Oscar Countdown: Live-action & animated shorts

In advance of the Academy Award ceremony on Feb. 26, Screen Grab will predict the winners in all categories. Coincidentally enough, the annual program of The Oscar Nominated Short Films is now playing at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.

Live Action Short Film: “Pentecost,” “Raju,” “The Shore,” “Time Freak,” “Tuba Atlantic.”Hotel Rwanda’s Terry George wrote and directed “The Shore” and cast Ciarin Hinds in a meaty central role as an Irishman trying to reconcile with an old friend after living for decades in the states. At 30 minutes, it’s both the longest short and the one with the most famous people involved, but my impression is that the category doesn’t always recognize the shorts with the biggest stars. “The Shore,” like most of its competition this year, puts to much emphasis on a labored joke. “Time Freak” evokes Groundhog Day and Primer in a kind of extended comedy sketch about a young man’s time machine. “Pentecost,” also from Ireland, finds a parallel between altar boys and a team of soccer players on the eve of a big game. Norway’s “Tuba Atlantic” finds some laughs in its tale of a dying old man trying to contact his long-lost brother through outlandish means, but overdoes the grisly slapstick.

Prediction: “Raju.” A German couple adopt an orphan from Calcutta in this devastating short drama that turns Western guilt on its head.