Live Action shorts are here.

The race for the 2009 Oscar nominated animated shorts is much tighter than in previous years with three very strong contenders. Last year’s prize winner was an easy pick, the stellar “Peter In the Wolf.” This year’s competition is more fierce with two mini-flicks at even odds. Allow me to handicap it for you. You’re welcome. Want to see them on the big screen? Check out the info after the jump.

The Landmark, West Los Angeles.
Laemmle’s Sunset 5, West Hollywood
South Coast Village, Costa Mesa
Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, Pasadena  

Lavatory - Lovestory - dir. Konstantin Bronzit - Russia - 10 min
A sweet little ink and paper about a lonely female attendant in a men’s lavatory. Flowers suddenly start appearing in her tip jar. What’s a working gal to do? She cruises the stalls looking for love. While this is a warm hearted, sentimental piece it just doesn’t contain much wow factor. Odds of Winning 5 to 1

Le Maison en Petits Cubes - dir. Kunio Kato - Japan - 12 min   
Living in town where the water is constantly rising, a man must continue to build his home higher. When his pipe falls to the bottom of the house, he takes a soulful look at his life, floor by floor and brick by brick. While this is definitely the “deepest” entry and chock full of metaphors, the animation failed to give me many “oohs” and “ahhs.” It’s a solid piece but not the winner.  Odds of winning 4 to 1.

Presto - dir. Doug Sweetland - United States - 5 min
This story of a magician’s rebellious rabbit is simply hilarious. A throwback/homage to a Mel Blanc type short it fits in perfectly with Pixar’s over flowing library of short classics. While highly entertaining, it does have an overly familiar feel. Is the Academy ready to drop another award on Disney and Pixar? This would be a surprise winner to me but it is, after all, who ya know.  Odds of winning 2 to 1

Oktapodi - dir. Julien Bocabeille - France - 3 min
An octopi couple in love are separated by a delivery man from a sushi bar. Fearing the other will soon be on the menu, the second charges on a madcap race through a small town on a Greek island. A brilliant bloom of a short, the vibrant colors burst off of the screen and one can’t help but getting carried away in the chase. Odds of Winning: Even

This Way Up - dirs. Adam Foulkes and Alan Smith - UK - 9 min
Two gravediggers are rudely interrupted in their duties when a boulder lands on their hearse. They embark on a voyage to hell and back in order to get their client to her final resting ground. Imaginative, funny and brilliantly directed every single cell of this is frame worthy… especially the last one. Odds of Winning: Even

While the last two are a dead heat, I have to give a slight edge to “This Way Up,” the long form story telling, dark material and ambush laughs make for a perfect winner.

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