The Official 2021 AMARA Thread (CLOSED)

Okay, so I’ve already made some FYC’s, but because these are the ones I really want to push…

FINCH - Best Visual Effects

For the simple fact that after a certain point, I simply bought into the illusion that the robot was real. At no point did the film itself break the illusion, and it’s only because I reminded myself that it was a mo-cap role - a convincing one, at that - that I had finally snapped out of it. Jeff is truly an astonishing little creation.


BELLE - Best Animated Feature

A familiar, but beautiful spin on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, Belle puts a fascinating sci-fi spin on the material. Setting much of its fantastical story within a digital world of avatars, of those who hide behind the anonymity of their creations to truly express themselves, because that’s when they’re at their most free. But that anonymity can also be a projection, a figure of dishonesty as much as it can be true expression, making noble gestures feel disingenuous behind a screen and headphones. It’s some weighty material to contend with, capped off by an unnerving, breathtaking, but ultimately cathartic and beautiful closing 20 minutes. The film is a stunner to look at, naturally, but truly a standout are the songs (“Lend Me Your Voice” deserving of its own nomination), which are magnificent regardless of which dub you watch. Just be sure to give this some attention. It’s a true diamond in the rough, and doesn’t deserve to be buried under the glut of Disney.