Moving Pictures: Animations

They're not just for kids, you know.

Book of Kells
This Irish animation draws on the portion of art history wherein illustrated manuscripts were common. Elaborately detailed and tremendously embellished texts, in this case, a national treasure containing the Latin text of the four Gospels, along with some related folios. The film, which runs just 75 minutes, weaves a magical tale of an illustrator's apprentice helping his master finish the Book, while his uncle, the abbot, attempts to finish fortifying the monastery before vikings attack. I got a little lost in the other-worldly elements of the story (or maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention), but the art of the animation is incredible. Absolutely beautiful; if I have children, I would love for them to be mesmerized by the movement and color of the movie, even before enjoying the story.
* 2010 Oscar Nomination Best Animated Feature of the Year


The Painting
Of the three, this one is my favorite. I watched this in French with English subtitles. There are three castes in The Painting, the Alldun (finished characters), the Half-dun, and the Sketchies. As three of the characters go in search of the painter, themes of racism are heavily drawn, and questions of destiny raised. It's heavy material for what might otherwise pass for a kids' movie, but the imagination and creativity that bring the film (and the characters) to life is what make it remarkable.


A Cat in Paris
After her father's murder, Zoé's care is largely left to the housekeeper Claudine, while her detective mother is hard at work. Zoé seeks solace in her cat Nico, who goes out at night, returning each morning. One night Zoé sneaks out her window to follow Nico, discovering that he is half of a cat-burglar team, one that may soon cross paths with her father's murderer. There are some very cool things that the filmmakers have done with the animation to keep it interesting, and the pacing is just right. It's one of few films I've seen most recently that didn't feel too long. I was able to watch this one on Netflix with an English audio track, though I think I would like to hear the French audio too.
* 2012 Oscar Nomination Best Animated Feature of the Year