A Japanese film nominated, but....

It was not anime.

Japan's 'Twilight Samurai' for Best Foreign Film. Is this the first time in a while a Japanese film got nominated for that category?

For the only 3 Best Animated Film nominations: Brother Bear, Finding Nemo, and Triplets of Belleville. Nemo and Belleville were kinda a given; it was the 3rd slot that was up for grabs.

I saw Brother Bear in the theatres; it was more 'drama heavy' than recent Disney films. Not many people at all at my theatre, yet did well enough overall ($80+ million US gross).

Satoshi Kon's films being subbed and un-noteworthy theatrical receipts probably didn't help their cause. Probably split their votes between them too.

Laters. =)

Stan

Or, that the field was so thin they decided on the three-nomination category this year, and in terms of what was ever going to fill that third spot underneath Disney and Pixar, FEAR the Triplets

Well, that and Dreamworks' non-existent Oscar campaign for Millenium Actress, and, while Samuel Goldwyn Films did a rather nice For Your Consideration ad for Tokyo Godfathers, TG was just released too late in the game to overtake the critical momentum The Triplets of Belleville received.

Really, people can bitch and moan all they like about Disney's treatment of Ghibli films in the North American market, but at least Disney gives those films a relatively decent distribution across the continent and, when applicable, they give the films a fair shot when it comes to Oscar campaigns; it's the other studios that are doing the real 'burying', giving them such limited releases that even Roger Ebert doesn't notice them.

Not that Spirited Away's win last year gave me any sort of expectation that anime films would get nominated every year. Anime films getting nominated will still be the exception, not the rule, though I would be very surprised if Howl's Moving Castle doesn't at least get a nod... well, two years from now (due to the production delay).

Steve Brandon (whom actually enjoyed Brother Bear and is pleased to see it nominated, even if it doesn't deserve to beat Finding Nemo, but he also actually preferred Lilo & Stitch to Spirited Away last year, so what does he know?) Kiyone at Tokyo dot com

What how dare they not nominate the independent film masterpiece Ethan's Adventures with Nuku Nuku. This is a travesty and I am being held back because of my conservative views. Damn you Hollywood, DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!! *POUNDS FISTS ON BEACH*

Did you remember to submit it to the Academy for approval?

Andrew H

Didn't know you made a film. Must've been cool! ^_^

D'oh! That's always the very first step!

From the Master of Car-too-nal Knowledge... Christopher M. Sobieniak

BLAST!!!! *SHAKES FIST*

I make them every night.

You record your sordid liasons?

Laters. =)

Stan

And make flip books. Whee!!!!

Sounds like I need to get on my animation home-schooling ASAP! ^_^

From the Master of Car-too-nal Knowledge... Christopher M. Sobieniak