2017 Oscar Nominated Shorts (Animated)

Here's my take on this year's nominees for Best Animated Short:

"Blind Vaysha":  A supposed fable about a girl who has one eye who sees the past and the other the future. I think there's supposed to be something profound here, but it eluded me. Some nice animation, but there were better shorts available this year. Grade: B-

"Borrowed Time": An tone poem about a sheriff in the old west remembering his father. Loved the animation of the landscape, and the tone helped immensely by a beautiful score by two time Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla. Grade: A

"Pear Cider and Cigarettes": Clocking in at 35 minutes, this is longer than the other four nominees combined. The narrator tells the story of a friend known for his daring and mischief who has died. The topic and that it all in flashback allows for some evocative imagery and genuine emotion. Grade: A

"Pearl": Using the life story of a car to tell the story of a single father and daughter who are both musicians, this may have the simplest animation of the five, but this is the one that caused me to tear up, as the emotions of the short will remind many parents of their relationships with their children. Grade: A+

"Piper": Here's the short you saw, as Pixar's annual masterpiece played in front of Finding Dory in theater's this year. Amazingly photorealistic animation and a beautiful score by Adrian Belew highlight the charming story of a young bird learning to find food at the seashore. Grade: A+

What should win: "Pearl". I tend to vote with my heart over my head.

What will win: "Piper". Pixar tends to dominate animation for a reason.