MY MOVIE SHELF: Monsters University

The Task: Watch and write about every movie on my shelf, in order (Blu-rays are sorted after DVDs), by June 10, 2015.  Remaining movies: 29 Days to go: 22

Movie #411:  Monsters University

(Apparently, the alphabet is hard. I blame my kids.)

For me, Monsters University was Pixar’s full return to true form after the regrettable foray into Cars 2. (There was Brave in between, which I liked fine, but which I won’t be discussing in length because I don’t own it.) It’s a terrific film, expanding on the universe of Monsters, Inc. by taking things back to a prequel and telling the story of when Mike (Billy Crystal) first met Sully (John Goodman).

The first twist in the film, a subverting of expectations, is when it’s revealed that Mike’s scare major roommate — and potential lifelong best friend — isn’t Sully at all, but eventual nemesis Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi). Both are small, geeky, and perhaps not cut out for scaring (though Randall has an edge). Sully, on the other hand, is a huge dynamo, a legacy, and a cocky bastard. He sails through classes on the strength of his roar and his family name, not bothering to put any work into his craft. For Mike, this is despicable, as he has had to work for everything.

The two start out as adversaries, and through some circumstances in which Mike’s superior knowledge of the subject matter outshines Sully’s lackadaisical attitude, become bitter rivals. When Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) expels them from the scare program, their only way to get back in is to join loser fraternity Oozma Kappa and enter the Scare Games. If they win — a near impossibility, given their company — Hardscrabble has agreed to readmit them to the program. Through this, they become reluctant teammates, though they still struggle with putting aside their bitter feelings.

I really love the story for this movie, not only because it’s a decent plot structure (who would care if there was no conflict?), but because their friendship builds out of time and shared experience, of working together and seeing each other’s strengths. It’s a strong reminder that relationships (friendly or romantic) take work to sustain, to develop, to maintain. They come from breaking down the self-interest that we’re all born with and looking at life through another’s eyes. And this process is most open and pliable in college, when you’re newly grown and open to a whole new world of experience. And Mike and Sully both grow over the course of the film.

Mike is not a scary monster — has never been, as the prologue scene showing him on an elementary school field trip to the scare factory shows — and yet it’s his overwhelmingly positive outlook that convinces him to go after his dreams. This is a trait he delightfully displays in the first film, and it’s nice to know he comes by it organically. And while his dreams of becoming a scarer may never come to fruition, he still remains incredibly positive about his potential to do great things. Which is something you discover in college too — where your real gifts are, and where you can succeed in life.

Of all the Pixar sequels, so far, I actually think I like Monsters University the most. Not that the Toy Story ones are GREAT, but Monsters University really makes me belly laugh, over and over again. (Charlie Day as Art is my FAVORITE. And that Cute-Me Kappa picture is to die for.) As far as Pixar movies go, I really couldn’t ask for more.

MY MOVIE SHELF: The Big Lebowski

The Task: Watch and write about every movie on my shelf, in order (Blu-rays are sorted after DVDs), by June 10, 2015.  Remaining movies: 80 Days to go: 55

Movie #360:  The Big Lebowski

How overrated is The Big Lebowski? It’s revered by people young and old, fans of its absurdist nature. It has a cult status, and any number of people — both expected and not — will quote it to you. But is it deserving of all that praise? I think not.

Now, to be clear, I don’t hate The Big Lebowski. I just don’t think it’s the greatest, funniest film of all time like some people seem to treat it as. I think it’s okay. Funny in parts, unnecessarily surreal in others (perhaps to seem more artistic — more important — than it actually is). Basically, it’s like the hipster of movies, overly self-aware of its own image and somewhat derisive of anyone not cool enough to “get it.”

That amount of manufactured coolness is tiresome to me. I’d rather just enjoy the funny parts of the film and ignore the rest — the result of which is that I’ve seen The Big Lebowski probably four or five times at this point, and I never remember a single signifying thing about it until I see it again. It goes completely in and out of my brain, leaving no mark whatsoever. This fact frustrates my husband no end, because he loves to quote it and I’m always looking at him like, “What are you talking about?!” Sorry, honey.

For my money, the best parts of the film are the characters, but not all of them are equally great. The top one unsurprisingly comes from Julianne Moore. As Maude Lebowski, the fierce, fearless, outspoken millionaire artist with the sensible intellectualism and dry monotone, Moore is fully committed to whatever goofy thing her character is doing, be it painting while swinging from wires or dance-bowling in an operatic viking costume. I would kind of love to see Maude as a mother, and if there ever was a call for a sequel, I hope it would be solely about that. I bet her child read Nietzsche at eight years old and was the human centerpiece of a very successful art installation at twelve. She probably grew up to be Sia.

On the other end of the spectrum, my least favorite character actually comes in the form of Jeff Bridges as the Dude. Bridges is just as committed to his role as Moore is to hers (or perhaps too committed, as he doesn’t seem to have really abandoned the role in the seventeen years since he took it on), but it’s the character in general I dislike. There is nothing — NOTHING — appealing to me about some gross, stoned slacker who dresses in Zubaz pants and writes checks for less than a dollar at the grocery store and who is not a 19-year-old college student. Be zen, be alcoholic, be whatever the hell you want. Just do it somewhere else. (Thankfully, I feel confident that the Dude doesn’t care about my opinion, and we can both happily exist in the world without ever having to interact or interfere with one another. It takes all kinds.)

John Goodman as Walter is kind of both one of the best and one of the worst characters, fully confident in all things at all times, to the point where he is a raging asshole more often than not. In a way, he’s the complete antithesis of the Dude, and yet the two of them are joined at the hip. Why is this? What draws these two together? Is bowling really that much of a uniting principle? Or is the Dude simply the only person drunk and passive enough to (mostly) withstand Walter’s constant Vietnam rants? Whatever the reason, some of the best moments in the film are when Walter’s militant forcefulness erupts all over the Dude’s previously uncomplicated life. Like with the “ringer.” Or the multiple times Dude’s car got trashed. Or Donny’s (Steve Buscemi) ashes all over the Dude’s face. That’s my favorite.

I also really like — in her tiny little role — Tara Reid as Bunny. She’s young, outrageous, and purposefully provocative before that became her public persona. She drives like a maniac, runs off on a whim, and sings “Viva Las Vegas” at the top of her lungs. Plus, as Walter predicted, she keeps all her toes. I kind of feel like Brandt (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and the Big Lebowski (David Huddleston) deserve her.

The movie is definitely funny. I like it fine. I just don’t love it. And that’s my prerogative. The Dude still abides, regardless.

MY MOVIE SHELF: Monsters, Inc.

The Task: Watch and write about every movie on my shelf, in order (Blu-rays are sorted after DVDs), by June 10, 2015.  Remaining movies: 194  Days to go: 199

Movie #183:  Monsters, Inc.

I would watch a musical about the events in Monsters, Inc., which makes me really glad they put a production of it (“Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me! So help me!”) post-credits. Such a clever little addition.

Pixar movies are full of little payoffs like that, from “outtakes” to inside jokes. It’s one of the elements that makes them such a  high quality production. Monsters, Inc. is no exception. In my opinion, it’s definitely one of the best of all the Pixar properties.

Based on the long-held fears of children everywhere that there are monsters in their closets, Monsters, Inc. says yep, there are. And those monsters live in their own world that needs the screams of children to power it. The power company employs “scarers” to enter the closets through portal doors, collect screams, and be gone without touching any toxic children. Their best scarer is James P. Sullivan, AKA Sully (John Goodman) and his coach/assistant/best friend Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal). The duo is on track to break the all-time scare record, despite rival Randall (Steve Buscemi) being hot on their tails, when Sully happens upon Randall working after hours and a little human girl (who Sully dubs Boo, voiced by Mary Gibbs) makes her way into the monster world.

The film offers a new twist and unique perspective on an idea that’s been around for ages, and it makes the monsters fun, lovable and relatable — giving them a wide swatch of personalities and characteristics. And despite being an animated character, Boo is just about the cutest little girl ever. In fact, if I ever have cause to say Mike Wazowski, I have to say it the way Boo does. (Her “kitty” is also fun.)

The nefarious plan behind Randall’s scheming is even worse than anticipated, but the solution turns out to be a hundred times better. (The comedy routine has even been turned into a pretty great attraction at Disney World.) The conspiracy is long-reaching and the chase is both thrilling and funny, but the overall film is about the friendship of Mike and Sully and how it is challenged by their different priorities but emerges stronger because of their mutual love and respect.

There’s some great supporting voice work in the movie, from James Coburn as Mr. Waternoose, Pixar favorite John Ratzenberger as the Abominable Snowman (fabulous reference) and human squeak toy Jennifer Tilly as Celia. But Mike and Sully are definitely the best things about the film, with Crystal and Goodman infusing the characters with real heart and frustrations and passions. Their chemistry is electric and their friendship is strong and authentic. And I particularly love, despite his seeming aggressive personality, how loving and optimistic Mike is. He’s super affectionate with Celia and never upset when his picture is obscured on magazines or TV. He’s so happy to be part of something, he never gets down by things that others would be bummed about. I love him.

Now if I could only get this paperwork filled out.