In 1995 I remember being amazed seeing the first CGI feature Toy Story. The folks at pixar created an amazing speculate that was greatly complimented by a sense of adventure. Over the years the stories presented by Pixar continually amazed me as well as highly entertained me. Sure there was the occasional weak link such as Cars 2. Even 007 (my favorite by the way) made weak links such as License to Kill. That’s only human though. Despite these weak links I still have enjoyed ALL of what I have seen from Pixar and the movie I saw last night was no exception. In fact it is a full 180 from me not enjoying it.
Brave is the latest Pixar movie to put that sparkle on wonder in my movie watching eye. It’s a message movie, like the other pixar movies, and it makes it point eloquently, passionately, and was entertaining along the way. The story itself is set in sword and scandals time for which I am always a sucker. I was drawn into the adventure with much ease and passed the hour and a half quickly. When a movie, no matter how short or long, has the ability to make you forget about the running time that, to me, is a true sign of a great movie.
I sat in awe for the entire 93 minute running time of the visuals. The animation in this movie is the best I’ve ever seen. Yes it’s computer generated but the animation has evolved nicely since Toy Story in 1995. After sixteen years I would hope and expect that it would.
Brave, much like Toy Story 3, Up, and other titles is poised for box office and awards success. Like the before mentioned titles Brave should be nominated for the coveted best picture academy award as well as many others (screenwriting, animated feature, music for example).
Now that I am more then pleased with myself for seeing Brave I look forward with much anticipation to next summer’s Pixar release of Monsters University. This will be a prequel to my favorite of the Pixar canon Monsters INC.
Last week, as the clock struck midnight, a fairy tale glowed on the screen. No it was not the cinderella kind but rather the vampire kind. The movie was the midnight release of Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. Before you ask, yes we dressed up. It made the night all that much more special. 
The routine is now down packed. I cook, we eat, a movie plays underneath the chitter chatter of those in attendance. Around 10:30 we head to the theater and at midnight the movie rushes the screen. A few hours after we all part ways, a bit tired, but all seem pleased with an evening well spent. This model has been tweaked and appears, at the moment, to be working for the midnight movies.