Directed by: Jared Hess
Written by: Jared Hess, and Jerusha Hess
Produced by: Jeremy Coon, Sean Covel, and Jory Weitz
Starring: Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Jon Gries, Diedrich Bader, Haylie Duff, Sandy Martin

For some strange reason, Napoleon Dynamite has been defined as a "cult classic." People seem to be constantly quoting this incredibly awful film. There isn't much of a plot to be found and mainly concentrates on the title character's life. Napoleon goes to the school dance, helps his friend run for school president and feeds his llama. Meanwhile, his crazy uncle Rico starts a crazy pyramid scheme with Napoleon's brother, Kip. There is not one positive thing to be found in this so-called "comedy." The performances, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music and everything else here are really terrible. The director said that the characters are based on people he knew from his hometown in Idaho. That's one lesson learned: Don't go to Idaho.

Golden Satellite Award: Best Original Score
Other Golden Satellite Award nomination: Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical

Directed by: Henry Selick
Written by: Caroline Thompson
Based on the characters by: Tim Burton
Produced by: Tim Burton, and Denise DiNovi
Voices of: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, Danny Elfman, Glenn Shadix, William Hickey, Ed Ivory, Ken Page, Paul Reubens

Tim Burton's visual imagination goes into full cycle with this wonderfully animated musical romp. Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King is tired of the same old Halloween rituals and wants to do something different when he stumbles upon the holiday of Christmas. After he introduces it to the townspeople, they become very enthusiastic about the idea of Jack becoming the new Santa except for one girl who becomes very worried. While full credit should be given to Tim Burton for his brilliant style, Danny Elfman should also be given congratulations for his brilliant musical score and whimsical lyrics as well as the animators for working very hard to give us this visual, stop-motion treat. Forget about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and make The Nightmare Before Christmas your holiday tradition.

Oscar nomination: Best Visual Effects

Directed by: Bill Justice
Written by: T. Hee
Produced by: Walt Disney
Voices of: Jerome Courtland, Paul Frees, James MacDonald, Thurl Ravenscroft

This cartoon based on the classic Bible story from Walt Disney is a cute short, but isn't the best one to come out the Disney Animation Studio. The title Noah is told to build the title ark and put two of every animal inside of it, before a big flood comes along. For those who have read the story, everything goes like you all probably know. It rains for forty days and forty nights, until finally, the ship stops at a new prosperous land. It's nice with some funny moments (most notably during the flood's rain storm, with Noah, his family, and the animals moving around inside the ship), but it's just not that memorable at all. If you want a great animated version of Noah's Ark, watch the Pomp and Circumstance segment with Donald Duck in Fantasia/2000. Give this one a skip.

Oscar nomination: Best Animated Short Film