La Films North

One of the biggest categories of the end of the year awards season is the pick for the best animated movie of the year. This year saw a great selection of animated movies, from the kid friendly fare of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” to the requisite Pixar masterpiece, “Up” to the return of Japan’s always creative “Hayao Miyazaki. Oh, and did I mention Wes Anderson directed an animated/stop motion film called “Fantastic Mr. Fox”? There are lots of choices, but here are my picks for the top three animated movies of the year, so turn down the hid lights and settle in for a ride…

Coraline

Based on the Neil Gaiman novel, Coraline is a dark, horror/fantasy film that will appeal to kids and adults alike. The visual effects of Coraline are stunning, but it is Gaiman’s story that will really hook you and is what sets “Coraline” apart from the other films. There is a dark mysteriousness to “Coraline” that makes it such a wonderful, inspiring film.

Up

Pixar has done it again. Really, can these guys do anything wrong? This unanimously praised computer animated film by the Pixar studio was unanimously praised by critics and is almost a shoe-in for the best animated film Oscar. Critics praised the film for its beauty and poetic wisdom in the story of an old man, a boy and a floating house. It is a tale that transcends any age and will be appreciated for years to come.

Ponyo

You have got to hand it to Hayao Miyazaki—he has his style and he is sticking to it, to wonderful effect. With all the stars coming out, literally begging to do the English voice over work for his films, you can expect only the best work from Cate Blanchette, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, and the always wonderful Liam Neeson. “Ponyo” is another classic in Miyazaki’s oeuvre and is both a wonderfully whimsical journey and an emotional ride.