Disney & Pixar's "Up"

Up

"Thanks for the adventure. Now go have one of your own."

Ah, finally, I think I'll be able to begin my review of Up! After seeing it more times than I could ever count, hah, I'm feelin' like I know my way around.

So, Up is a tale about an elderly man, Carl Fredricksen, who after spending a lifetime with his dream girl, Ellie, decides to fulfill her dream of living by Paradise Falls in South America. However, not all goes as planned. Along the way, he gets stuck with an overly eager Wilderness Explorer, Russell, who is so completely intent on getting his "Assisting the Elderly" badge that he follows Mr. Fredricksen into South America to "assist" him all the way. Russell then meets Kevin, the elusive bird of Paradise Falls, and Dug, a talking dog. Together, Mr. Fredricksen and Russell set off to put the house by Paradise Falls and end up on an adventure to rescue Kevin from the crazy explorer Charles Muntz, with a bit of help from the ever faithful, Dug.

I found UP to be a very powerful tale of love, loss, and companionship in the most unexpected people and places. Who knew that one cranky old man, heartbroken and on an adventure to fulfill his wife's dream, would find friends in a young boy, a "talking" dog, and an odd bird from South America? And of course, said cranky old man, had a complete change of heart. From being tired with the world, to content with the new family he made. Typical Disney. Ah, the world will never cease to be amazed.

The music was, as expected, fantastic. It was so versatile. The main theme could go from a slow, peaceful pace to an adventurous sounding melody. It even helped move the movie along at points with no words (ahem, the beginning) and it was a wonderful way to transition from scene to scene. I love, in particular, when Carl gives Russell the "Ellie Badge." In that moment the music just means a lot to the movie and you can see an entire transition from the hard, callused Carl to a man who has a heart for another family and a new adventure.

It is safe to say that Up was one in a million. Great job to the crew at Pixar. Such an original plot, a brand new story, and a great group of fresh characters that everyone could fall in love with. Up is wonderful for any age, young and old, because it can capture all spectrums of interest and everyone's sprit of adventure.

-Marisa

Up Review Coming Soon .... Hopefully

College eats my life... Sorry.

Hopefully I'll have that Up review sometime soon. =]

-Marisa

Sherlock Holmes (mini review & spoiliers)

Now, don't mind me, I'm just doing this on what I remember of the movie. Forgive me because I saw it a couple days ago and only once. (I might do an indepth review of "UP" after I watch it one more time.)

However, let's get on with this review, shall we?

Sherlock Holmes - just hearing the name should make you think of words like, "mystery" or "detective" or a saying such as, "Elementary, my dear Watson!" (Which, I've heard, he never really said in the books.) Even so, this movie was no doubt about a detective solving a mystery. The mystery of Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). Blackwood claiming to have these dark magic powers, began scaring the people of England and planned to have many of the people in power killed. He would have succeeded if not for the cunning and intellectual Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) to save the day. Of course, he had plenty of assistance from his loyal comrades Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) and Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

This movie strikingly reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. However, I shouldn't say it was even 30% like it because only Holmes reminded me of Jack Sparrow. His witty comments, his daring, yet smart maneuvers, and his odd ways of reacting to any situation, and the absolutely dumb luck he seemed to be graced with. Where any person in reality would freak out, Holmes and Jack are calm and collected. Sure, they're both probably freaking out on the inside, but we're concerned about how the other character is reacting to their calm and collected attitudes. We all wish we had the guts to do that. The dialogue also reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean but that's most likely because they're both along the same time era. Only one is in England and the other.... the Caribbean. Still, it's a similarity.

I also remember that the filming and lighting reminded me of the last two Lord of the Rings movies. This movie gave off a dark & serious atmosphere that really took the watcher into the moods of the citizens of England during the scare of Blackwood. As does the Lord of the Rings during the scare of Sauron. As a viewer, you can really get the sense of darkness being put on by these evil characters. (Even though Sauron's powers are "real" and Blackwood is a complete fraud.)

Now, I absolutely loved the main song playing through this movie. The banjo (I think it's a banjo), sound gave the movie a sound of its time setting. I would not think of a new movie if I heard just that solo banjo playing. However, when the more intense instruments make their appearance, well, any listener can conclude that the movie is also intense. Even so, the main, distinctive piece of this song further develops Holmes quirky side. The notes seem to portray how thoughts just go through his head... With no particular meaning but yet, somehow, end up making sense in the end. Oh, and the composer, Hans Zimmer, delivers a great melody once again. You can't be disappointed by this guy.

Anyway, I guess this is all I gathered in one viewing of a movie. Hah, maybe once I get it on DVD or someone treats me to another movie, I'll develop this more.. I know I want to say something about how each character in the movie had their own agenda and when one thing was happening with someone, another person was off on their own adventure. It made the film more interesting and kept the viewer thinking... Ehh, I need to see it again.

Hope you enjoyed!

-Marisa

My First Quarter of College

“And I'll forget the world that I knew but I swear I won't forget you. Oh, if my voice could reach back through the past, I’d whisper in your ear, ‘Oh darling, I wish you were here.’”

I never thought I’d end up where I am right now. This whole experience… the friends I’ve made, the friends I’ve lost, the fun, the memories, the tears, the hardships…. My first quarter of college was a crazy roller coaster ride.

It started with my move to Cincinnati, Ohio. The University of Cincinnati.. I thought I’d be alone, no friends, they were all somewhere else.. But I made them. I made really great friends. Better than I’d ever thought I could have.

Classes were classes. A lot more challenging than I expected, but a great encounter. Yes, an Encounter. Like an alien. I couldn’t have imagined something like the way college classes are if I had tried my hardest. I walked straight into E.T. in the cornfield….

This whole new experience was…. Crazy. I grew up.. in a good way, though. It was great. I found a whole new world.. one that I never knew was there and one that I’m so glad I experienced. I know that campus like the back of my hand and I was only there for 10 weeks. I wonder if I’ll discover anything else as I keep going back and running around and having more adventures?

I’m very thankful for this adventure I had. I remember move-in day… I did NOT want to go and I was scared out of my mind.. but wow, I’m so glad it happened. I made the best of friends, seriously. I couldn’t have asked for any better, more reliable, more loving people in my life. The memories we shared, the things we went through… Wow, there’s gotta be more. I’m completely addicted to it.

“Love Will Make You Beautiful”

“In My Life.. I Loved Them All”

& that’s how I feel about it. I’ve found love in people I never thought I could.

However, it has been hard because I had to leave my beautiful boyfriend in my town and …. It sucked. I didn’t want to and if I could I would have brought him here with me. We’ve made it though. Every time I go home I’m happy with him. Our feelings are still as strong as ever and I couldn’t imagine this working better than it is.

My first quarter of college… crazy roller coaster ride.. adventurous.. fun.

Thanks to all the people who made it into my life. You’ve made a bigger difference than I ever could have imagined and I’m overjoyed that anything like this experience happened to me. I can’t wait to go back and have my second quarter be twice as amazing…

Where The Wild Things Are - Movie and Soundtrack Review

Where The Wild Things Are

there's one in all of us

Where The Wild Things Are - a beloved children's book by Maurice Sendak, that I have adored for years, is finally a big motion picture with its own soundtrack. Directed by Spike Jonze, a writer, director, and producer, probably most famous for writing the Jackass series and movie along with directing many music videos for famous musicians and bands, brings Max's mind to the big screen. The movie gives a full-length look into the imagination of one lonely and mischievous child.

Our main character, Max, takes a boat ride to the land of the wild things and is made their king. While watching the movie, there are connections between his loneliness at home and the gradual way he accidentally pushes himself to that loneliness again once in his new kingdom. He was a trouble-maker and often found himself "in the way" of everyone's general affairs throughout the movie. When he first arrives and begins his friendship with the wild things, Max starts out excited with his new friends, but the more and more mischief he makes, the angrier the monsters become and the more he realizes that his real family will always accept him. He becomes homesick and sails away (at the apparent dismay of the wild things) and finds a hot supper and his loving mom waiting for him (no frozen corn, either).

A child's imagination is an obscure thing for anyone to understand completely. Within Max's mind are these wild things and you can see him try to protect the things he loves with the fort he built and keep out those he does not want. However, when Carol (the main character wild thing and Max's best friend during his reign) sees K.W. (another wild thing) bringing her new friends into the fort, Carol becomes outraged at Max. Max tries to explain to Carol that they should accept the new friends even if they do not know them that well. This incident relates back to when Max's sister, Claire, brings her friends over and they destroy Max's igloo. Claire does not say anything to her friends and just leaves Max angry and crying. Max treated K.W.'s new friends with respect, allowing them to come in to the fort, even at the dismay of Carol. It seems he just didn't want to anger K.W. and her new friends the way Claire's friends angered him.

The soundtrack is a CD of 14 songs with an indie rock style of music. Karen O and the Kids bring us a very fun and yet touching album throughout the movie. The sounds are inventive. Lots of acoustic guitar and piano that create a unique melody and some of the songs begin with sound clips from the movie, giving a premise to each. There's quiet humming in a variety of the songs making an impression of a child making it up in his head as he plays with toys or falls asleep.

The songs are peaceful. One especially that caught my eye was "Hideaway." The slow strum of the guitar, simple words, are ear-catching and soothing to listen to. The same feeling comes with, "Food is Still Hot." I can't help but to close my eyes and think of a more peaceful, simplistic time of being a child. "All Is Love" is completely fun and the lyrics are catchy. I believe I've listened to this song about 55 times... Maybe - most likely - more. I tap my foot to "Sailing Home" and I keep imagining Max's trip over the water and running home to his mom and a hot meal (again, no frozen corn). The soundtrack presents a variety of music beats and speeds and plenty of lyrics to learn. I was overall super satisfied with the album. 9 of 10.

Where The Wild Things Are: a beautiful, and yet almost dark insight into a young, isolated child's mind. The audience will take away something of an appreciation for childhood, home, and the happiness of being accepted in life. Spike Jonze did a magical job presenting Max's mind to the world and taking the 10 page children's book and making it a full-length film. I was mesmerized the whole time. *thumbs up* Mr. Jonze. What an imaginative and superb movie. Where the Wild Things Are = genius.

FYI

Okay, kids, listen up.

I know I haven't been here in almost a month but suck it up.

I'm changing this into a normal blog thing. I'll post whatever I goddamn feel like, m'kay? I just can't really keep up with everything. I'm a very busy person. I'm in college so there's work, I've got my friends who I can't just ignore, a bedtime and I'm learning the acoustic guitar.

Busy? Yes. Very.

Thanks for listening.

& I believe I will have a new review up here soon.

Where The Wild Things Are. Yeaah. ;D

-Marisa

UltraChorus - "Ultra-Def"

UltraChorus and Their Debut Album “Ultra-Def”

by: Marisa Whitaker

Chris Heidman and Jeff Lorentzen, the duo of UltraChorus, present us with their new album Ultra-Def. Chris produces the electro-pop rudiments and Jeff taps in with his R&B and Hip-Hop beats. This makes for an overall unique sound. It’s fresh and fun and UltraChorus knows how to deliver a great, foot-tappin’, head-bobbin’ album.

The pair began their music when they met at a recording studio they worked for and in their spare time they were able to write and play a few tracks together. One of the songs, “Margins” was actually an old creation of Chris’ that he dug up one day. He was never sure about how the song was going to turn out but Jeff took it up and after a couple tries showed it to Chris and thus, the song found a place onto Ultra-Def. “Words Kept Talking” actually started their quest to complete a full-length album along with their other favorites, “Taskforce” and “Happy and Sad.” Chris comments that the song, “Happy and Sad” is “real visual, the keyboards sound is so crazy and light and extreme all at the same time.” Which really is one of the dominating characteristics of all the UltraChorus music.

Going deeper into their musical style we find quite a wide variety of inspirations from other bands. Chris grew up loving the Velvet Underground and Pavement while Jeff had his R&B groups. Chris told me, “Maybe Hot Chip in the electro-indie sense, Phoenix in the pop factor, and a touch of Akon on the Production. It's all over the map!”

I feel like this mash of the genres can mostly be captured in the song, “Scarlet Eyes.” If you listen to this song you can hear a steady bomp, bomp, bomp, distinctive to hip-hop music and in one part of the song, there’s almost a rapping of words, where Jeff doesn’t exactly sing the words, it’s just said. However, throughout the whole song there’s that odd “monome” instrument Chris plays. He told me, “it's basically the nerdiest thing you have ever seen! It’s a lot of lights and rubber buttons and it's awesome.” If it makes those crazy cool electronic sounds, Chris, we’ll love you and your nerdy-ness.

“I love Hi Def Tv,” Chris begins, but Jeff explains “… I thought it was pretty appropriate... not only do we make ‘UltraChorus’,’ but we present in ‘Ultra-Def’." But apparently he (Chris) likes Hi-Def TV,” when I asked them the reason behind the title of the album and it truly is presented in “Ultra-Def.” People of all genre tastes can really relate to this compilation of kick-ass songs. I think UltraChorus is going to go far. With their fusion of indie, electronic and R&B, anyone can get into this music and everyone will!

I’m going to give Ultra-Chorus a 8.5 out of 10. Not because they didn’t to an A+ job, but only because I’d love to see more and until I do, I can’t necessarily rate any higher. More albums and more awesome-ness, please, Chris & Jeff!