This year, I’m going to try to watch all the short films nominated for Oscars. Some are available online for free (and legal), some are available for $1.99 on iTunes, and some seem to be missing completely from the Internet. Bad on those nominees– it would have been easy money and publicity. I haven’t seen them all, but I’ll update this as/when I do.

Animated Shorts:

• Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death— I haven’t seen it yet, because it’s the longest (almost 30 minutes). But it’s Wallace and Gromit, so it’s most likely the best of the lot. They’ve already won three Oscars, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their fourth. Available on iTunes.
• Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty— an old grandmother re-tells the story of Sleeping Beauty, from the perspective of the old fairy that nobody loves. This one starts out mildly depressing and ends up creepy. Available on YouTube.
• Logorama— this one is really inventive, subversive. I’m not sure what the message is, but it’s something about corporate/consumer culture, I’m sure. Available on iTunes.
• The Lady and the Reaper— an epic battle between a doctor and the grim reaper for the life of an old lady. It’s heartbreaking, but fast and funny. Available on iTunes.
• French Roast — it’s quirky and fun story about a man in a French cafe who realizes he lost his wallet. I like the way the camera work is in two dimensions, but the animation is in three. Available on YouTube.

Live Action Shorts:

• Kavi– can’t find it online
• Miracle Fish– can’t find it online
• The Door– on iTunes
• The New Tenants– on iTunes
• Instead of Abracadabra– on iTunes