My sabbatical is over and I am back. First and foremost I want to thank Will Moore for filling in during my absence. Will, you did a superb job, and I know the editors are comforted by the fact that someone of your caliber is around to help out if and when needed. Thanks again. (But I wish you had left Rocket Man for me!)
This is the third Toy Story sequel, and as usual, Pixar and Disney join hands providing us with another amazing production. The āanimationā and fast moving action are fascinating to watch. As usual, Sheriff Woody, voiced over by Tom Hanks, and Buzz Lightyear, voiced over by Tim Allen, provide the heroics, determined to keep their families together through thick and thin. This time the adventure takes us on a cross country road trip, where as you might expect there are all kinds of issues to deal with, including some nasty toys with ideas of their own. The climax takes place in an amusement park, very colorful and a perfect place for the family brood of toys to pull off the rescue. While the story line is somewhat predictable despite the challenges our heroes faced, there is a surprise ending which caught me off guard and left me misty eyed, which is not surprising as I am highly sentimental.
Toy Story 4
Entertainment Rating: ★★1/2 for adults, ★★★★ for kids
Rating: G, Clean as a whistle
Possible Oscar Nominations: None
I was most assuredly the oldest person in the sold out theatre, and the only one without a youngster in tow. It was fun to watch everyone leave in a good mood, the families who came together obviously had a good time, akin to my experience with Incredibles 2 last year. Find a grandkid or two to take and you will have a good time.
Now about the aforementioned Ice Cream. I doubt there are very few people reading this who donāt like ice cream, especially my neighbors Darlene and Larry. Many of us flock to Culvers, some to the Dairy Mart, and the freezer sections at Jewel, Walmart and Aldi are bursting at the seams with the frozen treats, every flavor known to mankind, with one exception; Blueberry Pie Ice Cream. Oh my, you havenāt lived until youāve tried some; and I know where to find it. The aforementioned Darlene and Larry introduced us to the Milk House Ice Cream store in of all places downtown Pingree Grove, which very few if any of us have ever heard of. Itsā at 230 Reinking Road, but donāt blink you might miss it. All of their ice creams are made on site, too good to miss.
P.S. About a year or so ago Netflix began streaming one of their original films, Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock. The movie got a lot of play, and over 40 million people watched it the first few weeks it was out. I saw it and thought it was great. Now their latest release is called Murder Mystery, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Thumbs down, itsā terrible.
