courtesy of Pixar Animation
First let me tell you that I adore Pixar movies. I can’t think of a single one that I haven’t liked. Inside Out is no exception.
Inside Out is the latest Disney/Pixar movie to hit the big screen. Directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen, the movie follows Riley, a young girl guided by her emotions, seen here as characters voiced by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, and Mindy Kaling.
We first meet Riley as a newborn. It is also when the audience is introduced to her first emotion: Joy (Amy Poehler). Her first laugh brings Joy into her heart and Joy helps Riley see the positive in most situations. As she grows, other feelings start showing up, including Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). They work together to get Riley through her day-to-day life.
After Riley experiences a big change, moving from her Midwest home to San Francisco, her emotions begin to argue about the best way to navigate the situation.
Now, there will be some spoilers, so be advised.
courtesy of Pixar Animation
After the big move Sadness starts getting uncontrollable urges to touch Riley’s memories (represented visually as little glowing orbs). Joy comes up with creative ways to keep Sadness out of the way, believing that Riley should never be sad. Despite their efforts, Sadness continues to try and touch Riley’s core memories, the memories that make up who she is, which leads to an accident where Joy and Sadness are sucked from headquarters and deposited in long-term memory. This epic journey through Riley’s mind bonds the two and teaches Joy the importance of emotional balance.
Balance is what sets this movie apart from all the other summer blockbusters. Stunning visuals and fun action sequences don’t smother out an original script. The story is unique and interesting with rich, clever dialog and well-developed characters.
courtesy of Pixar Animation
This is a story of growing up. It is something we can all relate to in some way. I hope it will help children understand their feelings and better understand that we all have different things guiding us.
I will say it again, I adored this movie! Overall I think Pixar hit it out of the park again with this one. It has the creativity and emotional complexity Pixar has demonstrated through previous films like Up and Monster’s Inc. I suggest you take a few hours to listen to the little voices inside your head and watch this movie.
Hilary Joyner
Contributor
@cutiecameras
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Dear Amy (Ms. Poehler? I feel like I should possibly at least try to start out formally here, but that’s not really working, is it?),
You are so awesome.
I mean, you are awesome to a point I cannot entirely express. Not just for 
the fact that you are one of the funniest people in show business right now, that you were a long-time cast member on SNL where you got to follow in the footsteps of the amazing Jane Curtain as one half of the Weekend Update team, and you are the star of one of the most lauded TV shows currently running. I mean, that would kinda be enough right there, but you go beyond that.
You don’t take crap. In an interview from 2004, Tina Fey shared this story: Amy Poehler and I were in the airport last week in Toronto and we were getting hassled by this middle-aged businessman who was doing that thing that middle-aged businessmen do, being rude. And then Amy, in the middle of the airport, screamed, ‘Fuck you, you fuckin’ dick, you fuckin’ rich asshole.'” It’s one of numerous examples of you refusing to put up with bullshit.
You don’t shy away from the word “feminist,” in fact you fully embrace it and encourage other women to do so as well. Your series Smart Girls at the Party highlights and celebrates this fact, and is done so without being patronizing.
You don’t seem to buy into bullshit about “having it all” or “not having it all.”
You see the very, very real power in never losing the fiery little girl inside yourself who hasn’t been smacked down by societal rules about being ladylike and a good girl.
You got on stage with the motherfucking Foo Fighters and sang Joan Jett’s hit “Bad Reputation.”
Please enter the url to a YouTube video.This isn’t just mindless praise, Amy. Well, okay, it is praise, but it is not mindless. This the precursor to a desperate plea.
Let me train with you, Amy Poehler. Let me learn your ways.
Let me travel to your hidden mountain sanctuary and become your student. I am humble, I know I have much to learn and I am willing. Teach me how to be funny without being self-depreciating. Guide me so that I may hold my head high and be all right with being seen as bossy, a bitch, imperfect. Impart upon me your wisdom that I may use it to bring justice to this world.
Let me be your apprentice, your squire, your intern, your whatever is the least creepy of these options. Train me day in and day out until I am at risk of the student becoming the master and you have to put me down because I’ve taken your teachings to a place of darkness and evil.
Or, you know. Don’t. That’s cool, too.
Ashly is generally joking about stuff, but she’s not entirely kidding about this. If Amy Poehler wants to reach her she can try via Twitter, @newageamazon.
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