Oscar Shorts. Have you ever seen them? Where would you even find them? Well, it’s my second year taking a look at them for you. Once we’re finished you can go look for the one or two you’re interested in, so in essence I’ve just saved you 90 minutes. Don’t thank me, just send me a check.
This year’s shorts were not as good as last years. In fact, I’d say three of the five last year were better than anything this year. So maybe it is the 2005 nominees you really should be looking for. Also, it’s weird but most of the shorts have past dates associated with them, for instance Binta and the Big Idea seems to be from 2004 according to IMDB. Go figure. No matter, we owe it to Dre to give him some shot at predicting the Oscar winner (or at least to lead him astray) so let’s break these things down like ChinaTown (note: all running times are minus credits because credits in a short are in fact super stupid).
I’ll be cheering for: Either West Bank Story or Helmer and Son. Actually, anything besides the dull Binta and the Great Idea
Who will win: Binta and the Great Idea. Oscar can never resist social messages in a bottle.
If you want to catch the shorts yourself they will be in select theaters on February 16 (more on that here) and then be sure to check out all of our 2007 Oscar coverage right here.