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The Pixar Story, a review by Dragonfire

Somehow I either missed or forgot that The Pixar Story was on my WALL-E DVD.  Then Sophie mentioned it in another thread and I got to looking and found that I had it.  So last night I decided to watch it.

I think it runs about an hour and 20 minutes long.  I honestly could have watched longer if there was more material.  I've loved Pixar movies since they started, though I didn't know as much about how the company began.  This covers John Lasseter first studying animation and then getting a job at Disney.  I had no clue that he'd worked there before.  That didn't go well at the time, but in the long run, what happened was probably for the best because that allowed him to take the job with the group that became Pixar when they were still part of ILM.  I enjoyed hearing about the early projects and even the trouble they had with Toy Story to begin with - because of Eisner wanting the story to be more edgy.  The most is shared about Toy Story, though there is a decent amount for A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2, including how everyone at Pixar felt the material sucked while Disney said it was good enough...so they decided to start over.  That dedication to making a good movie with a strong story is why their movies have been so successful.  This was made in 2007, so the last few movies aren't included and there is only a short little clip of Ratatouille.  It would have been nice if there had been a bit more shared about some of the other movies.

There is a lot of footage showing them working on various projects over the years that I thought was really interesting.  Some footage of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen doing the voices for Toy Story is shown. Interviews with the different animators are shared and are very interesting.  Some of the people who have done voices for the movies are also featured.  Steve Jobs is featured - I wasn't completely sure of what his part in the company was before, though I had heard there was one.  The issues that came up between Disney and Pixar before Eisner was replaced is covered, along with how that situation worked out once the new guy took over at Disney - I have forgotten his name at the moment. 

This is wonderful and definitely worth watching for anyone who likes Pixar movies.

 

By the way...Eisner is an idiot.  I've felt that way for several years now, but some of what is shared in this about his decisions involving Pixar and animated movies in general just cements that feeling.  Thank goodness he isn't at Disney anymore.

(From The Pixar Story on May 27th, 2010)

Nathalie, a review by dfmorgan

Nathalie

Year: 2003
Director: Anne Fontaine
CastOverviewWatched: 1st. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: I decided to watch this after viewing Chloe the US remake of this film. The premise is the same with a professional woman employing a call-girl to try and trap her husband, whom she thinks is having affairs. The family dynamics though are different and the ending an anti-climax compared to the US version.

My Rating: A mildly enjoyable 3



(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on January 2nd, 2011)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Rick

Catch up time. Been a rough week...

They Eat Horses, Don't They?

Have I said how much I like all the guest stars they have on this show?  Another 2 great additions to the cast this episode. Ruichard Moll (Bull from Night Court) as a collector of poop. Reminds me of the Simpsons episode with the "retirement grease" 

I've always enjoyed Teri Polo. Possible because I enjoyed her in Northern Exposure and Sports Night, two of my favorite TV shows ever. (Either one would make a great Marathin  )

It's cool to see Ray completely trust Fraser. Something as out there as smelling the meat and Ray is behind his partner 100%. 

Rating

(From "Due South" marathon on July 6th, 2009)