Movies I love more than anyone else: Meet the Robinsons.

 This is the next entry of a reoccurring feature of sorts, spotlighting the movies that aren't just my favorites, but films that I probably hold in higher esteem than anyone else out there in the critical community.  Next up is a film that celebrates its sixth-anniversary this Saturday.  But I saw it six years ago today at a press screening.  No, I'm not talking about Blades of Glory, but the inexplicably wonderful Meet the Robinsons. I walked into said press screening for this one knowing almost nothing about it, save for a few pieces of promotional art and something about musical 'wiseguy' frogs.  I distinctly remember walking out of the press screening, my eyes more than a little watery, and immediately calling my wife to inform her that I had just wasted a Wednesday afternoon. I had just seen something truly special and she was going to have to accompany me for a repeat viewing as soon as possible.

Pixar can survive Cars 2. Some free advice to Pixar as they take a critical and (relative) commercial beating over an unasked-for sequel.

Cars 2 is indeed terrible.  It's sophomoric, needlessly convoluted, senselessly violent, and pretty much negates everything that people liked about the first Cars.  But even with all of those things being true, Pixar will be fine.  It's one movie, something that John Lasseter really wanted to do.  And while no one will call it a bomb, it will likely be one of Pixar's lowest grossers ever and a rare critical whiff.  But Pixar will be fine.  They will have three sequels nearly in a row between 2010 and 2013.  That's partially due to the original Disney contract, which demanded five original films (hence they held off on sequels until they took over Disney animation).  But Pixar will be fine.  And so will you, moviegoer and fan.  They just have to keep moving forward...

Scott Mendelson