Brave Heart

I met up with my usual gang of suspects at the El Capitan Theatre for the opening night of "Brave".  I was exhausted from a very full week of work, but knew that once the show started, I'd feel a lot better.  First, we were treated to a Broadway-type show with music and dancing and some old Broadway standards.  The climax of the show was when Merida from "Brave" took the stage, along with Goofy, wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes, and Mickey and Minnie, both dressed in tartan outfits.  I absolutely loved Goofy's outfit!


The animated short that played before the movie was Pixar's "La Luna", and it was quite beautiful.  I loved how the character's mustaches matched their tool of choice.  I don't think that I'll ever look at the moon now and in the future in the same way as I did before.


Then came time for the feature film, Pixar's first attempt at a movie with a female character in the leading role.

• Gorgeous scenery!  Even after seeing "Finding Nemo" so many times, I am still in awe of the way that Pixar simulates water.
• I'm also amazed at the way Merida's hair is all over the place, looking realistic in every shot.
• Butts are funny, especially to kids, whether they're shown on the screen or not.
• Those triplets were cute, especially after they ate the cake.
• Will-o'-the-Wisps are neato.  I would like to see one.  But I would not follow a trail of them without having my cell phone handy.
• I did not see the Pizza Planet truck, but Mox saw it on the table with other wood carvings.
• The personalities of the guys from the different clans made me laugh.  I also laughed at the girls that were swooning over the Young Macintosh.  It reminded me of the girls that swooned over Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast".
• We continue this year's theme of Archery with Merida, whom does the best job out of everyone I've seen this year.  She splits another arrow, for goodness' sake!
• I loved how Mama Bear was all dainty, trying to eat her berries with sticks shaped as a knife and fork.
• So what happened to Queen Elinor's crown?  She didn't ever wear it after she left it beside the river.
• I was hearing "Brother Bear" music in my head when they were trying to catch fish.
• I bawled.  Tears were streaming down my cheeks.  Pixar's done it again.
• Then they showed that the film was dedicated to Steve Jobs, and the tears came back.  So fitting for a film wherein there is a clan by the name of Macintosh.
• The score was beautiful, by Patrick Doyle. I bought the CD at the Disney Soda Fountain after the movie.

So, yes, I loved it.  And I want to hug my mom as soon as I see her, because I'm a rebellious daughter, too.  

DLR LotD 06/15/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day


Friday, June 15, 2012


"Was there this much wine in the original theatre?" -- Sherry, to Steve, at Carthay Circle Restaurant

DLR LotD 06/08/12

Disneyland Resort
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Friday, June 8, 2012


"It was the decision of the corporate chef." -- more than one employee, regarding more than one question, at Catal

The Queen We Deserve

Last weekend, I carved some time out of my crazy schedule to see "Snow White and the Huntsman", because I had been eager to see it since I saw the first movie trailer for it.

• Ravenna's outfits were too awesome for words.  There she goes again, that awesome costume designer Colleen Atwood.  She needs an Oscar nod for these clothes.
• Oh, it's a Phantom army.  I was not understanding that in the trailers.  But whatever they were supposed to be, the special effects looked awesome.
• Bella and Thor get along better than Bella and William (yes, I know she's Snow, but I've also seen the "Twilight" films, and she's been that more often than Snow White.  Besides, Snow is Ginnifer Goodwin).  ANYWAY, the "true love's kiss" thing worked better here, because, really, from the Disney film, how can they already be in love for real?  They had only seen each other once before.
• Seriously, at one point, I whispered to myself, "Give him his hammer!"
• I didn't know that Ian McShane could act so well that I thought he was an actual dwarf.
• That stag was incredible-looking.  Of course, at first, I thought it was Bambi. Then I thought that it was Harry Potter's patronus.  Then I thought, "That's ridiculous, Sherry.  It has way too many prongs on its antlers."
• I liked all of those fairy sounds.
• Whoa.  Trolls are huge.
• Finn looked to me like Andy Samberg playing Andy Warhol.  
• More bows and arrows!  And we still haven't met Merida yet!
• Oh, THAT'S where I've seen William before!  PotC: On Stranger Tides.
• How does anyone see their reflection in that mirror?

I really enjoyed the movie.  I like dark stuff, remember?  I also really enjoyed the special effects.  But most of all, I now have even more reason to be jealous of Charlize Theron:  she got to wear those outstanding costumes.

DLR LotD 06/06/12

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012


"Be nice to the peasants!" -- Sherry, to Cindy at the re-opened Uva Bar at Catal