This program opens in San Diego at the Ken Cinema on Friday, February 8th.
In addition to the Live Action Shorts package, Landmark Theatres has also compiled the Oscar Nominated Short Films 2019: Animation for audiences to enjoy. This year features another strong grouping of impressive, funny and moving titles. In fact, there’s something here that should appeal to everyone. Admittedly though, for this particular reviewer, there is one standout that really makes an impact.
The debut short is Bao (USA), an effort from Pixar that chronicles a Toronto, Canada woman suffering from empty nest syndrome. While making some dumplings, she’s surprised to witness one of them come to life. A series of skits follow in which the lead begins to raise the pastry like a child. She even becomes overprotective as it grows up at an advanced rate and begins to act out. It’s sharply animated and comically mirrors the relationship between mother and son, although the story does become overly sentimental by its close.
Late Afternoon (Ireland) is very different, both in its subject matter as well as in its approach. In fact, much of it takes place inside the head of an elderly woman quietly seated in an armchair. While company around the senior packs things up, the lead sits back sipping tea. The items and people around begin tripping memories, with the woman at different ages flying and passing through a series of significant events. The concept of traveling through one’s own mind, leaping and transforming between experiences and people is beautifully interpreted and backed to a lovely score. The movie also hits the right emotional beat at its close, making an impact without overplaying its hand. This is a quietly powerful short.
What follows is this reviewer’s personal favorite. Animal Behaviour (Canada) is a entertaining and very, very funny animated film about a group psychotherapy session that both pokes fun at and eventually compliments the profession. The group is headed by a dog, with patients that include a pig, bird, leech, cat and praying mantis. When an ape arrives as a new member and refuses to admit he may have anger management issues, the pooch tries to get him to open up, leading to a tense and vocal meeting. The animation is distinctive, the character designs are appealing, their problems are amusing and the dialogue is sharp and witty (the bird’s disturbing confession is hysterical). It’s an absolute knock-out and despite being the second longest short in the group, flies by at a rapid pace (which comes at no surprise, since the animators won the Academy Award for in 1994 for Best Animated Short with the stellar Bob’s Birthday).
Weekends (USA) is an interesting and unique piece based on the filmmaker’s experiences as a young child spending time with both of his divorced parents. It follows the child as he lives with his single mom at her suburban home and with his father in a downtown Toronto apartment. As the adults find new partners and the boy’s anxieties grow, viewers experience the boy’s surreal nightmares. This short has a very striking look and manages to do a lot of interesting things visually to help show all of the conflicting emotions and fears running through the protagonist’s head. It’s another fascinating entry in the program.
One Small Step (USA) is the closest in tone and content to the first entry in the program. In fact, Pixar are given a special thanks by the animator. Truthfully, it looks very similar to the animation studio’s output and could easily be confused for one of their efforts. This tale involves a young girl who yearns to be an astronaut, much to the encouragement of her father. As she grows up and hardships arise she begins to doubt herself, but an action taken by her father alters the lead’s perspective. Like Bao, it is exceptionally animated and is a sweet little short, but at times tugs at the heartstrings a little too obviously for its own good.
While I definitely have my favorites, all of the titles featured here are very good and will entertain young and old alike. And is if that isn’t outstanding enough, the presentation includes two bonus shorts, the pirate-themed Wishing Box, as well as another title, Tweet Tweet. Once again, the Oscar Nominated Short Films 2019: Animation is a spectacular collection that should entertain all.
Since Animal Behaviour hails from Canada, here are but a few (of many) classic shorts that the country has also been responsible for. They might provide a nice warm up for this program. The animated shorts are as follows: Bob’s Birthday (1993), The Cat Came Back (1988), The Sweater (1980) and Charade (1983).