Monday, February 27, 2012

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore


I just watched this beautiful video called "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

It's 15 minutes long so get a cup of hot chocolate and sit back and enjoy. I know no one has 15 minutes to watch an animated short, but it's worth the time.

Here is a little blurb that explains the inspiration behind it:
Directed by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, the 15-minute film draws from Hurricane Katrina, "The Wizard of Oz," Buster Keaton and, of course, a love for books. The story starts in New Orleans with the Keaton-like Mr. Morris Lessmore writing a book on the balcony of a hotel. A menacing storm swirls into town, blowing away houses and street signs, taking Mr. Lessmore and his unfinished book with it.

My take on the film: *spoiler alert*

I love the story and the idea of finding a magical place where books and literature become the food of life and happiness. But at the same time I felt sad for Mr. Lessmore (and herein lies the genius of his name), there is so much more to life than simply books. He finds joy in his fantasyland and his writing, but he misses out on the best part of life--family and friends, relationships. 

It was a good reminder to me that (to quote Uncle Iroh) we must all find balance. No one part of life, no matter how wonderful, should completely take over.

What are your thoughts?

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the link! This short won the Academy Award last night, and I wanted to see it!

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    1. It's pretty amazing how it tells such a great story without any words. Spoken words anyway.

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  2. I watched this a couple of weeks ago when Ruth Barrett was talking about it. It was just as good the second time haha.

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    1. No zombies though, so maybe it's a little tame for your tastes. :)

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  3. This looks like an awesome video. I'm going to watch it tonight.

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    1. I think you'd like it. It's very metaphorical. :)

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  4. I will watch this when I get home, because today is the perfect day for hot chocolate and shorts.

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    1. By "shorts" I assume you mean short films and not short pants, because girl, it's snowing outside! :)

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  5. I looked this up after it won the Oscar and I loved it. Amazing animation and story. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I watched this before I knew it was even nominated for an OScar. Totally loved it and so glad it won!

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    1. It's always nice when something that deserves to win actually does win. Sometimes with the Oscars, that's not always the case.

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  7. Hey chickadee! I gave you an award on my blog today. :)

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  8. Yes! Balance is key. Thanks for sharing the short! I hadn't seen it.

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    1. Balance is sometimes hard to find when we get so immersed in our writing.

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  9. Very cool. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  10. I believe in balance as well. Even if it does sometimes feel as if I balance along the sharp side of a razor blade.

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    1. Seriously! One slip either way and...

      Thanks for stopping by.

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