Puss in Boots, Tintin Among Animated Oscar 2011 Contenders

I’ve been getting updates from the Academy Awards publicity department, and there’s a ton of stuff that happens throughout the year to make that annual event happen. A lot of it sort of goes by me, like so and so was appointed director of  such and such and whatnot.

But last week, I perked up when they announced that 18 films have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category. This will be the 84th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by ABC.

It’s interesting that some of these films haven’t even had their required Los Angeles qualifying runs. The nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. So if they bomb at the box office or just aren’t great, I’m guessing that some of those films we haven’t seen yet might not make it.

Also, if they meet the requirements, the films could also be submitted in other categories, like Best Picture, for example.

Here are the 18 submitted features, with my thoughts:

• The Adventures of Tintin – Haven’t seen it yet (it comes out Dec. 21, 2011), but the promos and buzz are promising.
• Alois Nebel – Haven’t seen it, but it’s a Czech Republic film that sounds a little dark. From IMDB.com: “A train dispatcher encounters a mute stranger who appears out of nowhere and finds himself mysteriously involved with a murder in Poland.”
• Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – Haven’t seen it, but I loved the first Chipmunks movie. The second was entertaining, too. Yeah, I have a soft spot for the chipmunks.
• Arthur Christmas – Haven’t seen it, but I love anything from Aardman Productions.
• Cars 2 – Very cute, with an eco message. Full review here.
• A Cat in Paris– Haven’t seen it, but it sounds like a French version of Lady and the Tramp. Or not. From IMDB.com: “A thrilling mystery that unfurls in the alleys and on the rooftops of the French capital, Paris, over the course of one adventurous evening.”
• Chico & Rita – Haven’t seen this Spanish film. From IMDB.com: “Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey — in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero- – brings heartache and torment.” (Foreign filmmakers seem to have no issues with making dark and dramatic animated films.)
• Gnomeo & Juliet – A cute take on the classic story, produced by Elton John. Full review here.
• Happy Feet Two – Haven’t seen it, but hard to argue with dancing penguins.
• Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil – Not crazy about this one, and felt like it was a throw-away sequel designed to sell merchandise. Full review here.
• Kung Fu Panda 2 – Loved it. Full review here.
• Mars Needs Moms – Ok, but not particularly memorable. Full review here.
• Puss in Boots – Loved it. Full review here.
• Rango – Very, very interesting movie, though more for grown-ups than kids. Full review here.
• Rio – Awesomely cute and colorful. Full review here.
• The Smurfs – Really? Full review here.
• Winnie the Pooh – Loved Pooh and the gang’s latest adventure.
• Wrinkles – Haven’t seen it and not finding anything right off the bat. Will have to research this one.

Any thoughts on these? Have you seen any of the films I haven’t seen yet? Would love comments on those.

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