Because the Composer Tells me to.

Finally saw Toy Story 3. I know, I know. I'm way behind. And I had the exact same response as virtually everyone else: tears welling up in my eyes at the end as it was clear that we were saying good-bye to some of the most beloved characters of a generation.



While I love that the 3-D didn't do any of the expected tricks; it was just there as a subtle tool to more completely pull us into the story. The effects were especially effective during the junk yard scenes, helping to slowly build tension as the conveyor belt climbed higher and higher to the burning light of doom.

But what I think may go unnoticed by many is the brilliant score by Randy Newman which quietly dictated the emotional tone of each scene. The resolution and dignity of the toys reaching for each other's hands as they head towards their fate is perfectly captures. Throughout the movie, Newman re-introduces themes of relationships and responsibility with As Long as She Needs Me from Toy Story 2. The final scenes so effectively pull on the heart-strings. How could there have been a dry eye in the house? And I tend to view Newman's work through Family Guy's eyes.

But then again, I cry whenever a composer uses a minor key in a Kodak commercial, too.

Get Low Trailer (HD)

Normally not my type of movie, but the combination of Duvall, Murray, and Spacek just screams "Quality". Like the wealthy-of-Newport-of-old quality.

Lately I've been fascinated by stories of how people came to be where they are. I think that there are so many stories in all of our lives that if were put down, pen to paper, would seem more fantastic than any movie could ever present.



File this under: "Please, God, don't let this suck."

Why Isn't Billy Getting Votes?

So why isn't one of the clearly most talented dancers on So You Think You Can Dance not getting the votes? Gee, that's a tough one. Gosh, that's hard.

Actually, it's pretty clear.

Dancer Billy Bell has been put in the unfortunate position of being a brilliant technical dancer who doesn't wreak of masculinity, and he's in a popular-driven dance contest.  And this week he was cast in not one, but TWO roles that were clearly choreographed and costumed for a female dancer. And he danced them brilliantly. That's not the problem.

Without the guidance and the expert opinions of the judges, clearly addressing that Billy's professionalism in willing to dance in roles that are obvious suicide-moves in producer Nigel Lythgoe's world where only "man who dance like men" are accepted and praised. I would love it judge Adam Shankman would address the gender stereotypes in dance that Billy is helping to break-down. But maybe he's too gay, too. Oh, wait. Did I just say that? Y'up. Homophobia is really breaking down this show down and actually re-enforcing stereotypes about dancers. Every time Shankman looks at one of the male dancers and says, "Buddy, I don't know why you're not connecting with the audience," he's lying. Of course, he knows. It's just a shame that there's finally a platform to address the topic and no one seems to have the courage.

I get that the show may be avoiding the topic and hoping that the heaping praise that the judges are throwing on Billy and fellow brilliant-but-probably-too-gay contestant Robert Rolden will be enough to get viewers to come around. But I don't have that much faith in America. I'm a gay man. I know that despite how far we've come it's still comes down to someone saying out loud: You can't judge a person that way.

But I can guess how this ends. So, probably can Travis Wall, Brandon Bryant, and Jakob Karr.