Writing story is left brain logical, too.

Good movies have a clear structure of premise, resonant themes, three acts and character motivations that drive the plot. What makes the story original is the right brain’s creative use of this structure.

For a fine artist, the paint, brushes and canvas are like the structure, but how they go on the canvas is the creative use of the structure, ie, mixing paint, strokes and image composition.

Weak story structure does not make for a bad movie, but everything else equal, it makes a movie better.

Nobody has been better at crafting great stories than PIXAR. But according to my favorite movie reviewer, Joe Morgenstern, at the Wall Street Journal, their latest release, UP, is less than stellar. I like his reviews because he interviews in this context. He is not too happy about the characters, and the way the story switches tone throughout. His review here, summarized below.

“Up” dares to explore the full sweep of a man’s life, from young love, shining hopes and tragic loss to the perplexities and possibilities of old age. In the spirit of candor, accompanied by regret, I must say that I admired the film much more than I enjoyed it.

…there’s an admirably intransigent quality to [the] portrait of Carl as a widower, living alone in the home that he and [his wife] once shared. By now the once-pastoral house is surrounded by urban hubbub, and Carl is under pressure from all sides, a melancholy old man who looks like a cross between a scrunched-down Spencer Tracy and the bucket of a front loader. That’s when life forces itself on him in the corpulent person of 8-year-old Russell (Jordan Nagai), a relentlessly earnest Asian-American Junior Wilderness Explorer who is shaped like a top and bent on earning an assisting-the-elderly merit badge.

It’s also when my first doubts set in. Russell is amusing, in an insistent way, but he’s so repetitive that you wonder if he’s meant to be mentally challenged, and he becomes as much of a strident nuisance as Carl first makes him out to be. Carl, for his part, sustains a likable façade of Buster Keaton gruffness, but that wears thin and repetitive too.
You want to love the old geezer, just as you want to love your grumpy grandpa, and you’re grateful to the filmmakers for steering clear of sentimentality. Yet the characterizations are fairly coarse cartoons, in contrast to the emotionally rich cartoons that have become Pixar’s hallmark. They’re more schematic than organic, and that applies to the plotting as well.

I think this scene says it all…

[qt:http://movies.apple.com/movies/disney/up/up-snipetrap_h.480.mov 480 280]

Once the trip is under way, with Russell on board and stormy weather evoking the flying house in “The Wizard of Oz,” the movie undergoes a mood transplant. Paradise Falls turns out to be a land of spectacular beauty populated by creatures who wouldn’t be out of place in a routine Disney feature: a big, rare and endearingly droll flightless bird named Kevin, a pack of vicious dogs tracking him down — the dogs may be terrifying for very young children — and one breakaway member of that pack, Dug, who proves to be the definition of geniality and the soul of canine loyalty. (We know this for a fact because he wears a high-tech collar that translates his doggie thoughts into human words.)
One of the film’s recurrent grace notes is a coalescing of puffy clouds into concrete forms — whatever the beholder wants to feel and see. The same holds true of the film itself. It provides the characters and visual poetry on which to project our deepest feelings about the persistence of love, the power of friendship and the joy of embracing life toward the end of life.

…the early reviews preceding the Cannes debut have been ecstatic. I’m still left, though, with an unshakable sense of “Up” being rushed and sketchy, a collection of lovely storyboards that coalesced incompletely or not at all.
The one exception, apart from that silent montage, is the movie’s most ephemeral element, the music. Mr. Giacchino has written some marvelous scores — for Pixar’s “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles,” as well as for the new “Star Trek.” This one, though, is something else — touching, lilting, swooping, stirring, heartbreakingly elegiac… The music is what the movie wanted to be.

Trailers and clips at the Apple site…

Tweet a story as you travel.

With twitter you can share a real time travelogue as you road trip the world.

In the tweets below, follow twitter founder Jack Dorsey as he tweets his way to Baghdad and back. A fascinating read.

Jack’s posts tell a story, and it’s all the more dramatic when it’s real time. He shares emotions, observations and questions from his network of followers. A real time story.

Twitter postings show the last post at the top of the list. To go to the beginning of Jack’s trip, click here.

Note: Some links may be broken. I’ve also removed some posts that were background conversation.

Happiness is an empty seat next to you on the flight to NYC. Farewell, Amman.about 7 hours ago from txt

 

Checking out of my hotel and on the way to Amman airport. Sleepy.about 9 hours ago from txt

 

Getting ready to go out on the town in Amman.about 19 hours ago from web

 

Making my way back to the hotel. And some dinner.about 20 hours ago from txt

 

Watching the sunset 475 meters below sea level, over the dead sea. Beautiful breeze.about 22 hours ago from txt

 

Reflecting on everything that occured this week as I stare out to Israel.9:35 AM Apr 23rd from txt

 

Looking at Isreal7:50 AM Apr 23rd from txt

 

Getting ready to head to the dead sea5:13 AM Apr 23rd from txt

 

Farewell, Baghdad. Hope to see you again soon. Stepping off the C130 into Amman.3:53 AM Apr 23rd from txt

http://twitpic.com/3tb2m 12:11 AM Apr 23rd from Tweetie

Haven’t had a lot of sleep. Not sure when I’m going to do that.12:09 AM Apr 23rd from txt

 

Saying goodbye to our security detail 11:45 PM Apr 22nd from txt

 

For the rest of the story, click here

Now that the Deputy Prime Minister is signing up to Twitter, we have to get Secretary Clinton back on. @JaredCohen1 will make that happen.6:13 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

Following our delegation lead @jaredcohen1. Hopefully we can lose the 1. Jared is awesome (and sometimes has good hair).6:05 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

@iraqii where are you from? You’ve taken the first step. Keep updating and find others around you!6:02 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to iraqii

University of Baghdad http://twitpic.com/3sjt4 5:36 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

Wine and cheese with the delegation. Beautiful night in Baghdad. We’re chatting about the week. http://twitpic.com/3sjgf5:31 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

Twitter succeeds when it’s not talked about so much, blurs into the background, & is used as a utility. Like electricity.3:17 PM Apr 22nd from txt

 

If the progress in Iraq could get a tenth of the press Twitter gets everyday, we’d all be aware of something exciting & new. #iraqtech2:51 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

Gave the Deputy Prime Minister a handmade glass bowl. Also, he’s signing up to Twitter tonight. #iraqtech2:46 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

@seeemore no, we feel very safe here2:37 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to seeemore

 

@Mytoy1964 with the State department to survey technology here in Iraq and figure out if tech like Twitter can help2:36 PM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to Mytoy1964

 

Warm night, sung prayer wafting on the breeze, & inspired conversation. Wonderful.1:54 PM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Talking in baghdad with Ranj Alaaldin1:33 PM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Gorgeous weather and light tonight #iraqtech11:36 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

The Embassy people work so hard. 7 days a week! No breaks. An impressive team #iraqtech9:42 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

@mkayes because SMS was limited to 160 characters. We want to make sure we work on the lowest common denominator: cheap mobile phones9:11 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to mkayes

 

@PizzaCones thanks. You too!9:07 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to PizzaCones

Hello Jack.. this could be your first tweet from an Iraqi in Baghdad:-) (via @Aziz_RiTS)8:34 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

@Aziz_RiTS hello! Where in Baghdad are you?8:34 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to Aziz_RiTS

 

@robertaw99 extremely hot! Lots of problems wearing a suit here8:33 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to robertaw99

 

@davar pretty amazing, huh? Even more is how much people want to participate in gov’t8:33 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to davar

 

Met the President of Iraq at his house this morn. Amazing palace and an enlightening conversation #iraqtech7:43 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Going on CNN live7:43 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

@babyglam yes, first time in the mideast7:27 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to babyglam

 

Some of the delegation. On the far right is Tony, our lead detail. He’s awesome. http://twitpic.com/3ri1d7:27 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

In the Presidential Palace http://twitpic.com/3ri0e7:26 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

Taking advantage of the wifi here and catching up on the rest of the world. Lots going on out there!7:25 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

@chrissyman not fighting, learning and talking to people7:23 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie in reply to chrissyman

 

Getting some pizza before our next meeting7:20 AM Apr 22nd from Tweetie

 

Passing a group of Iraqi kids laying in the shade under a tree. They were all texting and smiling #iraqtech7:06 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Talked with a great bunch of students & professors at the technology university. Unfortunately had to leave early due to a security issu 7:01 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Starting to get a bit hot here. Feels good. #iraqtech4:59 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Wow, that man had a coffee cup holster (and amazing coffee to go along with it) #iraqtech4:57 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

30-40% of graduating university students don’t get jobs in their fields. The other 70% get jobs in the government. #iraqtech3:42 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Taking off my helmet and flak jacket2:41 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Checking out our transport for the day1:42 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

Breakfast time. A smokey and hazy morning. Lots of helicopters. #iraqtech1:00 AM Apr 22nd from txt

 

@dberube Learning from Iraqis about how technology is used here, what’s broken, and where help is needed.6:33 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie in reply to dberube

 

@andrewmueller I am talking to troops whenever possible. Sometimes Twitter comes up, mainly we talk about where we’re from.6:28 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie in reply to andrewmueller

 

@maniar Talking to Iraqi’s to figure out if technologies like Twitter can help bring transparency, accessibility, and stability to the area.6:19 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie in reply to maniar

 

My iPhoto Places tab is looking hot. Almost as hot as my passport. http://yfrog.com/0cozkp 6:16 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

@steffhoward there’s a need for a lot. You should look into it. Start at the embassy.6:14 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

@loic believe it!6:12 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie in reply to loic

 

Getting ready for bed in Baghdad. A few stars out, no signs of helicopters for a while, mostly quiet. Sleep tight, Iraq. #iraqtech5:59 PM Apr 21st from web

 

Yo! @Calperry is now on Twitter. Watch how CNN works from the ground. Currently in Baghdad.5:51 PM Apr 21st from web

 

Rerouting one of my flights through Washington DC.5:31 PM Apr 21st from web

People walking the Baghdad streets. #iraqtech http://twitpic.com/3qa5p3:41 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

Baghdad museum. Odd creatures. #iraqtech http://twitpic.com/3q91n3:25 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

Streets of Baghdad. #iraqtech http://twitpic.com/3q8qd3:21 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

Civilization’s first two tweets. ~2009 BC. Hard to follow that! http://twitpic.com/3q8ni3:19 PM Apr 21st from Tweetie

 

Iraqi’s start thier weekends on Friday. Back to work on Sunday. #iraqtech3:14 PM Apr 21st from txt

 

Drinking a glass of wine with embassy folks2:44 PM Apr 21st from txt

 

Saw the real Baghdad today by driving out in the red zone. Lots of work to do, but people are on the street talking and things are moving.2:11 PM Apr 21st from web

 

@rohanjay I’m twittering from a US cell. We don’t have an Iraqi number ready just yet.1:46 PM Apr 21st from web in reply to rohanjay

 

Leaving an amazing conversation with a group of extremely bright Iraqi students. Inspiring. #iraqtech11:35 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

A bit hotter today in Baghdad. So much concrete. It’s everywhere. #iraqtech9:42 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

Met @madeleinep77’s brother Cal today. He interviewed me for CNN!9:38 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

Stores in Baghdad started taking credit cards again a few months ago. #iraqtech6:41 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

We just visited the Baghdad Museum. What a precious experience. So beautiful!6:41 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

Arabic is a really beautiful language3:01 AM Apr 21st from txt

 

http://twitpic.com/3oh4q6:12 PM Apr 20th from Tweetie

 

Soldiers from North Carolina in front of Saddam’s Iraq-Iran War memorial [?]5:37 PM Apr 20th from Tweetie

 

Beautiful night in Baghdad. Clear, crisp, warm, and quiet. Replying to people and preparing for tmrw.5:18 PM Apr 20th from web

 

State department press release on our trip: http://bit.ly/qjAfw #iraqtech3:09 PM Apr 20th from web

 

The embassy has yoga classes. And belly dancing.2:29 PM Apr 20th from txt

 

A question for all reading this (& your followers): what do you think life is like in Iraq today? I had no idea. #iraqtech12:31 PM Apr 20th from txt

 

17.5 million mobiles. 85% penetration. The infrastructure is overwhelmed. Only 0.06% Internet penetration. #iraqtech11:05 AM Apr 20th from txt

 

Cell phone usage here is massive and the velocity is increasing. #iraqtech9:28 AM Apr 20th from txt

 

The weather here is like San Francisco today. #iraqtech4:16 AM Apr 20th from txt

 

@saleemkhan Nothing specific. We want to listen to figure out what works and what’s needed.6:08 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to saleemkhan

 

@bastiancontrari Twitter is what you make of it. Everyone is going to find a different use, & push the product the way they wish.5:46 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to bastiancontrari

 

@Axeluno It wasn’t too bad! The kevlar suits are heavy & awkward. It’s surreal how quiet everyone becomes after 30 minutes in the air tho.5:41 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to Axeluno

 

Scott (@heif) just set up a photos feed: http://bit.ly/wVlEm and we may have the 1st press release with a Twitter search URL tmrw! #iraqtech5:38 PM Apr 19th from web

 

@koslosle We have a really packed schedule of us talking to all sorts of people. Lot’s to explore there!5:32 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to koslosle

 

@koslosle It actually feels a lot like San Francisco at the moment. Kind of chilly. #iraqtech5:23 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to koslosle

 

@bastiancontrari Rather, I’m hoping they introduce it to me. Everyone and every culture will have their own needs and ways of using it.5:22 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to bastiancontrari

 

In Baghdad courtesy of State.gov meeting Iraqi’s from all walks of life. Follow & join the conversation: http://tinyurl.com/d2njem #iraqtech5:02 PM Apr 19th from web

 

@N02R We have to restart somewhere.4:56 PM Apr 19th from web in reply to N02R

 

A picture of me in the c-130 & armor: http://twitpic.com/3l8pe (via @heif) #iraqtech4:25 PM Apr 19th from web

 

Leaving an amazing dinner in Baghdad, Iraq. Such an honor to be here.4:05 PM Apr 19th from txt

 

In a helicopter. Wow.9:44 AM Apr 19th from txt

 

Landed. That was an amazing flight. Waiting to be picked up.9:02 AM Apr 19th from txt

 

Walking up a ramp into the back of a plane6:47 AM Apr 19th from txt

 

On our way. I’m so excited!2:34 AM Apr 19th from txt

 

Wearing a suit. Getting ready to go to the next location. But first, breakfast!12:55 AM Apr 19th from txt

 

That was a fantastic dinner. Great conversation and planning. Ready for tmrw.5:22 PM Apr 18th from txt

 

Discussing video games over hookahs3:05 PM Apr 18th from txt

 

Sitting down to dinner in Amman Jordan.2:11 PM Apr 18th from txt

 

Everyone applauded that landing. Here for a night then onward!11:20 AM Apr 18th from txt

 

Touchdown in foggy Brussels. Only here to refuel.5:59 AM Apr 18th from txt

 

About to embark on the most exciting & meaniful experience of my life (so far). More soon. For now: bye USA, see you

 

Friday.9:59 PM Apr 17th from txt

 

At JFK airport8:07 PM Apr 17th from txt

 

Triple checking everything.5:40 PM Apr 17th from Tweetie

 

This espresso+grappa smells like hay12:09 AM Apr 17th from txt

 

Getting a bit nervous. Tomorrow is a big day.9:26 PM Apr 16th from txt

 

@ranajune I’ll be here until Friday night, then back on the 24th through the 26th. Sure we can arrange something! Will try to get a tweetup3:21 PM Apr 16th from web in reply to ranajune

 

Wow, turns out lots of people here at bumble&bumble use & love Twitter and just gave me a bag of product! Thank you!

 

Working here for a bit.2:57 PM Apr 16th from web

 

Getting a haircut at bumble&bumble. Wonder if they have Twitter2:23 PM Apr 16th from txt

 

Having dinner at Spice Market10:41 PM Apr 15th from txt

 

@juliaxgulia That’d be fun!8:03 PM Apr 15th from web in reply to juliaxgulia

Start reading here and scroll up…

See my other blogs about twitter