Satoshi Kon’s Paprika in the running for an Oscar

Like Howl’s Moving Castle and Steamboy in 2006, Satoshi (Paranoia Agent) Kon’s newest movie Paprika has been made eligible for nomination in the category of “Best Animated Feature Film” at the 2007 Oscars. Although it needs an LA theater premiere by the end of December, Paprika (which has been positively received by fans and critics alike) should stand with a good chance of at least making the final cut of three movies selected to compete for the award – due mainly to the poor competition (which includes Pixar’s “Cars” and the adult sci-fi flick starring Keanu Reeves “A Scanner Darkly”).

Last year Howl’s Moving Castle made the final nominations, but was always going to lose to the overwhelming favourite “Wallace and Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit”.