Toy Story 3

I remember when I was a lot younger seeing the first Toy Story and falling in love with the film. The relationship between Woody and Buzz just captured the rivalry to jealous then friendship relationship. Also the romantic relationship of Buzz and Bo Peep I always thought was very sweet!  

Then when they released the second film and introduced Jessie and Bullseye, I fell in love with this film slightly more than the first. Partly because I absolutely love Bullseye and how only his eye and occasional noises that he makes reflects all of his emotions. I think it's something quite special! 

Obviously when I look at the films now, I have a deeper appreciation for them and I adore the creative ideas and different inspirations that go into the building of the story lines.

Around 13 years later Pixar announced that they were going to release a final Toy Story... Then 14 years after the release of the first film, they released the third. Before I went to see the film in the cinema, I was apprehensive incase it didn't live up to the previous films. But once I watched it, I felt it completed the relationship between Andy, Woody and the rest of the gang.

The main story line is about Woody and the guys ending up in daycare after Jessie and everyone else thinks that Andy wanted to throw them away before he heads of to college,even-though Woody tries to convince them otherwise. The way it's written ties in all the character emotions of them attempting to escape then the dangers and the outcome. They have a brilliant ability to tie in the roller-coaster of emotions throughout the film. 

After years of waiting Buzz finally admits that he finds Jessie beautiful, even if it did take for him to go in to spanish mode. I honestly felt like cheering! I am just sad that Bo Peep wasn't there with Woody at the end, I think that's the only think that could of improved the film.

During the final film, I absolute love the colouring in the film, it's so bright and colourful which makes the film seem full of life! Especially when the toys get taken in to Sunnyside daycare, the array of colours of all the individual toys in there is spectacular! When the elephant sneezes when they are getting a tour of the daycare, the stuffing that flies up is very cleverly done! The lighting and colour reflect mood and charactering, like when the younger group of children come in to play with the toys, the lightening goes very clinical looking, white and bright. It plays on the idea that the toys are in danger because of the forceful playing ways of the young children.

No matter how many times I watch the film, it still makes me feel emotional because to me the point in the plot where they believe that they are going to die and are all sat down on rubble holding-hands moving towards the fire is truly heartbreaking. This is the point, as an audience, you can see that they are ready to embrace death all together is so sad. But personally, isn't the height of emotion for me. For me it's the end, when Andy gives all of his toys, reluctantly including Woody, to Bonnie. Then as he drives off to college he says "thanks" to his toys who've been there all of his life. Once Woody responds with "so long partner", my emotions are shot. Even at the age of 21, it makes me feel like a child giving up something you don't want to.

At the end of the film, the sequence during the titles, Jessie and Buzz dancing to you've got a friend in spanish finishes of the film on a high note and provides light entertainment after the previous serious scene.

One thing I do love about this film, is that Pixar asked the original boy who played Andy to voice in the final one. I think this adds some depth to the film because it shows the really want to keep the film as close to the original as possible. I don't think they could of achieved as greater films if they didn't think about voice overs and how important they are. I don't think there is anyone who would argue against how Tom Hank's brings Woody to life! He incapsulates the character of Woody and brings out his emotions. He isn't just the only one, the whole acting cast they choose all have this ability. It's a true skill!

You could be young, old or anywhere in the middle but this is definitely and end to a trilogy that people should watch!

Today...

So today I took my sister to the bus stop in newport to see her off on her adventure to climb Killimanjaro! For a fair few months now she's been raising money for our local hospice St Anne's that looked after our grandad and auntie before they died of cancer. Although I was very young when they died, I know understand how much work, looking after and support they provide for those ill and their families. In a fair few months she's raised nearly a thousand pounds (including the gift aid)! I'm so unbelievably proud of her and all she's done!

When I saw her off today, I welled up with tears because I know what she's doing is an amazing once in a lifetime chance to do this. I know how hard she's worked and trained in order to be fit and ready to do the climb so I felt so proud seeing her off and I'll be the same when I go with my dad to collect her from the airport. I really hope she enjoys and loves every second she's climbing! Me and Tom put the Bare Necessities on her Ipod to cheer her up if she's having a bad day. But I'm sure with Steven Fry reading Harry Potter, she'll be happy!

I think family is the most important thing in the world and they should be appreciated and loved. Family feud's pull families apart but knowing that even though families argue they'll always be a deep love, even if people won't admit it. Love, Respect and Family, they are things that within every culture, religion and in everyones heart.

To quote E E Cummings:

I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart. I am never without it. Anywhere I go, you go, my dear. And whatever is done by only me... is your doing, my darling. I fear no fate... for you are my fate, my sweet. I want no world, for, beautiful... you are my world, my true. Here is the deepest secret no one knows. Here is the root of the root... and the bud of the bud... and the sky of the sky of a tree called life... which grows higher than the soul can hope... or mind can hide. It is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart. I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart. 

Tron Legacy

Before I watched this film, I'd never seen the original and wasn't feeling excited for watching the film because the trailer's didn't really appeal to me or advertise the film in the best way. But to be honest after sitting down and watching it in Blu-Ray I actually really enjoyed it!


The CGI and all the special effects in the film is quite special. They way they've build up the grid that they race on, the fighting flying platforms and the creation of the audience is awesome. They way they've bounced the lighting effects of them to make it seem more real is magical. I truly envy them and wish I had the ability to be able to create something like that. They bring the film to life by having a distinctive style between the real and the surreal. 


As much as I love this feature, what I did find somewhat lacking was the game feature. When Sam first appears in Tron he has to play the games to stay alive but once he goes in to hiding and then eventually comes back out, there isn't that emphasis on it anymore. I know I would of definitely enjoyed seeing more of the games and maybe having that feature a bit more. The only way your reminded is when people die they shattered in to thousands of pieces. It's a bit of a shame really. 


One thing I really don't understand with films such as this, is the music. Although the soundtrack is pretty sensational with a few classic songs, why do they feel the need to make the music so loud when people are talking? I find it so annoying and irritating because once you get into the film and they do this you struggle to hear the conversation going on. Apart from that they rest of the sound aspects is of high quality.


The acting in it is quite good, Jeff Bridges is obviously a brilliant actor. He plays the divide between Kevin Flynn the inventor of the game and Clu the evil invention who wants to produce an army and escape in to the real world extremely well. The editing that they have done on him playing Clu, make him seem robot like which I think played on the mannerisms of the character excellently. Garrett Hedlund (Sam Flynn) and Olivia Wilde (Quorra) have a lot of chemistry when acting along side each other, once Sam's in the game. This adds to quality of the film because this adds to emotion of some of the scenes.

It's definitely a fun film to watch and something I would watch again and probably enjoy more by picking up on different qualities of the film. I always find that they are the best forms of film.

Since graduating...

So in nearly two months of graduating I haven't really managed to achieve a lot...

I've read books and watched films. I have in the last week and a half got myself a front of house job to keep myself busy and earning money to save up to learn to drive and to go to Borneo to see the orangutans in their natural habitat. I know I need to do this as soon as I can otherwise there will be none left to see in the wild, which is completely heartbreaking. I'm hoping next year to do some form of charity event that means I can raise money to help save parts of the forest and protect some of the spectualar wildlife that hides inside :)

I have to admit though I am certainly more organised than the university I went to since I'm still waiting on my degree certificate and room depoist. Not very impressed about that. I'm also just waiting on the rugby world cup to kick off so I can watch some matches when I'm not in work. I know chances are Wales will be completely thrashed by South Africa but will definitely be worth a watch!

The one thing I am extremely happy about is getting two photographs that I have been wanting to take for three years. One is of a Dragonfly and the other is of a Robin. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55510045@N07/6042901355/in/photostream 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55510045@N07/5945784481/in/photostream

Yesterday I did have a phone call from a company about doing paid work experience. I have to ring up monday and find out when to go in for an interview. I am so excited! I really want to build up my portfolio by doing different types of work and especially in photography, which is what this work experience is about. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed! 

I will blog about new film soon! Probably Fright Night / The Tree of Life / Super 8... I just need to get my energy levels up so I can watch them without falling asleep...