R.I.P. Isao Takahata (1935-2018)

Isao Takahata

On April 5, 2018, director Isao Takahata died from lung cancer at the age of 82 in Tokyo, Japan. With a career spanning over 55 years, he was one of the most prominent artists in Japanese animation, specifically alongside Hayao Miyazaki with Studio Ghibli. His film career featured such harrowing films as Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday, and the Oscar-nominated  The Tale of Princess Kaguya. He had a long and storied career, and definitely influenced artists around the world to follow their dreams and make animation something more than empty blockbuster entertainment. His work will live on with its beauty and wisdom.

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.

"The Tale of Princess Kaguya" Trailer Debuts with a Simpler Form of Beauty

It has been awhile since there has been any real discussion on the Best Animated Film category. Along with The Boxtrolls opening up this Friday, it seems like an excellent time to get an update. While How to Train Your Dragon 2 and The Lego Movie lead the pack, there's a lack of strong competitors out there to make this an exceptional year. However, while Studio Ghibli head Hayao Miyazaki has retired, his company still continues to flourish, at least for a little while long. With director Isao Takahata's The Tale of Princess Kaguya, there is a change of pace for animation: hand draw animation with water colors. With a successful debut at Toronto International Film Festival and the first trailer recently released, it is time to start considering the international cinema that may be applicable in this category.