Toy Story...not just for children

I am not what sports fan would call a "fair-weather" franchise fan. I stick with the people and stories I love, despite how daunting and disappointing the next installments promise to be (as evidenced by being "carried" away with the 2nd Sex and the City movie). I find it a comforting fact that in a world that constantly changes adapts and grows there are things that remain the same- remain true. Toy Story, like an old stuffed toy, is one of those things.

It's difficult for me to recall anything that I have liked for the past 15 years, Audrey Hepburn and Harry Potter came later. I no longer look to marry Michael Caine's Scrooge and although it might be tempting don't play pretty pretty princess, but I remember seeing Toy Story. To be fair I only remember seeing part of Toy Story, as I got sick half way through and had to leave. I know my Dad took my back to see it again, but that's not as clear in my mind. Sitting in the theater tonight brought back these nostalgic memories, just like looking through a toy chest, and this time I made it through the whole thing in one go!

I very rarely leave the movies completely satisfied with a movie. I am critical by nature and always find a way to knock down even the best of films, but Toy Story 3 poses a difficult challenge to my cynical side. The craftsmanship presented by Pixar in each of their films (full length and short) is nothing less than exquisite. It is true genius at work that meticulously creates each scene down to the smallest detail.

The scenes with the toys are expertly orchestrated. There are times while watching the movie you forget what film it is. Thoughts of James Bond or Wild West films pop through your head (in the best of ways). The movements of the images are so realistic you forget not only that they are toys, but computer generated characters. The banter is on a level that reaches "children" of all ages. Seeing a 9:45pm 3-D showing the movie still got laughs, as I am sure it did at the 5:30 with a completely different audience. The emotions, as well as the laughs, are just as real. But as Andy has matured so has the audience. The only general flaw for the film would be that it limited its youthful understanding with some of the concepts. As a 21 year old "adult", I connected with what was going on. The struggle to grow up, to sacrifice what you loved in your childhood to be able to become a grown-up. The movie was a type of therapy showing all your emotions. All the back and forth between trying to hold onto something and poses the important question...is something you love ever really gone? The action of sacrifice is played out flawlessly by grown Andy and Woody as well.

Although the toys are in the end just toys, each viewer can still learn a lesson from their experience, which raises the bar from a children's comedy to a real film. The loyalty, perseverance, and yes, sacrifice, exhibited by the toys are personality traits we can all seek to adapt as real people. Tom Hanks gives life to Woody the Cowboy and stays true to his reputation of being one of the greatest actors of our time. I do, however, wish the playful banter and competition between Buzz and Woody had continued a little more in this film, but hey life's not perfect.

There are scenes which make you laugh at loud, Ken, dream house, fashion show = a truly great sequence, and those which make you tear (those with weak constitutions such as myself will cry). It was great to reunite with old favorite characters and be introduced to new ones. Some are not likeable, while others have creative little quirks which serve to entertain and make them endearing (shakespearean porcupine!) Perhaps it was only because I have been a fan for 15 years that I became so emotionally invested in these 2 hours, but I would prefer to give the credit to the movie itself because it deserves it.

There will probably never be a Toy Story 4 and I accept that, but just as Andy did, I too will share this movie with the next generation, because it deserves to be loved and cherished just like a worn-in doll.


The question of 3-D is not a significant one, as I feel this movie does not need gimmicks to enhance it. I think 3-D is an evasion of my personal space, but as I am also very vain I was glad to have the glasses to limit the screen time of my mascara tears when leaving the theater!

Hair of the Hangover Dog...

The last time I was "in" Vegas I was part of a rowdy group of gents trying to find their friend Doug. They were funny and goofy- if not always smart and each one good looking. Get Him to The Greek attempted to recreate this chemistry and ,I love you Russell Brand, but you were missing a few key elements. Through the past few Judd Apatow years we've seen Jonah Hill grow- not as an actor, but as a human. A very round, orb-like human. The only time I felt secure watching him was when he was vomiting- which was too much- I hoped it was an attempt to binge off some poundage. There were certainly amusing scenes, how could there not be with such a cast? Priceless cameos make certain scenes unforgettable, unfortunately these cameos only reached a minor audience, a flaw carried through out the film. It's always dangerous to build a film around a popular minor character- cough cough TROPIC THUNDER'S LES GROSSMAN cough cough and Aldous Snow is one of those characters. His too much of a good thing screen follow-up was reminiscent of a big bar of special dark chocolate. Initially it's tasty and sweet. Slightly bitter, for Brand's not your average British hero along the strand Hugh Grant, but enjoyable. Then you get to the middle of the bar. It's getting less special less delicious but the memories of its former sweetness is still fresh and so you persevere in hopes of something great, however by the end although one or two bites is good you walk away with a stomach ache and feel fat.

That is Get Him to the Greek in a nutshell. The relationships between each character were never fully developed. Father and son x2, Aldous and his raunchy ex-lady and Jonah Hill and that lesbian from mad men...all fell flat.

The movie got laughs, of course, but nothing epic, nothing extraordinary. The party scenes that had potential to be funny, were, like in the Hangover, cut short- it's not fun to watch a movie from the memory of the black out person.

Girls, you should have quit when you were ahead...

Like most aspiring New York singletons, I took to Sex and the City like fish to water. I felt deeply connected to each character, and like with all friends, shared their ups and downs, at times became annoyed with their actions, but in the end harbored a deep affection for them. In their thirties their quirks were endearing, especially Carrie. I sympathized with her failed romances and her constant to labor to finally land the BIG one- John James Preston aka Mr. Big. It was fun watching her flit around the city making snarky comments to a group of equally witty and well-dressed women. At the time their lives were interesting and their paths age-appropriate. And while Samantha may refuse to accept it everyone gets older. An observant friend of mine pointed out that while it's acceptable not to have your life together in your thirties (which, lets face it is the new twenties) it's no longer charming at 40 - it's actually rather disturbing. The real charm of the series was the relationship between the 4 girls and humor they evoked. Sure they cashed in on a few stereotypical jokes, but you enjoyed it. That's what this film really lacked, joy.

Carrie, never my favorite character, made me want to kill myself in this film. The conversations of private couples is never interesting to anyone outside of the relationship and even less so when dragged out for over two hours. Hey Carrie, this is a fan talking, you spent 6 seasons hunting down Big, a week in Mexico looking ugly, and a movie getting him back. Don't be annoyed when he orders in. Suck it up, he's handsome, committed, and married you despite your gremlin hands and weird style choices.

This film was really a potpourri of crap. From the gay wedding that was so overdone and uninteresting, to bringing back Smith (why) to the complete lack of respect from Middle Eastern culture.

Even Charlotte, whom I aspire to be (minus the convert) annoyed me.

Not even charming innocent Aiden coming back could shake the bad from this movie.

The fashion, trying too hard. The show was great because you could actually see people, even yourself, wearing select pieces. This outfits were soooo over the top and not in a good way. SJP's blah hair color with her fake tan complexion was horrible and even BIG looked a little orange.

At the end of the day I would have preferred to spend the two plus hours watching sex and the city reruns than this movie. Any fan would agree, actually anyone with eyes and ears would agree. This film is not fit for people.

oh and did I mention Miley Cyrus makes a cameo? Woof.

A Lesson in Life: An Education

Another British import...yet on a different thread from the great Bridget Jones. An Education marks a great break out role for fresh faced Carey Mulligan supported by a dapper Peter Skarsgaard. Taking place in post-war London, An Education addresses an important question still relevant today: is a degree in life (ie: life experiences, relationships, taking risks) more important or "bankable" in the real world than a university's diploma? Faced with such a decision is brilliantly written and played 16 year old Jenny. Wide-eyed, naive, and eager to please Jenny is focused on pleasing her parents and working hard in her all girls school the final goal being Oxford. Whether practicing her cello or improving her latin at the urging of her overbearing father, Jenny adopts a demeanor seen in women well beyond her years, yet maintains a certain girlish charm. She seamlessly blends petits phrases francais into her daily conversations illuminating her interests in French culture and indicating a level of international sophistication. This maturity and naive desire for culture is noticed by con-man David (Skarsgaard) who offers Jenny's cello a lift on a rainy day, and eventually gives Jenny the ride of her life. He introduces her to the art, culture, and traveling she so desires, giving an education on the real world. Their whirl wind romance (that of a 16 year old and a man nearly twice her age) is surprisingly frowned upon by no one in her family. His friends and family, well that's another story.

An ensemble cast helps bring to light David's true career as a con-man and art theif, while also revealing his true dedication to Jenny. They partake in several cultural excursions, which unfortunately are too brief. In the mere passage of months the viewer watches as Jenny ages beyond her years through these life experiences, rejecting the former path set in place for her. She becomes more confident in herself and her desires in life (to be with David) and becomes more assertive towards her parents. David on the other hand becomes less confident and more vulnerable to the outside world's response to their love. These two directions come to a head in a pivotal game-changing scene.

Jenny's "education" with David causes her to doubt her school education as she addresses with her head mistress( a role all too brief for the powerful Emma Thompson) and concerned English teacher. The contrast between educators and their styles of teaching and the values of each lesson is interesting and thought provoking. When is class in session? Is life one big lab in which each of us hopes to receive a passing grade? Are educations from the classroom and life mutually exclusive?

This film combines these questions and although a little choppy at the end does so extremely well. We are left with questions and missing insights into Jenny's character and fail to fully comprehend her personal changes, but despite these downfalls are left liking or in my case, loving, the film.

A brief warning: this film will make you look at bananas in a COMPLETELY new light...

Tea, Crumpets, and Comedy

Normally I would find a two hour movie about a pudgy, foul mouthed, complaining middle-aged woman intolerable. Wait? She has a British accent? Never mind! It's hysterical! Add two dashing British "hunks" and it's a classic. Stumped? It's Bridget Jones' Diary! Despite harkening my deep seated fears of spinsterhood, I love this film. The wine, the cigarettes, the spanx, the social missteps all seamlessly combine to create a perfect 2 hour chick flick. Renee Zellweger, a native texan, proves that an all-american girl can fit right in in a cozy london flat with a convincing accent. As astutely pointed out by a friend of mine, BJD has several climax scenes keeping the viewer interested and involved. Unlike most romantic comedies that have a sure fire feel good ending, Bridget Jones leaves you satisfied without giving too much away initially in the film. Both candidates Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are good looking and charming, both their own quirks that make the audience root for them. An internal debate exists not only in our flawed heroine, but in our minds as well. Who to pick? The question goes through bumps and pot holes until the amazing final scene.

The sub-plot of the boozy mother and father's marital issues elevates the film past a superficial rom-com to a spectacle with deeper issues. And if that's not enough this one line should be...

Interviewer: What do you think about the El Nino phenomenon?
Bridget: It's a blip. Latin music's on its way out

Robin Hood...shoot me in the face with an arrow

I never had high hopes for a Robin Hood remake...I mean what could be better than foxes and bears running around the forest with a lion as king john? Not only is the bar set by disney, but the Mel Brooks comedy remake is thrown into the mix, which is honestly an hysterical film. But I thought "hey, russel crowe, welcome back, I will give you a chance" I should not be so nice. There were so many issues with this film I can't think where to begin....

an itemized list of why Robin Hood failed:

1. It must be nice to be a multi-millionaire dollar actor with a strong reputation, you can let your body go...Now I am no pinnacle of physical perfection and hey R-Crowe must be doing something right, but honestly he looked SO OLD. Robin Hood is supposed a young dashing cad, when Crowe took off his shirt I had a strong desire to yell "yo robin, lay off the beers and do some crunches!" Then there was his "dashing" maid marion. Oooookkkkkk Cate Blanchett you are lovely, but throw her in a shapeless peasant frock with an unbrushed wig of hair and you can make grace kelly look like a boobless elmira. No wonder the Middle Ages were the Dark Ages everyone was SO ugly. At the end of the day Ridley Scott's job was to romanticize the robin hood story. If I wanted to see a bunch of ugly, overweight middle aged people flop around in period costumes I would have rented a history channel special on the crusades! Speaking of history...

2. I am all for the historical film. Why not? They are interesting, if not always accurate, and instruct, while entertaining an audience. Our good ol' pal Ridley on the other hand decided to conquer more history than most college seminars. From the early origins of the magna carta, to the crusades, to boys leaving their village to pillage in the forest wearing animal skin masks (oh wait not really history, but in the film none the less) I couldn't get the point of the film.

3. Robin Hood bounced from subject to subject, language to language (French, which was horrible you would think people would actually LEARN french before trying to speak it), to close up shot of ugly person with bad teeth to another ugly person with bad teeth with no fluidity at all. The fight scenes were boring, not even really gory (which I don't like, but would have been "appropriate" in the Dark Ages) and shot with a hand held camera. The shaking made me want to vomit instead of feeling like part of the action.

From start to finish Robin Hood failed. The plot was pointless, it was too long, the accents laughable, and the casting choices all around poor. The one upside to the film? It made me want to rewatch Robin Hood and his Merry Men in tights.

Every good film has a beginning, is a blog any different?

If we take Truffaut's quote as fact, which after 4 months in Paris I know never to question a French artist, then we can conclude I am sick- very sick indeed. So instead of wasting my small college student salary from my two hour tutoring position on therapy, I have decided to start a blog. Films are my life. I love movies. I love all kinds of movies. I love reviewing and critiquing movies. Actually I only like good movies, I HATE bad movies. What is a bad movie you may ask? Well I have yet to form a complete and working definition of one yet, but a general trend is anything with Miley Cyrus or written by Nicholas Sparks. There are obviously many bad movies out there, and many good ones at that. I will review every movie I see and hope to entertain not only myself with my reviews, but anyone who stumbles on this blog. I would LOVE to be a movie critic but enjoy to many nice things to exist on such a limited career...so online movie blog reviews here I come!