Theory Thursday: Dreamworks Movies are More Enjoyable Than Pixar

Scene from Kung Fu Panda 3

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

A Look at the 79 Candidates for the Best Original Song Category

Left to right: Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley in Begin Again

As stated a few weeks ago, I have been long overdue to talk about the Best Original Song category. With the Golden Globe nominations recently released, it was only time until the discussion would turn to one of Oscars' least predictable categories. Today marks the release of the 79 titles that will be eligible for the award. While they do not include the name of the artists, I will do my best to decipher which ones are worth noting and what exactly we should make of them all. More after the jump.

A Look at the 20 Eligible Best Animated Film Nominees

Scene from How to Train Your Dragon 2

On the heels of the Best Foreign Film and Best Documentary eligible nominees coming out, the Best Animated Film nominees are officially out. While the others have an impressive quantity, those in this category have been narrowed down to 20 films featuring a lot of the familiar names. As a result, it isn't nearly as exciting, but should help us to get a better understanding of how the race could shape out. As per usual, I will list all of those selected for competition and then provide whatever commentary I want immediately following.

A Hypothetical Look at Potential Oscar Nominees in Films Already Out

It seems a little early to announce who the finalists are for next year's Oscars. However, there is only hope to be made that we have already seen some nominees release quality films. With Oscar season looming on the horizon, I have decided to do a hypothetical look at films that I have seen and feel stand some chance of getting into next year's Oscar race. Please don't consider this a complete compendium, as some categories are missing from this analysis. The follow is a list of already standout selections that I feel stand some chance in holding their own weight as we get further and further into the heart of my favorite time of year.

Review: "How to Train Your Dragon 2" is a Perfect Cinematic Thrill Ride that Challenges the Medium

It has been almost a year (22 months to be exact) since an animated film last left me with an exhilaration and excitement. It has been awhile since a film has made me feel the joys and potential of what animation could be. This isn't to discredit the good films since (Wreck-It Ralph, The Wind Rises), but since ParaNorman, animation has been rather dour. No film has really impressed me and taken me on a whimsical journey. That is, until director Dean DeBlois released How to Train Your Dragon 2: the second film in a proposed trilogy based on the books by Cressida Cowell. Within the first five minutes, he reminds you the limitless potential of CGI animation with intricate scenery, wondrous flight sequences, and the breathtaking score from returning composer John Powell. It is a perfect family film exploring legacy and the impact of loyalty.