Best animated feature film of the year

Adam M. Anklewicz — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:00:11 +0000

Coraline (Focus Features)
This is, in my mind, the first time that The Oscars have had serious contention in this category since Pixar started making feature length films. Coraline is incredible. I haven’t read the story by Neil Gaiman, but from what I hear, it’s brilliant, and this story of a young girl who is disillusioned with the real world, finds a portal to a mirror world, where everything is what she could hope for… or so she thinks. Hidden intentions are basis of this story, whether it’s the evil hidden intentions in the mirror world, or the good intention that her real parents can’t seem to express, until too late. This film is definitely a treat.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (20th Century Fox)
I really enjoy Wes Anderson films, especially Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore (the others are good, but not as good). Fantastic Mr. Fox is a return to form, and perhaps his second best film, after Rushmore.

The Princess and the Frog (Walt Disney)
I have no interest in watching this, but I just noticed that it’s executive produced by John Lasseter, and I trust him, he made Pixar what it is. I’m off to download (you can assume that means on iTunes or another paid service).

Hmm, it’s is kinda boring. It’s very much a formulaic Disney animated feature.

The Secret of Kells (GKIDS)
Wow, this film was pretty damn horrible. It seemed like an 85 minute long cut scene from a crappy video game. The animation style’s not too terrible for flash-based animation, while it looks like flash, and feels like flash, some of the character design is really interesting, seemingly lifting from Yellow Submarine. This is definitely a children’s movie, but it makes me wonder why the Academy didn’t nominate Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Up (Walt Disney)
Hmm, I wonder which film is going to win? Is it the only one nominated for Best Picture? Probably, but also rightfully! This film is incredible, and deserves all the respect in the world. I’ll write more in the best picture post, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this film.

Who Adam wants to win: Up
Who Adam thinks will win: Up

January 2010, in review

Adam M. Anklewicz — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:01:27 +0000

In December, I set goals for myself, how many films to see this year, how many shows to attend, how many records to purchase, and how many books to read. This is the standings, as of the end of January…

Books I read (1/10 – 10%):
Animal Farm by George Orwell | Originally published 1945

Films I saw (11/52 – 21%):
It’s Complicated | Originally released 2009
Magicians | Originally released 2007
A Single Man | Originally released 2009
Fantastic Mr. Fox | Originally released 2009
After Elizabeth II (Documentary, from CBC Doc Zone)
Crazy Heart | Originally released 2009
Brüno | Originally released 2009
Dan In Real Life | Originally released 2009
Men Who Stare at Goats | Originally released 2009
It Happened One Night | Originally released 1934
A Boy And His Dog | Originally released 1975

Albums I bought (7/52 – 13%):
Gene Clark by Gene Clark (vinyl) | Originally released 1971
The New Despair by The Gothic Archies (CD EP) | Originally released 1997
The Wayward Bus by The Magnetic Fields (CD) | Originally released 1992
Distant Plastic Trees by The Magnetic Fields (CD) | Originally released 1991
Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love by Jonathan Richman (CD) | Originally released 2004
Heartland by Owen Pallett (vinyl)
Mal De Mer by Ben Gunning (CD)

Shows I attended (5/52 – 9%):
Julie Doiron (w/ Will Kidman) @ The Cobourg; January 9, 2010
Krupke, Skip Jensen & Ginger & Irene @ Rancho Relaxo; January 15, 2010
$100 (w/ The Lonesome Ace Stringband & Stripmall Ballads) @ The Horseshoe Tavern; January 22, 2010
Ben Gunning (w/ Allie Hughes) @ The Rivoli; January 29, 2010
The Dress Whites @ Bread & Circus; January 30, 2010

Never Had To Fight » Fantastic Mr. Fox

Best animated feature film of the year

January 2010, in review