Fresh Guacamole

I have been going to the theater on a pilgrimage for quite a few years now each January-February to see the annual showings of the Best Animated and Best Live Action Shorts. I am lucky enough to live in one of the few places in the country that shows it each year. Now what I am about to say might offend some, but it seems that compared to most years, this year's crop of animated shorts is not as good as usual. While I liked a few films, I didn't love any of them--and no really memorable film was in the lot (such as a couple recent winners, "Logorama" or "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore"). Now this is not to say not to see them--but none bowled me over, that's for sure.

"Fresh Guacamole" is another film from the stop-motion genius, PES (Adam Pesapane). I've loved his other films. However, a major problem will probably prevent this one from getting the Oscar--it's well under two minutes long!! Most of his films are this short--and it seems that to have a better chance of winning these wonderful films should be a bit longer. Of course, considering the subject matter here (showing a batch of guacamole being made using everyday objects and stop-motion) it would be hard to stretch it out much more. You really SHOULD see this one--and my score of 7 only is due to its length. It is really clever.

'FRESH GUACAMOLE': Three Stars (Out of Five)

This 2 minute 2012 animated short film was nominated for a 2013 Academy Award. It was written and directed by PES and is about making guacamole from different objects around the house (that aren't edible), including dice and poker chips to name a few. PES also directed the 2008 critically acclaimed stop-motion short film 'WESTERN SPAGHETTI', about making spaghetti from different objects. Somewhat amusing and colorful but I don't know if it's Oscar worthy. As far as the animation goes I guess possibly so but there's no story here, it's just an animated cooking video with different objects.

Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6yq7kwUUDQ

I understand that "Fresh Guacamole" director PES has directed a number of short films. I had never heard of him until I saw "Fresh Guacamole". This 2-minute short shows noticeable influence from Czech animator Jan Švankmajer, as a pair of hands uses non-food objects to make guacamole. That's literally all that happens in the movie.

I don't see many short movies, so I don't know what the criteria are for award nominations. I thought that this one was pretty neat. As it stands, this is so far only the fifth nominee that I've seen in any category. It's worth seeing if you have two free minutes. I'm going to have to check out PES's other movies.

I have never tasted Guacamoles and so I was completely clueless about its ingredients while watching 'Fresh Guacamoles'. The 2 minute to-the-point short had a mystery hand preparing 'Guacamoles' in an unconventional manner using everyday objects like a light- bulb, ball, 2 chess pieces, poker chips... hand grenade ( not really an everyday object, is it?).

I could make out how animator PES got his inspiration for a few items, such as the seed removed from the hand grenade which had the number seven on it and resembled a pool ball could be compared to the seven steps used in making the recipe (I counted the steps) or the slightly unimaginative idea of using chess pieces as salt and pepper holders ( could've been more imaginative: I got one that's a bit gross for such animation but nevertheless I'm gonna say it - dandruff for salt and grated incense stick for pepper!... My point is that further experimentation could've been possible). The avocado-hand grenade was more hard to guess because I haven't seen or touched avocados. The most interesting part was watching the dice getting diced further.

I would not have been surprised had this won the 'Most Innovative Concept' award in some Annual Advertisement Award ceremony. In fact, such a concept can be highly useful for targeting children's market for some cereal ad. But when the word Oscar is associated with such a work, I'm slightly taken aback. There are lot many ingenious works on YouTube, one including a condom ad where rubber condoms are modeled (like balloons) into the form of two animals who... well, hump each other till the third one arrives and... joins the sex party! It's a crazy ad but you laugh out loud and it gets across its point. I would not think of that work as an Oscar worthy contender, and neither do I consider 'Fresh Guacamoles' to be one.

While the stop animation used in the short is fantastic and I'm certain my friend, a student animator, would love this film and so would all others who are more aware of the effort going into such works, many common viewers would simply remark 'Nice. Is that it?'. The ending too does not do something adventurous to surprise us. Neither does the film do enough to tempt me to make the recipe myself. Fresh Guacamoles remains somewhat dry and unmemorable.

Had this been an advertisement, I would have given it a 7.5. But looking at it as an Oscar nominated work ( Oscars really changes everyone's expectations) I shall give 'Fresh Guacamoles' for stars out of ten.

I really lived it but almost 2 minutes isn't enough to get u oscar