October 2020 – Max, Mike; Movies!

Episode 115: Coco (2017)

Here we are with another of our “Pixar Pix.” This week, we examine this carefully crafted animated documentary about one of the great fashion designers, Coco Chanel. This movie traces Ms. Chanel’s roots from her childhood home in Maine-et-Loire, France to . . . Mike, why are banging your head on the table? Is something wrong? Oh, excuse me, maybe you don’t think it’s worth studying a fashion icon just because she’s FRENCH? That is so anglo-centric! How dare you, sir? You make me sick.

[some time later, after Mike has finished hitting me with a claw hammer]

Ok, so, yes, it is in some way possible that I may have missed the general point of this movie. Slightly. It may in fact be a richly layered Pixar story, deeply rooted in Mexican culture and tradition, dealing with the Day of the Dead and a young boy learning about how the importance of family can transcend even the mortal realm. HOWEVER, I would like to point out that most of the characters in this film wear clothes. And clothes are what Coco Chanel is really famous for. Right? That was her thing, right? So I don’t think my original take on this movie was that out of line. Oh dear, Mike’s reaching for the claw hammer again, so quick, give a listen to this week’s episode about the highs and lows of Pixar’s movies, many of which involve characters wearing clothes.

George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 114: Cars 2 (2011)

Welcome back to another edition of “Pixar Pix,” where we talk about the highs and lows, the hills and valleys, the pork and beans of one of the Great Animation Houses. This week: cars. You know, here in my car I feel safest of all . I can lock all my doors. It’s the only way to live. In cars. Well, with all due respect to Gary Numan, this movie may give the lie to that sentiment. Yes, this week we’re taking on “Cars 2,” the sequel to . . . ok, you can figure that one out. One of the first movies to come out of Pixar after it had been assimilated by Disney, this film is generally considered to be one of the . . . less spectacular efforts of Pixar and the last one to be directed by founder John Lasseter. Enter a world where vehicles rule the earth and there are no humans in sight . . . or ARE THERE? Give a listen, hear what we think (and smell what we imagine) and also enjoy our ravings, I mean, the TRUTH about the terrifying secret of the world of . . . Cars 2.

George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 113: Toy Story 2 (1999)

So a few weeks ago we talked about Pixar’s masterpiece “Toy Story” as part of our “90’s” discussion and this made us realize _{^{(help us)}} that we had made a grave error by bothering to discuss any movie ^{(please, call someone)} other than those crafted by the geniuses at Pixar, which is now a part of that ^{(the Disney troupers won’t let us go)} most benevolent, kindly, and munificent family company, Disney ^{(please, they’ve bolted electrified mouse ears to our skulls. It hurts. It hurts so much)}. So we’ve started a brand new series that we’re calling “Pixar Pix” ^{(mike can’t stop crying)} dedicated to praising those magical and lovely artists ^{(I can’t feel my legs any more)} at Pixar. We love you, Pixar. We don’t deserve to watch your glorious creations ^{(please please please please help us help us)}.

Ok, in all seriousness we’ve decided to take a look at a number of the Pixar creations of the last twenty years or so. We’ll be talking about the ones that are great and the ones that are . . . well, let’s face it, not so great. Even Pixar can’t churn out nothing but winners, and we’ll be talking about that. But we’re starting out with “Toy Story 2”, the sequel to what was effectively a surprise home run for Pixar’s first time at bat. How does the sequel hold up? Are we talking “Godfather II” here or “Daddy Day Camp”? Give a listen and see if you agree with our notional notions. To the podcast and beyond!

George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 112: Fargo (1996)

Oh, cripes, don’tcha know, we’re here for one last go-around with “In Ancient Times: The 90’s,” and I’ll tell ya that for free, oh yah, those nice Coen boys, Joel and Ethan, they’ve done it up real nice, you betcha. While them Coen fellas may have done ok with their earlier flickers like “Raising Arizona,” “Blood Simple,” and “Barton Fink,” this was one of their first major hits, y’know, that the kids liked, garnering them a passel of Oscar nods and even a couple of wins. Featuring a rather quirky script, a remarkable cast, and the inviting location of Minnesota in the middle of winter, if nothing else this movie really gives you a picture of the Twin Cities and Minnesota over all (such nice folks up in Brainerd, oh yah). So hop on I90, but remember there’s construction around exit 41 so stay in the far left lane, make sure you’re careful of the flash ice, and then tuck into your favorite hotdish with a nice side of ludefisk and join us, oh yah? Or don’t. Either way’s fine, don’t wantcha to go out of your way or nothin’. No, no really, it’s fine. But take some ludefisk with you before you go. Yah, no, I insist.

George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/