As a father of two little girls, ages 3 and 5, I don’t get out to the cinema very often. Here’s the best of what I saw in theaters in 2017…
LEAD ACTRESS
Wide-open category in the vast swath of cinema I actually saw in 2017, but the winner was the emotional core of her movie, where she learned a heart-wrenching lesson about the magic — and responsibility — of friendship.
Winner: Tara Strong, Princess Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: The Movie
LEAD ACTOR
Oddly, not a lot of great roles for men in the movies I went to see last year but one performer was sensual and conniving, and, in the end, a kind of hero. Plus he sings! Sorry, guy from Ray Donovan whose name I can’t spell, it’s not your year.
Winner: Taye Diggs, Capper, My Little Pony: The Movie
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Other movies looked good, probably, if I had seen them, but once I witnessed the majesty of Rainbow Dash’s signature sonic rainboom on the big screen, everything else would have been like staring at a wet cheesecloth.
Winner: Anthony Di Ninno, My Little Pony: The Movie
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
It all starts with the words, doesn’t it? From FADE IN to FADE OUT, all across Equestria, one film delivered the goods.
Winner: Meghan McCarthy, Joe Ballarini, Rita Hsiao, and Michael Vogel, My Little Pony: The Movie
DIRECTOR
Cartoons have directors! Who knew? Who do they yell “action” at, the cartoonists?
Winner: Jayson Thiessen, My Little Pony: The Movie
BEST PICTURE
Which do I choose? The forbidden love story, the desperate battle to save civilization from a fascistic invader, or the one with the gorgeously-rendered aquatic creature? Trick question, I choose the movie with all three.
Winner: My Little Pony: The Movie
See you this time next year, and don’t get cocky, Sherlock Gnomes!