Toy Story 2 3D

Netflix
Official Site
Trailer


This second film in the series is not as good the second time. Something about spending all the time with the toys is interesting, but I end up missing the family time. I just like the playtime that we get in the first movie, and there just doesn’t seem to be as much fun time in this movie.

That said, the 3D adds a nice layer of fun, and the intermission animations between the double features were all about trivia and that was super fun. There are more jokes in this second feature that seem to fly over the heads of little kids, but feel essential to those in the know in the pop-culture world, and it is interesting to see the two worlds interact in the animated world.

The only downside to seeing them live is that we took a four year old and I don’t think there are many four year olds in the world that are really made for a double feature that takes place outside of their home. These films together are a little long for the kiddies, but the perfect length for the adults. I’m not certain they will release these two films as 3D on DVD, but it was fun to go and see them live.

Toy Story 3D

Netflix
Official Site
Trailer


When I went to go see the Toy Story double feature in 3D I was totally not expecting anything new. I thought maybe it would just be a fun day out and enjoyable because I love the movie so very much.

But it isn’t just plain enjoyable, it is super-mega-enjoyable.

On one hand the 3D is perfect for animation, and seeing the “falling with style” scene, the zealots that worship the claw scene, and then when the toys come to life scene to scare Sid (Erik von Detten) are all fabulous in 3D.

Add to that the incredible fact that there are new aspects to the film, or at least things I may not have noticed the first time around.

At one point there is a design on Andy’s (John Morris) shirt that I don’t remember, and the books behind Woody (Tom Hanks) during the meeting have the names of the Pixar shorts. Now I haven’t gone back and checked the versions of Toy Story that I currently own, but I do not remember that being the case when I originally screened the film.

At the heart though this film still holds up pretty well, and it reminded me of when I took my little boy to see the movie for the first time back in 1995 and he actually sat in my lap the whole time. It was great fun to see it again in the theater if for no other reason than to be reminded of that time and that amazement of seeing it for the first time.

Whip It

Netflix
Official Site
Trailer


There is a lot about this movie to really love.

Girl power, the roller derby team itself, and the friendships are all really really great.

The movie drags in some places in that I could’ve done entirely without the “love/like” story between Bliss (Ellen Page) and Oliver (Landon Pigg). It was mostly forgettable, but in truth I’m not a teenage girl so what the hell do I know? I just think that more time spent with the team, which I did enjoy immensely would’ve better served the film.

The story is a classic coming of age, but the roller-skates are a nice touch, and the roller derby is especially fun.

It wasn’t super great, but it was fun, and it made me want to get out my skates and run into some stuff.

I also particularly loved the side story visuals of the father (Daniel Stern) out manning his next-door neighbor at the very end with his very butch daughter’s roller derby sign. Basically I think when the movie is funny and sweet the movie really succeeds, but when it tries to be tense and serious or romantic it really sort of gets tangled up in itself.

Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page were admirable, but I did really like Alia Shawkat and Andrew Wilson made me laugh a ton. Big kudos to Juliette Lewis for playing such a great bad guy and to Jimmy Fallon for being so ewww. I especially loved Eve and Kristen Wiig is freaking adorable and I’ve got a total crush on Zoe Bell so they were all immensely awesome.