Pixar Rank 'em!

In lieu of the 25th anniversary of Pixar and the release of their 12th major motion picture I now give you my ranking of the pixar movies.

*Disclaimer- I love all of these movies. None of them are bad in my mind. I am ranking them relatively and not compared to other movies because, let's be real, these movies are some of the best of the last 25 years.

#11: A Bug's Life: It's cute. It's moving. The story is great. The amount of ant animation is ASTOUNDING! what gets me though is just the feeling of this movie. Out of the 11, it feels the most like a kids movie to me. Does it has its adult moments, of course, it's Pixar. But it's probably the weakest of the Pixar movies so far.

#10: Cars: I feel like I speak for a lot of people with this assessment of Cars. It is a lot of people's least favorite. I feel like the die-hards like me tend to like it alright and it's lower and those who just watch it for the laughs and to have fun, it's their favorite Pixar film. It's a tad gimmicky and childish but the animation is wonderful and the landscapes along route 66 want me to take it across the country.

#9: Ratatouille: Now that I have my least favorites out of the way, these next ones are going to be hard to really rank. They're all close and really, could change depending on my mood and how recently I have seen it. With that being said, this movie is bad for me. It makes me love food even more and that's not good for healthy habits. The descriptions and artful playfulness of the eating scenes are to die for and the story is just fantastic. I wish the could have given a little bit more attention to Linguini and Skinner but other than that, an amazing film about beating the odds.

#8: Toy Story: It really pains me to rank this so low but, it must be done. I know that this is the movie that changed the landscape of all animation, and that it opened doors to not only other amazing Pixar movies, but other amazing sequels as well. The story- pitch perfect. The animation- rocky but it was their first (and amazing for 1995). The music- awesome. There's not really a reason to ranking this one so low other than it sometimes feels a little dated when comparing to the other Pixar films.

#7: Finding Nemo: This movie = ridiculous. The animation is Pixar's best. The water looks literally swimmable. This was the first Pixar movie that made me look at it and say "How on EARTH did they pull that off." And I'm glad I did. What makes this movie a little less for me probably is that I've seen it SO many times. It has lost some of its watchability to me and really stresses me out. But that's what is amazing about this film. It makes you LOVE these fish so much that the story get to you and you have a hard time watching it. So, it's almost like what makes it so amazing is what is ruining it for me. If that makes sense.

#6: The Incredibles: This movie is definitely the most man powered of the pixar films. Lots of action and adventure and super hero stuff. However, it is definitely not a movie that most women don't like Transformers or The Terminator. It was good, wholesome fun. It IS Pixar's most violent film. I love the themes that this movie touches though: growing older, keeping your family together, the consequences of your actions (no matter how small- they could create Syndrome). It's a great film and I love the Jack Jack Attack short they made as well. He's definitely the funniest part of the movie.

#5: Wall-E: The first 15 minutes of this movie are reason enough for this movie to be one of Pixar's best. The rest of the movie keeps up the momentum bringing a wonderful blend of comedy and action, all done with very little dialogue by the main two characters. How they get you to have such a deep connection to characters that barely say anything is beyond me. What brings this movie down in my head is how preachy it tends to become towards the end. Its message is a good message but I liked the green earth message moreso than the everyone becomes fat and rolls around message.

#4: Monster's Inc.: Such a great film. I love the story of the monsters being scared of humans just because they don't know them. I love the humor that Billy Crystal brings with his amazing voice talent. And Sully's relationship to Boo is so beautiful. I can't really pick this movie apart like others, what made it so awesome or not as much... it's just one of my favorites, plain and simple.

#3: Toy Story 2: I'm not going to lie. For a long time, this was my least favorite Pixar movie. I thought that it didn't live up to the first at all. I didn't like Zurg. I didn't like other Buzz. I just didn't like it. I saw it in theaters, hated it, then didn't watch it again for about 8 years. Upon rewatching, I was blown away. Not only with the movie but with myself. I have NO idea why I didn't like it at first. I love the new characters. The Prospector is SO evil and it so well done. Jess is just fantastic. Seeing the "When She Loved Me Scene" is probably the most I've ever cried in a movie. This movie is just so well done and is a beautiful step from the first to the 3rd.

#2: Up: Again, Pixar is amazing at making the audience feel without saying much. The Life Together scene is beautifully done. You feel everything in the scene like a ton of bricks and when it's over, you're right there with Carl, feeling old, bitter, and alone. I love his relationship to Russell. And Dugg is amazing. He thinks exactly how I feel like my in-laws' goldendoodle thinks. A lot of people think this movie ends depressingly with Russell not having a father to see him at the badge ceremony and I ask them "Were you watching?" Of course he has a Dad. He has a father in Carl. It's a beautiful ending to the movie and I'm glad that they have them become a family, no matter how mismatched they seem.

#1: Toy Story 3: Cop Out? Hell no! It is definitely their best. I was scared for it at first. Could it bring the story full circle? Could it live up to the other Toy Story movies? Yes. It does this and beyond. The storytelling has vastly grown with the videotape at the beginning, the normal narrative we're used to, and the dark flash back story of Lotso. Lotso is even more evil than the prospector. The ties to the holocaust in this movie are striking. Hiding in the attack. Being sent to a camp. Being tormented by an evil leader. It was amazing. And it all came to a head as the Toys were almost incinerated in the furnace. I had been told before seeing the movie that I would hate the ending so I thought that when they were dying together, that's how it ended. Then the aliens save the day. Thank goodness. I'm glad Andy gives them away. It's a beautiful way to end their story with him and journey on together as friends for a new owner.


Thanks for reading this list. Maybe I'll tell where Cars 2 lands after I see it. I'm thinking just above Cars 1 but I'm not sure. I don't want to go in thinking it's horrible. I was to give it the benefit of the doubt before I rate.

So what do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Feel like I'm an idiot? Leave me a comment below telling me what you think and maybe your list too.

Have a wonderful Day,
MH

Rrrrrrrip

Something funny happened today. As I was on my way to class this morning, I may have had a spongebob moment.

I ripped my pants. 

I dropped something and to my surprise, the entire back side of my pants split wide open. Lucky for me, my friend Kelly was armed with packing tape for a temporary fix as I walked to class. I was about 10 minutes late but luckily did not miss my quiz! I was glad that Amy was at our house and able to bring me some shorts before our meeting with our clinical supervisor. Oh, the perks of marriage. Now I have a great, non-ripped pair of khakis on. 

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment with wardrobe?

Top Disney Movies

Stolen from Kelly and Madeleine. Red I've seen. Green I haven't. Starred I, Amy, or my family owns.
1) The Lion King*
2) Beauty and the Beast*
3) Tangled*
4) Aladdin*
5) Toy Story*
6) The Little Mermaid*
7) Finding Nemo*
8) Toy Story 3*
9) Up*

10) Song of the South

11) Peter Pan*

12) Robin Hood*

13) Mulan*

14) Wall-E

15) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*

16) Monsters, Inc.*

17) Mary Poppins*

18) Spirited Away
19) Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl*
20) Lady and the Tramp*
21) Cinderella*
22) The Fox and the Hound*
23) Tru Confessions 
24) Sleeping Beauty*
25) Bambi*
26) Ratatouille
27) Fantasia*
28) 101 Dalmatians*
29) Alice in Wonderland*
30) Pinocchio*
31) The Jungle Book*
32) Hercules*
33) The Aristocats*
34) The Incredibles*
35) Enchanted*
36) Remember the Titans
37) Toby Tyler
38) The Great Mouse Detective
39) The Parent Trap
40) Tarzan*
41) Swiss Family Robinson
42) The Princess and the Frog*
43) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
44) Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
45) The Hunchback of Notre Dame*
46) Miracle
47) Oliver and Company
48) Almost Angels
49) Dumbo *
50) The Muppet Christmas Carol*
51) Toy Story 2*
52) The Sword in the Stone*
53) The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
54) Pocahontas*
55) Cars*
56) Howl's Moving Castle
57) Old Yeller
58) Eight Below
59) Ponyo
60) Cool Runnings
61) Tron: Legacy
62) Bolt
63) Lilo and Stitch
64) Love Leads the Way
65) Bedknobs and Broomsticks
66) A Goofy Movie
67) The Scream Team
68) National Treasure: Book of Secrets
69) Heavyweights
70) Motocrossed
71) A Bug's Life 
72) Newsies
73) National Treasure
74) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
75) Tiger Cruise
76) The Legend of Lobo
77) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
78) The Rescuers Down Under
79) Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
80) Iron Will
81) The Journey of Natty Gann
82) White Fang
83) Meet the Robinsons
84) The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*
85) The Mighty Ducks
86) Holes
87) Treasure Planet
88) Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
89) Pollyanna
90) Brother Bear
91) Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
92) James and the Giant Peach
93) Sky High
94) Saludos Amigos
95) The Parent Trap (new)
96) Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
97) Right on Track
98) Greyfriar's Bobby
99) Sorceror's Apprentice
100) Secretariat

71 seen. Alright! There are others like The Three Caballeros and Fantasia 2000 I've seen. Not sure why they're not on here. 

last two days in auburn

(hello internet) 
they're coming... and each has a final @ 8 a.m.
the one tomorrow is fine... i mean... not study-wise... i'm still working on that. but when it comes to the time... i'm ok with it. with physics the next day at 8... i'm not too happy about that. i mean yea... get it done with early in the day... but still.
overall... this semester's been good. i'm excited about next semester and yet scared. For one, i'm taking some pretty intense classes (including organic chemistry) which will be tough. then freshcomm has gone down to four members which i hope works how the leaders who left want it to. i feel like we have a good game plan i just need to get my head and my heart into it. then i have fundraising all semester for the liberia mission trip. they said that's like taking a 3 hour course... so that puts me up to 19. ahhhh lol. like i said.... all of this is SO exciting and i'm glad i have this to look forward to. but it's still going to be really taxing.

also, a good... a great friend of mine is leaving for a semester. yes, we were close my senior year. yes we were good friends over the year i was here and she was still in school. but this past semester i feel like i've grown so much closer to her. we're so comfortable around each other and i just love being there for her and vice versa. After such a great semester of singing in the car, moes all the time, day bed naps and german dresses, it's going to be tough to say "see you in ........... months"

well... i suppose i should get back to studying world lit for tomorrow.
peace.

God is Good

all the time.



need i say more?

so... right now

There's something that I am extremely excited about. Freshman Community. August could not get here soon enough. I guess the question I'm most asking myself now is, "Am I ready?". I think that I am and that I'm not at the same time. I couldn't be more excited about it. That is for sure. And the team... wow. I love each one of them and I think each member could say that as well. What I am more concerned with is the actual planning of this fellowship/discipleship. It is a big resposibility especially with school as well. But, I know how wonderful this ministry can be for some freshman (through personal experience mind you) and I know that God will provide the means for me and the rest of the team to do anything we need to do to make this a great year. Something hard for me will be not camparing it to this past year which was absolutely amazing. I'm sure once I am in it... most of these concerns will just melt away... but for now, I continue to pray for the team as we get ourselves ready the rest of the summer through our own personal experiences and study, and for when we get back and begin to get this great big Yahweh ball rolling. I will also continue to pray for the freshman of Auburn this coming up year whether they be at Wesley or elsewhere.Peace,

Malcolm

top 10 musicals.... malcolm edition.

so i saw that hannah posted a top ten.... and being a lover of musicals myself... i decided to do my own... and i'm not completely sure on the rules... but mine are going to be any musical... theater or theatre.

10. High school musical 2 and 1
i think that this was a great movie and sequel.... however... it's my guilty pleasure so i'm leaving it at 10. i love the music and it is terribly cute. i think that this is a good outlet to get kids loving musicals from an early age... yea they sing on kids shows that they watch when they're 3... but it's nothing compared to the kinda of stage and music that is in the high school musicals. i'm grouping them only because i have way more to add to this list.

9. Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat.
this movie/play is held near and dear to my heart. it was one of the first musicals that i grew to love. donny osmond is yea... a little corny... but it's a great rendition of a bible story that everyone knows.... that crazy andrew lloyd webber... always changin the game.

8. Grease
probably the movie that makes every boy what to go bad at some point... i'll admit... john travolta made it cool to be bad.... and even cooler to be the nice guy in the end... the music continues to be stuck in my head and i even like to break out a little sandra d at the local karaoke

7. West Side Story
um... amazing.... this academy award winning film will make you laugh.... dance... sing... and cry... i never saw it until about 4 months ago and i fell in love with it instantly... this movie MADE cinematic musicals and the world hasn't been the same since.

6. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
based on the classic movie starring the one and only gene wilder... this play had me crying... in a hysterical laughing fit. i couldn't believe the twists and the stunts. i'd never seen such vulgar humor on stage and i probably won't ever again. the high roller vs. the loser turns into a high roller and loser team within the last 30 second of the play.... once you think you've got it... yea... you don't....

5. The Color Purple.
wow. this play, as the movie and the book, made the ugliest black woman in the early 1900s the most beautiful, strong woman you have ever seen. i saw this on a sunday afternoon matinee and it was like going to church... everyone was hoopin and hollerin and having a blast. i even yelled a little bit... Alice Walker's characters have been recreated beautifully once again... i'm glad i got to see the OBC too... i hope fantasia is a good celie

4. Moulin Rouge.
amazing amazing amazing. anyone who hated this movie was just freaked out by the first 15 minutes... i know i was... but once i got through that... the movie was once again... amazing... i love the soundtrack. some of the songs on there are the songs that i wanted to sing to girls that i had crushes on in the 7th grade. amazing story line and another great film by baz. i just hope that australia next year is just as phenomenal as moulin rouge and romeo+juliet

3. willy wonka and the chocolate factory...
not much to say to this one... besides the fact that gene wilder gives a stunning performance.... i love to sing to every song... and the lady that sat behind me when i saw it at the alabama theater was testify to that... even though the rest of the movie is great..... i could watch the opening scene for hours.... the making of the chocolate... omg

2. wicked
well.... i saw this over the summer in london... and it was phenomenal... i'll never watch the wizard of oz the same again.... it changes your whole perspective... and that's just what it sets out to do... not only on the story but on love and friendship and even sacrifice for one or the other.... you'll be cheering for the "bad guy" in no time.
plus... the set is AMAZING!!

1. Rent
well... i had to. it may not be of the production value of wicked.... or even the entertainment value.... but this musical moved me more than i've ever been moved. i know... some people hate it and frankly i'm stunned at that... i've been listening to the soundtrack for 11 years now and i'll keep on listening for ages... this is the play that will make me cry every time i see it. this is the play that wants me to live in the slums of new york... this is the play that makes me want to have a tranny best friend and a stripper girlfriend... this is the play that makes me want to stand up and fight for the little guy. this is the movie that makes me want to ACT UP FIGHT AIDS


well that's it... tell me whatcha think