Pixar, stickin' it to the Man!

I wrote the skeleton of this post a few months ago, and forgot to post it. During Blogaday though, nothing goes to waste.

How is Pixar stickin' it to the Man?

By not caring about the Man. That is the very best way the Man gets stuck:

Perhaps Wall Street would not care so much if Pixar seemed to care a little more. The co-director of “Up,” Pete Docter — who also directed “Monsters Inc.” — said in a recent question and answer session with reporters that the film’s commercial prospects never crossed his mind. “We make these films for ourselves,” he said. “We’re kind of selfish that way.”

John Lasseter, a co-founder of Pixar and now Disney’s chief creative officer, routinely says in interviews that marketability is not a factor in decisions about what projects to pursue. Instead of ideas that feel contemporary, he aims for stories that are rooted in the ages.

“Quality is the best business plan” is one of Mr. Lasseter’s favorite lines.

I don't know what my takeaway from this is, but I like remembering and posting things about creative ventures that inspire me. And really, who doesn't Pixar inspire?

Grist for the creative mill via Pixar

Randy Nelson from Pixar talks about what they look for in a hire. Great info for anybody doing anything creative.

Movies 2007, part 5 of 5

Aladdin
I'm gonna say it. I’m saying it. Disney (not counting Pixar) has not made a great animated movie since this one. There, I said it. The Lion King sucks and has always sucked, in its myriad forms. This movie, on the other hand, is good.

My Name Is Earl, season 1
This is great! Looking forward to season 2 on DVD whenever they get around to that happening.

Pride and Prejudice
The Kiera Knightley version. Watched bits of it when family was hanging around the house watching it.

Wonderfalls
Uneven. Unlikeable protagonist. Not terrible though.

Gilmore Girls, season 3
Still liking GG.

This is Spinal Tap
We watched this because someone used the term “this goes to 11” in a conversation, and afterward, half the group admitted to never having seen Spinal Tap, despite 100% of the group knowing the pop culture reference. I wanted to see the movie again, and I wanted to show it to M.

Elf
Somebody in the group that I watched this movie with called Elf a classic, and it turns out it’s not. Bob Newheart is neat in this movie. Didn’t expect him, happy to see him every second he was on screen. Will Ferrell is not as annoying as I expected him to be. But the cloying love story and the overused running jokes and stock supporting characters... they used to be classics. Now they’re cliches.

A Beautiful Mind
Okay.

FLCL
This is the fourth or fifth time I’ve watched this all the way through, and I think I’m starting to get it. This thing rocks.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
With a big sled, improbable machinery, and enough make-up for me not to have to think about Jim Carey in the lead role.