The Animated category was my disappointment.
Tintin was far stronger than KFP2 and Puss in Boots, but of course it’s motion capture, so…
But hey, today is a VERY special day for me. John Williams (who’s my favorite artist in the world) got TWO nominations today, and he only needed one more to break the record as the second most nominated person ever (he was tied with Alfred Newman)
I’m too happy for words in that respect.
In terms of? Plotwise, I felt KFP2 was the strongest emotionally and dramatically, followed by Puss, then Tintin. Visuals, it’s TinTin, followed by KFP2 and Puss. Characterisations, KFP2, Puss, then Tintin. Music would be KFP2, Tintin, then Puss. IMHO.
Wow, so Hugo received 11 well-deserved nominations. Obviously, a lot of those come from top-notch art direction, score, etc. and not so much the “major” nominations, but I’m satisfied either way. One thing I felt it deserved, however, was a nomination for Best Original Song for “Coeur Volant.” I’m not crazy about either of the two that ended up getting the slots, and I say that as a Jason Segel/Muppets/Disney/general animation fan. 
On the subject of animation, I unfortunately haven’t seen Puss in Boots nor The Adventures of TinTin yet, but I actually like KFP2, so I’m happy it was nominated. Whether it’s a better film, though, I can’t say. But I do think it’s underrated and actually on a comparable level with the first film. 
I’m also very happy for Hugo.
It hasn’t been released yet in this country ( 
), but for some reason I already have a soft spot for it. I need to watch it so badly…
I’ve heard critics raving about Hugo, so maybe my skepticism is unwarranted. I must check out Coeur Volant, then, qop!
I’ve watched all but Chico & Rita and The Cat Master, and I plan to see the former soon. But in my humble opinion, it’s Rango > Kung Fu Panda 2 > Puss in Boots > Tin Tin. But it could be me just paying attention to the story and being a sucker for sentimental themes, and that’s not to say that Tin Tin is not sentimental (it actually manages to be old-fashioned and daring at the same time), or that Rango doesn’t have cynicism (tons of it, in fact, but mostly played for laughs). I just connected with the characters, themes and music more for one than the other. I plan to see the rest of 'em to make a proper judgement, but I highly recommend the other four I mentioned; they’re all good in their own respects!
I’m pretty sure this is the first time Pixar has missed the awards isnce the Best Animated Award was made.
Of the nominees, I’m rooting for Rango.
What a turn of events!
But hey, “La Luna” is nominated! It’s up against “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” which ironically resembles Pixar (pic) more than Enrico Casarosa’s film, but that’s not to say that either are intended that way. I really want to see both shorts.
Well either way, I think when it comes to the big stuff, it’s safe to say Pixar will be going home winless. Their biggest chance is the Annies, but about 8 other films have been nominated too.
Pixar’s pretty much out of the picture (except for La Luna, but I haven’t seen it yet.), so I’m anticipating the Best Song category the most. I love both of the songs they nominated! 
I think there’s no shame on Pixar not getting awards one year. They’ve owned the industry for a long time, so I think no one can mock them.
And Pixar have been nominated…for La Luna!
Snubs:
The Adventures of Tintin and Arthur Christmas for Best Animated Feature.
Tilda Swinton for We Need To Talk About Kevin for Best Actress.
Ryan Gosling for Drive for Best Actor.
Thomas Newman for The Iron Lady for Best Original Score.
50/50 for Best Original Screenplay.
David Fincher for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for Best Director.
Andy Serkis. Just, Andy Serkis.
Senna for Best Documentary.
Yay!:
John Williams for TWO Best Original Score nominations.
Gary Oldman for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy for Best Actor.
Hugo and Moneyball for Best Picture.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Martin Scorcese for Best Director.
La Luna for Best Animated Short.
Thoughts.
A mixed bag for me, really, some massive disappointments and some pleasant surprises. Which I guess could be said about every year, but this last year i’ve been quite passionate and i’ve seen several films so maybe my insight has changed. First, the academy have no idea what to do with motion capture, in both live-action and animated form, and have just failed-or refused-to acknowledge it altogether. Second, I am thrilled that Gary Oldman has finally got a nomination. The guy is so versatile that it’s baffling he hasn’t done so before. I’m excited for the night. I really, really want to see what happens. The Artist was the favourite but Hugo just got 11 nominations. It’s a real horse race and it’s so weirdly…exciting.
I want Chico and Rita to win BAF now, but it’ll almost certainly go to Rango. It’s the only real player.
Same, they’ve often been called one of the (if not THE) most successful studios in terms of both financial and critical success. I think they’re going to keep doing well.
By the way, in case anyone is interested in William Joyce’s “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” it’s available for free on iTunes. And in HD, too! I recommend downloading it. It’s about 15 minutes. I’m going to watch it again before I form an articulate opinion about the short.
Hear hear! 
All your Yays are my Yays
…Yay! 
My friend has just had a long rant about The Tree of Life and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I’ve not seen either but apparently they’re both rather smug and “artsy” and not very good
TWO Dreamworks films and no Cars 2, and two forein animated film filler that have not been released in the U.S. yet but will due to these nominations…
How did the best Pixar film ever not get nominated?
Also, they seem to have forgotten to include the shoe-in winner for Best Picure–Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II.
And to top it off, no nominartions for ZEmma Stone in The Help make this a terrible year at the Oscars. Look at all the other actresses nominated from that movie. Emma deserves an award morwe than they do.
Um, one of the nicest things-in fact, the best thing about it imo-about the Best Animated Feature category is that it’s introduced a Western audience to foreign language films that would’ve otherwise been overlooked, like The Illusionist, Persepolis, Belleville Rendez-Vous and Spirited Away, so they aren’t animated filler to me. And i’m a little miffed with 2 DW nominations too . But at least they were 2 pretty good DW films.
To the critics Cars 2 wasn’t the best Pixar film, but then 2 of my favourite animated films, Tintin and Arthur Christmas, got snubbed too so I feel your pain.
Well, at least Rio got a nom in Best Original Song, along with another great song by Flight of the Conchord’s Bret McKenzie.
I was schocked that Tintin wasn’t nominated. I haven’t seen it, but from all the great raves it’s beeing getting, Spielberg involvement, and Golden Globe nom and eventual win, I was sure it’d be nominated for that. At least it got a nod with Best Score.
Not suprised about Cars 2, at least Pixar got one nomination with La Luna.
Also not suprised about The Artist being nominated in virtually every category it qualifies in, it deserves it!
Not surprised with the nominations. Glad to see Cars 2 not being nominated for anything. I personally didn’t want it nominated for anything.
