Toy Story That Time Forgot

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Toy Story That Time Forgot is the latest installment in the cherished ongoing story that has touched the hearts of millions of people.  They continue to live through their shorts and all of their shorts have seemed to live up to every expectation of the films, but with different criteria.  Each story has focused on a different toy from the series and the latest one focuses on Trixie, Bonnie's dinosaur.  The gang is taken by Bonnie to a play date and when they arrive she sees her friend playing an Oculus Rift type video game and ignoring her toys.  She wants to play that, so she throws her rocket backpack into the other room that is full of toys and the action begins.  Trixie and the gang meet up with a brand new toy set of dinosaurs and a dinosaur world.  The only problem is, these toys haven't been played with so they do not believe they are toys.  War begins.

The new story of the latest installment brings back a lot of nostalgia with it's story.  It seems to recycle Buzz's story when he first encounters Woody and the others and firmly believes that he is a real spaceman.  They use this premise, along with Bonnie's toys being able to play any part that she may want - not just a dinosaur or a spaceman.  Pricklepants seems to be a big catalyst in everyone being okay with having different roles, seeing how he has "acting experience."  This makes the toys almost seem more lovable in a way.  It gave our old friends a new feel.  I like catching up with old friends and new things have happened.  That is what this is.  The story is not recycled when the "King Dinosaur" discovers Bonnie's name under her foot.  This is a play in the original that broke our hearts with Andy marking on Woody and then giving Buzz the same marking and forgetting Woody - this is different.  They cut the ties with toys believing they are real and not by calling her mark a "Mark of Obedience."  Meaning she has fallen claim to an owner and therefore isn't her own person.

Trixie is in full force in this one as the main character, a love interest, and the hero.  Once the action pursues, which has a fantastic "Bloody Scene," thanks to crayon wax, has Trixie trying to get to Bonnie to play with these toys and reset the balance.  The best part of every short is the spotlight of a toy that's been a sideline character.  It's a focus shift that can continue in this universe for a long time.

Instead of showing the owner's connection to these toys or the toys need to be played with as the previous movies displayed - I felt this one was more of the toys were playing with the owner.  They enjoy acting.  They are taking new roles and they are having as much fun being whatever they can as opposed to fighting for playtime as what they are.  

This 30 minute Toy Story "short" (episode?) - what are these now? - ranks above Toy Story of Terror because I did not feel Toy Story of Terror met it's theme correctly at the end.  This one had an ending that could have continued and could inevitably be written into the next Toy Story movie.  I would match this with Toy Story Toons - Small Fry.  I enjoy the Toy Story shorts greatly and it seems like these 30 minute episodes could use more time to get their full story out.  The shorts pack a big punch and end in the time needed.  I wanted more from tonight.  I hope I get more.

I will be a Toy Story lover for life and will continue to watch them.  This one did not disappoint, it just made me want more.  I wasn't fulfilled at the end.  Rushed.  It's a beloved story to get into a small segment.  I will be back again the next time they have them though.  It's a part of my childhood like all of my actual toys were.  

Thank you, Pixar.  

Tusk Review - Second life coming to VOD

Tusk Review - Will it find a new life on VOD?

Tusk is about to be released on VOD and at the end of December it will be released on DVD.  Not a lot of films these days, get box office redemption and a new life on VOD or DVD (Unless you’re Adam Sandler), but after breaking even in its theatrical release, Tusk is primed to find new traction being available to the masses, including the millions of Smith followers and fans that didn’t get the film near them.  Tusk is a movie that can show you that you don’t have to have a serious concept to bring out brilliant performances and leave you with a film that you will never be able to forget.  The premise is very straight forward about a podcaster (Justin Long) that interviews strange people that he finds on the internet.  He stumbles upon a man (Michael Parks) who would like to share his stories of travel and survival.  It turns out this man missed his Walrus friend that helped him survive on Ponder Rock and wants to turn Justin Long into a human walrus. Yes, a human walrus.  He makes his escape call and then you get his friends (Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez) on the trail to find him.

The only thing that everyone can think of when they hear this premise is, Human Centipede.  This is not Human Centipede.  This film is Silence of the Lambs meets the Jersey Universe that Kevin Smith created.  The story, if you leave out the walrus, is a creepy story that, in this era of the internet, very logically could happen.  Everyone is trying to create the next big podcast, while there are people like the Craigslist Killer out there waiting to prey on people searching through the internet for anything from household items to a spouse.  The progression of Michael Parks slowly turning Justin Long into a walrus is one of the best paced, creepiest amount of time I have seen in film in a long time.  The anticipation of seeing if Long actually goes Full Walrus is more than enough to keep you entwined in this film.  Along with this skin crawling scenario, you then get an old school detective story (filled with nostalgic cop show camera shots) which features a very hidden Johnny Depp in a character you never thought you would see him portray, but he does it, perfectly.

The acting and writing of this movie stands out the most.  This movie was clearly written for Michael Parks and he completely became Howard Howe.  The believability in this performance is very reflective of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector.  You forget the premise of what you are watching and you become enthralled with his performance and how you would never want to meet this man.  Parks was fantastic in Red State and From Dusk Till Dawn, but whoever views this film will say, “This was Parks greatest performance.” I would even chalk this up as the best villainous performance of the year, and am sad when I think that due to the films content, no one would take it seriously for an Oscar.  Although the film is heavy with Parks’ brilliant performance, you cannot count out Justin Long.  He plays his obnoxious podcaster role well, but shines as a victim.  The sympathy and heartbreak that I was truly feeling while watching this made me feel as if it were actually happening.  Parks and Long as villain and victim are a combination that I never thought I would say I couldn’t have been more happy with.  The supporting cast do not play too big of a role until they are on the hunt, so they do not get as much play, but when they do they are overshadowed by a dopy detective played by Johnny Depp.  This is not a role that Depp fans will enjoy, but you can clearly see the fun that Kevin Smith was having in developing this character and getting Depp to play him.  This character is there to remind you - This is not a serious film (although I would strongly disagree in some of the parts.)

“Tusk is a movie that shouldn’t have been made.” This is a direct quote from the Jersey auteur himself Kevin Smith.  He uses the word “shouldn’t” due to the movie’s premise and how Hollywood and audiences would accept it.  His huge fan base wanted this from the start and said #WalrusYes, but they could not all have access to it.  That is my reasoning for its box office numbers.  This movie hits VOD and DVD soon and I firmly believe it is about to find a new life - much like Mallrats.  Word of mouth from this film will keep it alive and passed from friend to friend.  If you are staying away due to the premise, give it a rent or purchase for the performances.  You will not be disappointed.