Rave #1 - Up

I had the great fortune of attending a Friends and Family screen of Pixar’s new film Up yesterday and I don’t think I can tell you just how much I love this movie. Trust me, it’s a lot.

Pixar really manages to outdo themselves with every movie (with the exception of Cars). Each movie focuses on different life themes…and I give them props for really considering what themes will reach across audiences of all ages. What I really love about Pixar lately, they don’t shy away mixing the humor and heartwarming goodness they’re known for with a dose of tragedy – because that’s what life is, fantastical elements aside.

So, if you’re going to go watch Up, BRING TISSUES and don’t wear eye makeup. I kid you not. If you thought the opening to Finding Nemo was one of the toughest to see, the first 10 minutes of Up pack just as much punch.

Up is going to pull the heartstrings (just tug a little harder, Pixar, really I can take it…not) of everyone with aging parents or relatives, not to mention those worries about yourself or loved ones getting to their golden years and being alone. Just imagining my future life partner passing away before me…cue bawling now.

But what made me cry EVEN HARDER was the main character Carl finally fulfilling his lifelong dream. Of course he learns life lessons along the way, like the meaning of having a dream to fulfill, and finds he has more to live for and all that good stuff. This is the sort of thing that makes you want to 1) call all your parents/grandparents to tell them you love them, and 2) run home and start pursuing that dream you had but thought you had to give up. BECAUSE IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.

Go chubby Asian kid! I hope my child will one day have the can-do attitude that you do.

I won’t say much more about the plot because I don’t want to give any spoilers – except, when you all see this movie and get to the part with the planes in the hangers, you just KNOW what is going to come next in a Wallace and Gromit homage. And combining that with a Star Wars joke…this fangirl admits her toes curled in joy.

Good job, Pixar! I salute you.

Character #2- The Salad Lady

Who would pass up a cheap lunch option? Not the Salad Lady!

Every once in awhile I make a nod to being healthy by having a salad for lunch – and ever time, I see the Salad Lady. The great thing about this salad bar, you only pay according to box size instead of by weight. As everyone who has ever been a college student/Asian/have a fast metabolism, this is the equivalent of vegetarian food heaven – eat all you can smash in a box for low price of $4.75.

The Salad Lady has perfected filling her bowl to an art form. Every day, her salad overflows her small size bowl like a volcano. Cheap leafy greens? Not for this Madam of Vegetables. Her skills are so advanced, she has negated the usefulness of the box lid. This is the kind of salad that you can’t help but stare at – and it will stare back at you. I would estimate that her salad rises above the edge of the bowl by at least 3 inches every time. When she gets soup at the adjoining bar, you better believe that she’s ladled out all the good stuff that sank to the bottom of the broth and her (small) bowl is filled to the brim.

Now, I understand the joys of being cheap (see above – re: college student, etc.). But I’m starting to wonder if the Salad Lady is a recovering kleptomaniac distracting herself with harmless salad. Sure, cheating the system is fun the first few times, but it gets little ridiculous on a when it happens every day. Also, it is obvious to everyone that 1) the Salad Lady is not a poor college student and 2) she is not eating salad for the health benefits of tons of cheese, eggs, and sunflower seeds. If you have a problem Ma’am, please – there have got to be support groups out there.