Joy

I saw Up. Now I'm not usually given to make statements of hyperbole—or wait, maybe I am—but I'm just going to say it: it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Ever. In my entire life.

Now before you weigh this statement, you should know my top five films:

1. The Shawshank Redemption

2. E.T.

3. Silence of the Lambs

4. Forrest Gump

5. Aliens

And, you should know that at the time of seeing the film—I was in that special time frame just before Aunt Flo comes a'knockin' and at 41, that basically means the simple act of breathing can send me into an emotional tailspin.

Still, I stand by the statement above: it's one of the best movies I've ever seen.

This is a movie that, until I read a review by a local critic who said simply: everyone on the planet should see this film, I had ZERO desire to see. Who wanted to see a movie about some old curmudgeon?

Um, hello? That would now be ME!


Every minute I sat in that theater, I felt that I was part of something that transcended magical. It was like someone had sprinkled animated pixie dust on my grey matter.

I laughed. I cried. It became a part of me.

Thank you Disney, and Pixar and the people who conjured this story from their ripe and creative imaginations.

Two-thumbs off the charts way, way Up.

Get it? Up?

And if you go, take Kleenex. You will need it.