Best Animated Feature – 93rd Oscars Nominations – Can ‘Soul’ Slip In for a Spot?
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is Hollywood’s most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. Since 1927, nominees and winners have been selected by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 17 branches are represented within the nearly 10,000-person membership. The branches are actors, associates, casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, documentary, executives, film editors, makeup and hair stylists, marketing and public relations, members-at-large, members-at-large (artists’ representatives), music, producers, production design, short films and feature animation, sound, visual effects, and writers.
1. “Soul” (Pixar)
Pete Docter, Dana Murray
DIRECTOR: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers
PRODUCERS: Dana Murray
SYNOPSIS: Joe has spent his life trying to be like his dad and be a musician, a jazz pianist, to be specific. However, it seemed that just as he was about to reach the dream, something happened. Now middle-aged, single, with no kids, Joe gets by working as a band teacher and doesn’t seem to love the job, even though it has its silver lining when he can at least reach one kid in his class.
One kid he used to work with, Lamont “Curley” Baker, was inspired by Joe’s teaching. This led to him learning music from Joe and not only having a reason to go to school and graduate but join a band. One that he invites Joe to play in, so it seems Joe’s dream might come true – but then he dies. This leads to Joe fighting for a chance to return to his life and you are left wondering how he may do so and, with the help of this soul named 22, whether he may accept death or take the journey he goes as a sign he wasn’t truly living.
STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Questlove, Graham Norton, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Wes Studi
2. “Wolfwalkers” (Apple TV Plus/GKIDS)
Tomm Moore, Stéphan Roelants, Nora Twomey, Paul Young
DIRECTOR: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart
PRODUCERS: Tomm Moore, Stéphan Roelants, Nora Twomey, Paul Young
SYNOPSIS: In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn, comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when Robyn saves a wild native girl, Mebh, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
STARRING: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean, Simon McBurney, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Tommy Tiernan
3. “Onward” (Pixar)
Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae
DIRECTOR: Dan Scanlon
PRODUCERS: Kori Rae
SYNOPSIS: Two eleven brothers embark on a quest to bring their father back for one day. Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on a journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him. Along the way, they encounter a manticore, wild sprites, and adventures beyond their imaginations. Ultimately, they will learn that there are some things in the world that are more powerful than magic.
STARRING: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Lena Waithe, Ali Wong
4. “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” (Netflix)
Will Becher, Richard Phelan
DIRECTOR: Will Becher, Richard Phelan
PRODUCERS: Paul Kewley
SYNOPSIS: When an alien with amazing powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor home before a sinister organization can capture her. Shaun the Sheep is back for another adventure and this time it will take him out of this world. Here he meets the mischievous and curious Lu-La, an alien who has crash-landed near his farm. When it becomes all the more clear that Lu-La is homesick, Shaun and the rest of the sheep on his farm band together to concoct a plan to send Lu-La home.
STARRING: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Amalia Vitale
Upcoming Animation Move in 2021 – Don’t Miss It
5. “Over the Moon” (Netflix)
Glen Keane, Peilin Chou, Gennie Rim
DIRECTOR: Glen Keane, John Kahrs (co-director)
PRODUCERS: Peilin Chou, Gennie Rim
SYNOPSIS: In this animated musical, a girl builds a rocket ship and blasts off, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess.
When Raya was a child, her father spoke about Benja at a time when the various tribes were one, and everyone lived in peace. That was nearly 500 years ago, and now each tribe, selfish in its own way, doesn’t trust the other, and the idea of being one is a child’s dream. Yet, Chief Benja of the Heart tribe, believes one day, everyone can come together, and what was once known as Kumandra could return.
However, thanks to the Fang tribe, what peace there once was gets broken, and so comes what is known as the drunes. Now, what are they? They are toxic entities that, when they touch any living being, turn them to stone. They are considered the opposite of dragons, of which there was once plenty, who brought to Raya’s world life.
So, 6 years after the Fang tribe’s betrayal and the rise of the drunes, Raya is trying to piece together a gem, the heart of their world, hoping it may bring her father back from stone and reset the world to what it once was.
STARRING: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ruthie Ann Miles, John Cho, Sandra Oh, Margaret Cho, Ken Jeong
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