"Sausage Party" Review (***½)

Editor's note: Christopher Escobar is probably the busiest man in Georgia. In addition to his duties as Executive Director of the Atlanta Film Society, Executive Director of the Plaza Theatre Foundation, Filmmaker/Owner of Escobar Pictures and Vice President of Georgia Production Partnership—plus his roles as a father and husband—he is also making his film review debut here at Reel Georgia. We are lucky to have him on board to share his thoughts with us. -CM 

"Sausage Party" provides a thematic foil to the animated offerings of Pixar.

Until now, I haven't been—by any stretch—a film reviewer or someone who considers my opinion about films all that important. But I know that a lot of people are curious about "Sausage Party" and are on the fence about seeing it. To cut to the chase—yes, it's worth seeing if you can handle really crude humor. Should you see it in the theaters? I'll let you decide.

As for the film's chief strengths, there are some really funny puns, moments and character relationships. I laughed pretty hard quite a few times. There is a great cast and everyone does a fantastic job with their role.

"Finding Dory" Review (****)

Dory (voiced by the hilarious Ellen DeGeneres) finds herself
among new friends in "Finding Dory."

"Finding Nemo" is one of the most beloved films in Disney's very full and rich history (see their dozens and dozens of shiny, gold Oscars), so to say that expectations for "Finding Dory" were high might be the understatement of the year. It's tough to outdo—or worse, redo—something that's been so critically lauded and culturally beloved. "Finding Dory," however, is up to the challenge, and directors Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane give it their very best shot.

Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is an affable blue tang who suffers from short-term memory loss. In "Finding Nemo" she played side-kick to Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), a not-so-funny clownfish, desperate to find his son Nemo. In "Finding Dory," however, the roles have been reversed slightly. Nemo and Marlin are on the hunt for Dory after she weasels her way into the Marine Life Institute (also known as 'the Jewel of Morrow Bay California'). The two films are seamlessly threaded. "Finding Dory" picks up almost a year after it's predecessor ended, and Dory, Marlin and Nemo are one big, happy family. Soon, Dory has flashes—small memories of her own family, her mom and dad. These flashbacks offer some of the films most sappy, sentimental moments; particularly the opening sequence which proves to be at least comparably (though arguably less) emotionally evocative than the opening of "Up."

 

Review: "Inside Out" (*****)

Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) star in "Inside Out."

Pixar, the studio that has brought us some of the most unique memorable and iconic films of the past two decades has a new instant classic on their hands. "Inside Out" is not only a return to form for the animation house—after a few years of sequels and somewhat uninspired films—but a reminder of just how powerful and profound the best Pixar films are capable of being.

The story revolves around an 11-year-old girl named Riley. Riley loves her family, playing hockey and being a goofball with her friends. Riley also has a lot going on in her mind—which is where the majority of the story takes place. We’re introduced at the beginning of the film to Riley’s five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust. Each of these emotions are characters working together to control how Riley feels about everyday situations. The film’s main protagonist is Joy. Amy Poehler voices Joy and gives the character so much life and energy it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Joy introduces us to the other emotions as well as how everything in Riley’s head works—memories, day dreams, expectations, etc. Pixar’s vision of the inner mind is absolutely a dream to watch. It’s just as adorable as it is brilliant.