The Peanuts Movie, mini movie review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I remember with great somberness holding the last published Peanuts comic in my hands on February 13, 2000, the day after Charles M. Schulz died.   It was a shock.  It was bittersweet reading his farewell so soon, months after he announced his retirement.  And I wondered if there would ever be another Peanuts anything with his passing, and if so, would I like it?  Would it be faithful?

There were some hits and misses since 2000.  I Want a Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown, 2003, is adorable.  Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, 2011, was just depressing and completely missed the mark.

Then I heard there would be a computer generated Peanuts Movie released to theaters, and I was instantly nervous.  How could they do Charlie Brown and the gang in 3D?  It felt like such a departure from Schulz.  It felt like the Peanuts would be too modern.  And then I saw the teaser trailer the studio released last year and felt reassured that this new version might turn out well.

When I finally saw The Peanuts Movie a few weeks ago, I loved it!!

The style is cute, and still pays tribute to the characters original 2D selves.  And I love how the movie still found a way to show a classic Black and White comic segment.  A great tribute to Charles M. Schulz.  I love the cute humor which was balanced with Charlie Browniest moments.  I love the cute little visual gags on the screen's side.   I love how classic Peanut moments like Snoopy fighting the Red Barron and his love for Fifi were shown.

But overall I love the optimistic message of this movie, about not giving up and finding the courage to do hard things.

The Peanuts Movie is one of those rare kid movies that appeals equally to children and adults alike.

After all this praise, maybe I'm being biased, because I'm a lifelong Peanuts fan.  But honestly, because I'm such a fan I'm very picky. (I've only seen Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown once, and vowed, after first seeing it, to never watch it again.)

This movie is now one of my brother Robbie's favorite top movies, and he can't wait to buy it.

I can't wait to see this movie again.

MPAA: G

Not Now, I'm Dancing

"Not Now, I'm Dancing"

I saw this little dancing Charlie Brown figurine at a Hallmark Golden Crown Store.

And when I saw this something came to mind: Big Band Swing.

Abstract, but not really, because I had Swing music blasting through the house one afternoon and realized something very important: It's impossible to be in a bad mood when you're listening to swing.

So the next time you're in a bad mood, or just having a bad day, put on some swing music and dance around.  You'll be happy in no time :0)

Attack of the Cookie Monster Brownie

"Cookie Monster Brownie: These brownies are studiously put together WITHOUT EGGS so that they can be handled without refrigeration.  These brownies are EXTREMELY RICH and have a tendency to cause cookie monster syndrome.  (WARNING: these brownies are so delicious that some people grow blue fir and begin saying "OMNOMNOM" whenever they eat them.)

This is my giggle for the week.

I found these at the BYU Creamery on 9th, on a trip with my Grandma to get yummy ice cream.  (Seriously the best.)  What's even more funny is that I haven't been to the BYU campus in well over a year, so I used Google Maps to help me find the store.  The program steered me wrong!  I kept getting lost.  It led me to a dead end.  At one point I suddenly found myself at the Provo temple.  They've built up the campus quite a bit, and Google Maps is currently out of the loop with these changes.

My Grandma kept laughing . . . at me!

But we found the Creamery, and I shall never get lost trying to find the store again.

 I'm sure Snoopy would approve of these Cookie Monster Brownies.

I didn't get one, instead opting for yummy chocolate brownies and a scoop of chocolate nut brownie ice-cream.  Super OMNOMNOM worthy.

Of course too much indulgence will lead to this:

But a little treat now and then isn't just warranted, but necessary :0)

(Images from the Hallmark book "Have Another Cookie (It'll Make You Feel Better".)