Cover Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio (Photo from Twitter: @pinocchiomovie)
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio (Photo from Twitter: @pinocchiomovie)
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From the Annie awards to the Oscars, here are the champions in animation you should be adding to your watchlist
Who says animated features are strictly reserved for kids? Admit it, whether you are a full-fledged adult, you sometimes tap into this category for that hearty laugh, a good cry, or just simply a breath of fresh air from living the grown-up life. If you’re up for something new and different, longing for these light spectacles that remind you of a much simpler life—specifically, your childhood days—or would like to see how animation has evolved through time and how it looks now for the present and coming generations; here are the top 10 picks we recommend you watch!
On top of the narrative and regardless of the length, you’re surely in for a treat as these are winning pieces from the 50th Annie Awards and the Oscars 2023.
1. Pinocchio
You must have known by now Mister Geppetto and his boy, Pinocchio. This classic tale of living up to your parent's expectations—a story of love, disobedience, and pursuing truth and kindness—once again becomes relevant to us through the eyes of Guillermo del Toro. This film reigned as the Best Animated Film in this year's Oscars and was crowned Best Feature, Best Character Animation, Best Direction, Best Music, and Best Production Design under the Feature category in the 50th Annie Awards.
Related: Oscars 2023: the winners include Michelle Yeoh and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'
2. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Annie's Best Special Production, Best Character Animation, Best Direction, and Best Editorial under the TV/Media category—The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy and Peter Bayton. Also, Oscars' Best Animated Short Film. In their search for a home, the unusual friendship of these four characters reveals truths about life that we can relate to. All the same, the boy learns that home isn't always a physical structure.
3. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Also nominated for Oscars' Best Animated Film, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is Annie's Best Indie Feature, and Best Voice Acting and Best Writing under the Feature category. The little movie about the life of Marcel, the adorable 1-inch-tall shell who lives with his grandmother Connie, is a wholesome piece of loneliness, grief, a sense of community, and friendship; all woven together.
4. Oni: Thunder God's Tale
Oni: Thunder God's Tale has collected two of the prestigious Annie titles for claiming Best TV/Media under Limited Series and Best Production Design under TV/Media. Based on Onari's Lullaby by Emi Tsutsumi, this Japanese folklore-inspired features Onari's adventures in a dimension filled with gods and spirits.
5. Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course
And of course, in this digital era and one for the growing number of gamers, Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course wins Annie's Best Character Animation under the Video Game category. As the protagonist with a trusted sidekick Mugman, Cuphead proceeds towards the undiscovered Inkwell Isle and fights off the villain, Chef Saltbaker, to grant the damsel Ms Chalice who is a spirit, a permanent body. Hope you don't miss adding this to your gaming wishlist!
6. Ice Merchants
Every day, a father and his son put on their parachutes, jump from their cold house atop a cliff down to the village far away in the ground, and sell the ice they produce daily. Annie Awards hails Ice Merchants by COLA Animation production and Wild Stream as the Best Short Subject. Additionally, this masterpiece created by João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano was also nominated for Oscars 2023's Best Animated Short Film.
7. Abominable and the Invisible City
Ah yes, another for the kids and the kids at heart, Annie Awards' Best TV/Media under the Children category goes to Abominable and the Invisible City's Everest Return. In this episode, Yi's mom and Nai Nai prepare for their dumpling shop's grand opening along with Jin and Peng. While playing her violin, Yi attracts a magical bird-like creature Fenghuang, who needs their help. They further discover other creatures of Everest on their journey.
8. The Sea Beast
A lot of those who have already watched this movie didn't hesitate to show and share their love for The Sea Beast. Nominated in line for the Oscars 2023's Best Animated Feature Film, the lore is told as promising as its animation of the sea and its terrifying monsters. Jacob Holland, a renowned monster hunter and hero, forms an ally with young Maisie Brumble as they traverse uncharted waters and make history.
9. My Year of Dicks
If you were able to tune into this year's Oscars, you'd know that this title amused people when its nomination was announced. My Year of Dicks gunned for the Best Animated Short Film and although it didn't make it, it certainly made a lasting impression. Based on Pamela Ribbon's 2014 comedic memoir Notes to Boys: And Other Things I Shouldn't Share In Public, the same writer together with director Sara Gunnarsdóttir, created a hilarious feature of Pam's story—a girl who goes to lengths to lose her virginity while in search for the one.
10. The Soloists
Viewers have claimed this short film speaks volumes in the light of how women spend their lives amidst several issues such as rights and authority. In a village ruled by ridiculed laws, three sisters who are singers rehearse for their community's Annual Autumn Festival to have their plans disrupted by an unexpected event. Winning the 50th Annie Awards' Best Student Film, student directors Mehrnaz Abdollahinia, Feben Elias Woldehawariat, Razahk Issaka, Celeste Jamneck, and Yi Liu from Gobelins do have a bright future ahead of them with The Soloists.
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Kristina's passion to write came from her love for books. If her nose isn't buried in one nor her fingers are tapping away on a keyboard working on a write-up, you'll find her having a feast at a new restaurant or savouring coffee in the nearest shop listening to rock music. Also interested in computer games and all things Japan, she spends her free time playing Dota 2, watching anime, as well as reading manga.
