Movie Reviews
Film and television reviewed the way I’d want to read them — with a rating that means something, an honest accounting of what works and what doesn’t, and craft notes for writers who want to understand how the machinery operates.
Each review includes a craft notes section for writers — specific observations about structure, character, world-building, and what the film does that you can actually use. Not theory. Technique you can steal.
Pixar (9)
May 15, 2026A Bug’s Life (1998) — Review
A Bug's Life is one of the substantial Pixar productions of the late 1990s and the second feature film from the studio following the foundational Toy Story in 1995. John Lasseter directed with Andrew Stanton co-directing. The film was released in November 1998. It grossed approximately three...
May 15, 2026Finding Dory (2016) — Review
Finding Dory is one of the more substantive Pixar sequels and one of the more thoughtful contemporary animated productions about cognitive disability. Andrew Stanton directed. Stanton and Victoria Strouse wrote the screenplay. The film was released in June 2016. It grossed approximately one billion...
May 15, 2026Finding Nemo (2003) — Review
Finding Nemo is one of the foundational documents of Pixar's golden era and one of the great American animated films of the early twenty-first century. Andrew Stanton directed. Stanton and Bob Peterson wrote the screenplay. The film was released in May 2003. It grossed approximately nine hundred...
May 15, 2026Inside Out (2015) and Inside Out 2 (2024) — Review
Inside Out is one of the best films Pixar has ever made. Pete Docter directed the original in 2015. The film is basically a story about the psychological architecture of a single eleven-year-old girl named Riley, told from inside her head, with five core emotions as the protagonists. The premise...
May 15, 2026Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Monsters, Inc. is one of the strongest single animated features ever made. Seen it four times. The 10+ rating is honest evaluation. Pete Docter directing his feature debut. John Goodman as James P. "Sulley" Sullivan. Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski. Steve Buscemi as Randall Boggs. James Coburn as...
May 15, 2026Ratatouille (2007) — Review
Ratatouille is one of the best Pixar films and one of the best animated films of the twenty-first century. Brad Bird directed it after taking over from Jan Pinkava midway through development. The film grossed six hundred twenty-three million dollars worldwide on a one hundred fifty million dollar...
May 15, 2026Toy Story 1-3 (1995, 1999, 2010)
Toy Story is the foundational achievement in feature-length computer animation. Seen all three more than five times across decades. The 10+ rating is honest evaluation of the original trilogy. John Lasseter directed the first two. Lee Unkrich directed the third. Tom Hanks as Woody. Tim Allen as...
May 15, 2026Up (2009) — Review
Up is one of the great American animated films and one of the foundational documents of Pixar's golden era. Pete Docter directed. Docter and Bob Peterson wrote the screenplay. The film was released in May 2009. It grossed approximately seven hundred thirty-five million dollars worldwide on a...
May 19, 2026WALL-E (2008)
Andrew Stanton's 2008 Pixar masterpiece. Garbage robot finds love on dead Earth. First forty minutes near-silent. Environmental fable.