The Muppet Movie (1979)

Made at the height of their television domination, the Muppets' first foray onto the silver screen is all at once funny, heartwarming, weird and magical. This "origin story" of sorts is a musical road trip buddy comedy adventure where Kermit the Frog must make his way from the swamps of Florida to Hollywood, while he meets the rest of the Muppet crew along the way. Having recently experienced it in a movie theater, I can attest it still delights audiences five decades later. This movie persists because of the partnership and endless chemistry between Jim Henson and Frank Oz, who inhabit their felt characters with humanity and wit. Full of fun cameos from movie stars of old, this film still feels timeless 50 years later. While it may not be "perfect," it's still a joy to behold from beginning to end. For the lovers, dreamers, and like-minded.

5 rainbow connections out of 5

DREW: THE MAN BEHIND THE POSTER [2013]

Even if you don't know the man's name, you most definitely know Drew Struzan's work.
Drew: The Man Behind The Poster documents the movie poster artist's career from his struggling start right up to his frustrating retirement.
Erik Sharkey's film doesn't do a whole lot to explore the artist's technique, where his passion comes from or much else outside of the timeline of his career so don't expect much else than many big names gushing over the beauty of Struzan's iconic work.  As a longtime fan of the man's work it's always nice to hear others speak highly of him as well but I would have liked to no a little bit more his troubled past.  It scratches the surface of a few low points in Struzan's life but never lingers long enough to give you a better idea of where he's coming from.
A really nice portrait of the man that might be just a little too nice at times.

3 welcomes to one's nightmare out of 5

I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY [2014]

I Am Big Bird tells the loving life-story of a man whose work people of all ages have enjoyed over the past six decades but few know his name or would even recognize him on the street.
Caroll Spinney, the man who gave life to Sesame Street's Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch, as shown in this film, was quite clearly the most thoughtful and sensitive of the original core group of Muppeteers.  Through animations, archived footage and multiple interviews with Spinney and the many people that surrounded him, we're given a surprisingly deeply heartfelt look into the man's life.  With documentaries I come to expect that they almost always have a huge effect on me but this one took me for an emotional spin and more.  Like many others, The Muppets have had a profound effect on their lives, so hearing about Big Bird contemplating suicide was worse than discovering Santa wasn't real.  What's probably most endearing about the man and the film about him is it's will to smile and continue to do so as long as it generates the same reaction from it's audience.

4 tearful reunions out of 5

A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)

This is probably the best Muppet special ever made. It marks one of those rare occasions where the Muppet universe has crossed over with Sesame Street (lending to an awkward moment where the Swedish Chef tries to cook Big Bird), as well as cameos from Muppet Babies and Fraggle Rock. I forgot how truly funny these guys could be and the wonderful chemistry that Jim Henson and Frank Oz shared on camera. Features a delightful cameo near the end from Henson himself which just makes me feel even more warm and gooey inside.

5 icy patches out of 5

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978)

I hadn't seen this movie in over 20 years.

Niagara Falls.

I'm still the same kid I've always been.

4 Feliz Navidades out of 5