Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Pixar Month: Why The Incredibles is the Best.

Brave coming out this month means June is Pixar month! Since Brave is supposed to be Pixar's first film with a female lead, I thought we'd take a look at The Incredibles, which itself features some hard-core and strong female leads in an ensemble cast. And it is my favorite of the Pixar films outside of the Toy Story Trilogy. I love this movie. Just all the things about it. Families of superheroes are immensely entertaining and yet relatable.

1. Helen Parr/Elastagirl. She is everything I strive to be in life. I was fifteen when this film came out and she was the character I related to the most. Riddle me that. Also talking during the wedding. (I talk during everything.)
Both as Elastigirl and Mrs. Incredible she knows how to work it
1b. Also her hair.


Snarky, dead-pan, but loyal to those she loves. Found here.
2. I am convinced that Violet grows up to be Aubrey Plaza. But more importantly she was voiced by Sarah Vowell of NPR fame and author of The Wordy Shipmates. Let us pause for a moment of mind blowing awesome.

3. Mr. Incredible. Pretty much the ideal guy. He is incredible and strong and played by Craig T. Nelson. You know this is the best combination. Also who didn't want that sweet limo he had in the opening sequence.

4. Dash. I used to babysit this kid. Literally he was just like him. Has anyone noticed that speedy characters tend to be devil-may-care types. Sonic and Rainbow Dash come to mind. Oh look it up on TVtropes I'm sure those lovely folks will back me up.

5. Syndrome looks like the Heat Miser. Don't tell me I wasn't the only one who thought this. He also kinda had a Freakazoid-ish vibe going for him.
The resemblance is uncanny

6. Where is my super suit? Brought to you by Samuel L. Jackson.

7. This movie is quoted often by me and I am not concerned. "She'd eat if we were having Tony Loaf." and "It's bigger, it's badder, ladies and gentlemen it's too much for Mr. Incredible" being the most common.

8. Don't 'Bernie' me!

9. EDNA MODE. I want to be her BFF and enjoy chats with her. "You are Elastigirl pull yourself together! What will you do! Is this a question?" I need someone to say this to me. Everyday.


10. Kari the baby sitter. "Now let's just sit and look at flash cards. Won't that be *fun*" Until he caught on fire. Yes she was the Wiley coyote of babysitters. And we all loved every minute of it.

11. Kid on the tricycle. Come on. We all know this kid was totally wicked. If you grew up in the suburbs there was always this kid. You know you had this kid in your neighborhood. You did.

We all love this kid. How can you not laugh hysterically at this scene. 




Sunday, June 3, 2012

Why My Future Kids Won't Be Watching "Finding Nemo"

Don't get me wrong. I am possibly the biggest Pixar fan out there. In fact my sibs and I have a tradition, at least two of us have been to see every Pixar film in theaters when it first came out. I have always been one of those two. (right) This however is my least favorite due to its negative effect on children.
Maybe it was because when it came out I was of prime babysitting age and every single kid I watched wanted to see that little orange fish and his whiny plight over and over again. I think this movie would have been interesting if if was mainly about the tank fish trying to escape. They were all a funny motley crew.
Well here are my reasons for not wanting to show the film to my future progeny:

1. He is not wearing any clothes. I mean come on at least the fish in Spongebob Squarepants (which is a far superior nautical themed show) had the common decency to wear at least one article of clothing, well, most of the time that is.
This is a kids' show
2. He is whiny.

His chubby little face fills me with such hatred

3. The mom dies. I mean come on this happens in a lot of films, especially animal ones. When Mufasa died you cared because you got to know him. Same with Bambi's mom. Here we weren't even prepared.

4. I am convinced Marlin met Coral in a fish bar. Featuring a lame fish pick up line. Why do we learn about the Fish dating scene in a kids' film? Toys dating is perfectly ok though. Also monsters on a date is fine because they are eating sushi.


5. This movie is in my quoting repertoire. I say lines from it nearly as much as Aladdin. This concerns me.

6. The emotional core of this film is Dory. She is awesome and funny. She has passed the "Jar Jar Test" in that she survived the test of time. Also I like the Sea Turtle. These are the good points for the film. Marlin and his child I could care less about.

7. Alcoholics Anonymous sharks.

8. The scene where he says "I hate you," to his dad. Other rebel Disney children never went that far.

9. This movie follows all of the marks of an epic quest. They go through challenges. This is a cool thing that you realize when you learn about it in your literature class in college.

10. Cuteness overload.
Again a face that fills me with ire














11. A better switch ending suggested by my brother is where Nemo ends up in in the "Les Poissons" kitchen.

Disclaimer. This is a satire. While I do not care for much of this film I still think it is better than some of the disposable children's fare out there. I am looking at you Madagascar films.