032303 - (Post-Award) Well, whatever anticiaption I had is kinda dulled when they do it that quickly. Regardless, yea! All is right in the world. Whoo-hoo!

032303 - (Beginning of Oscars) I thought I had some great news, that in order for academy members to vote for the best animated films, they had to see all the nominees. That would, of course, make Spirited Away the closest thing to a lock I have ever seen. But, alas, that is not the case, rather the voting is open to everyone, and animators are only 200 of the 5500+ voters. Worse yet, Lilo and Stitch has recieved the bulk of Disney's attention as far as campaigning goes. Regardless, here's to hoping JUSTICE will prevail.

020103 - This page will be used for thoughts and predictions on this years Oscars. Today however, I would like to discuss the Best Animated Film award. To put it simply, if Spirited Away does not win that award this year, the award is a joke. I say this having actually seen virtually all the contenders for this award.

Based on last years nominees, I'm not sure if the award will really be for te best animated picture, and that serious animated films will be considered. Of course Shrek was a more then deserving winner, and both it and Monsters Inc. were the clear front-runners for the award, I would of liked it if when they were picking the third nominee that had no chance of winning if they had chosen one of the serious animated films that year (Final Fantasy or Waking Life), just as a sign of good faith that serious films would actually be considered for it. Instead, Jimmy Neutron was nominated. Now, Jimmy Neutron is a good, fun movie, but a part of this awards was supposed to be for the quality of animation, which should of made Final Fantasy a lock for a nomination, regardless of it's box-office failure or very mixed reviews (I liked it, dammit).

Now we come to this year. As good as a lot of the nominees are, Spirited Away is a great film. It's not just some nice fun movie, it's easily one of the best films of the year, and if the Academy had any sense, would be at least a nominee for Best Picture, Director, Foreign Film and Score. It's that good. As I see it, here's how each possible way this award could go means:

• Spirited Away wins: The award really is for Best Animated Film, and all is right with the world.
• Ice Age or Lilo & Stitch wins: The award should be immediatly renamed to "Most Popular Cartoon".
• Spirit or Treasure Planet win: The people who vote on this thing are insane. The award apparently isn't based on popularity, or anything for that matter.
• Spirited Away isn't nominated: Absolutly everything pertaining to the Academy Awards is a fucking joke. A complete and utter joke.

That's pretty much the best animated film award in a nutshell.