Oscar Got It Wrong!: Best Animated Feature 2006

The Contenders:

Cars
Happy Feet (winner)
Monster House

Ten Days of Terror!: Monster House

Film: Monster House
Format: DVD from Sycamore Public Library through interlibrary loan on rockin’ flatscreen.

I think there are plenty of kids who like to be scared. Look through the Best Animated Feature nominees and there’s a surprising number of them with horror elements. The only one I had left is Monster House, which is also one of the most obvious horror-themed kids movies in the 14 years of this award. After all, it’s about a freaking monster house that comes alive and eats people.

That is pretty much the story here. Barely pre-teen DJ (Mitchel Musso) lives across the street from Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi), the neighborhood crank. Any toy that winds up on Nebbercracker’s lawn is immediately confiscated by the old man, who continually yells at all of the children in the neighborhood to leave him and his house alone. This becomes an issue for DJ and his friend Chowder (Sam Lerner) when Chowder’s new basketball winds up on Nebbercracker’s lawn. DJ goes to fetch it, is confronted by the old man, and as DJ attempts to make his escape, Nebbercracker has a heart attack and collapses.