacing problems. It’s a harrowing investigation into a horrific crime but often feels like it could benefit from tighter cuts. 31. A Complete Unknown Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Sound, Costume Design The most underwhelming of the Best Picture nominees. It’s a perfectly adequate biopic, but I didn’t feel any particularly strong emotions in one direction or the other. Chalamet is decent as Bob Dylan, but I can’t find much to celebrate beyond that.  30. Porcelain War Nominations: Documentary When this documentary hits its stride, it’s beautiful and engaging, but it suffers from a bit of an identity crisis. It splits its time between the subjects’ porcelain creations and their role in combat, and it’s a balance that the movie doesn’t always handle well. Like other nominees, this is still a timely and important story. 29. Flow Nominations: Animated Feature, International Feature My least favorite of the Animated Feature nominees. It boasts gorgeous visuals throughout, but despite its already abbreviated length, it feels like a slog more than it should. 28. Gladiator II Nominations: Costume Design As someone who only mildly enjoyed the original, I thought this was just as good. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I thought this was entertaining enough for what it was, even if it hit a lot the same beats as the predecessor. 27. Better Man Nominations: Visual Effects It’s easy to use the film’s box office failure as an indictment of its quality, but this film is far more good than bad. Feels like Rocketman with less artistic competence, but it still is quite an enjoyable film with entertaining songs, dances, and set pieces. 26. Maria Nominations: Cinematography Pablo Larraín's newest film has his signature snail’s pace, and it works well for the most part. It features some amazing visuals and a compelling performance from Jolie without whom the movie could easily fall apart.  25. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Nominations: Visual Effects Even though it drags in certain places, this is a very enjoyable adventure film with some truly epic action set pieces. Not as good as the previous trilogy’s entries, but it’s still a fun movie with great visual effects. 24. No Other Land Nominations: Documentary A heartbreaking look at the devastating treatment of Palestinians in their own homeland, this is a documentary that is incredibly urgent. It’s difficult to see such inhumane acts captured by those being displaced and stripped of their humanity, but it’s a timely film that I certainly hope gets more widespread distribution. 23. Soundtrack to a Coup d’État Nominations: Documentary Fast paced and incredibly dense, this is a great documentary that feels like going down an online rabbit hole. An absolute marvel in editing and archival footage curation, this feels a lot quicker than its 2.5-hour runtime would suggest. 22. September 5 Nominations: Original Screenplay A harrowing look into a television station during the events of the Munich Massacre. This is a tightly scripted and well-acted historical film that overcomes its adherence to convention with a gripping final product. 21. The Seed of the Sacred Fig Nominations: International Feature Mohammad Rasoulof is no stranger to punishment from the Iranian government, and his newest film is a scathing indictment of that same regime. Fleeing to Germany to avoid a prison sentence in Iran, his film is one that feels timely and extremely important. It uses intense family drama and societal unrest to paint a picture that is critical of the current state of affairs in Iran. It’s a little bloated in length, but it feels undeniably significant.  20. Inside Out 2 Nominations: Animated Feature Not nearly as good as the first film, Pixar still delivers another relatable and funny tale about growing up. The voice cast continues to excel, and the movie still packs an emotional punch even with a new director at the helm. 19. The Girl with the Needle Nominations: International Feature This international feature is a compelling and bleak story that is supported by a brilliant lead performance and mesmerizingly gorgeous cinematography. It’s undeniably one of the most beautifully shot movies of the year. 18. Nosferatu Nominations: Cinematography Another well-shot film, Robert Eggers’ newest movie is compelling and everything we’ve come to expect from him as a filmmaker. It has a great ensemble of actors and is a testament to the power and artistry of gothic horror stories. 17. Alien: Romulus Nominations: Visual Effects There’s nothing quite like a thrilling popcorn flick to get you through another long year, and this might be the best nominee of the year on a pure entertainment level. There’s not a single wasted second, and it features some classic thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat. 16. Sing Sing Nominations: Lead Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Music (Original Song) An inspirational and emotionally powerful story about redemption, humanity, and the power of art. It features a fantastic ensemble including many non-actors playing themselves, and it’s a crowd-pleasing film that feels like it should be more of an Oscar darling than it ended up being.  15. Emilia Perez Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, International Feature, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song) x2, Sound, Makeup and Hairstyling, Film Editing Easily the most controversial film out of these nominees, I quite enjoyed this musical. I agree with a lot of the common complaints, but I also found myself compelled by its creative and daring choices in its narrative and execution. It’s easy to join the online hate train and discredit the movie in bad faith, but with an open mind, I think there’s more to enjoy about this film than the internet would have you believe. 14. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Nominations: Animated Feature Decades later, this claymation duo remains as funny and endearing as always. It may not be the best work in their canon, but it’s a fun and lighthearted adventure that reminds us of why we love this inventor and his dog getting into various hijinks. 13. Wicked Nominations: Picture, Lead Actress, Supporting Actress, Music (Original Score), Sound, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design, Film Editing, Visual Effects As a fan of movie musicals, this was quite enjoyable. Great musical numbers paired with some impressive vocal performances and exquisite production design. The runtime does feel bloated in between musical numbers, but it’s a forgivable flaw just because of how entertaining it is otherwise. 12. I’m Still Here Nominations: Picture, Lead Actress, International Feature This Brazilian film is incredibly well-made from a filmmaking standpoint, but it’s also led by an incredible performance from Fernanda Torres. It’s gripping, raw, and a reminder of the power of cinema even when it’s about events from decades prior. 11. The Wild Robot Nominations: Animated Feature, Music (Original Score), Sound This animated movie is a few narrative choices away from being an all-timer in the medium. This was an incredibly emotional film that knew how to earn its moments of genuine human emotion. Great animation but even better storytelling.  10. Anora Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Film Editing Not my favorite of Baker’s filmography but another solid addition nonetheless. Mikey Madison steals the show as Ani, and it’s a movie the excels amidst its unending chaos. It’s a bit of a pacing nightmare at times, but it’s emotional, funny, and has balances its subtext with vulgarity beautifully. 9. Conclave Nominations: Picture, Lead Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Costume Design, Film Editing This drama is as tightly scripted as they come. It feels incredibly well-paced and boasts some intense and powerful performances from the entire ensemble. On a technical level it also excels with beautiful cinematography, mesmerizing production design, and a wonderfully intense score. 8. The Brutalist Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Cinematography, Film Editing Arguably the most challenging of the nominees, Brady Corbet’s epic is unwavering in its scope and themes. It beautifully constructs a story about the American dream before crushing it mercilessly. It features career best work from Brody and Pearce, and it’s an enthralling movie that doesn’t feel slow for a single minute of its lengthy runtime. 7. A Real Pain Nominations: Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore feature is a massive improvement over his debut. This movie is full of witty and emotional dialogue that is elevated by its wonderful lead performances. It balances its comedy well with more intense themes regarding generational trauma and personal turmoil between cousins. 6. The Apprentice Nominations: Lead Actor, Supporting Actor Extremely topical, this movie paints a portrait of a young Donald Trump, and it does so fantastically. It’s difficult to tackle such a controversial figure, but to do it with the ferocity and occasional empathy that Ali Abassi displays is commendable. It features stellar performances and some of the most captivating cinematography of the year, and it’s absolutely worth checking out even if it’s something you’ve been putting off due to the subject.  5. The Substance
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Original Screenplay, Makeup and Hairstyling It’s wonderful to see horror being recognized in these categories, and The Substance truly earned every nomination it received. Coralie Fargeat directs an insanely effective Demi Moore in a chaotic body horror film that is impossible to look away from. 4. Dune: Part Two Nominations: Picture, Sound, Production Design, Cinematography, Visual Effects Denis Villeneuve follows the fantastic first Dune film with a sequel that lives up to its predecessor’s epic proportions. This movie is grand in scale, and it’s an utter spectacle in every sense of the word. Great effects, execution, and storytelling make this one of the most impressive film series in recent years. 3. Memoir of a Snail Nominations: Animated Feature Adam Elliot’s second feature is a gorgeous yet devastating story about a misfit girl and her tumultuous life. He instills his signature dark humor, adult themes, and recognizable animation style into every frame, and it ends up being one of the finest animated movies ever made. It’s a beautiful and emotional journey of life that will bring you to tears if you let it. 2. Nickel Boys Nominations: Picture, Adapted Screenplay It would have been extremely easy to take Colson Whitehead's fantastic novel and adapt it in a safe and serviceable manner for the screen, but I'm absolutely grateful RaMell Ross took a massive swing for his first narrative feature. Visually profound and masterfully executed, this is a major work from a major artist. There's some themes and nuances from the novel that don't translate well, but Ross' vision is so exquisite that I really didn't mind it at all. 1. A Different Man Nominations: Makeup and Hairstyling The best of this year’s nominees, A Different Man is an utter delight. Aaron Schimberg’s script and direction are insanely clever and profoundly smart. It tackles important themes with a unique vision that is bold and effective. It features great performances and is an unforgettable movie that should have gotten more recognition beyond its makeup and hairstyling. The Academy Awards will be held on Sunday March, 2 on ABC. By Camden Ferrell  As the final part of our series on this year's Oscar nominated short films, we are going to talk about the whimsy and magic of animation. This year's nominees feature different mediums of animation and a variety of stories from a kid who discovers candy with magical properties, to a short about three brothers as they await a hair transplant. This is typically the more light-hearted of the three short categories, and we're here to let you know what we think and what might win on Oscar night.
5. In the Shadow of the Cypress This movie follows a former captain who is suffering from PTSD as he lives by the sea with his daughter. While this short takes ambitious thematic swings, trying to tackle complex topics like trauma, parenthood, and human connection, it just never feels completely cohesive as a film. The animation, while still gorgeous, doesn't really compare to the animation of its competitors that are more engaging and creative if nothing else. This is still an apt movie that mostly breezes through its 20 minute run time, but I just had a difficult time finding myself captivated by its narrative. 4. Wander to Wonder If the Oscar's voted on weirdness, this would definitely have it in the bag. Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton are all stars in a 1980's children's program but are left to their own devices in the studio after the show's creator dies. This is one that gets very weird very fast. I'm all for strangeness and general tomfoolery, but this short is hit or miss with its attempts at absurdism. Some moments are quite engaging while others feel weird for the sake of being weird. The darker elements and unique blend of live-action and animation do elevate this at times for me though. I love to see movies be outlandish, but it just doesn't always work out. 3. Beautiful Men This movie follows three brothers as they await hair transplants in Turkey as they grapple with their own insecurities. One of the more solemn entries in this category, this is a movie that has a serviceable story but is mostly carried by its phenomenal stop-motion animation. As a narrative, it's quite conventional and maybe not as strong as the movies that are lower on this list, but it's hard not to admire the subtle, slow, and beautiful craftsmanship on display here. Not one that I was super entertained by, but it's one I admire greatly. 2. Magic Candies Another stop-motion animated short, Dong-Dong is a kid who doesn't have a lot of friends, but one day he buys a bag of magic candies that gives him a new view on life. This one would be easy to write off as a drug metaphor, but I found myself quite captivated by this young child slowly expanding his worldview whether that's through communicating with his dog or his living room couch. It's beautifully animated and tells a simple yet wholesome story that all viewers will relate to in some way. 1. Yuck! Couples kissing each other on the lips, what's grosser than that to a group of young kids? Just like all of the other kids, Léo likes to make fun of people kissing until one day he finds himself curious about it. This is easily the most straightforward of all the animated shorts, but it's hard not to see a little bit of your younger self in a short like this. It's cheesy and predictable, but it does something that good movies do: it reminds you of what life used to be like when you were younger. It features the most underwhelming animation of all the nominees, but it's hard not to find this cute little short infectiously saccharine and adorable. Will Win: Beautiful Men Can Win: Wander to Wonder Should Win: Yuck! The 20th annual Oscar® Nominated Short Films theatrical release, presented by SHORTS, is coming to cinemas starting February 14, 2025. |