Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Moana Movie Review

My Disney love is no secret: I adore almost everything they create. I have good reason, as their films are detail-filled complete mini-universes that completely sweep the viewer away. Regardless, I'm totally head over heels in love with Moana. I cried all the tears, y'all. Even when times when it didn't seem appropriate, there I was, blubbering away.

The characters are beautifully developed, with exquisite details and great depth of personality. I felt connected with these characters as if they were dear friends or beloved family members. Oceanic and Polynesian culture is treated with reverence, as the story is set in this very real culture. I loved learning about it- what is treasured, the contrasting pull for family honor and loyalty contrasted with personal desire. Creating a character of the sea itself was both respectful and genius, as our main character wouldn't have been able to even attempt her quest without an ally in the water.


The music- oh my stars, the music. It's gorgeous. I've been saving an iTunes gift card for nearly two years, not wanting to waste it on something I don't truly want because I so rarely spend money on iTunes. Within an hour of leaving the movie theatre, I used those funds to buy the Moana soundtrack. Normally I'd be on a Christmas-music only playlist this time of year, but I can't stop listening to Moana instead. Lin Manuel Miranda collaborated with Disney prior to his Hamilton success, and the music definitely has a Broadway feel as a result. The songs are a bit expositional, yet they're mostly about allowing you to understand the individual character more.

The animation is just gorgeous. I want to live in this movie, it's so amazing. The water, especially, is just magnificently animated. Water is difficult to do, because of the varying properties, yet it's perfect every time. When the sea is behaving as a character, it looks just slightly different than when it's the natural back drop of the film. The blend of CGI and hand drawn animation is done flawlessly. The only hand drawn animation is Maui's tattoos, which are reminiscent of the style of animation utilized in Hercules, but it fits well with the rest of the film.

The storyline is detailed and wondrous. Moana, the daughter of the village chief, is always drawn to the water. Everyone on her island is content to stay there, yet she feels the draw of the horizon. She is kind, fierce, intelligent, and diligent. She's also quite real, in that she has moments of doubt, when she feels like she's on the wrong path. The relationships between characters are exceptionally well done as well. There is conflict, internal and external, as Moana juggles who she wants herself to be with who she feels she must become due to her lineage. She has a wonderful relationship with her grandmother, the self-described village crazy lady, who consistently encourages Moana to be herself, even if that goes against what everyone else wants for her.

The lessons are great as well. It's okay to not know who you are, to journey to find who you want to be. Tragedy doesn't define you. You carry your loved ones with you wherever you go.

As we head into another holiday season with certain family members no longer with us, this film was a well-timed one for me.

I will carry you here in my heart,
You'll remind me,
That come what may,
I know the way.
~Moana~

I highly recommend seeing this movie as soon as possible, as often as possible. I'll probably be pre-ordering it in the next five minutes, and if I can sneak away to watch it again in theaters, I definitely will. 

What did you think of Disney's latest animated wonder?


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Where You Lead: A Gilmore Girls Addiction

So you may or may not know that 4 new episodes- mini-movies, really- of beloved television hit Gilmore Girls will be gracing our TV screens on November 25.

As a true Gilmore addict- complete with fast talking, pop culture referencing, coffee drinking synchronicity- of course I decided to rewatch the entire series- all 7 seasons- before the new episodes air. After all, I don't want to miss any references to past episodes, minor characters, or really anything at all, because as you can clearly see, I have a problem. I'd say i'm on the road to recovery, but really I'm on my couch hitting 'Play Next Episode' over and over again.

However much I'd love to be a gorgeous genius with an unbeatable metabolism like Rory, I made one fatal flaw with my re-watching plan. I didn't figure how many episodes I'd need to watch per day before the premiere in order to complete my goal. I also didn't take into account the week I spent with my sister or any weekend days when my husband is home and I have to pretend to be human.

So here I am, 9 mere days away from Gilmore glory, and I have 46 episodes left. I've been binge watching like mad. Gilmore Girls is my constant- it's on while I clean, workout, prep food, organize, fold laundry. It's almost as though Stars Hollow is in my house, it's on so much.

I'd write more, but I have to watch 5.1 episodes per day in order to meet my goal, and I'm so close, y'all. So close.

Of course I'll review endlessly when they come out, so stay tuned.

Also, for the record, I'm Team Logan all the way. Of course, I'm currently on season 5, the Logan years, so I may be biased. Also, my coffee intake has greatly increased with my binge schedule. Not that I need it to stay up, it's just the power of suggestion. The Gilmore coffee obsession just makes you want to partake in the magical wonders of coffee.

Also, don't worry. My family is still fed, clothed, and mostly educated and entertained daily despite my Gilmore obsession. My sleep schedule is hurting, but I can sleep after the premiere.

Is anyone else kidnapped by Gilmore Girls binge watching? Are you Team Dean, Jesse, or Logan? (Obviously Rory nor Lorelei need a guy, I just particularly like the banter and love between Luke and Lorelei and Rory and Logan.

Right, my TV is calling and my fictional TV besties are waiting. See you on the other side!