My Challenge Progress- Pixar Shorts

A week has passed and that means I only have one week left, so far I haven’t failed my challenge and I hope you’ve been following along. I have so far managed to review and watch 10 Pixar animated shorts, here are the links to my reviews and my current ranking, I hope you enjoy and I do really appreciate it if you’ve been following along.

1- Day & Night (2010)  – ★★★★½

2- Boundin’ (2003) – ★★★★½

3- For the Birds (2000) – ★★★★½

4- Geri’s Game (1997) – ★★★★

5- Paperman (2012) – ★★★★

6- Knick Knack (1989) – ★★★★

7- Red’s Dream (1987) – ★★★½

8- Luxo Jr. (1986) – ★★★½

9- Tin Toy (1988) – ★★★

10- Adventures of Andre and Wally B (1984) – ★★½

 

Top 5- Goodbye July, Hello August (UK)

Another month has passed in the film world meaning its time for new blockbusters to be released and hit our summer screens. I will be going through the top five films released in July and those that shined, then of course I will give you my list of ones to look out for in the next month, let me know if you agree or maybe you think I’ve missed some out.

July: Monsters University

Despicable Me 2

The Worlds End

Pacific Rim

The Wolverine

August:

The Conjuring

Only God Forgives

Elysium

You’re Next

The Grandmaster                                      

Knick Knack (1989)

Genre: Animation, Short, Family

Director: John Lasseter

Writer: John Lasseter

Rating: ★★★★

Knick Knack is another Pixar animated short, again the ever so talented John Lasseter playing creator. In my opinion this is the most hilarious and funny story yet providing many laughs, its also accompanied by a fun feeling score only adding to the entertainment. This time Pixar bring a bunch of holiday souvenirs to life as the story follows a snowman trapped in a snow-globe who attempts to escape in order to attend a hot party with the other souvenirs however the dome around him causes more than a few problems. As the other souvenirs watch on the snowman attempts to smash the dome, drill through the globe and even blow it up but that only leads to more trouble as the globe frantically leans over the edge of the shelf. The attempts provide us with many laughs and the persistency of the snowman only makes it more entertaining.

Knick Knack is certainly funny with a good inventive story by John Lasseter but for me the adding of the fun score is why this animated short stands out from those previously made. More so the addition of more “characters” and those extra details just show how amazing Pixar have progressed. The short film of just over three and a half minutes was released with the feature of Finding Nemo (2003) but surprisingly didn’t win an academy-award nor get a mentionable nomination. Out of those watched so far I think that Knick Knack is my favourite just for its fun feel, it also has more of that modern Pixar touch. Simply brilliant and unique.

Let me know your views on Knick Knack, watch it here.

The Adventures of André and Wally B (1984)

Genre: Family, Animation, Short

Director: Alvy Ray Smith

Writer: Alvy Ray Smith

Rating: ★★½

The Adventures of Andre and Wally B was Pixar’s first ever short film that was made in 1984 and unlike others wasn’t released with a feature film. It is also the shortest out of the series made, lasting a little under two minutes, despite the shortness and simplicity it still has that fun feel attached to it. It follows the story of Andre a clueless android waking up in a forest, Wally a bee decides to taunt Andre obviously becoming irritating. After a quick distraction Andre attempts to escape but Wally is quick on the case leasing into a funny chase sequence.

You can obviously tell both Pixar and the writer and director Alvy Ray Smith were playing around with creativity and as their first short animated film credit should be given. The characters aren’t as cute and colourful as recently released productions nor is the general picture. The story Is short and simplistic, it just shows how far Pixar and technology itself has progressed since 1984. Despite it not being no academy-award winning contender the special “Disney Pixar” feel is still very much present.

Let me know what you think? View it here and enjoy! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2doT5t51HGs

Day & Night (2010)

 

Genre: Short, Animation, Comedy

Director: Teddy Newton

Writer: Teddy Newton

Rating: ★★★★½

Day & Night was attached to the feature film Toy Story 3, another one of Pixar’s short films its adorable and rather funny. Two characters, a sunny joyful “Day” and a rather dark moody “Night”, each with their own unique characteristics and qualities. When Day accidentally stumbles over Night sleeping he’s confused, he looks like Day but he doesn’t have the same qualities. Both are confused and angered but after getting off on the wrong foot the two become friends, realising with each other they can see their worlds from a whole new perspective.

They are just simple drawings and its simple cartooning but flawlessly achieved, the characters being outlines but it’s the inside that’s wonderful showing the different scenes. Day has daylight scenes whilst Night has night-time, showing the wonders of both and how butterflies turn into fireflies. The director and writer Teddy Newton deserves so much credit, not only to think of such a great concept but to execute it with perfection showing its loud and bold message. With only the expressions of two faces the message is clear, to embrace people’s differences and enjoy them. No wonder such a beautiful, amazing creation got nominated for the 2010 Oscars, once again simply magical.

View it for yourself and let me know what you think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRuURW_UXfw