This could be it, you guys. Now that the pool of Best Picture nominees has been expanded, this could finally be the year that incredible but often overlooked films get some recognition. Obviously, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakuel could still face some challenges in getting the votes from traditionalist Academy members, especially the silent 45 minute opening act of the movie in which the Chipmunks have been left to clean up an uninhabitable planet buried under mountains of garbage. It's a touching and visually stunning homage to cinematic history, but it might put off some less patient viewers. And the fact that all the Chipmunks are widowers trying to discover how to live alone in a world that has already left them behind is certainly more emotionally distressing and serious-minded than most animated features, but that could be just the thing that earns the film it's shot at the coveted statuette. Fingers crossed!
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