she is a *bad* kitty

There's a theme afoot. Let me know if you figure it out.

 

Life of Pi (2012) - "In Canada, a writer visits the Indian storyteller Pi Patel and asks him to tell his life story. Pi tells the story of his childhood in Pondicherry, India, and the origin of his nickname. One day, his father, a zoo owner, explains that the municipality is no longer supporting the zoo and he has hence decided to move to Canada, where the animals the family owns would also be sold. They board on a Japanese cargo ship with the animals and out of the blue, there is a storm, followed by a shipwrecking. Pi survives in a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a male Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. They are adrift in the Pacific Ocean, with aggressive hyena and Richard Parker getting hungry. Pi needs to find a way to survive."
source: I borrowed the Blu-ray from the public library
I watched it because: I've always wanted to see it, and it popped up in my search for Gérard Depardieu
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% Audience: 84%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "I do not expect us to agree about everything, but I would much rather have you believe in something I don't agree with, than to accept everything blindly."

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Ang Lee

my notes: spellbinding, sad, and gorgeous. Fantastic!

Academy Award winner:
• Best Director—Lee

• Best Cinematography—Claudio Miranda

• Best Music, Original Score

• Best Visual Effects
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay

• Best Film Editing

• Best Sound Mixing

• Best Sound Editing

• Best Music, Original Song

• Best Production Design
overall:  highly recommended

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - "When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is."

source: streamed at the bff's place
I watched it because: it deserves watching at least once a year!
IMDB: 8.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 85% Audience: 88%
my IMDB: 10/10

notable quote: "I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed."

MPAA rating: TV-G

directed by: Bill Melendez

my notes: one of my best holiday memories. I know nearly every word by heart, down to the gaps and skips in the audio. I cried, as I always do. Lovely.

Emmy winner: Outstanding Children's Program
Emmy nominee: Special Classification of Individual Achievements—Charles M. Schulz
overall: most highly recommended

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - "The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets—Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle—weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases—past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness."
source: streamed at the bff's place
I watched it because: we needed some winding down
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 75% Audience: 86%
my IMDB: 9/10

notable quote: "'There are two things in this life I hate: heights, and jumping from them.'

    'Too late now. Come on, I'll catch you.'

    'God save my little broken body!'"

MPAA rating: G

directed by: Brian Henson

my notes: sweet, funny, and tender.
overall: highly recommended

Puss in Boots (2011) - "Years before meeting Shrek and Donkey, the adorable but tricky Puss in Boots must clear his name from all charges making him a wanted fugitive. While trying to steal magic beans from infamous criminals Jack and Jill, the hero crosses paths with his female match, Kitty Softpaws, who leads Puss to his old friend, but now enemy, Humpty Dumpty. Memories of friendship and betrayal enlarges Puss' doubt, but he eventually agrees to help the egg get the magic beans. Together, the three plan to steal the beans, get to the Giant's castle, nab the golden goose, and clear Puss' name."
source: streamed on Dish
I watched it because: Puss is one of my favorite characters
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% Audience: 67%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "You have made the cat angry. You do not want to make the cat angry!"

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Chris Miller

my notes: adorable! Bubbly, spicy, and fun.
Academy Award nominee: Best Animated Feature
overall:  highly recommended

[the title quotation is from Puss in Boots]