Inside Out (2015)

Directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen
Written by Pete Docter, Ronaldo Del Carmen, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley
Starring Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling and Richard Kind

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Welp… Pixar has done it again! After being forced to make several sequels with entertaining, but less emotional stories with important life lessons, they created a film that is as beautiful as it is funny.

Perfectly casted and brilliantly performed, the five emotions of the protagonists mind blend so well together, you almost forget that they represent polar opposite feelings.

The animator/performers perfectly captured the mannerisms of Lewis Black and the exaggerated mannerisms of Phyllis Smith to the point that it was easy to forget that these were artistic computer renderings. In a world where cheap, quick and cartoony computer generated images are the norm, "Inside Out" felt so real.

There is so much I would like to say about this film, but that would involve spoilers. But one thing is absolutely certain and that is the fact that Pixar is finally back to creating original, heart warming, heart breaking, fun, emotional roller coaster movies. And that brings me nothing but excitement.

My Rating: 9/10

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Directed by David Wain
Written by Michael Showalter and David Wain
Starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter and Marguerite Moreau

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, a group of counselors try to complete their unfinished business before the day ends.

The comedic genius of David Wain and Michael Showalter is often lost on people. Their over the top jokes and gags could easily be perceived as forced. And that's because they are. But that's what makes them brilliant. They force their comedy. They don't try to hide the fact that they are attempting to make you laugh. They just go all in and do the most absurd thing they can think of.

I will admit, their comedy is not for everyone. But if you can come to understand it, you will love "Wet Hot American Summer". It is an in-your-face parody of such teenage based comedies as "Dazed and Confused", in which over sexed teenagers try to have sex. And being camp councilors, this sometimes leads them to neglecting the kids they've been put in charge of.

This movie is goofy and ridiculous. If you expect anything else, you will be disappointed. It is not a movie for the serious. I really can't say anything else. This type of comedy takes some serious guts and everyone involved just killed it.

My Rating: 7/10

They Came Together (2014)

Directed by David Wain
Written by Michael Showalter and David Wain
Starring Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Cobie Smulders, Bill Hader and Ellie Kemper

When a couple on a double date tells their friends the story of how they met, they realize the whole thing sounds like a corny romantic comedy movie… 'cause it is.

I don't understand how anyone could dislike this movie. Everywhere I look, I see poor ratings for it. It's as if people think making fun of cliched romantic comedies is a bad thing! This takes everything you hate about date movies, amplifies them and forces you to love them through laughter.

Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler nail the overplayed protagonist couple that need to overcome their difference to come together (OH SHIT! That's the name of the movie!). This is the kind of satirical comedy that has been missing from the Wayans' parody movies since "Scary Movie 2". And it is beautiful.

There were times during this movie that I laughed so hard, I was afraid I would wake up my neighbors. It is a clever movie with brilliant performances from actors who knew exactly what director David Wain was trying to accomplish. Everyone was one the same page throughout this movie. Even the brilliant cameo appearances were on point.

My Rating: 7/10