Love Your Ascot!

Today I chose an uplifting film, well actually it chose me. You know, because Toy Story 3 comes after Twilight. You are probably wondering if we have another trilogy of movies on our hands. As in are you to be expected to read through posts about Toy Story 3, 2, and the original? Well "reach for the sky," and "there's a snake in my boot" no! You are all benefiting from the technology that is the DVD. My other Toy Story videos are just that, VHS videos. 

I will save all of VHS videos for the DAY DAY DAY OF OF OF DISNEY! That is right folks, this summer will be host to the largest Disney festival this town has ever seen. All Disney movies, all day with the only interruptions involving los banos. This wonderful day will take place later this summer, maybe when it is rainy.

But back to Toy Story 3-this movie has ultimate appeal. Moms and Dads can relate, kids love it, and college students everywhere can fall in love with this story as they see some of themselves in Andy. Or at least they can appreciate the old, fat, family dog :) 

Woody, Buzz and pals find themselves in an adventure that takes them all over town. The toys feel unappreciated and discarded when Andy packs for College but they might have found a paradise in Sunnyside Daycare. The dangers that ensue are almost too scary for me let alone the kids who might watch this program, but they really help you make a connection with these characters. Pixar does it again with their attention to detail. For example the dirt on Lotso's face when he is in the Daycare scenes but it is clean in the flashbacks where he is newer. That detail makes all the difference. And all the funny lines that just fit so perfect, like when Barbie tells Ken she loves his ascot, or when Lotso says "FAO my Schwartz." Or when the peas in the pods are hiding in the Mr. Potato Head's rear cavity and he exclaims, "Hey kids! I told you to stay out of my butt!" Classic Disney and Pixar humor that makes these kind of movies fun for adults and children alike. Well ok, that last quote is funny for kids and I am just kid enough to still laugh at things like butt.

But I swear all these movies I have with that gut wrenching scenes that make me cry are going to be the end of me! When Andy and Bonnie are playing with all the toys I needed a tissue! When I first saw this movie I thought of my little brothers, who are not so little anymore. But they are sweet like that, they would both just get on the ground and play with a little kid and some toys in a moment like that. They are sweet and kind just like Andy, oh boy, I miss those little buggers.

Well as we continue in thinking of RA programming ideas that tie in with these wonderful films, I assure you that there are a few gems with this movie. I think one theme is that you are never too old to play with some quality toys. It is a confirmed fact that college students love forts. I think the best way to make this movie successful with that crowd is for everyone to bring their pillows, blankets and sheets to the lounge and to build a fort from the furniture and their pillows. It is a good idea to get permission from the RHD first so that they are not shocked with they see all the furniture a mess in a lounge and everyone is hiding among the pillow force fields. Maybe even have everyone share stories about their favorite toys growing up, if this program is held around the Christmas Holiday then as a floor you could also purchase some toys to donate or participate in a Toys for Tots fundraiser to help local kids make memories with toys too!

It is also clear that Andy had a variety of toys, ones that cost lots of money like Buzz with many different buttons and lasers. Or those little claw aliens from the CLAW game that might have cost $.25 and probably also smelled like funky plastic. Rex the dinosaur and Slinky Dog are made into the most interesting toys just using our imagination. I am not sure that college students are ready to revisit their imagination quite yet, but maybe a program where they design their ideal residence hall might trigger those creative juices. It is kind of interesting to hear what students wish they had at their fingertips. What you usually find is everything they want is within reach on campus, just maybe outside of their specific hall. Or they can take their wish list to Hall Council to see if those projects can become a reality! You can take your Hall to Infinity and Beyond!