Big Picture Big Sound

I Like Animal

Bao - dir. Domee Shi, USA
Late Afternoon - dir. Louise Bagnall, Ireland
Animal Behaviour - dirs. Alison Snowden and David Fine, Canada
Weekends - dir. Trevor Jimenez, USA
One Small Step - dirs. Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas, USA

Based on my decade or so of covering this category, I'd say that this is a pretty good group. My personal favorite is Animal Behavior, which means it has no chance. If someone can topple Bao, my guess is One Small Step has the best shot.

"Bao" In Disney•Pixar's "BAO," an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Mom excitedly welcomes this new bundle of joy into her life, but Dumpling starts growing up fast, and Mom must come to the

bittersweet realization that nothing stays cute and small forever. This short film from Pixar Animation Studios and director Domee Shi explores the ups and downs of the parent-child relationship through the colorful, rich, and tasty lens of the Chinese immigrant community in Canada. Frankly, I'm sick of Pixar doing well in this category year after year, effectively making only 4 out of 5 nominee spots available for everyone else. It's decent and will most likely win. 2.5 Stars

Late Afternoon. Emily is an elderly woman who lives between two states, the past and the present. She journeys into an inner world, reliving moments from her life. She searches for a connection within her vivid, but fragmented memories. Thought it was okay, but nothing special. However, rumored to have an excellent shot of toppling the Pixar entry. 2 Stars

Animal Behavior. Dealing with what comes naturally isn't easy, especially for animals. The latest animated short from the Oscar®-winning team of Alison Snowden and David Fine ("Bob's Birthday"), five animals meet regularly to discuss their inner angst in a group therapy session led by Dr. Clement, a canine psychotherapist. This is the only film out of the 15 short films (Animation, Live Action, and Documentary) that is funny, which alone makes it incredibly welcome. It's not just funny; it's great. Made by the National Film Board of Canada, my personal favorite source for quality animation. 4 Stars

Weekends. The story of a young boy shuffling between the homes of his recently divorced parents. Surreal dream-like moments mix with the domestic realities of a broken-up family in this hand-animated film set in 1980's Toronto. Depressing, but very well done. 3 Stars

One Small Step. Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. From the day she witnesses a rocket launching into space on TV, Luna is driven to reach for the stars. In the big city, Luna lives with her loving father Chu, who supports her with a humble shoe repair business he runs out of his garage. As Luna grows up, she enters college, facing adversity of all kinds in pursuit of her dreams. Sweet and touching. A victory would not be a shock, considering the subject matter. 3 Stars