Movie Info:
Writer: Kevin Smith
Director: Kevin Smith
Cast: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Joey Lauren Adams, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Will Ferrell, Judd Nelson
Rating: R
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: November 17, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $53.99

I have been a huge fan of Kevin Smith since I saw the movie Dogma. I was a little too young to get into the Clerks craze when it first came out (I was 13), so I didn’t even know about the comedic genius of Smith until I saw Dogma. As a practicing Catholic at the time, I found this movie quite hilarious, familiar and awesomely funny. From that moment, I became interested in Smith. Of course, I never got the opportunity to see another Smith film until I saw Clerks a few years later.

When Dogma came out there was no IMDB that I knew of, and the internet wasn’t as widely used as it is today. It was harder to find out about who Smith was and his other works. While I owned a VHS tape of Dogma and watched it many times, it wasn’t until I caught Clerks on a premium station late at night that I realized this had to be another Kevin Smith movie. It was Jay and Silent Bob who gave it away. From there, I actually pursued finding other Smith movies at the local Blockbuster.

After seeing Clerks, I saw Chasing Amy and when Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back came out, I bought that on DVD right away. Since then, I’ve been a loyal fan of Smith, who speaks to a generation I understand. Excluding Jersey Girl, I am a big fan of the movies he has written and directed. There is nothing like Clerks out there, and because of this the story, the jokes and the unique, yet every day Joe characters never grow old or tired.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Pete Docter, Jill Culton
Director: Pete Docter, David Silverman
Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Frank Oz
Rating: G
Studio: Pixar

Release Info:
Original Theatrical Release Date: November 2, 2001
DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $21.49

It’s hard to ignore the power of a Pixar film. With eye-catching animation and stellar storylines, Pixar has been sweeping the field and gaining fans left and right ever since they hit the streets. I have been a fan since day one. Toy Story is still one of my favorites and the sequel was equally as endearing, even if it was a sequel. Monsters, Inc falls in line as the fourth Pixar movie. In the line of gross and distribution it was the highest grossing in comparison to the movies that came before it. However, in the complete Pixar library it ranks as the fifth top grossing behind blockbusters like UP, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Wall-E, and The Incredibles.

Like many other Pixar films, Monsters caters to both adults and kids. Kids will find the storyline funny and the monsters, adorable (for the most part). Adults will enjoy a storyline that is not dumbed down for kids and the voice acting of notable names like John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Bonnie Hunt, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi, and the Pixar staple as far as voice talent goes, John Ratzenberger.

Over the years, Monsters has served Pixar well. It has spawned a series of video games, mass merchandising, and more than one theme park ride in different countries. A movie couldn’t ask for a warmer embracement. Still, I have to admit that I had forgotten about this title. It was sent for review and I found myself having to watch it to be refreshed by the story, rather than the quality. I knew that it was cute and that both my son and I had liked it when it came out eight years ago, but I had honestly only seen it that one time.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Cast: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, John Ratzenberger, David Kaye, Elie Docter, Jeremy Leary, Mickie McGowan, Danny Mann
Rating: PG
Studio: Pixar

Release Info:
Original Theatrical Release Date: May 29, 2009
DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

Seldom do I find that animated films make me actually feel a selection of emotions while watching. The majority of features, especially by Pixar, are happy, somewhat predictable stories that are bound to end with a happy, feel good ending. Well, UP has to be the most realistic of the Pixar films. UP made my emotions run the gamut from sadness to hope, happiness to frustration.

The realism in this beautifully rendered, animated feature is part of why I believe this is Pixar’s greatest release. The story deals with some heavy subjects that may go over the littlest Pixar fans’ heads, but the topics aren’t too boring that the youngsters won’t enjoy the story. Subjects like grief, accepting death, and growing old are told in ways that won’t overwhelm children, won’t bore adults, and will strike a chord in older audiences. I loved the story, which I felt was a little more sappy then I was expecting, but it was sappy in a good way.

One thing I really like about UP is how likable the characters are. Carl Fredricksen is the most awesome, hilarious, old man. He’s the grandfather you’d love to have, even if he is a little curmudgeon-y and cranky. This is understandable given the circumstances he has to endure. Russell could have become annoying, but instead he’s portrayed as a fun, inquisitive, delightful youth. You want Mr. Fredericksen to take Russell under his wing, especially when you hear about his absent father. Even Dug and Kevin do not get annoying, providing comic relief to a somewhat heavy story.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.