“The Pixar Theory”

The Pixar logo is visible with various Pixar characters surrounding it.

image via mashable.com

“Every Pixar movie is connected.” Those are the words of blogger and self-proclaimed “movie fanatic” Jon Negroni, who became obsessed over hidden links between some of our favourite animated masterpieces, leading to him to compile the “The Pixar Theory”.

Negroni begins with Brave, released in 2012, as the catalyst for events to come. As the earliest time period covered in a Pixar film, set in the Dark Ages, Negroni pays particular notice to how Brave is the only movie that explains why animals have human abilities and characteristics. Merida, a young princess, discovers a form of magic, which she inadvertently uses to turn her mother into a bear.

Merida later finds that this magic comes from an odd witch, who disappears every time she passes through a door, leading Merida to question her very existence. According to Negroni’s theory, this is not the only time we have encountered this witch.

Negroni is very quick to explain that the “The Pixar Theory” is an idea, not fact. He states that “The point of this theory is to have fun and exercise your imagination while simultaneously finding interesting connections between these fantastic movies. If you hate fun and/or imagination, you probably won’t like this theory.” Regardless, the further you delve into the Pixar Universe, the more you will become engrossed in its seamless narrative.

Centuries after Brave, the progression of intelligence leads to a power struggle between humans and animals. Negroni explains that “The stage for all-out war in regards to animals is set by Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Up, in that order. Notice I left out A Bug’s Life, but I’ll explain why later”.

Alongside the growing power battle between humans and animals, Negroni also highlights the progression of artificial intelligence, including machines in the struggle. This begins in The Incredibles, as Buddy, aka Syndrome, creates the A.I “Omnidroid” in his attempt to defeat the superheroes. “The omnidroid eventually turns on Syndrome, and starts attacking humans in the city. Why would an A.I.
want to just attack randomly? Do machines have an inherent hatred of humans?” asks Negroni.

Things get even weirder as Negroni adds more and more films to the timeline. In fact, he manages to include every single Pixar film into the story, including “Newt”, which has never been released by the company. Negroni invites you to, analyse, deconstruct and offer new angles as his theory continues to grow and gain pace online.

“The Pixar Theory” does not fail to shock and surprise you, as Negroni consistently uncovers hidden links, backing them up with evidence and interesting logic, and we haven’t even scratched the events on the timeline, as the real treat is at the end.

To check out “The Pixar Theory” yourself, visit the Pixar Theory website. You can also follow the man himself at @JonNegroni

This week in history: 9th – 15th December

Alan RIckman carries a discheveled Kate Winslet through a grassy field
Alan RIckman carries a discheveled Kate Winslet through a grassy field

Image via janeaustensworld.wordpress.com

Almost half a century ago on December 11th 1967, Stanley Kramer’s comedy Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was released. The film pushed boundaries by positively portraying an interracial marriage between Joanna (Katherine Houghton) the daughter of a liberal upper-class parents, and John (Sidney Poiter) a young black physician.

This was rare for a film at the time, in 1967 interracial marriage was still illegal in 17 states of the USA. Sidney Poiter was also the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor.

On December 13th 1995, Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility was released, it was the first cinematic Austen adaptation in 50 years. The adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel has a large cast of well known actors, including a young Emma Thompson, a very young Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman.

Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay for the film. While working on the script her computer developed a problem and she lost the file. She took the computer to Stephen Fry for help. After seven hours he managed to retrieve the file.

The greatest film heroes

Luke Skywalker in the swamps of Dagobah, with Yoda.

The hero. Or heroine. The one person who goes above and beyond, faces insurmountable difficulties, but still comes out on top and saves the day. Some are made, shaped by the situations they find themselves in. But some are born. This is our top 5 most awesome, coolest and most heroic in film to date.

5. Ellen Ripley

Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver.

Image via: http://images5.fanpop.com

Like I said, some heroes are born, and some are forged in the fires of action. Sigourney Weaver’s Weyland-Yutani frieghter officer certainly has a good rep sheet for these experiences – surviving and battling xenomorphs in Alien turns her into a completely awesome warrior. Eventually, she even turns into a superhuman half-alien clone. Her best moment must be jumping into an exo-suit cargo loader to beat the snot out of the Alien Queen.

4. Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones cracking his whip.

Image via: alphacoders.com

This one is special. During term-time, he’s a mild mannered professor of archaeology. But when school is done, watch out. He’s secretly a Nazi-stomping, whip-cracking, badass adventurer. Most iconic hero moment? Shooting the fearless swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I wish I was that effortlessly cool.

3. Jason Bourne

Jason Bourne pointing a handgun.

Image via: coen-eng.com

Once, he was David Webb. Then Operation Treadstone happened and he turned into a super-cool amnesiac rogue agent. Who can drive like a pro. And shoot. And he can literally fight anyone. In fact, in his best moment in The Bourne Ultimatum he leaps off a balcony and beats a guy down with a book. Actually using knowledge to incapacitate someone. So cool.

2. James Bond

Sean Connery as James Bond, sitting in a chair drinking an alcoholic drink.

Image via: blacklapel.com

He needs no introduction. The finest that MI6 has to offer. 50 years later he’s still the suave-est hero around, and you can always rely on him to protect Queen and Country. His coolest moment definitely has to be keeping his cool when his Crown Jewels were in trouble in the iconic laser scene of Goldfinger.

1. Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker sitting in a room.

Image via: http://thestarwarstrilogy.com/

And here we have it, the number one hero. At one time, every young boy wanted to be Luke Skywalker. The hero in a perfect tale of good vs. evil, Luke learns the ways of the Force and the lightsaber and sums up what it means to be a hero. Most deservedly, Luke Skywalker wins the top spot. Best moment? “You will take me to Jabba now”. How did he get so cool?

Got any more ideas of who should be on this list? Comment below with your top film heroes!

Weapons of choice

Pictured is an M60 light machine gun, made famous by the Rambo films.

Think of any action movie character and you’ll more than likely think of their favourite weapon of choice. The guns featured in film are more often than not more iconic than the character itself. Below we list just some of the many iconic film guns and their associated character.

pictured is the Spas-12 12 gauge shotgun, made famous by Robert Muldoon in the film Jurassic Park.

Image via: imgur.com

Franchi SPAS-12
Made famous by: Robert Muldoon in Jurassic Park. (1993)


This shotgun is quite the ‘clever girl’. Most notably featured in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park film, this pump action, 12 gauge shotgun was pretty handy at taking out Velociraptors. First introduced in 1982 by Franchi S.p.A, this shotgun was initially developed to fire low pressure ammunition such as tear gas. The shotgun is still in use by military forces in Australia, Pakistan and Italy.

Pictured is the Desert Eagle semi automatic pistol, made famous by Agent Smith in the Matrix films.

Image via: imgur.com

Desert Eagle Mark XIX
Made Famous by: Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy. (1999-2003)


There’s no doubt why the main antagonist in the Matrix films chose this as his weapon of choice. Dubbed by many as a ‘hand cannon’, the most recent model of the Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol fires a .50 AE round, something much bigger in comparison to other pistol rounds.

Pictured is an M60 light machine gun, made famous by the Rambo films.

Image via; imgur.com

M60
Made famous by:
John Rambo in First Blood. (1982)


This Light Machine Gun weighs a hefty 10.5 kg and fires a 7.62x51mm NATO round. The M60 is belt fed, and can fire around 500 rounds per minute. The weapon first saw its introduction in the Vietnam war and has since been staple for the U.S army in combat since.

Pictured is the M9 Beretta semi automatic pistol, made famous by John McClane in the Die Hard films

Image via: imgur.com

Beretta 92FS
Made famous by: John McClane in Die Hard. (1988)


This semi-automatic pistol was most notably used by John McClane, the main protagonist in the first Die Hard film. Chambering a typical 9mm round commonly found in semi-automatic pistols, the 92FS was manufactured by Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro. The Beretta 92FS is arguably the most commonly used pistol by military forces worldwide.

Image shows actor Arnold Schwarzenegger flexing his muscles.

Image via: themancave-rayc.blogspot.co.uk/

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s guns
Made famous by: 
Every film with Arnold Schwarzenegger.


 

Events, offers & releases 09/12/13

In the distance the ruins of a mountainside town can be seen, shrouded in smoke.
In the distance the ruins of a mountainside town can be seen, shrouded in smoke.

Image via www.reelcinemas.co.uk

The biggest announcement this week is the eagerly anticipated blockbuster, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which is released this Friday. In the second installment of the trilogy, Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves continue on their adventure to the misty mountain to reclaim Erebor from the dragon, Smaug.

If you’re struggling to find ideas for Christmas presents, why not treat someone you love to a cinema voucher. There are several brilliant films coming out over the next few months and a cinema gift card is a thoughtful present especially if you can visit the cinema together.