Filed under: I'm thinking, Summer Missions, faith, the word, traveling, writing
I posted recently that I am one of many who are part of summer missions work with the North Carolina Baptist State Convention. I have found some friends blogs for the summer work. I have posted those I have found in the left. I found this really complex list of summer missions (Gwen would make a list). I wanted to share it on my blog for those of you who visit could keep us all in your prayers…
Appalachian State University
Lauren Allen – Boone, NC
Bruce Bentley – Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Blakeley – InVision (North Carolina and Toronto, Canada)
Nathan Bost – Malaysia
Rachel Brown – Johannesburg, South Africa
Thomas Chavez – Los Angeles, CA
Randall (that’s me!) – Cary, NC
Mandy Henderson – Kenya
Lyndsey Herring – All over Alaska
Maria Jarrell – Miami, FL
Kristen Johnson – InVision (North Carolina and Toronto, Canada)
Megan Keith – Sanford, NC
Josh Littlejohn – Los Angeles, CA
Amanda Mitchell – InVision (North Carolina and Toronto, Canada)
Kelsey Morris – Los Angeles, CA
Rebecca Steele – Thomasville, NC
Storm Stewart – Los Angeles, CA
Luke Summey – Los Angeles, CA
Laura Turner – High Point, NC
Katherine Wiggins – Johannesburg, South Africa
UNC – Asheville
Hunter Allen – Fayetteville, NC
Joe Lallier – Sanford, NC
Sam Riddle – Washington, DC
Sarah Sanders – Reidsville, NC
Jessica Walton – Beaufort, SC
Jonathan Wells – Rhiwbina, Cardiff (Wales)
Gardner-Webb University
Blair Early – Deep Impact
Tara Evans – Waco, TX
Stephanie Richey – Metro, NY
Claire Saunders – Deep Impact
Joey Waters – Deep Impact
Wingate University
Jennifer Grassmann – Siler City, NC
Krista Harbinson – Charlotte, NC
Sabra Hart – Thomasville, NC
David Little – Bear Creek, NC
Claire McCoy – Weaverville, NC
Campbell University
Nathan Brunson – Deep Impact
Courtney Chase – Asheville, NC
Elizabeth Godfrey – Yellowstone, MT
Michael Tyndall – InVision (North Carolina and Toronto, Canada)
UNC – Pembroke
Allisonjoy Fiello – East St. Louis, IL
Aaron Hollifield – All over Alaska
John O’Neill – Goldsboro, NC
Michael Smith – Mount Pearl, Newfoundland (Canada)
Mars Hill College
Britany Acosta – InVision (North Carolina and Toronto, Canada)
Kaitlyn Allen – Waco, TX
Kelli Elliott – Girdley, CA
Western Carolina University
Tosha Johnson – Kinston, NC
Ian Youmans – Ocean City, Maryland
Chowan University
Helen Anninos – Charlotte, NC
Liberty University
Kyle Daughtry – Beaufort, SC
Berry College
Katie Mitchell – Kenya
High Point University
Katelyn Rhodes – High Point, NC
UNC – Charlotte
Caleb Thurman – Asheville, NC
Pfeiffer University
Kaitlyn Mullins – Midland, NC
**disclaimer** I am a twenty year old college student. There is nothing official or grand about this review. I am a really big Disney/Pixar fan and I really like talking about art, especially art that I like. So take this review with a grain of salt. The Oscars will never listen to me anyway…
I was relieved when I left the theatre today. Watching the first trailers for Up, I was excited but at the same time fearful. Wall-E had just been released and, squirrel!…Wall-E had been released and, to me, that felt like the pentacle of Pixar (my personal favorite of their library thus far). In the trailers for Up, I couldn’t help but feel like the characters felt flat. Especially with Russell, his lines felt cold and not very emotional. I kept that in the back of my mind and just said “It’s Pixar! They can do no wrong!” Thankfully as I was watching the movie I was really pleased. Personally, I don’t think it’s their best, but it’s still a beautiful movie and I think everyone should see it.
As I mentioned, after Wall-E, I couldn’t figure out how they were going to top it. When I first saw Up my reaction was “Okay, they aren’t gonna try and top it. That’s good, right?” To me, Up pays homage to the classic Pixar movies (Toy Story/Monsters, Inc.); very clean, simple, and super child friendly. I will admit, I was taken aback at how dramatic Up really is. Especially at the dramatic parts, some of the kids in the room were crying because something bad happened (storytellers, that is the equivalent of two thumbs up’ the kids are in the movie). The movie had life & heart to it still and it’s those two characteristics (as well as marvelous storytelling and artistry) that make Pixar movies stand out above the rest.
At times the story seemed variant and there were parts that I really felt weren’t quite resolved (they probably did and I just haven’t come to terms with it), and yes the characters did have their moments of being flat, but overall it was a really pleasing experience and I can’t wait to see it again.
Oh, and if you are able to, see it in 3D. I got to watch it in 3D and, oh my gosh, it was absolutely breathtaking. Most of the times you forget you have the glasses on and you’re just lost in the movie! It’s amazing!
