The academy's relationship with the animated field has been a neglectful one. As of 2011 only three films have been nominated for Best Picture. That figure would be four had the Academy exhibited better judgment in their selection of films in 2009 ( WALL-E should have easily slipped by The Reader ). With the addition of the ten slots rule an animated film has made it to the big dance two years in a row. Whether or not more nominations will yield a win is yet to be seen, but this year seemed like the best opportunity for an animated film to take the prize. Toy Story 3 was met with almost-universal acclaim and - up until the inclusion of The Social Network and The King's Speech - was many critic's number one film. UP was my favorite film of last year and had I an ballot I would have placed it firmly at #1. Another deserving candidate would have been Beauty and the Beast , but Silence of the Lambs had everything all but sealed early on. For many animat