Toy Story 3 (2010)

Title: Toy Story 3
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Release Date: June 18, 2010
Genre(s): Animation
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Lee Unkrich
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone has ever loved Toy Story.

What is this about?
Andy is leaving for college, which means packing up his old toys and putting them in the attic. Except that's not where they end up...

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you want something fun and then to sob like the world is ending.

Where does it take place?
Day care! Oh no!

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Toy Story, duh.

How did I like this?
I don't think "like" is the right word. This movie nearly broke me. Do you know how uncomfortable it is to cry while watching a movie with 3D glasses. It's terrible. I was a mess. This was the end of an era. At least it was suppose to be. And felt like it. Then I watched it again and same reaction, minus the glasses.

Ken cracks me the heck up. I love him. Big Baby scared the crap out of me. I want to hug Lottso. Which I did last year. He did not smell like strawberries. Also, Spanish-mode Buzz.

Have you seen Toy Story 3? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Up (2009)

Title: Up
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: May 29, 2009
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like to cry and like dogs. And grumpy old men.

What is this about?
Carl finally lives out his and his late wife's dream of traveling to Paradise Falls. However, he's not the only one going on this adventure.

When would be a good time to watch this?
You'll need ten-ish minutes to cry at the beginning, so whenever you can accommodate for that.

Where does it take place?
In a flying house on its way to Paradise Falls.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a Disney Pixar movie, duh. This was only my second time watching it though, which is unusual.

How did I like this?
Let me sound like a grown-up for a minute: It was nice to see a couple who was loving and fulfilled without having children. That's it. Even if their relationship ends in tragedy and rips your heart out before the movie even gets going!

That opening scene was the only thing I remembered before my rewatch. This movie is cute, but ultimately forgettable. I adore Dug though.

Have you seen Up? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Title: The Greatest Showman
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: December 20, 2017
Genre(s): Biography, Musical, Drama
Production Co.: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Michael Gracey
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
PT Barnum. Yes, that PT Barnum.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately. Then head to YouTube to repeat your favorite songs.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
My mom has been obsessed with this movie since it came out and I like musicals. And Zac Efron.

How did I like this?
I am concerned about the fact that I never knew this movie existed until my mom started raving about it. Like, seriously? Why isn't everyone talking about this?! This is a FAR superior musical to Hamilton. There's actually an interesting story and likeable characters!

A+++ songs! Zac Efron is hella hot. I want that lime green dress Zandaya wears. I also want that pink floral dress Michelle Williams wore.

Wow.

Have you seen The Greatest Showman? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

WALL-E (2008)

Title: WALL-E
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Release Date: June 27, 2008
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin


Who would I recommend this to?
People who care about the environment and like robots? So, me.

What is this about?
WALL-E, a trash-compacting robot, is the only inhabitant left on Earth after the humans destroyed and abandoned it. Of course, WALL-E is more than just a trash-compacting robot.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Uuhh...I don't know. It super relevant, so...now?

Where does it take place?
Mostly outer space, but also partly on a destroyed Earth.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love Pixar and robots (thanks to Johnny-5). I originally saw this one in theaters.

How did I like this?
I was OBSESSED when it first came out. Was this movie written especially for me?! WALL-E is effing adorable (reminds me of Johnny-5) and his crush on EVE was the cutest effing thing ever.

It was also scary how accurate this movie appeared to be at the time. Is humanity really heading in this direction? Most likely. I believe so, if things don't change soon.

In case you haven't seen this movie and are considering it, know that there's no dialogue for the first like half hour. It's just WALL-E and his friend cockroach.

Have you seen WALL-E? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Ratatouille (2007)

Title: Ratatouille
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Release Date: June 29, 2007
Genre(s): Animation
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Starring: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt


Who would I recommend this to?
Foodies who like animal movies.

What is this about?
A rat who loves to cook helps a human who sucks at it.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Maybe not when you're hungry...

Where does it take place?
Paris.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I did see this one in theaters and it made me so happy. It just looked super cute.

How did I like this?
It's super cute and totally flips the "animal helper" trope on its head, since Remy is the one who needs a human helper to achieve his dream.

While I still really enjoy this movie, it didn't fully hold my attention this time. Maybe because I'm out of my "cooking reality TV" phase?

Have you seen Ratatouille? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Cars (2006)

Title: Cars
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Release Date: June 9, 2006
Genre(s): Animation
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Starring: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman


Who would I recommend this to?
I honestly don't know. While I adore this movie, I don't think it's that popular. At least comparatively. It's a weird one.

What is this about?
Rookie racecar with a big head gets stuck in the middle of nowhere where he learns the value of friendship and regains a more humble confidence.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have 2 hours and need a little pick me up.

Where does it take place?
Radiator Springs. California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I actually wasn't too interested in this when it first came out, but my friend's mom took us to see it. And of course I wound up liking it more than her little sister did.

How did I like this?
Like I just said, I adored this movie. It doesn't really look like my thing, other than being Disney, but it's so funny and unique. There are NO HUMANS OR ANIMALS! Anthropomorphic cars, KACHOW!

We all know that kids' movies contain jokes for the parents, and this movie is no exception. There are sooo many adult jokes! That might be why at 16, I enjoyed this more than the six-year-old... 

And, yes, even a movie about talking cars made me cry.

But I am sooo sick of "Life is a Highway." Can we please retire that song? Forever!

Have you seen Cars? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Title: Jumanji: The Next Level
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 3 minutes
Release Date: December 13, 2019
Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
Spencer and the gang return to the land of Jumanji after he tries to fix the game. There they learn the true power of friendship!

When would be a good time to watch this?
All the time, like my mom, who has watched it three or four times in the last couple of weeks.

Where does it take place?
Inside a video game...

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because the first one is one of my all-time favorite movies.

How did I like this?
I effing loved this movie. I don't know if I love it more than the first, but definitely at least as much. It's so freaking funny. Kevin Hart nailed it! My mom and I were dying every time he opened his mouth.

I don't even care that Jumanji magically transformed into a seven-player game, because the original was a magical four-player (then five-player) game to begin with. There are no rules!

Have you seen Jumanji: The Next Level? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?