Movie Review: Toy Story 3.

In the interest of full disclosure, I love Pixar, I love Disney (usually) and the entire Toy Story franchise is rooted deeply into my childhood.  So, suffice to say, I'm a bit biased.  Honestly, I thought that last point might mar the movie--Disney is resurrecting beloved characters after 11 years, there is more than enough room for error and offense here.  Almost everyone has some sort of attachment to the movies.  Toy Story is the first movie I remember seeing in theatres, and I remember that Sid absolutely terrified me.  Toy Story 2 is the first movie where I thought the sequel actually compared to its original (assuming you can get past Jessie's --Joan Cusack's-- voice).  I was so scared they were going to ruin a flawless run.

But scared you need not be, because this movie was absolutely INCREDIBLE.  On the surface, the plot stays true to the time lapse: we find Andy at 17 years old, heading off to college and packing up his room; which, as I'm sure you can guess, means having to pack up his toys and figure out what he's going to do with them.  Donation, trash, attic, college?  Without giving away anything that wasn't in the commercials, through a series of misfortunes, Woody, Buzz and the gang find themselves at a Daycare.  The rest of the movie follows them in their efforts to return to Andy before he leaves that week for college.

The usual toybox of loved characters are all there, though a few of the minor (but still loved!) characters have gone by way of the donation box.  There are several new toys thrown into the mix, though most notably a big pink fuzzy bear named Lotso, a scary baby doll with a wonky eye, the most effing adorable British hedgehog porcupine named Mr. Pricklepants, a larger part for Barbie, and a Ken doll!

What was completely surprising is how unexpected the movie was! So many parts you think you know what will happen, or you're sure something will, but then you are thrown completely off track.  The writers did an amazing job creating an interesting, fun and clever script.  I became completely entranced by the story and could not wait to see what would happen next.  It's nothing like how I thought it would be--it's much, much better.  And true to Disney, the movie was done craftily in that everyone of all ages will enjoy it.  It's entertaining for the children with jokes for the older crowd that will fall by the wayside to younger ears.  It's captivating for everyone, no matter how old you are or your attachment to the movie.  Hell, I'm halfway convinced that even if you didn't see the first two movies you would still enjoy this one!

What I definitely did not expect was how emotional the movie was.  Yes, it pulls at the heartstrings, brings back some of our favourite scenery/set objects (Pizza Port "yo" truck makes a small appearance!); and yes, it is sad to see Andy leaving.  But what the toys go through to get back to Andy, the situations they find themselves in and obstacles they face...it was crazy.  I was holding my breathe.  I was covering my mouth in anxious surprise.  I was gasping for fear, laughing with delight, saying "aww" with overload of cute.  And yes, kids...it's true.


I cried.

I couldn't help it!  There are three specific scenes I can think of where I could not help the tears falling on my face.  And not for nostalgia's sake, for the pure plotline and emotional tug the movie elicits.  I was terrified and in disbelief and touched and so absolutely swept away with it all that I could not stop the tears from coming.  And trust me when I say I was not the only one, and it was definitely not just the girls tearing up.

I could honestly go on and on about how amazing the film is, but we'll keep it to this: go see it.  Now.

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Who knew doing stuff took such an effort? (And Fill-in-the-Blank Friday!)

This has been a ridiculously busy week.  I don't really know how that happened when I a) don't have a job, and b) am flaky as fuck and never respond to my friends when they graciously ask me to do stuff.  What's this, I have to make an effort to be social?  Well shit...

Seriously though, for the first time in perhaps 7 months, I was responsive to people and had things to do.  Which could be why I was perpetually exhausted this week.  I don't know your guys' sleeping habits, but I never sleep past 7 hours.  Never.  I don't know why, but my body will wake me up at the 7 hour mark on the dot.  This is on the assumption I can get 7 hours of sleep anyway, most of the time it averages 5 hours or so. I have issues sleeping past 10:30--problematic when you're a ridiculous night owl.

Toothless!

Anyway.  Notable things Ashley did this week:

• Attended Brother's Girlfriend's Asian American Club Graduation Ceremony (meaning the Asian American club had a special grad ceremony for all their graduating members--which includes bro's gf).  I felt very old, despite being the youngest.  Also? I was not prepared to be around that many Asian people again. If I wanted that, I'd return to my alma mater.
• Got a hair cut.  Seems insignificant, but  it went from my waist to 2 inches past my shoulders.  It's like an entire lifestyle change, dudes.  So many movements I used to do (ie, leaning to the right when I got in my car so I wouldn't catch my hair in the door, dipping my head forward when I sit so I wouldn't sit on my hair, etc) are unnecessary now, and I feel like I'm learning to walk all over again.  But bright side, a small fortune may be saved on shampoo/condition expenses!
• Went to 5 different libraries in 2 days. I don't know what is wrong with me.
• Saw "How To Train Your Dragon" (thanks to Sarah for the late birthday present!), and holy bejeezus it was soooooo cute!  I mean, it was a really good movie anyway, but the dragons and even the Viking people (namely Hiccup) were so freakin' CUTE!  And I want a Toothless!  Seriously, if you haven't seen it, please stop reading this (well...) and scoot your cutie booty over to the nearest theatre pronto.
• Worked out three days.  Trust me when I say that does not happen.  Ever.  I don't think I pushed myself hard enough, but it's a gradual thing to even get into exercising at all.  Baby steps, but...steps.  I have also learned after 30 minutes of Zumba that there are some ways my hips just cannot move.  I thought they could, I always figured they could be taught, they could learn, and sometimes there's even a glimpse of hope...but my hips have, in fact, lied.

Not mentioned are the errands, multiple trips to Panera, and household cleaning done this week as well.  This weekend gets to be packed, what with an annual craft fair my mom and I go to being in town and then Mother's Day on Sunday.  All of my mom's immediate family will be going to a Mother's Day brunch at a fancy schmancy restaurant in Coronado (one of my favourite places in the world!), which should be...interesting.  I look forward to spending time with my family, at least.

Before I end with this week's Fill-in-the-Blank Friday, I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!  And a very happy Mother's Day to all mom's, or to all my reader's moms.

1. My favourite book growing up was "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott.  It's cheesy, it's classic, it's every little literature girl's love.  But I'm such a Josephine March, the book is engraved into my soul.

2. The funniest book I ever read is "I Am America: And So Can You!" by Stephen Colbert.  Does that count as a book?  If not, of course I laugh at David Sedaris books, and I quite enjoy Jen Lancaster.  The most recent book I laughed at was "The Book of Joe"--Jonathon Tropper is amazing.

3. The one book that has truly changed my life is "Franny and Zooey" by JD Salinger. "I'm sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody."

4. If you're looking for a real "tear jerker" you should probably read "A Walk To Remember" by Nicholas Sparks.  I know, I know, it's dumb and we've all seen the movie and I have made it quite clear how much his writing annoys me. But I couldn't help but bawl while I was reading this.  And maybe it was just me, but I may have lost my shit shed a few tears while reading "The Time Traveler's Wife."  It's one of my favourites now, but...whoo. It just cut me deep, man.

5. If I could meet any author living or dead I would want to meet William Shakespeare or Jane Austen.

6. The next books on my "to read" list are "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", "The Historian", "Love in the Time of Cholera", "Signora da Vinci", "Emma", "The Feast of Love", and "The Ruby in the Smoke".  Those are the ones sitting on my nightstand, anyway--all from the library.

7. If I was snowed into a remote cabin in the woods and could only choose three books to bring with me, I'd bring "Pride and Prejudice", "Franny and Zooey", and the His Dark Materials series (I know that kind of cheats, but that's just the way I roll).

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Fair warning, readers: This post contains a picture of me. And some fill in the blanks!

And by a picture of me, I mean a terrible, horrible, no good very bad sleep-the-night-before picture.

You'll see in a few seconds.

I'm a terrible bloggy friend.  I respond to comments, but I always do it late (I have a habit of checking my email the moment I wake up, so I'm not in any sort of state to form cohesive, sensible responses).  And by late, I mean months later.  I don't know what it is, and I'm trying harder at it.  But with all the bloglazy I've gone through this month, I have fallen embarrassingly far behind.

That in mind...I got a blog award!  From the super amazing David, whose blog I insist you visit because it is also super amazing and one of my favourites--and let's face it, whose opinions can you trust more than mine?  That's right: no one.  So, I'm incredibly thankful, and this is serious y'all--it has rules with it, too!

The rules for this one:
1. Get really excited that you got the coolest award EVER.
2. Choose ONE of the following options for accepting the OMB! award:
(a) Get really drunk and blog for 15 minutes straight, or for as long as you can focus.
(b) Write about your most embarrassing moment.
(c) Write a "Soundtrack of your childhood" blog.
(d) Make your next blog a "vlog", or video blog. Basically, you talking to the camera about whatever.
(e) Take a picture of yourself first thing in the morning, before you do anything else (makeup, brush hair, pee, etc.) and post it.
3. Pass the award on to at least three, but preferably more, awesome bloggers like yourself. Don't forget to tell them (duh).

1. Believe me, it happened.  You missed the party.
2. Here's the thing: I don't get drunk and I don't have the means to make a vlog, so those two were out.  My most embarrassing moment relates to being sick and I've had enough of that this month; and the soundtrack to my childhood is the entire discography of Boyz II Men, Queen, Elton John, The Police, Michael Jackson, Ace of Base and All-4-One.  So, I'm pretty much defaulted to the picture of myself first thing in the morning.  It ain't pretty kids.  I slept for maybe 4 hours, and those measly hours were quite fitful. I was considering putting off the picture until the next day, but I'd already taken so much time since getting the award that I just sucked it up.

You see that awful double bag under one eye and the massive bag under the other?!  Yeah. Pitiful. I am going to be so wrinkly when I'm old...*sigh*  And consider yourself special, because few pictures after 2006 exist of me without glasses.

What disturbs me most is that...I don't do much else to my appearance before I go out.  I'm totally that girl who can roll out of bed and walk out the door without a second thought.  I don't wear make-up, except the occasional eyeliner and mascara (I don't even own any aside from that).  Just add glasses and we have my every day look.  I even took a picture later in the day for comparison's sake.

Hair is damp and unbrushed--apologies.

You would think this would compel me to put more consideration in my daily appearance, but...ehhh.  Maybe one day I will, but for now I'm ok like this.  Did I purposely post this on a Friday, when I know a lot of people don't/won't read blogs before the weekend so theoretically less people will see my horrid sleep deprived self?  Perhaps.  But aside from the small vain moments, I'm ok for now.

As for 3. I feel like I haven't been active enough in the bloggy world lately to really pick and choose people to pass it along to, so imma cheat a bit and defer passing it along until later when I'm fully returned to interacting.

Lastly, because I don't participate in enough blog memes (sarcasm font), I thought I'd participate in Fill-In-the-Blank Friday!  I've been a longtime follower of the little things we do and figured it is high time to join in the fun.  Similar to ToT, head over to her blog and link up if you participate, too!

1. My absolute favourite movie of all time is The Sound of Music.  I know, I know, I get ridiculed all the time, but it holds such a dear place in my heart I can never let it go.

2. My favourite movie as a child was The Sound of Music.  Wait, can I use that twice?  Also Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story.  And The Sandlot, The Mighty Ducks, and Hook.

3. The best movie quote ever is from The Breakfast Club.  "Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place."

4. My favourite actress is __________ and my favourite actor is ____________.  I don't really choose favourites in actors...I will love Denzel Washington for all my life and highly respect Matt Damon, but I don't know if I can label them with favourite.  As for actresses, I tend to favor Kate Winslet (I've never seen all of Titanic though, so don't go pushing that on me) and Sandra Bullock, but again...no favourites.  If I want to be Meryl Streep, does that make her it?

5. The movie I could watch over and over again is You've Got Mail and Pride & Prejudice (the Keira Knightley version).  Seriously, I think I've watched both at least six times each this past month.

6. My favorite movie genre is dependent upon my mood.  Normally I'm always down for comedy, but sometimes I just need a good romantic comedy or drama.

7. A movie I'd like to watch this weekend is Date Night, Bright Star or Precious.  The latter two are waiting in my computer to be watched, I just haven't gotten to it yet.  And I'd more than likely go gay for Tina Fey in a heartbeat, so of course I want to see her movie.  OH and I just realized, I do need to watch Les Poupees Russes (the French film follow-up to L'auberge Espagnole, arguably the best French film ever.  Yeah, I'm lookin' at you, Amelie.) because it's due at the library on Tuesday.

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There's just too much.

I'm having a bit of a writer's block.

It's not that I can't think of anything to write though--in fact, it's pretty much the opposite.  I feel like there are a lot of thoughts going on in my head, and I want to write about it, but I can't really sit and sort.  My head feels like it's overflowing, and as much as I want to compartmentalize it and sort it all out, everything keeps blending.  The moment I try to focus on one thing, I can't stop the thoughts about others.

I want to write about all the notes I found from 5th grade that I passed in my classes and how I'm pretty sure I didn't actually pay attention.  I want to tell you about how I was cleaning out the boxes in my closet that resulted in me finding those notes.  I want to discuss how I feel like I'm being crushed by a strange mix of uselessness and overqualification.  I want to delve into my wanderlust and all the places I want to go and trips I want to take and things I want to experience.  I want to tell you how my heart hurts every day because I always feel like I'm away from home.  I want to tell you how I'm constantly surprised at the poor choices I make, even though I know I know better.  I want to tell you how grateful I am to have friends (real life and bloggy) who stay with me despite my flakiness and ridiculous avoidance issues.  I want to tell you why I'm at the library all the time.  I want to tell you about the six books I'm reading right now.  I want to tell you about a boy.  I want to tell you how odd it is that I hate peanuts and regular M&Ms but I love Peanut M&Ms; and I equate it to how I hate green tea and lemonade but really like green tea lemonade.

But I can't.  I'm stalling, and I have false starts, and every time I try all I do is Ctr+A the entire paragraph and hit backspace and try again.

So instead, I am going to turn back to watching this old Buffy rerun and my spoonful of Nutella; and leave you with three screencaps of three movies I love that I ran across on weheartit, all of which mean something to me.

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