Kenneth Turan: Oscar-nominated short films

As participants in Oscar pools know, these contests are won in categories where the nominated films are hardest to see. Helping to remedy that is the theatrical release of shorts in two categories, animation and live action. (Why the docs get shorted is not completely clear). This year’s nominees are not focused on warmth and humor, with even Nick Park’s latest take on the enduring partnership of Wallace & Gromit, “A Matter of Loaf and Death,� dealing with a serial killer. But in a fun way. Starting Friday at the Nuart in West Los Angeles and the South Coast Village 3 in Santa Ana.

-- Kenneth Turan