Oscars: Best Animated Film? & Fuss!

[retsuko]

Usually, I try to make a point out of seeing every picture that's gotten the nod for Best Picture. This year, several things have happened that I will not make it: the general malaise of I just can't take that much depression right now ("Atonement", "There Will Be Blood"); repulsion at uber-machoness ("No Country for Old Men"); and just simply running out of time (sorry, "Michael Clayton"--you're at the top of my Netflix queue!). "Juno" is the only one I've seen, and I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell of it winning: little Indie comedy, about a woman, written by a woman, only slightly controversial subject matter, cutesy soundtrack, etc.

So my attention turns to the Best Animated Picture, two of which I have seen. I'm going to write "Surf's Up" out from the get-go, even though I haven't seen it. I'm sure it's a cute movie and lots of fun to take your children to, but I can tell it's simply not in the same league with the other two.

Why "Ratatouille" Should Win: It's indescribably lovely. Every nook and cranny of the pans in the kitchen is carefully crafted and shines; the kitchen itself is a loving homage to the haute cuisine world, with its cast of goofy characters who are mostly devoted to food and the craft of preparing it. The film's message of "anyone can cook" is delightfully empowering, especially when applied to a rat with a sensitive nose and a desire to be something other than just vermin, despised and reviled. And because Peter O'Toole is one of the funniest movie villains ever--the food critic who enjoys nothing.

Why "Persepolis" Should Win: More people should see this film--how I wish it wasn't just doing the art house circuit, and the smaller art houses at that! Politically speaking, America needs to see this movie, because its message is that War--no matter what the reason it is waged--is devastating; fundamentalism (of any religion or outlook) is equally devastating; and that the Middle East is not a huge lump of people who think the same way, dress the same way, and hate America. What "Persepolis" does so artfully is to depict a world where the Iranian people are just as human as the next American. With deceptively simple black and white drawings, the plot unfolds as the narrator, Marjane, Age 5, and then Marjane, Age 25, tries to understand the political turmoil of her beloved homeland and the turmoil of sorting out her identity in the face of political oppression.

Which will win? I haven't a clue. Personally, I think "Persepolis" is the underdog, and as such, has a smaller chance. Everyone and their kids saw "Ratatouille" and it's a lot easier to swallow (so to speak.) However, you never know when the Academy will choose to go political. Either one is a fine choice. A tiny part of me hopes that "Persepolis" will win and inspire more people to see it and read the graphic novels it was based on.

EDIT, as of 9:20 pm: Congrats to Ratatouille. I am glad that praise is heaped on Brad Bird. "The Iron Giant" makes me cry every time I watch.

Best Dress goes to...? So many of them were pretty! I loved Hilary Swank, Helen Mirren, and Marion Cotillard. Such style!

And Robert Boyle's speech (here) and the accompanying montage of his work made me want to throw all caution to the wind and go into Art Direction.

And, can I just say that the Coen brothers should receive the award for least articulate "winners"? >:p

Comments

[the_rck]

I know little about most of those movies, but someone on my FL posted a review of No Country for Old Men that gave me every reason not to see it.

And to laugh.

http://logophilos.livejournal.com/216971.html

[retsuko.livejournal.com]

Bwahaha! Oh, that was excellent. That's pretty much how I thought the film would be, although it's the macho testosterone marinating the script that turned me off. ;D

[psychoe.livejournal.com]

I couldn't decide either! Both movies were just super awesome in their own respective genres! I've never read the graphic novels but I'm more likely to pick it up now that I've seen the movie.