Parenthood

Finding NemoYear: 2003Rating: GLength: 100 minutes / 1.67 hours It’s funny how your perspective on movies changes as you shift into new life stages. Growing up, Finding Nemo (2003) was entertaining because of the adventure Marlin (Albert Brooks) went on to save his son. Decades later, I can resonate with Marlin’s desire to save his child because I now have children of my own. Of course, this still doesn’t change the core lesson that Marlin learns, which is to not be quite the helicopter parent and let Nemo (Alexander Gould) explore the world on his own. As with most Pixar films from their early era, Finding Nemo looks great. It has a fine balance between being “cartoonish” and the realism that computers could produce. Taking a break from Randy Newman soundtracks did this movie a great service, as his cousin Thomas Newman’s score fits so well with the otherworldly ocean atmosphere. The variety of characters and voice actors fit their roles in...

The Wild RobotYear: 2024Rating: PGLength: 102 minutes / 1.70 hours Having grown up with both Pixar and DreamWorks movies, the level of quality has usually been on the side of Pixar. Whether in their visuals or their storytelling, Pixar had a special magic that seemed to outdo whatever DreamWorks was putting out. In recent years, this has flipped. There's been less heart in Pixar films, but DreamWorks has knocked it out of the park with original and heartfelt ideas. That DreamWorks has also leaned into their more "stylized" animation styles has made it stand above and apart. The Wild Robot (2024) is probably the best recent example of how DreamWorks has created a timeless story that resonates on several levels. The juxtaposition of natural and mechanical is front and center, but deeper down the themes delve into parenthood and the ability for machines to feel human emotions. As a parent, this movie hit hard with its ability to show how nurturing also...

Tag: Parenthood

MOVIE: Finding Nemo (2003)

MOVIE: The Wild Robot (2024)