Puntabulous

Up – Review

upheader
Okay, so you would have gotten the next installment of Super Viagra and Vagina Girl today (I had over 20 of the panels competed!) but Dad got a margarita maker for Father’s Day, and you know how that goes. So instead you have a review of the movie me and Michelle saw this weekend — Up. It was so good! But man, oh man, was it heavy! I was pretty much crying the entire time starting from the amazing and adorable pre-movie short Partly Cloudy, to the end credits. Michelle compared it to The Notebook and I couldn’t agree more!

What are they trying to do to us? More importantly, what are they trying to do this generation of kids! The girl behind us was hysterical crying for about 75% of the movie before her Mom (finally!) took her out of the theater. You know how kids movies have scary moments that last for about 30 seconds before they start throwing pies in faces again? Well these scary moments were lasting for 15 minute stretches! But just because it was sad doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun, silly, and adventurous just like other Pixar movies because it certainly was.

But have I mentioned how sad it was?

I was trying to think of other tragic movie moments in children’s movies (the cliché being Bambi’s mom) and I have to say, I think the most tragic for me was the Swamps of Sadness scene in The Neverending Story. “Come on Artax! Don’t let the swamps get you down boy! Artax! Artaaaax!” Seriously, that was ridiculously sad. Or maybe it was when they killed Optimus Prime. I still haven’t gotten over that one. Now I know it was just to sell more toys, but that doesn’t ease the pain, in fact, it might even make it worse. What’s your saddest children’s movie memory?

Oh, and as a final note, this is the first post written on my shiny new 13″ MacBook Pro. Yup, that’s right, I’m a Mac user now! It’s a good thing I’m so superficial because right now I absolutely love it — solely for the fact that it’s so shiny and pretty — even though I have no idea how to use it. It took me about 20 minutes to make the top header you see there. And why does my delete key think it’s a backspace? This is gonna take some serious getting used to.

MOVIES, REVIEWS | Craig | June 22, 2009 7:43 am

61 Comments

By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 7:53 am

I’m baaa-aack. Did you miss me, Jonah?

I thought Up was amazing. Extremely melancholy, but very very good. I still think it wasn’t as good as Wall-e. Even though I still think he looked like Number 5′s midget brother.

And congrats on being an official Mac guy! Woohoo!! You’ll love it. It does take a bit of getting used to, but it’ll be worth the short learning curve. And you’ll never have to worry about viruses again! I’ve never had virus software on any of my Macs ever and I’ve never had any problems at all. Of course, mine are all pre-Intel, so their a bit less vulnerable than the newer ones, but it’s still a minimal concern.

And you’ll now find those ‘I’m a Mac’ commercials even funnier.
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 8:00 am

Did you see my review of UP?! I was on the verge of tears for most of the film. And the Neverending Story also had me hysterical. The horse in the swamp scene was the first part of a movie to ever make me cry.
By Polt, June 22, 2009 @ 8:21 am

Yeah Bambi’s mom was bad, but Charlotte dying at the end of Charlott’s Web traumatized this 5 year old little Polt. Mom says I cried all the way home, continually asking, “But, but, WHY did she have to DIE?”

Course, I WAS 5 years old and not in my late 20′s…..but still….

HUGS…
By Polt, June 22, 2009 @ 8:22 am

Oh and welcome back, Dave S.! I feared you have taken a tumble off a stage or gotten stuck to a pole or some such horrible, yet funny, similiar incident!

HUGS…
By The Infamous Dr. Para, June 22, 2009 @ 8:26 am

Haven’t seen Up yet, will get around to it eventually, apparently I’m in the paper writing buisness for the next few weeks.

Anyway, what jumped out at me was, Am I the only person who hated The Notebook? I mean I wanted to cry my eyes out, I had the tissues and my typical, “no, I was rubbing my eyes” response ready and it just didn’t do it for me.

On the other hand though, Benjamin Button got me going a few times but that was because it was so thought heavy and well my brain never seems to stop calculating the possibilites … ever.
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 8:29 am

Polt: I was vacationing up in Michigan. A much needed break! Got some chapters of Puntabulous: The Novel written (some interesting developments are coming up, by the way), got some sun, did a whole lot of nothin’.
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 8:32 am

I loved up. The only observation I can add beyond it was sad I’ve already said on Josh’z and Dave’s blogs, but I’ll say it here for the hell of it: I loved that Carl grew stubble and his skin tanned over the course of the movie. It’s the little details that Pixar puts in their movies that do it for me.

I *love* my Macbook Pro, it kicks a55! As I mentioned last week (in the spirit of being repetitive) take some caution with that thing on your lap. It can be a bit of a ball burner. If you want kids someday, then you should get something to put under it when it is on your lap.

Dave S. is right, the learning curve is short, much shorter than if you were going from a Mac to a PC. (though truth be told, I hate the delete/back button thing as well.)
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 8:38 am

john: There’s a difference between “I loved up.” and “I loved Up.”

just sayin’…
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 8:57 am

Dave S.: You are correct, there is a difference.

We missed you Dave.
By JP, June 22, 2009 @ 9:05 am

I haven’t seen Up, but the most traumatizing movie from my childhood was Dumbo.

I remember being horrified when they chained his mother up.
And then! He goes to her in the middle of the night, and that ‘Baby Mine’ song plays. Man, it’s like daggers to my heart.
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 9:14 am

As a kid I remember watching the Peanuts movie “Snoopy Come Home.” I bawled at that one. That’s the first movie that I remember crying at.
By Tam, June 22, 2009 @ 9:51 am

We haven’t seen up. Guess we’ll wait for the video now. Hmmm. Sad movie? Not sure. Perhaps I was a hard-hearted child. And no, I did not see The Notebook, nor do I want to, nor did I read the book. Thanks, but getting all snotty and bawling my eyes out is not something I pay $12 for the pleasure of.

Craig: You can so tell this post is done on a MacBook. Its much wittier and the cool factor has gone through the roof just like the commercials.
By Eternal Lizdom, June 22, 2009 @ 10:08 am

I remember watching Air Bud with my little brother- I was a teenager and he was 4 or 5. When the boy tries to make Bud stay on that island and the boy is crying and saying mean things to the dog… my brother fell apart.

I’ve heard the same about Up from parents and reviewers. I think it’s one that will either be a date night affair or one the adults watch on DVD before sharing with the kiddos. I’ve read a description of the first 10 minutes or so and it does sound pretty heavy. Don’t think it would work for my kids at this point.
By Mel, June 22, 2009 @ 10:09 am

Sad is my stock in trade – just made a sweet little old lady cry, in fact – so I’m thinking I should probably see this. I think Dumbo’s mom rocking him to sleep through her cage bars pretty much tops the list for sad kid movie scenes for me.

I love Macs and have used them for 13 years, but since I’m poor I just went over to Ubuntu, with XP on dual boot for the (thankfully infrequent) times when I have no choice but to use it. And desktop versions do have a separate delete key; they just deleted it (bwaah!) from the laptop keyboard. You get used to it.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 22, 2009 @ 11:04 am

I can’t remember which movies made me cry as a child, but the movie that hit me the hardest as an adult was Eight Below.
By Tam, June 22, 2009 @ 11:07 am

Since I became a parent anything that has kids dying kills me. That scene in Titanic with the Mom and the kids? Holy crap. I hate that movie.
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 11:14 am

Oo oo — totally forgot this one: Sound of Music. Saw it for the first time when I was, like 8 and cried like…well, like an 8-year-old at the end when they were climbing every mountian, fording every stream and following every rainbow.

I sure hope they found their dream.
By M. Nicodemus, June 22, 2009 @ 11:15 am

I think I may have mentioned it before, but this one gets me every time. I never seem to cry when the movie is obviously trying to make you cry, it’s only when they sneak up on you and almost casually throw in a sad moment that gets me. Oh, I made the mistake of going to see Finding Nemo in the theater just a few weeks after my first son was born. After about five minutes I wanted to run home, scoop him up, and never let go again.

I am a PC person, although I have nothing against Macs, I just have never had a compelling reason to switch. Hope you are enjoying your new toy!
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 11:21 am

I cried hardxxxcore during “The Brave Little Toaster”…especially went the lamp died. My parent’s thought I was having a seizure. Then after I watched it, I drew a picture of the lamp that I loved, but ruined it when I started coloring it in and proceeding to cry again for another hour. There is for serial sometingz wrong with me.
By Jere, June 22, 2009 @ 11:41 am

I refuse to provide a list of the movies that made me cry as a kid (or as a teenager, or young adult, or last week) on the basis that it will reveal me to be a big sentimental crybaby and a complete sucker for emotional manipulation by Hollywood types.

I mean… “The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps” … I’m just saying. Big crybaby.
By GoKitty, June 22, 2009 @ 11:43 am

I dont remember Lampy dying? He risked his life by channeling a lightning bolt thru his cord but I dont think he actually died but its been awhile since I’ve seen it. I had forgotten how much I loved that movie.

I don’t know.. I didnt cry at Up and, other than the first 15 minutes, didnt think it was that heavy for kids. I will agree with Poly and Charlotte’s Web still makes me tear up. Just hear Charlotte’s voice getting weaker as she sings her final song. Poor Wilbur!
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 11:44 am

“The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps”- feat. the Billboard Hot 100 #1 single “Doesn’t Really Matter” by Janet Jackson?!???!?!?!
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 11:44 am

that’s what I meant Kitten-Kat…*ALMOST died…
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 11:50 am

josh: I thinks that’s what made Jere cry.
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 11:51 am

Okay, let’s try that again (I’m not doing this on my iPhone, I swear!)…

josh: I think that’s what made Jere cry.

Okay that’s better. Of course, now all humor in that sentence has now completely dissipated…
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 11:54 am

Not much of a crier, “Dumbo” didn’t make me cry (though, I admit it is sad) nor did “Bambi”. I think it is because I am cold and dead on the inside.

josh: I *love* “Doesn’t Really Matter”
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 12:08 pm

and the video?!!…it’s EPIC…

does anyone else smell another Music Video Vault?
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

Josh: I thought I recognized that smell. Excellent description of it as EPIC! The little robot dog is so futuristic and the effects of the tilting floor are AMAZING! Oh and how awesome is the transformation of the shoes as they are walking down the hall?!!

The frightening thing is I haven’t even watched the video from your link yet…..
By Jere, June 22, 2009 @ 12:15 pm

I can neither confirm nor deny that little Penny Woods (a.k.a. Miss Jackson if you’re nasty) had anything to do with my sob-fest.
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 12:18 pm

Jere are you wearing a Robinesque mask in that photo?

Penny Woods! I loved me some Good Times back in the day.
By Nicolle, June 22, 2009 @ 12:45 pm

The first movie I can remember making me cry as a kid was “Dot and the Kangeroo”. The Kangeroo didn’t die or anything, just hopped away, but I cried and cried.

I agree with Tam that, as a parent, scenes putting kids in jeopardy really bother me now–much more than before kids. As silly as it sounds it even bothered me watching the remake of the Omen when the father was going to kill Damien. I mean, so he was the devil and all, but he was just a kid!
By Jere, June 22, 2009 @ 12:58 pm

I am not wearing a Robin-esque mask. I’m wearing black stage make-up in the shape of a Robin-esque mask. Just because.
By Xi_Heather, June 22, 2009 @ 1:23 pm

I really liked Up — what I liked was that even though it was sad, it wasn’t really: it was clear that the guy had enjoyed his life even though it hadn’t turned out as he expected.

Sad movies…Bambi of course, and there must have been some other kid ones but the main one that comes to mind is West Side Story [which I first saw when I was 7 or 8, though I had to go to bed before the end and didn't learn how it ended until the summer I turned 11, when I watched the whole thing.]
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 1:24 pm

Jere: Works for me. I have to say, you are very photogenic, I have yet to see an icon of yours that doesn’t look like a good pic.

Josh: I just watched “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet featuring a young Jennifer Lopez. I’ll be singing “Taco Flavored Kisses” the rest of the afternoon.
By Scott, June 22, 2009 @ 1:33 pm

Loved Up. It may be my favortist Pixar film in the history of ever.
By FDot, June 22, 2009 @ 2:20 pm

Well, it’s nice to see that Up is getting good buzz here. I was hoping to see it this week, though Pixar has yet to truly disappoint me (Monsters Inc. aside).

I do remember crying at ‘The Fox and the Hound’, and possibly when Clark Kent said goodbye to his mother in the field.

As for Janet Jackson, well…she’s always be Charlene DuPrey for me….not really a fan of the music.
By Craig, June 22, 2009 @ 2:22 pm

FDot: You didn’t like Monsters, Inc?!?! That was my favorite before The Incredibles came out!
By FDot, June 22, 2009 @ 2:56 pm

Yes, Monsters Inc. is my least favorite Pixar film. I just found it to be the most kiddieish of their films. There were some good moments, but overall it skewed so young, it left me a bit bored.
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 2:58 pm

Craig: Me too! I loved Monsters Inc. and The Incredibles is my favorite. Now Cars, that’s a terrible Pixar movie.
By Craig, June 22, 2009 @ 3:07 pm

I agree, I wasn’t crazy about Cars. I think Wall-E is my current favorite though.
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 3:09 pm

Really? I liked Wall-E, but it wasn’t my favorite. I enjoyed Up more than Wall-E.
By Dave S., June 22, 2009 @ 3:17 pm

I liked Cars, but I didn’t love it. It’s definitely the worst Pixar film, but even that status puts it above most animated films. The Incredibles and Wall-E are easily my top two.

And I heard a rumor that they’re working on a Toy Story 3. Anyone know if that’s true?
By M. Nicodemus, June 22, 2009 @ 3:23 pm

Dave S: Yes, they are working on Toy Story 3, I saw a teaser trailer for it a while ago. Oh, and BTW, your blog doesn’n like me today; I have tried to post a comment seven times with no success!

My current Pixar favorite is Wall-E, I can’t wait to see Up! I also really enjoy the shorts they do. I picked up a DVD of just Pixar shorts for the wife last Christmas and we watched it like five bajillion times.
By M. Nicodemus, June 22, 2009 @ 3:26 pm

Here is the link for the trailer. I can’t see it at work, so I hope this is the right one.
By john, June 22, 2009 @ 3:43 pm

M. Nico: I got notification of your comment on Spike 300 earlier today.

I also saw the Toy Story 3 trailer when I went to the movies recently.
By Enrico, June 22, 2009 @ 4:46 pm

As I’ve said everywhere else, the dogs ruined Up for me. It was a dumb idea (the collars I mean – this hombre invented THIS in the middle of nowhere?! Dogs don’t even have enough brainpower to think/speak in fluent English!) And yes, I know it’s an animated movie so you have suspension of disbelief, but that’s only to a point. Anyway, I also thought Dug had terrible lines. Before the dogs came in, I loved the movie. After, eh. It’s ok.

Craig, have you seen the Buffy meets Edward Cullen video yet?
By josh, June 22, 2009 @ 4:52 pm

taco flavored kissez for my Ben! <3
By M. Nicodemus, June 22, 2009 @ 5:14 pm

John: it let me comment on the Comic, but not Pride the blog post.

Enrico: Yay Buffy!
By M. Nicodemus, June 22, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

er, that is “the Pride blog post”
By Enrico, June 22, 2009 @ 5:37 pm

Oh, and as for crying, some kid shouted “But I don’t want the bird to die!” when it was being put on the old dude’s ship. It was cute.

If a movie makes me cry, I love it 10 times more!

The first movie I remember crying to was “Imitation of Life.” As a curious child, I just put in the tape one day and was traumatized afterwards. So sad.

I haven’t cried at a recent movie…. I think the last movie that made me cry was “Away From Her” starring the amazing Julie Christie. And I cried a few times throughout the film.
By Bill, June 22, 2009 @ 6:21 pm

Enrico! My mother loved “Imitation of Life” and we watched it together all the time! The end always got to me, the daughter running up to the horse drawn casket and crying “I’m sorry, Mama! I’m Sorry!”. Always made me choke up and and the tears would start. Great film…SAD, but well done.
By Michelle M., June 22, 2009 @ 6:26 pm

Haven’t seen Up.
Old Yeller was a sad kid’s movie. I remember tearing up at some of the Little House on the Prairie episodes. Irons freak me out thanks to that Good TImes Penny episode.
Movies that made me cry… Somewhere In Time and Terms of Endearment.
By Chris D., June 22, 2009 @ 7:47 pm

I have not seen Up. I will have to check it out some time. I like it when a movie moves me, whether it makes me sad or happy. A great movie can make me both happy and sad. I have not seen a really great movie in a long time.

Charlotte’s Web made me cry when I was a kid. I am pretty sure that The Last Unicorn may have made me shed a tear. An animated version of Oscar Wilde’s short story The Happy Prince also made me cry, and moved me deeply. The end of Total Eclipse got me choked up as well. The “Tear drops in the rain” scene in Blade Runner also moved me (of course Craig likes to make fun of it ).
By Michelle M., June 22, 2009 @ 9:26 pm

Chis – this version of Wilde’s The Selfish Giant is one of my favorite animated movies – and is also sad:
http://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Wildes-Selfish-Giant-VHS/dp/6301405153
By Polt, June 22, 2009 @ 10:01 pm

Chris D.: Just went and watched the link you provided, and somebody left a comment about Craiggers as follows:

“i think i’ve seen him in West Hollywood wearing a thong and? a boa….. LOL”

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh i just wish they had gotten pictures!!!

HUGS…
By Craig, June 22, 2009 @ 10:04 pm

I’ve been considering taking down the Blade Runner video. The overwhelmingly negative comments really bother me.
By Polt, June 22, 2009 @ 10:08 pm

Well, Craiggers, as some people there have said, making fun of that scene is almost blasphemous to some people. I say, Eh, whatever. You didn’t put it up there to get comments, right? It’s you, baby! Leave it up. Who cares what the world thinks, eh? “sticks and stones may break your bones, but names can never hurt you”!

HUGS…
By Howard, June 23, 2009 @ 11:24 am

I didn’t get to see the show because some of the 3-D showings didn’t have it. Boo! Otherwise, this one was up there for me with Incredibles, Ratatouille, Wall-E and Toy Story 2.
By tinfoilsoldier, June 23, 2009 @ 3:47 pm

Did you see that Pixar sent someone with a DVD of UP to the home of a dying little girl whose last wish was to see the movie? She died 7 hours after the movie.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pixar-up-movie-2468059-home-show
By Jonah, June 23, 2009 @ 9:19 pm

Craig, saw UP as well, loved it but you are right, sad sad sad during parts of it.
Dave S: I stayed away from commenting while you were gone just because the silence was so nice….You make going back to Heroin not such a bad option…
By Jennifer Lopez Wallpaper, August 15, 2009 @ 6:41 am

I love Jennifer Lopez. Badly she is not my Girlfriend .