I have to start this review with two statements. This review will be as spoiler free as palatably possible and if you haven’t seen this movie yet, please don’t read any further. If you’re trying to decided whether or not you want to see a Star Wars movie, I don’t think my effusive fanboyish prattling is gonna be what puts you over the edge. And it is precisely the fact that my tone, critical or otherwise, might color your experience before you even park yourself in your local movie theater, that I think you should wait to read this until you’ve seen it. So, if you’ve either met this prior criteria or refuse to take advice, here’s my review of Coco again.
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On a very special Asterixar podcast, we discuss John Lasseter (chief creative officer) taking a leave of absence from Pixar before we get into the meat of Monsters University. Plus the debut of a brand new segment: The Ratzenberger Report. Come hear us give it the ole college try!
A very wise man has crafted a theory about a formula, ever present in Disney animated films and doubly so in Pixar movies of late. The Grumpy/Spunky formula paints the picture of an eager main character teaming up with a grounded reluctant companion journeying to a far off destination to affect some plot important change in the prior. Coco, much like Inside Out and Moana before it, once again sets its protagonist out on a seemingly similar journey, but what follows is one of the best crafted family focused tearjerkers in years.
We’re going Turbo and breaking down Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph (2012) because it’s really a Pixar classic at it’s core. Special guest, Jared, is along for the ride too as we discuss what constitutes a “princess” movie and timely tips for Mario Kart Wii.
Anyone who is familiar with my particular brand of nerd-dom knows where I land on the eternal struggle between Marvel fans and DC fans. I’m not hardline enough to completely ignore or blast DC products based on seeing the logo alone but I can’t deny my negative perception. If this was borne out of pure spite, that would be one thing, but the fact that DC has only produced one fantastic, post-Nolan film, is my main cause for concern. So far, we’ve been treated to bloated, CG slugfests, with little-to-no plot and hollow versions of some of the most iconic characters in comic book history. Justice League takes a few steps in the right direction but still feels like the product of a system that doesn’t quite understand what they’re trying to achieve.
So here it is! The most anticipated week of the century! The week where every DC Stan get’s to stand up and pound their chest and say “SEE! We can make a cinematic universe, too!” Justice League, woo! Anyways, just wait until Coco comes out, save your money.
In this edition of the Geekstrum podcast, we welcome Cuji into what is the longest, strongest and down the get the friction one-est Podcast to date. We know it’s a week or two late but listen to us ramble about Stranger Things 2.
I know. Another Marvel movie. How many of these dang things can they make? Aren’t they worried about fatigue? People being burnt out on what always promises to be the “Best Marvel movie yet!” How is it possible that they can justify this glut of films that end up being driven by the exact same formula, just with different heroes and backup dancers?
*Takes quick look at Thor’s projected weekend box office*
Got it.
Up front, I want to say that I absolutely adore Stranger Things. It does this weird thing, in that it generates a feeling of nostalgia for a childhood that a) I didn’t really have and/or b) I only feel like I had because of all the movie and TV references it makes. Not that I wasn’t a miscreant, riding bikes all over creation and cursing profusely, but that Middle America, Stephen King style township and the surrounding geography abound were hard to come by in Florida. Still, it’s difficult to not see yourself and your friends in the Stranger Things kids, which I think is a huge part of the overall charm.