The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films Animated Program

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Reviewed: 03/06/2008
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While animated films are mostly seen as being family friendly or even kid friendly, that's not always the case.

In fact, "The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (Animated Program)" features at least couple of things that might concern parents. Though it's not rated, there's some disturbing violent content as well as some brief sexual material.

That's not true of all five of the short works in this particular program. And that's not meant to condemn the entire thing. But as usual, the yearly compilation of Oscar-nominated, shorts cartoons is a mixed bag.

A digitally animated version of "Peter & The Wolf" updates the classic boy-vs.-wolf tale, though it does still use Sergei Prokofiev's score. It is technically accomplished but pales in comparison to the classic 1946 Disney short — despite its Oscar win.

And the rather creepy Canadian fantasy "Madame Tutli-Putli," which features puppets, is definitely too disturbing for little ones.

There's even a bit of gore in that one, as well as the otherwise amusing French fantasy "Meme Les Pigeons Vont Au Paradis (All the Pigeons Go to Heaven)."

Two others impress on the merits of their terrific animation. The black-and-white, pen-and-ink piece "I Met the Walrus" incorporates snippets from the brief 1969 interview then-teenaged Jerry Levitan had with John Lennon.

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And the Russian romance "My Love (Moya Lyubov)" looks like a series of lush, impressionist paintings.

"The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (Animated Program)" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for some strong violence (animal attacks, shootings, and some mutilation), some gore and blood, brief female nudity, brief simulated sex, scattered mild profanity, some suggestive language and references, and brief drug content (including knockout gas). Total running time: 85 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

Rating: 2007 Academy Award-Nominated Shorts: Animated
Rated PG13* for violence, gore, mild profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex, drug use,
Cast of 2007 Academy Award-Nominated Shorts: Animated
Compilation of animated short films; with English subtitles European dialects
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