I don't think I have ever seen a group of Oscar nominees that were so dark, depressing and disturbing as this years group of-wait for it-animated shorts. That's right, the cartoons. I'm not kidding. I got to see the animated shorts at a local theater (they're also on pay-per-view so you too can see them)and I have to tell you I left the theater ready to sit in a hot bath and slit my wrists Sicilian style. Come on cartoon makers, lighten up! Not that there wasn't some great animation (there was) but the common thread was anger and death. They are worth seeing, totally, but keep your expectations away from fluffy puppy dogs and charming whimsy. Here they are.
Logorama- The winner of this years Oscar. Really quite brilliant. The entire world is made up of American (mostly) corporate logos and advertising icons. The bad guy is a gun wielding, hostage-taking Ronald McDonald chased by two foul-mouthed cop Michelin men through a world where the streets are paved (literally) with thousands of logos. The chase ends up with the destruction of the world. Point- American consumerism and corporate greed will destroy us all. Made by (who else?) the French.
Still great and clever animation. Worth the $4.95 pay per view just for this one.
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty- An Irish nightmare as an angry Granny tells her terrified grandaughter a night-night story from hell. Pretty dark.
The Lady and the Reaper- This was the most charming of the lot. An old lady on death's doorstep is fought over by an unctuous doctor and the grim reaper. Dark but cute.
French Roast-A business man at lunch forgets his wallet and thievery abounds. Interesting but not great.
A Matter of Loaf and Death- Old pals Wallace and Grommit run afoul of a serial killing lady who targets bakers. At 30 minutes by far the longest film. Cute as usual but we've seen it before. Still, Nick Park knows his stuff.
There were some other shorts shown in the program that were under Oscar consideration including a Canadian film (Runaway) about a train run amok.(wasn't crazy about this one) and a Polish film (Kinemascope, I think) that featured an inventor working on moving pictures, a dead wife and bloody handkerchiefs. Depressing is not strong enough. It also had Pixar's terrific short Partly Cloudy about a fluffy cloudy heaven and stork baby-deliverers. Pixar gets it right as usual.
Where have you gone Yosemite Sam, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you....
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