Elio

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Elio!

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd January 2026

Happy new year! Here's to the next twelve months of watching movies - and what better way to begin than with a movie that was tossed out into the world with little to no faith in it.

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who had a keen interest in space exploration. He devoured every book he had on the subject and was very excited when the Voyager 2 probe reached Neptune. He was very keen on UFOs and dreamed of making contact with aliens. And despite his imagination, he was neurodivergent (although he didn't know it at the time) and he had trouble fitting in.

I think this movie was custom made for me. 

Last year I pondered on what could be the least of Pixar's impressive track record and one could make the case that this could be it. Even I will admit that some of the complaints of this movie - it's looking formulaic, has less heart and more manipulation when compared to it's brethren  - may have some legitimacy behind them. 

But what does it matter? This movie spoke to me and still has the sense of child-like wonder that Pixar does so well. Indeed, one look at this, you wouldn't think that this was the result of a troubled production and a poor marketing effort. But in the end, it's the idea of finding somewhere where we all belong that brings it home. 

Truly a superb movie. 

Soul

  And this week's Friday night movie has been... Soul!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th August 2025

Like every man and his dog, I do love me some Pixar: They tell great stories, have stunning animation, have boundless imagination, and can inspire both laughter & tears in equal measure. We all know what to expect from this fiendishly talented studio and yet we don't complain. As such, they have had hit after hit.
That being said, with such a success rate, it makes the weaker films easier to forgive and forget. And that makes an interesting question: Never mind which is the greatest Pixar movie; what is the least Pixar movie?

But even if Pixar may be running on successful formula, the greatest achievement is that the formula doesn't get old. And Soul may be running on said formula but it still works.
All of the above is, of course, a long-winded way of saying that this is a Pixar movie so we can't expect the usual high standard of animation, imagination, laughter and tears. Which is what we all signed up for.
What is particularly noteworthy about Soul however is it's strength of ideas: It is indeed a bold move to bring up existential themes in a children's movie (Never-Ending Story anyone?) but they still resonate deeply as an adult: The concerns of whether you've lived a meaningful life and whether you are prepared to live. And that really speaks to someone like myself who has struggled with self-worth - and no matter how many movies I see related to this topic it still resonates.

And that epiphany scene is truly something astonishing. 

Also: Wait, Nine Inch Nails did the music to this?!

Inside Out 2

Recently I saw Inside Out 2.

Original image located here. Accessed 4th November 2024

In a way I'm not surprised that Inside Out would get the sequel treatment: the original idea is strong enough that there is plenty of room to expand. Are the five emotions the only ones? Are there more? And if so, are they there for all time? And what happens to Headquarters when one reaches the end of their life?

It would be easy to dismiss this movie as being nothing more than a cash grab and has no hope of replicating, let alone surpassing, the magic of the original. 
And yet, that may be case but I'm not willing to write this movie completely. There is certainly a lot of expansion on the original idea as we see Riley movie into her teens and gain a whole bunch of new emotions. True a lot of them don't do much - and I can't help but notice that Joy is still the only positive emotion present - but Anxiety makes for a compelling addition. Indeed, it may hit a little too close to home for some people to see Anxiety at work - in particular the representation of a panic attack is genuinely frightening. 

All in all, a solid sequel and I'm keen to see where this series goes to next.

Ratatouille

  And this week's Friday night movie has been... Ratatouille!

Original image located here. Accessed 15th December 2023

And here we have another movie that originally escaped my notice the first around and, through some miracle, managed to do so for the next sixteen years, And once again, it is better late than never.

Ultimately, this is a Pixar movie so one expects it to be of very high quality. And Ratatouille delivers with it's animation, it's ingenious attempts at physical comedy, it's humour, it's depiction of Paris and the careful attention to detail with it's characters, Yes such strengths may be par for the course with Pixar but when they do what they do so well who am I to complain?
But perhaps the greatest takeaway I got from Ratatouille is the message of trying something and keeping at it no matter the risk or the number of failures one might experience on the way. Such a message may be nothing new in a kids movie but here it is delivered in a way that is nothing less than exceptional. Indeed, the concluding review from the character of Anton Ego is truly the apex of the movie - and is of particular resonance as I continue to bash these words out.

And one day I might actually learn how to correctly pronounce 'Ratatouille' (whilst writing this review I was referring to it as The Rat Movie).

Elemental

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... Elemental!

Original image located here. Accessed 8th December 2023

I will admit that this year I have indulging in my inner film geek with my viewing choices. But, as we head into the final weeks of this year, there is still time for me to bring something more crowd pleasing to the table.

This movie has quite the shelf life: What started as a disappointing opening weekend has eventually grown into a success, finding an audience who appreciated the immigrant angle. Yet at the same time, there have been some whispers that this is one of Pixar's weakest efforts. I suppose such feedback would be inevitable considering the triumphs the studio has enjoyed in the past and it is only a matter of time before a misfire happens and/or the output starts to look formulaic. Still, I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt: Not everyone can produce a high quality body of work AND make each entrant an unique entity (Stanley Kubrick anyone?).

However I can't fool myself: This was a gem. The usual Pixar inventiveness is on display - indeed it was a treat seeing how this world works - and the animation is, once again, of high quality. 
But, as always, the real strength of this movie is it's heart, showing the trials and tribulations of an immigrant family, the need to forge one's own path and the necessity for connection (which indeed resonated with an Aspergan such as myself). Indeed that 'Touch' scene was truly a thing of beauty.
And it wouldn't be a Pixar movie if it didn't leave me an emotional wreck by the end.

So it the end I don't know what the nay-sayers are complaining about: This is another solid entry in Pixar's (admittedly well-stocked) library. 

Toy Story 4

And this week's Friday night movie has been....Toy Story 4!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th July 2019

And thus the curtain falls on an odyssey twenty four years in the making - or at least I hope it's the ending because I can't see where Pixar can go from here.

There's not really a lot I can say about this: It's Pixar. It's Toy Story. It has the same laughs, heart and pathos we have come to expect from this series. Gabby Gabby is a fascinating character and we see some familiar faces develop in some interesting ways.
So really, not only does this movie has a good case for existing but it can certainly sit comfortably alongside it's older siblings.

One last thing: Duke is indeed a delight and was well-received by the audience when i saw this in the theater - but I have to wonder how many people, besides me, have made the connection to Ken Carter

Incredibles 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Incredibles 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th July 2018

In a way i was dreading this: The first movie was fantastic, without question, but the presence of a sequel is problematic: The original a) has no room for a sequel and b) is a ridiculously tough act to follow.

But somehow, this movie still won me over. The strengths of the previous movie are still in full flight here (the family dynamic and each of the characters), the animation is still top-notch, the direction is excellent, the jokes are hilarious and the commentary on an adult life is welcome.
Sure the movie comes across as covering ground it's already traversed but as a character-driven story it's a winner.
And if I must be honest, this is more a movie for adults - moreso than the previous one. And, in all honesty, is the better for it.

By the way, anyone else get an Uncle Walt vibe from Winston?

Monsters Inc

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Monsters Inc!

Original image located here. Accessed 18th May 2018

Well, i saw the prequel last week so seeing the original is somewhat inevitable.
Well this is a Pixar movie so once you see enough of them, you soon know what to expect: Great jokes, touching moments, interesting characters, top-notch animation and enough creativity involved that one is left wondering when that particular well is going to run dry.

Considering what i said about the prequel last week, it;s interesting to place the two films next to each other. Monsters Inc seems to adhere closer to the Pixar formula but at the same time it seems, strangely enough, generic. Sure it ticks the boxes that we expect from a Pixar movie (as stated above) but at the same time, no one seems to complain.
Conversely, Monsters University eschews the formula by taking an unusual route. Brave yes but ultimately coming across as colder than the usual fare. There's no denying that the formula Pixar uses clearly works but a deviation is asking for trouble. But such is the strength of the formula that Pixar sure are quick to recover from low points and we, the audience, are quick to forgive.
I may have said some harsh things about the prequel last week but, upon seeing the original, my view has somewhat softened. If anything I'll take a noble failure than a weak success any day.

Monsters University

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Monsters University!

Original image located here. Accessed 11th May 2018

Strangely enough, I've never seen Monsters Inc. However that places me in a unique position: I can watch the prequel and the original both in the correct chronological order and for the first time.
I do recall that when this movie was released, it got a lukewarm reception with confusion as to whether it was a movie for kids or a movie for adults. So what do I take from it?

As expected from a Pixar release there's some good jokes and some great animation. But whilst Pixar movies imparts substantial life lessons, this one seems somewhat uncomfortable. Get past the 'college movie' formula and thus is revealed a rather nasty subtext:
You see, Mike wants to be a scarer. It what he wants to do with his life and he goes for it with gusto, working hard, studying up and learning everything he can. But, of course, as iterated throughout the movie, he's never going to be a scarer simply because he isn't scary.
So what does this mean? That Mike's hard work and effort was meaningless? That in the real world, hard work and effort doesn't mean jack against being born right and/or pure luck? That having passion for something doesn't mean you were meant to do it and you have take a realistic stance? That dreams can not work out and you have to settle for complacency?
I know Disney have built an empire out of chasing one's dreams but to see such a turn-about-face is both surprising and indeed uncomfortable. Perhaps moreso as I continue to limp through my thirties, and full-time employment is looking increasingly elusive.
These are big themes that will no doubt go over the head's of a child audience - perhaps that''s the reason behind the original reception.
What a depressing movie.

Mind you it would be interesting to see how the original stacks up.....

Coco

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Coco!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th January 2018

Yeah it was all right. But then again, Pixar making a great movie is like saying grass is green. Funny how Pixar make so many great movies that their missteps are easy to forget - or, in Pixar's case, easy to bounce back from.

Okay seriously, this was a genuinely touching movie. Okay sure there is a significant amount of predictability in the plot but ultimately, the strength of the movie lies not in the journey but in the destination. The animation has tonnes of personality, the art direction is stunning and there are times when it feel's like Grim Fandango on acid XD
But ultimately it is the heart that is the movie's strength. And at the risk of sounding like a complete and utter softie, one would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this movie.
Erm.....Go see it!

A Bug's Life

And this weeks Friday night movie has been.....A Bug's Life!

Original image located here. Accessed 9th September 2016

I admit it: I've ever seen this movie before. I do recall, when this was originally screened in cinemas, seeing Antz instead and enjoying that movie. But I never got around to seeing A Bug's Life. Maybe it was the similarities between the two that made me suspicious. But no matter: I've now seen A Bug's Life and.....

...Yeah it wasn't bad.
I have to say this straight up: The Circus Bugs really made this movie. They were so funny, so entertaining and work off of each other that they pretty much stole the show. But that's it: The rest of the movie I found kinda under par (for Pixar). I did get some enjoyment out of the movie but it's no Inside Out. ("Binnnng Boonnnngggggg!!!!!!!!!!!")

Up

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Up!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th September 2014

As is often the case with the movies I watch, this has been a long time coming. Still at least I now know what the 'Squirrel!' gag I've heard a lot is....

As for the movie itself I have no idea what powers the Pixar engine but damn it's working wonders. Exciting one minute and heart-breaking the next, Up is indeed a gem 🙂

Oh and Doug. Doug is awesome. Period.