Director to receive guild's Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year award
'Coraline' Tops Annie Award Nominations
“Up” may be a prohibitive favorite in the Oscars' animated feature category, but the Annie Awards are not always enamored of Pixar’s critically acclaimed films.
Last year at the Annies -- which are presented by the International Animated Film Society -- the Pixar film “WALL-E” didn’t win a single award, while “Kung Fu Panda” swept nearly all the top prizes. (“WALL-E” went on to win the Oscar.)
And on Tuesday, when the 2009 nominations were announced, “Up” took second place to Henry Selick’s “Coraline,” which topped the feature film field with 10 nominations. “Up” had nine, “The Princess and the Frog” eight, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” four and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” three.
Nominees in the animated feature category are “Cloudy,” “Coraline” (right), “Mr. Fox,” “Up,” “Princess” and “The Secret of Kells.” The last two of those films did not receive nominations in the director category; Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki did, for “Ponyo.”
None of the Annie nominees for animated short subject made the Oscar shortlist in that category.
In the feature film categories, Disney dominated the nominations, with 19 nods among “Up,” “Princess” and “Ponyo.” Focus Features had 12 (for “Coraline” and “9”), 20th Century Fox five (“Mr. Fox” and “Ice Age: The Dawn of the Dinosaurs”).
Over the eight years in which the Academy has given out an award for animated feature, the Oscar and Annie winners have matched six times. The only two differences came last year, with “Kung Fu Panda” winning the Annie while “WALL-E” took home the Oscar, and in 2006, when “Cars” won the Annie and “Happy Feet” triumphed at the Oscars.
The full list of nominations is here.
The Annie Awards ceremony will take place at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Feb. 6.
Comments
Al Says
Although UP is set to win the oscar, it really should go to Coraline. Coraline had more interesting scenes, ideas, imagery, and story than UP and I just feel it is a stronger picture. The problem is that anyone off the street would ask "What is Coraline?" when they do not have to do the same with UP.It is basically a popularity contest with animated films. It has not gotten the credit it deserved this year, while UP got way too much. Apparently, nowadays a movie has to tug at are heartstrings in order to win and absolutely cannot have any dark undertones the way Coraline does (eventhough it is to illustrate a point). Hopefully, justice will be served in the future.
simon lomax Says
coraline has to win the oscar for 2010 it's just a better movie than up, as good as up is.
RBFG Says
Finally someone realizes that Pixar isn't the only studio that can make good animations. IMO Coraline is better than Up (not that Up isn't extremely good, it's just that Coraline is even better). Kung Fu Panda probably nailed the most Annies last year because Dreamworks is a bigger sponsor than Pixar. This year, Dreamworks and Sony are "Gold" sponsors, Pixar and Fox are "Silver" and Laika is "Bronze".
AdoRhino Says
Although Coraline had a dark undertone to it and truly not as happy as let's say Kung Fu Panda or UP, I thought it had a deeper meaning and it meant well. Not to be preachy and all, there are "family frameworks" out there that appear to work on the outside [world] but are really corroded inside, if you know what I mean. Oops.
AdoRhino Says
Although Coraline had a dark undertone to it and truly not as happy as let's say Kung Fu Panda or UP, I thought it had a deeper meaning and it meant well. Not to be preachy and all, there are "family frameworks" out there that appear to work on the outside [world] but are really corroded inside, if you know what I mean. Oops.
Lílian Says
Ouch, do I have to come here to say the obvious? Coraline is about fantasy, but if you insist on taking a message, it is to value your family. Don't you see in the end the father playing with the girl? It's all about how she feels about them. And also, every kid feels ignored once in a while. Nobody has 100% free time to spend with the kids.
Coraline is awesome. Just like my hat.
Chris Says
Coraline is the new Kung Fu Panda. Whatever. Who votes on the Annies? Comic Geeks?
Ron Says
Coraline was dreadful. The story seems to be about Gaiman's involvement in Scientology. Good parents ignore you while evil parents interrogate, spy and turn unsuspecting children into brainwashed zombies, stealing their souls and replacing their eyes with buttons. The ethical thread of Coraline is unnerving, stay at home where you are ignored and disregarded because the outside world is dangerous.