Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

Kudos to DreamWorks for not making an animated movie that makes my teeth ache. This is no Toy Story 3, but it is much improved over the Shrek and Madagascar series.

There is something artificial feeling about DreamWork’s style that just makes me cringe. Even in this movie, the people look so plastic and badly rendered. On the other hand, the environments, dragons, and overall cinematography were great. This is a good step up with an also marked improved in script. Add on Megamind and the studio had a very good up year. They still have a ways to go to catch Pixar though.

If I Picked the Oscars 2011 (in order of my vote)

Animated Feature Film:

• Toy Story 3
• How to Train Your Dragon
• The Illusionist

Tags: Movies by Ms. SP
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The explosion of the space shuttle Challenger was my very first “where were you when” moment.

My 5th grade class was taking a test when the principal pulled us all into the lunchroom. There was a TV set up and we all sat on the floor. They didn’t explain or say anything. They just started playing a tape.

“Awesome,” I thought. “We’re going to watch the space shuttle and skip the test.” Then came the utter confusion of those streams of white. One kid screamed, but I didn’t get it right away. I don’t remember the adults’ exact words but I eventually understood that it had blown up. No discussion. No context. Just the announcement.

We filed back silently into our room, sat down in our seats, and took back up our pencils to finish the test. I was young, but even then, I knew everything about that morning was messed up.

Do you remember your story?

Tags: History, Life by Ms. SP
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I finished watching the entire run of The Sopranos.

I don’t get it.

I mean, it just didn’t grab me. It didn’t make me think about it when I wasn’t watching. I didn’t want to rush home to put in the next disc.

This series was/is so acclaimed, and I just don’t see it. It doesn’t resonate with me for some reason.

Give me Deadwood or The Wire instead. Now that’s great television.

Tags: TV by Ms. SP
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