DISQUS

It's a deal, Karlynn! I actually had a lot of fun working on the book, even if it was a quick turnaround. And I try to make it fun for the kids to read and pick out details & such.

Understood, and you have your opinion about this, but keep in mind that the money made off the book goes to his Michael Phelps Foundation and not, as you say, "into his pocket".

Plus, I would hope that you'd at least give the artwork a second chance. I worked hard on it! ;)

Hey, thanks for the mention, Jon! So, does this "checking out" mean for you, too? Of course it does.

Ah, yes. You're correct on the Wooster Collective thing. I was sent an email from a fellow reader who clued me on the tip. He must've gotten it from Wooster as well. The Wooste gang usually has a strong finger on the pulse of that sort of thing.

Hey, I'm loving this site, by the way! Hate that I've found it just now. Great content.

Blu's great. He's been mentioned in Swindle magazine, among others. And MUTO is amazing. However, it'd be nice if Jody gave link credit, because it seems obvious to me that she saw Blu's video from my post on Drawn! first before she posted it on her blog.

Ah, but who cares! It's great stuff anyway. eatingsandwiches is great, too.

Thanks for the mention! And just to let you know, it should be noted that the studio working on the feature is LAIKA Entertainment. LAIKA/house is the commercial division.

Just got back. I was told to read your post, and I have to say that it's a very interesting take, especially in the 'resolution' aspect of the film -- which I was a little disappointed about. But no biggie, as it was an important part of the story of the movie. (I just think it was too heavy-handed. Sometimes I just want to be entertained, and not have any heartstrings pulled on purpose...) Anyway, regarding the pop culture references, I hear ya, but this film wasn't that bad compared to past films. First of all, you gotta know that the director, Mark Dindal, is known for this type of film. He directed "Cats Don't Dance" (which is brilliant) and "Emperor's New Groove" (which not a lot of people dug, but gets better and better the more you watch it. I love it.) -- both of those films had a quick pacing/fast timing way about them, with *wink wink, nod nod* pop references, but not so sickening as Dreamworks' films. (And I hear ya about those guys-- Shrek I could've done without!)

But Pixar did "The Incredibles" and "Finding Nemo" -- not Disney, who only distributes their films -- and they, indeed, create more "classic" and "timeless" storylines. They are outdoing Disney in their own game, and all the other studios are playing catch up. Disney did the knowing pop culture reference jokes first with "Aladdin", but that film was solid, with a great story to back it up. All of Dreamworks films are crass, busy and loud -- except for "Prince of Egypt" and "Madagascar" -- but that's the way Katzenburg (the animation guy at Dreamworks) likes it. He's going for the quick buck.

But enough of my verbose comment, I wanted to say that I actually liked "Chicken Little," it was not as bad as I thought it would be, with some great animation. The guy who animated the father is a Disney biggie, who went from the traditional side to the CG side with this film -- he's a pro and his work on this film showed it. I just wished the last act of the film was stronger. It got kinda weak near the end. Oh well. Peace.

Yay! Glad you're back, Jon. If you need a running buddy, I'll try and make it up there. I've been wanting to get back out there and run some day.

I have to say that I've done the smelling like the wifey when my "manly" deodorant runs out. It's a nice change of pace, I have to say. Nothing like getting in touch with your feminine side, eh?

Great post. (And I just realized that I haven't really commented here as much as I should. What's up wit dat?)

Zero 7 is one of my favorite bands of late. Everytime I make a new mix, somehow they always end up in it. And it'll be a different song each time, too. They're newest one, When It Falls, is equally as good as Simple Things.

Diplo's Florida is a great one, too. Similar DJ work in the Shadow/RJD2 vein. Very nice work.