Rabbits, Octapi, Flooding, Grateful Dead and Bathroom Love...Wow!

This year's Oscars featured 5 movies in the Best Animated Short Film category: Oktapodi, Presto, Lavatory - Lovestory, This Way Up and La Maison En Petites Cubes. Each an absolute treat to watch, but my favorites are different than that of the Academy. They are as follows:

1) Presto: Pixar has mastered animation alone, but their short films are always fantastic. This year's, Presto (seen before Wall-E), was my favorite of their quickly expanding portfolio. A rabbit is intent on getting the carrot he so deserves but his magician is focused on completing their performance before the meal begins. It reminded me of a Tom & Jerry episode because of the physical obstacles that the magician endures in order to keep the show running without any delays. Painfully hillarious! 4.5 out of 5.

2) Oktapodi: This was 2 and a half minutes of visual poetry: beautiful and fun. Two octapi are tracking each other as one is picked up from the market by a chef and they endure a captivating ride in pursuit of freedom. Short, sweet and wonderful! 4 out of 5.

3) La Maison En Petites Cubes: Due to the rise in water, an old man must once again elevate his living quarters to avoid flooding. Amidst the relocation he drops one of his smoking pipes down a hatch that leads to the many levels of elevation that he has experienced over the years. He puts on scuba gear and journeys through his old living spaces as well as special moments in his life in a very touching film by Kunio Kato. Great piece! 4 out of 5.

4) This Way Up: A father and son are delivering a coffin holding an elderly woman and the mishaps they encounter along the way are comedic. A bit creepy and what feels like a blended dream of Tim Burton and Jerry Garcia ends up becoming a warm laugh of family adventures. 3 out of 5.

5) Lavatory - Love Story: A lonely booth attendant sits and reads the paper in a monotonous job that calls for nothing more than a jar being available for coins and an Olympian cleaning job of the bathroom once in awhile. One day though the attendant notices some beautiful flowers which bring color to her lifeless world. Now her search for the secret admirer and true love encompass her every move. I got a little bored on this one, but it was still entertaining enough for a few minutes. 3 out of 5. 

*To view these search for the titles on iTunes or You Tube, that's where I watched them.