The 18-member Boston Society of Film Critics includes some oft-quoted critics, including Boston Globe writers, Ty Burr and Wesley Morris. This year, they beat the L.A. Film Critics in announcing their end-of-year prizes. Thanks to the blog Film Experience for the following information (because the Bostonians' website has not been updated as of this writing):
Picture: The Social Network
Runner up: Toy Story 3
Director: David Fincher for The Social Network
Runner up: Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan
Actress: Natalie Portman in Black Swan
Runner up: Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right
Actor: Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network
Runner up: Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
Supporting Actress: Juliette Lewis in Conviction
Runner Up: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Supporting Actor: Christian Bale in The Fighter
Runner Up: Andrew Garfield in The Social Network
Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network
Runner up: Nicole Holocener for Please Give
Cinematography: Roger Deakins for True Grit
Runner up: Matthew Libatique for Black Swan
Editing (in memory of Karen Schmeer) Andrew Weisblum for Black Swan
Runner up: Lee Smith for Inception
New Filmmaker (in memory of David Brudnoy) Jeff Malmberg for Marwencol
Runner up: David Michôd for Animal Kingdom
Best Use of Music in a Film Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Social Network
Runner up: Carter Burwell for True Grit
Ensemble Cast: The Fighter
Runner up: The Kids Are All Right
Documentary: Marwencol
Runner up: Inside Job
Foreign Language: Film Mother (South Korea)
Runner up: I Am Love (Italy)
Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Runner up: The Illusionist
http://www.thebsfc.org/
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Review: "Blazing Saddles" Still Rides Hard and Funny (Happy B'day, Darby)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 11 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Running time: 93 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA – R
DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks
WRITERS: Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, Alan Uger, and Mel Brooks, from a story by Andrew Bergman
PRODUCER: Michael Hertzberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Joseph Biroc (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Danford Greene and John C. Howard
Academy Award nominee
COMEDY/WESTERN
Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Khan, Slim Pickens, Alex Karras, Mel Brooks, Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr., Liam Dunn, Dom DeLuise, David Huddleston, John Hillerman, George Furth, and Carol DeLuise
Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), a corrupt political boss, wants to run a railroad through the small western town of Rock Ridge, but he has to ruin the town so its citizens will want to leave. Lamarr appoints a black sheriff named Bart (Cleavon Little), thinking that will certainly demoralize them and make them leave Rock Ridge. Bart, however, joins forces with a washed-up gunfighter Jim (Gene Wilder), also known as The Waco Kid, and becomes Lamarr’s formidable adversary. Lamarr then concocts a plan to have a collection of the vilest criminals, cutthroats, and thieves ravage Rock Ridge. Bart, however, rallies the townspeople (who initially hated having a black sheriff) to a grand stand off against their would be destroyers.
Blazing Saddles is one of the great film comedies (it would certainly make my Top 10), and is still the all-time best parody of movie westerns. Actually, the film takes on a western sub-genre, the horse opera, in which a beleaguered sheriff, all but abandoned by the townsfolk he’s sworn to protect, must stand alone against corrupt, greedy, and murderous men. What really makes Blazing Saddles work as a parody of westerns is that the film really works like a western. It looks and feels like a classic western flick from Hollywood’s golden era of Technicolor westerns. In order for a spoof to work, the spoof has to fell like the thing it’s parodying.
Unlike a lot of parodies, Blazing Saddles also has a plot and solid story structure – a clear beginning, middle, and end, and the characters are excellent. A fine group of character actors also play the parts. Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder are excellent comedians, both fun with a kind of likeable slyness, but Madeline Kahn and Slim Pickens also give bravura performances in small roles that help to define the movie.
Blazing Saddles is funny and brilliant, heavy with belly laughs. Although I’ve encountered many people who don’t like it for various reasons, the is one of the films that firmly established director Mel Brooks as a great American comic, a funny man in any medium.
9 of 10
A+
NOTES:
1975 Academy Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Madeline Kahn), “Best Film Editing” (John C. Howard and Danford B. Greene), and “Best Music, Original Song” (John Morris-music and Mel Brooks-lyrics for the song "Blazing Saddles")
1975 BAFTA Awards: 2 nominations: “Best Screenplay” (Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, and Alan Uger) and “Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles” (Cleavon Little)
2006 National Film Preservation Board, USA: National Film Registry
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Running time: 93 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA – R
DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks
WRITERS: Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, Alan Uger, and Mel Brooks, from a story by Andrew Bergman
PRODUCER: Michael Hertzberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Joseph Biroc (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Danford Greene and John C. Howard
Academy Award nominee
COMEDY/WESTERN
Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Khan, Slim Pickens, Alex Karras, Mel Brooks, Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr., Liam Dunn, Dom DeLuise, David Huddleston, John Hillerman, George Furth, and Carol DeLuise
Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), a corrupt political boss, wants to run a railroad through the small western town of Rock Ridge, but he has to ruin the town so its citizens will want to leave. Lamarr appoints a black sheriff named Bart (Cleavon Little), thinking that will certainly demoralize them and make them leave Rock Ridge. Bart, however, joins forces with a washed-up gunfighter Jim (Gene Wilder), also known as The Waco Kid, and becomes Lamarr’s formidable adversary. Lamarr then concocts a plan to have a collection of the vilest criminals, cutthroats, and thieves ravage Rock Ridge. Bart, however, rallies the townspeople (who initially hated having a black sheriff) to a grand stand off against their would be destroyers.
Blazing Saddles is one of the great film comedies (it would certainly make my Top 10), and is still the all-time best parody of movie westerns. Actually, the film takes on a western sub-genre, the horse opera, in which a beleaguered sheriff, all but abandoned by the townsfolk he’s sworn to protect, must stand alone against corrupt, greedy, and murderous men. What really makes Blazing Saddles work as a parody of westerns is that the film really works like a western. It looks and feels like a classic western flick from Hollywood’s golden era of Technicolor westerns. In order for a spoof to work, the spoof has to fell like the thing it’s parodying.
Unlike a lot of parodies, Blazing Saddles also has a plot and solid story structure – a clear beginning, middle, and end, and the characters are excellent. A fine group of character actors also play the parts. Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder are excellent comedians, both fun with a kind of likeable slyness, but Madeline Kahn and Slim Pickens also give bravura performances in small roles that help to define the movie.
Blazing Saddles is funny and brilliant, heavy with belly laughs. Although I’ve encountered many people who don’t like it for various reasons, the is one of the films that firmly established director Mel Brooks as a great American comic, a funny man in any medium.
9 of 10
A+
NOTES:
1975 Academy Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Madeline Kahn), “Best Film Editing” (John C. Howard and Danford B. Greene), and “Best Music, Original Song” (John Morris-music and Mel Brooks-lyrics for the song "Blazing Saddles")
1975 BAFTA Awards: 2 nominations: “Best Screenplay” (Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, and Alan Uger) and “Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles” (Cleavon Little)
2006 National Film Preservation Board, USA: National Film Registry
------------------
Review: A Year Later, Walt Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" is Still Magical
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 13 (of 2009) by Leroy Douresseaux
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Running time: 97 minutes (1 hour, 37 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTORS: Ron Clements, John Musker
PRODUCER: Peter Del Vecho
WRITERS: Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards; from a story by Ron Clements, John Musker, Greg Erb, Don Hall, and Jason Oremland
EDITOR: Jeff Draheim
COMPOSER: Randy Newman
Academy Award nominee
ANIMATION/COMEDY/FANTASY/FAMILY/ROMANCE
Starring: (voices) Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Bartlett, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, and Oprah Winfrey
Several years ago, Walt Disney announced that 2004’s Home on the Range would be the company’s last 2D animated (or hand drawn animation) feature length film because, the company insisted, audiences now wanted 3D or computer animated films. But praise God for Ed Catmull and John Lasseter! Taking over Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2007, the duo behind Pixar spearheaded the return to 2D. The result is the fantastic, The Princess and the Frog. In development since 2006, The Princess and the Frog not only marks the return to traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, but it is also the return of the Disney musical in the vein of Beauty and the Beast.
A musical comedy and fantasy, The Princess and the Frog is set in an idealized version of the city of New Orleans of the 1920s. Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) comes from hardworking parents: the strong and loving father, James (Terrence Howard), and her mother the inspiration and anchor, Eudora (Oprah Winfrey). Tiana’s dream is to open New Orleans’ finest restaurant. Believing like her father that wishes don’t come true without hard work, Tiana eschews fun and works double shifts to save money.
Spoiled and irresponsible, Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), from the far-off kingdom of Maldonia, arrives in New Orleans, cut off from his parents’ money. Naveen meets Dr. Facilier (Keith David), “the Shadowman.” Facilier transforms Prince Naveen into a frog as part of a scheme to steal a local rich man’s money. When Tiana and froggy Prince Naveen’s meet, Naveen convinces Tiana that her kiss can make him human again. However, in a twist on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale, “The Frog Prince,” the kiss leaves Naveen unchanged, but instead also transforms Tiana into a frog. With the assistance of Louis, a trumpet-playing alligator (Michael-Leon Wooley) and Ray, a Cajun firefly (Jim Cummings), Tiana and Naveen race against time to Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis), the bayou-dwelling ancient who has the power to undo Facilier’s spell.
The Princess and the Frog is a Disney animation first – the lead is an African-American heroine (the Black Disney princess). However, one could be forgiven for forgetting that fact while watching this movie. Under the direction of the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), The Princess and the Frog is so amazing, it almost makes you forget the historical and social implications. Even the Black princess not having a Black prince is no big deal when placed in the context of this magical film.
Musker and Clements have certainly put together an animated film that is every bit as visually impressive as modern animation, including Pixar’s 3D wonderland, Up. Most importantly, this stands next to the best of Disney’s modern, hand-drawn animated films. The Princess and the Frog has the shimmering colors of Beauty and the Beast and meaningful drama of The Lion King.
Oscar winner Randy Newman’s excellent score and bouncy musical numbers recall the melodious, song-driven narratives that made Disney’s late 80’s and early 90s films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin timeless classics. From songs about gumption (“Almost There”) and optimism (“When We’re Human”) to the dueling natures of the dark side (“Friends on the Other Side”) and the light side (“Dig a Little Deeper”), The Princess and the Frog tells its story and conveys its messages as much through songs as it does through its superbly written story and screenplay.
For all its outstanding animation – from the stunning character animation to the glorious special effects that will make you believe in magic (Disney magic!), this film lives through a cast of voice actors that just wows, and few of the actors are big-name stars (except for Queen of the World, Ms. Winfrey). Anika Noni Rose defines the patient, lovely, industrious, entrepreneurial young woman that is Tiana; Rose brings the character to life in such a way that makes Tiana seem like a real person. Keith David, the actor most under utilized by Hollywood, makes a delightfully macabre turn as Dr. Facilier, a villain with the right amount of wicked and just enough comic undertones to fit this family friend film. The show-stealer is Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, the jazz-loving alligator, who is so funny and so good that it defies description.
Walt Disney Animation Studio may never again have a 2D animation blockbuster on the level of 1994’s The Lion King. On the other hand, as the dominant theme of this film frequently reminds us, one cannot simply wish for something and hope it comes true; one has to work to make that wish come true. The hard work that went into this film made the wishes of fans of 2D animation come true. The Princess and the Frog is a Disney classic both groundbreaking and marvelous.
10 of 10
Sunday, December 13, 2009
NOTES:
2010 Academy Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "Almost There"), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "Down in New Orleans"), and “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (John Musker and Ron Clements)
2010 Black Reel Awards: 2 wins: “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Almost There") and “Best Voice Performance” (Anika Noni Rose); 7 nominations: “Best Film,” “Best Ensemble” (Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Bruno Campos, Elizabeth M. Dampier, and Jim Cummings), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Almost There"), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Down in New Orleans"), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Ne-Yo for the song "Never Knew I Needed"), “Best Voice Performance” (Keith David), and “Best Voice Performance” (Anika Noni Rose)
2010 Golden Globes: 1 nomination: “Best Animated Feature Film”
2010 Image Awards: 2 nominations: “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” (Anika Noni Rose) and “Outstanding Motion Picture”
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Running time: 97 minutes (1 hour, 37 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTORS: Ron Clements, John Musker
PRODUCER: Peter Del Vecho
WRITERS: Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards; from a story by Ron Clements, John Musker, Greg Erb, Don Hall, and Jason Oremland
EDITOR: Jeff Draheim
COMPOSER: Randy Newman
Academy Award nominee
ANIMATION/COMEDY/FANTASY/FAMILY/ROMANCE
Starring: (voices) Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Bartlett, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, and Oprah Winfrey
Several years ago, Walt Disney announced that 2004’s Home on the Range would be the company’s last 2D animated (or hand drawn animation) feature length film because, the company insisted, audiences now wanted 3D or computer animated films. But praise God for Ed Catmull and John Lasseter! Taking over Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2007, the duo behind Pixar spearheaded the return to 2D. The result is the fantastic, The Princess and the Frog. In development since 2006, The Princess and the Frog not only marks the return to traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, but it is also the return of the Disney musical in the vein of Beauty and the Beast.
A musical comedy and fantasy, The Princess and the Frog is set in an idealized version of the city of New Orleans of the 1920s. Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) comes from hardworking parents: the strong and loving father, James (Terrence Howard), and her mother the inspiration and anchor, Eudora (Oprah Winfrey). Tiana’s dream is to open New Orleans’ finest restaurant. Believing like her father that wishes don’t come true without hard work, Tiana eschews fun and works double shifts to save money.
Spoiled and irresponsible, Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), from the far-off kingdom of Maldonia, arrives in New Orleans, cut off from his parents’ money. Naveen meets Dr. Facilier (Keith David), “the Shadowman.” Facilier transforms Prince Naveen into a frog as part of a scheme to steal a local rich man’s money. When Tiana and froggy Prince Naveen’s meet, Naveen convinces Tiana that her kiss can make him human again. However, in a twist on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale, “The Frog Prince,” the kiss leaves Naveen unchanged, but instead also transforms Tiana into a frog. With the assistance of Louis, a trumpet-playing alligator (Michael-Leon Wooley) and Ray, a Cajun firefly (Jim Cummings), Tiana and Naveen race against time to Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis), the bayou-dwelling ancient who has the power to undo Facilier’s spell.
The Princess and the Frog is a Disney animation first – the lead is an African-American heroine (the Black Disney princess). However, one could be forgiven for forgetting that fact while watching this movie. Under the direction of the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), The Princess and the Frog is so amazing, it almost makes you forget the historical and social implications. Even the Black princess not having a Black prince is no big deal when placed in the context of this magical film.
Musker and Clements have certainly put together an animated film that is every bit as visually impressive as modern animation, including Pixar’s 3D wonderland, Up. Most importantly, this stands next to the best of Disney’s modern, hand-drawn animated films. The Princess and the Frog has the shimmering colors of Beauty and the Beast and meaningful drama of The Lion King.
Oscar winner Randy Newman’s excellent score and bouncy musical numbers recall the melodious, song-driven narratives that made Disney’s late 80’s and early 90s films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin timeless classics. From songs about gumption (“Almost There”) and optimism (“When We’re Human”) to the dueling natures of the dark side (“Friends on the Other Side”) and the light side (“Dig a Little Deeper”), The Princess and the Frog tells its story and conveys its messages as much through songs as it does through its superbly written story and screenplay.
For all its outstanding animation – from the stunning character animation to the glorious special effects that will make you believe in magic (Disney magic!), this film lives through a cast of voice actors that just wows, and few of the actors are big-name stars (except for Queen of the World, Ms. Winfrey). Anika Noni Rose defines the patient, lovely, industrious, entrepreneurial young woman that is Tiana; Rose brings the character to life in such a way that makes Tiana seem like a real person. Keith David, the actor most under utilized by Hollywood, makes a delightfully macabre turn as Dr. Facilier, a villain with the right amount of wicked and just enough comic undertones to fit this family friend film. The show-stealer is Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, the jazz-loving alligator, who is so funny and so good that it defies description.
Walt Disney Animation Studio may never again have a 2D animation blockbuster on the level of 1994’s The Lion King. On the other hand, as the dominant theme of this film frequently reminds us, one cannot simply wish for something and hope it comes true; one has to work to make that wish come true. The hard work that went into this film made the wishes of fans of 2D animation come true. The Princess and the Frog is a Disney classic both groundbreaking and marvelous.
10 of 10
Sunday, December 13, 2009
NOTES:
2010 Academy Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "Almost There"), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "Down in New Orleans"), and “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (John Musker and Ron Clements)
2010 Black Reel Awards: 2 wins: “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Almost There") and “Best Voice Performance” (Anika Noni Rose); 7 nominations: “Best Film,” “Best Ensemble” (Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Bruno Campos, Elizabeth M. Dampier, and Jim Cummings), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Almost There"), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Anika Noni Rose for the song "Down in New Orleans"), “Best Song, Original or Adapted” (Ne-Yo for the song "Never Knew I Needed"), “Best Voice Performance” (Keith David), and “Best Voice Performance” (Anika Noni Rose)
2010 Golden Globes: 1 nomination: “Best Animated Feature Film”
2010 Image Awards: 2 nominations: “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” (Anika Noni Rose) and “Outstanding Motion Picture”
------------------------
Saturday, December 11, 2010
15 Films Still in Competition for Visual Effects Oscar
Press release:
15 Features in Line for 2010 VFX Oscar®
Beverly Hills, CA (December 10, 2010) – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films have been selected as semifinalists for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 83rd Academy Awards®.
The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
"Alice in Wonderland"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
"Clash of the Titans"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1"
"Hereafter"
"Inception"
"Iron Man 2"
"The Last Airbender"
"Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time"
"Scott Pilgrim vs the World"
"Shutter Island"
"The Sorcerer’s Apprentice"
"Tron: Legacy"
"Unstoppable"
In early January, the members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee, who selected the semifinalists, will narrow the list to seven.
All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films on Thursday, January 20. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
15 Features in Line for 2010 VFX Oscar®
Beverly Hills, CA (December 10, 2010) – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films have been selected as semifinalists for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 83rd Academy Awards®.
The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
"Alice in Wonderland"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
"Clash of the Titans"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1"
"Hereafter"
"Inception"
"Iron Man 2"
"The Last Airbender"
"Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time"
"Scott Pilgrim vs the World"
"Shutter Island"
"The Sorcerer’s Apprentice"
"Tron: Legacy"
"Unstoppable"
In early January, the members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee, who selected the semifinalists, will narrow the list to seven.
All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films on Thursday, January 20. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Review: "Phat Girlz" Makes a Joyful Noise (Happy B'day, Mo'Nique)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 83 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux
Phat Girlz (2006)
Running time: 99 minutes (1 hour, 39 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual content and language, including some crude sexual references
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Nnegest Likké
PRODUCERS: Steven Imes, Robert F. Newmyer, and Steven J. Wolfe
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: John L. Demps, Jr. and Dean Lent
EDITOR: Zach Arnold
COMEDY with elements of drama, fantasy, and romance
Starring: Mo’Nique, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kendra C. Johnson, Joyful Drake, Godfrey, Dayo Ade, Felix Pire, Jack Noseworthy, and Eric Roberts
Actress/comedian Mo’Nique has her biggest headlining role to date in the new film, Phat Girlz, in which she plays a phat girl or big girl who is struggling to find love in an America where skinny girls with “hot bodies” get all the attention and where many treat overweight women like refuse.
Jazmin Biltmore (Mo’Nique) is an aspiring fashion designer with a smart mouth, working at a clothing store during the day and designing fashions for plus-size women at night. However, Jazmin has low self-esteem and yearns for the kind of man she never really believes she’ll get. Her closest friend and coworker, Stacey (Kendra C. Johnson), is also a bit on the heavy side and also yearning for a lover. Meanwhile, Jazmin’s cousin, Mia (Joyful Drake), with whom she grew up, is a skinny girl who gets all the attention. That changes when Jazmin wins a holiday for three at a resort hotel, where the Jazmin, Stacey, and Mia meet a trio of Nigerian doctors. The doctors take an immediate liking to the plus size Jazmin and Stacey. One of the doctors, Tunde (Jimmy Jean-Louis), falls madly in love with Jazmin. Jazmin, however, has serious issues, and that endangers her happiness, her career dreams, and perhaps a shot at the man of her dreams – a man not turned off by her weight.
Phat Girlz is plainly and simply a film that is meant to make fat women (plus size, big girls, heavy girls, etc.) feel good about themselves. Embodied by the bold Mo’Nique, Jazmin fights back and is unwilling to take insults from skinny people, especially skinny women. The film is basically a romance novel for overweight women turned into an emotionally charged, super-duper, feel-good film for big women. Phat Girlz is heavy on comedy, and watching Mo’Nique, literally and figuratively, throw her weight around (as she often does in her stage act and did in her late TV series, “The Parkers”) is fun. Eventually, the film does dissolve into a melodrama full of hysterics; then, it turns into a pure fantasy about the big girl who gets everything she wants because she persevered.
That’s nice, for the most part. Technically, writer/director Nnegest Likké does a credible job helming the film, although Phat Girlz wears its low budget heart on its sleeves. The photography is ultra low grade; I’ve seen cheapo rap music videos from regional rappers with more polish. But in the end, Phat Girlz is the movie candy for which plus size women have been waiting a long time. It’s a call to arms and a hearty pat on the back that doesn’t necessarily demonize skinny people – just the ones who demonize phat girlz.
5 of 10
B-
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Phat Girlz (2006)
Running time: 99 minutes (1 hour, 39 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual content and language, including some crude sexual references
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Nnegest Likké
PRODUCERS: Steven Imes, Robert F. Newmyer, and Steven J. Wolfe
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: John L. Demps, Jr. and Dean Lent
EDITOR: Zach Arnold
COMEDY with elements of drama, fantasy, and romance
Starring: Mo’Nique, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kendra C. Johnson, Joyful Drake, Godfrey, Dayo Ade, Felix Pire, Jack Noseworthy, and Eric Roberts
Actress/comedian Mo’Nique has her biggest headlining role to date in the new film, Phat Girlz, in which she plays a phat girl or big girl who is struggling to find love in an America where skinny girls with “hot bodies” get all the attention and where many treat overweight women like refuse.
Jazmin Biltmore (Mo’Nique) is an aspiring fashion designer with a smart mouth, working at a clothing store during the day and designing fashions for plus-size women at night. However, Jazmin has low self-esteem and yearns for the kind of man she never really believes she’ll get. Her closest friend and coworker, Stacey (Kendra C. Johnson), is also a bit on the heavy side and also yearning for a lover. Meanwhile, Jazmin’s cousin, Mia (Joyful Drake), with whom she grew up, is a skinny girl who gets all the attention. That changes when Jazmin wins a holiday for three at a resort hotel, where the Jazmin, Stacey, and Mia meet a trio of Nigerian doctors. The doctors take an immediate liking to the plus size Jazmin and Stacey. One of the doctors, Tunde (Jimmy Jean-Louis), falls madly in love with Jazmin. Jazmin, however, has serious issues, and that endangers her happiness, her career dreams, and perhaps a shot at the man of her dreams – a man not turned off by her weight.
Phat Girlz is plainly and simply a film that is meant to make fat women (plus size, big girls, heavy girls, etc.) feel good about themselves. Embodied by the bold Mo’Nique, Jazmin fights back and is unwilling to take insults from skinny people, especially skinny women. The film is basically a romance novel for overweight women turned into an emotionally charged, super-duper, feel-good film for big women. Phat Girlz is heavy on comedy, and watching Mo’Nique, literally and figuratively, throw her weight around (as she often does in her stage act and did in her late TV series, “The Parkers”) is fun. Eventually, the film does dissolve into a melodrama full of hysterics; then, it turns into a pure fantasy about the big girl who gets everything she wants because she persevered.
That’s nice, for the most part. Technically, writer/director Nnegest Likké does a credible job helming the film, although Phat Girlz wears its low budget heart on its sleeves. The photography is ultra low grade; I’ve seen cheapo rap music videos from regional rappers with more polish. But in the end, Phat Girlz is the movie candy for which plus size women have been waiting a long time. It’s a call to arms and a hearty pat on the back that doesn’t necessarily demonize skinny people – just the ones who demonize phat girlz.
5 of 10
B-
Thursday, April 20, 2006
--------------------
Friday, December 10, 2010
Animation's Finest Earn Annie Award Nominations
38th Annual Annie Award Nominations Announced
The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood proudly announces the nominations and award recipients for the 38th Annual Annie Awards. Award recipients will claim their trophies at the 38th Annual Annie Awards scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2011 at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California.
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES:
Best Animated Feature
• Despicable Me – Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• How to Train Your Dragon – DreamWorks Animation
• Tangled – Disney
• The Illusionist – Django Films
• Toy Story 3 – Disney/Pixar
Best Animated Short Subject
• Coyote Falls - Warner Bros. Animation
• Day & Night – Pixar
• Enrique Wrecks the World - House of Chai
• The Cow Who Wanted To Be A Hamburger - Plymptoons Studio
• The Renter - Jason Carpenter
Best Animated Television Commercial
• Children's Medical Center - DUCK Studios
• Frito Lay Dips "And Then There Was Salsa" - LAIKA/house
• ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Winter Olympic Interstitial "Speed Skating" - DreamWorks Animation
• McDonald's "Spaceman Stu" - DUCK Studios
• Pop Secret "When Harry Met Sally" - Nathan Love
Best Animated Television Production
• Futurama - The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
• Kung Fu Panda Holiday - DreamWorks Animation
• Scared Shrekless - DreamWorks Animation
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Arc Troopers” - Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
• The Simpsons “The Squirt and the Whale” - Gracie Films
Best Animated Television Production for Children
• Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
• Cloudbread – GIMC
• Fanboy & Chum Chum - Nickelodeon, Frederator
• Regular Show - Cartoon Network Studios
• SpongeBob SquarePants – Nickelodeon
Best Animated Video Game
• Heavy Rain - Quantic Dream
• Kirby's Epic Yarn - Good-Feel & HAL Laboratory
• Limbo – Playdead
• Shank - Klei Entertainment Inc.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES:
Animated Effects in an Animated Production
• Andrew Young Kim "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Jason Mayer "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Brett Miller "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Sebastian Quessy "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• Krzysztof Rost "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Television Production
• Nicolas A. Chauvelot "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
• Savelen Forrest "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" - ShadowMachine
• Elizabeth Harvatine "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" – ShadowMachine
• David Pate "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Nideep Varghese "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Feature Production
• Mark Donald "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Anthony Hodgson "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gabe Hordos "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Jakob Hjort Jensen "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• David Torres "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Live Action Production
• Quentin Miles - Clash of the Titans
• Ryan Page - Alice in Wonderland
Character Design in a Television Production
• Andy Bialk "The Ricky Gervais Show" - W!LDBRAIN Entertainment
• Stephan DeStefano "Sym-Bionic Titan" - Cartoon Network
• Ernie Gilbert "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Gordon Hammond "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Steve Lambe "Fanboy & Chum Chum" - Nickelodeon, Frederator
Character Design in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• Carter Goodrich "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Timothy Lamb "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Nico Marlet "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
Directing in a Television Production
• Bob Anderson "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXI” - Gracie Films
• Peter Chung "Firebreather" - Cartoon Network Studios
• Duke Johnson "Frankenhole: Humanitas" – ShadowMachine
• Tim Johnson "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gary Trousdale "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
Directing in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud “Despicable Me” – Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Mamoru Hosoda “Summer Wars” – Madhouse/Funimation
• Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois “How To Train Your Dragon” - DreamWorks Animation
• Lee Unkrich “Toy Story 3” – Disney/Pixar
Music in a Television Production
• J. Walter Hawkes, Billy Lopez "The Wonder Pets!" - Nickelodeon Production & Little Airplane Productions
• Henry Jackman, Hans Zimmer and John Powell "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Tim Long, Alf Clausen, Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement "The Simpsons: Elementary School Musical" - Gracie Films
• Shawn Patterson "Robot Chicken's DP Christmas Special" – ShadowMachine
• Jeremy Wakefield, Sage Guyton, Nick Carr, Tuck Tucker "SpongeBob SquarePants" – Nickelodeon
Music in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• David Hirschfelder "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• John Powell "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Harry Gregson Williams "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Pharrell Williams, Heitor Pereira "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
Production Design in a Television Production
• Alan Bodner "Neighbors From Hell" - 20th Century Fox Television
• Barry Jackson "Firebreather" - Cartoon Network Studios
• Pete Oswald "Doubtsourcing" - Badmash Animation Studios
• Richie Sacilioc "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Scott Wills "Sym-Bionic Titan" - Cartoon Network Studios
Production Design in a Feature Production
• Yarrow Cheney "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Eric Guillon "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Dan Hee Ryu "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• Pierre Olivier Vincent "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Peter Zaslav "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
Storyboarding in a Television Production
• Sean Bishop "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
• Fred Gonzales "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Tom Owens "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Dave Thomas "Fairly OddParents" – Nickelodeon
Storyboarding in a Feature Production
• Alessandro Carloni "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Paul Fisher "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Tom Owens "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Catherine Yuh Rader "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
Voice Acting in a Television Production
• Jeff Bennett as The Necronomicon "Fanboy & Chum Chum" - Nickelodeon & Frederator
• Corey Burton as Baron Papanoida "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - Cartoon Network
• Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - Cartoon Network
• Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown "The Cleveland Show" - Fox Television Animation
• James Hong as Mr. Ping "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
Voice Acting in a Feature Production
• Jay Baruchel as Hiccup "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gerard Butler as Stoick "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Steve Carrell as Gru "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Cameron Diaz as Fiona "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Geoffrey Rush as Ezylryb "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
Writing in a Television Production
• Daniel Arkin "Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Heroes on Both Sides" - Lucasfilm Animation Ltd.
• Jon Colton Barry & Piero Piluso "Phineas & Ferb: Nerds of a Feather" - Disney Channel
• John Frink "The Simpsons: Stealing First Base" - Gracie Films
• Geoff Johns, Matthew Beans, Zeb Wells, Hugh Sterbakov, Matthew Senreich, Breckin Meyer, Seth Green, Mike Fasolo, Douglas Goldstein, Tom Root, Dan Milano, Kevin Shinick & Hugh Davidson "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" – ShadowMachine
• Michael Rowe "Futurama" - The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Writing in a Feature Production
• Michael Arndt “Toy Story 3” – Disney/Pixar
• Sylvain Chomet “The Illusionist” – Django Films
• William Davies, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders “How to Train Your Dragon” – DreamWorks Animation
• Dan Fogelman “Tangled” - Disney
• Alan J. Schoolcraft, Brent Simons “Megamind” – DreamWorks Animation
JURIED AWARDS
Winsor McCay Award — Brad Bird, Eric Goldberg, Matt Groening
June Foray — Ross Iwamoto
Ub Iwerks Award — Autodesk
Special Achievement — “Waking Sleeping Beauty”
http://www.annieawards.org/index.html
The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood proudly announces the nominations and award recipients for the 38th Annual Annie Awards. Award recipients will claim their trophies at the 38th Annual Annie Awards scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2011 at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California.
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES:
Best Animated Feature
• Despicable Me – Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• How to Train Your Dragon – DreamWorks Animation
• Tangled – Disney
• The Illusionist – Django Films
• Toy Story 3 – Disney/Pixar
Best Animated Short Subject
• Coyote Falls - Warner Bros. Animation
• Day & Night – Pixar
• Enrique Wrecks the World - House of Chai
• The Cow Who Wanted To Be A Hamburger - Plymptoons Studio
• The Renter - Jason Carpenter
Best Animated Television Commercial
• Children's Medical Center - DUCK Studios
• Frito Lay Dips "And Then There Was Salsa" - LAIKA/house
• ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Winter Olympic Interstitial "Speed Skating" - DreamWorks Animation
• McDonald's "Spaceman Stu" - DUCK Studios
• Pop Secret "When Harry Met Sally" - Nathan Love
Best Animated Television Production
• Futurama - The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
• Kung Fu Panda Holiday - DreamWorks Animation
• Scared Shrekless - DreamWorks Animation
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Arc Troopers” - Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
• The Simpsons “The Squirt and the Whale” - Gracie Films
Best Animated Television Production for Children
• Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
• Cloudbread – GIMC
• Fanboy & Chum Chum - Nickelodeon, Frederator
• Regular Show - Cartoon Network Studios
• SpongeBob SquarePants – Nickelodeon
Best Animated Video Game
• Heavy Rain - Quantic Dream
• Kirby's Epic Yarn - Good-Feel & HAL Laboratory
• Limbo – Playdead
• Shank - Klei Entertainment Inc.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES:
Animated Effects in an Animated Production
• Andrew Young Kim "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Jason Mayer "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Brett Miller "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Sebastian Quessy "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• Krzysztof Rost "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Television Production
• Nicolas A. Chauvelot "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
• Savelen Forrest "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" - ShadowMachine
• Elizabeth Harvatine "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" – ShadowMachine
• David Pate "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Nideep Varghese "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Feature Production
• Mark Donald "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Anthony Hodgson "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gabe Hordos "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Jakob Hjort Jensen "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• David Torres "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Live Action Production
• Quentin Miles - Clash of the Titans
• Ryan Page - Alice in Wonderland
Character Design in a Television Production
• Andy Bialk "The Ricky Gervais Show" - W!LDBRAIN Entertainment
• Stephan DeStefano "Sym-Bionic Titan" - Cartoon Network
• Ernie Gilbert "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Gordon Hammond "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Steve Lambe "Fanboy & Chum Chum" - Nickelodeon, Frederator
Character Design in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• Carter Goodrich "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Timothy Lamb "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
• Nico Marlet "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
Directing in a Television Production
• Bob Anderson "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXI” - Gracie Films
• Peter Chung "Firebreather" - Cartoon Network Studios
• Duke Johnson "Frankenhole: Humanitas" – ShadowMachine
• Tim Johnson "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gary Trousdale "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
Directing in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud “Despicable Me” – Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Mamoru Hosoda “Summer Wars” – Madhouse/Funimation
• Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois “How To Train Your Dragon” - DreamWorks Animation
• Lee Unkrich “Toy Story 3” – Disney/Pixar
Music in a Television Production
• J. Walter Hawkes, Billy Lopez "The Wonder Pets!" - Nickelodeon Production & Little Airplane Productions
• Henry Jackman, Hans Zimmer and John Powell "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Tim Long, Alf Clausen, Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement "The Simpsons: Elementary School Musical" - Gracie Films
• Shawn Patterson "Robot Chicken's DP Christmas Special" – ShadowMachine
• Jeremy Wakefield, Sage Guyton, Nick Carr, Tuck Tucker "SpongeBob SquarePants" – Nickelodeon
Music in a Feature Production
• Sylvain Chomet "The Illusionist" - Django Films
• David Hirschfelder "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• John Powell "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Harry Gregson Williams "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Pharrell Williams, Heitor Pereira "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
Production Design in a Television Production
• Alan Bodner "Neighbors From Hell" - 20th Century Fox Television
• Barry Jackson "Firebreather" - Cartoon Network Studios
• Pete Oswald "Doubtsourcing" - Badmash Animation Studios
• Richie Sacilioc "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Scott Wills "Sym-Bionic Titan" - Cartoon Network Studios
Production Design in a Feature Production
• Yarrow Cheney "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Eric Guillon "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Dan Hee Ryu "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
• Pierre Olivier Vincent "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Peter Zaslav "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
Storyboarding in a Television Production
• Sean Bishop "Scared Shrekless" - DreamWorks Animation
• Fred Gonzales "T.U.F.F. Puppy" – Nickelodeon
• Tom Owens "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
• Dave Thomas "Fairly OddParents" – Nickelodeon
Storyboarding in a Feature Production
• Alessandro Carloni "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Paul Fisher "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Tom Owens "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Catherine Yuh Rader "Megamind" - DreamWorks Animation
Voice Acting in a Television Production
• Jeff Bennett as The Necronomicon "Fanboy & Chum Chum" - Nickelodeon & Frederator
• Corey Burton as Baron Papanoida "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - Cartoon Network
• Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - Cartoon Network
• Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown "The Cleveland Show" - Fox Television Animation
• James Hong as Mr. Ping "Kung Fu Panda Holiday" - DreamWorks Animation
Voice Acting in a Feature Production
• Jay Baruchel as Hiccup "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Gerard Butler as Stoick "How To Train Your Dragon" - DreamWorks Animation
• Steve Carrell as Gru "Despicable Me" - Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures
• Cameron Diaz as Fiona "Shrek Forever After" - DreamWorks Animation
• Geoffrey Rush as Ezylryb "Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" - Warner Bros. Pictures
Writing in a Television Production
• Daniel Arkin "Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Heroes on Both Sides" - Lucasfilm Animation Ltd.
• Jon Colton Barry & Piero Piluso "Phineas & Ferb: Nerds of a Feather" - Disney Channel
• John Frink "The Simpsons: Stealing First Base" - Gracie Films
• Geoff Johns, Matthew Beans, Zeb Wells, Hugh Sterbakov, Matthew Senreich, Breckin Meyer, Seth Green, Mike Fasolo, Douglas Goldstein, Tom Root, Dan Milano, Kevin Shinick & Hugh Davidson "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III" – ShadowMachine
• Michael Rowe "Futurama" - The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Writing in a Feature Production
• Michael Arndt “Toy Story 3” – Disney/Pixar
• Sylvain Chomet “The Illusionist” – Django Films
• William Davies, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders “How to Train Your Dragon” – DreamWorks Animation
• Dan Fogelman “Tangled” - Disney
• Alan J. Schoolcraft, Brent Simons “Megamind” – DreamWorks Animation
JURIED AWARDS
Winsor McCay Award — Brad Bird, Eric Goldberg, Matt Groening
June Foray — Ross Iwamoto
Ub Iwerks Award — Autodesk
Special Achievement — “Waking Sleeping Beauty”
http://www.annieawards.org/index.html
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