‘Xander and I were lucky enough today to sneak away and watch WALL·E and I have to say that I was amazed. I was amazed when I saw Ratatouille, too, but this is even light years ahead of that film in terms of visual style, radically innovative story-telling (the fact that this movie got made at all, much less was #1 at the box office this past weekend, is a miracle), and just sheer scope. This is the film that anyone who’s ever played with or appreciates animation wishes they could make. If over 100 years of making movies (telling stories, taking us to new worlds, broadening our horizons) culminates in anything, it culminates in this film. It really is, chiefly, a really sweet love story in which the survival of the human race is at stake. So, anyway, go see this film. One word of warning, though: this is not “Kung Fu Panda” or even “Cars” - this movie asks something of you, the viewer, and will make you think.

Oh, yeah: and it’s got Fred Willard - non computer-generated Fred Willard (!) - in it.

We just created our very own YouTube Channel. At the moment it mostly just has my animation and video projects. If you haven’t seen them before, though, be sure to check them out (my personal favorite is still “Peas Grow There” because it’s just so stupid, but you are free to disagree). Look for new stuff posted in the future!

Time for some extremely brief movie reviews of some movies we’ve seen recently!

Enchanted: Clumsy “Howard the Duck” remake. The void between dimensions was portrayed realistically, however.

Cloverfield: Not so much a true monster movie as a disaster movie with a giant monster running around in it. Chomp!

Lars and the Real Girl: Funny and sweet. Recommended.

The Water Horse: Nice use of the Wilhelm Scream.

The Thief Lord: A very nice film. I enjoyed the story and the Venice setting. Didn’t hold the kids’ interest, however.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: No. Just… no. Never again!

Juno: Way overhyped. “Knocked Up” was much funnier. Honest to ‘blog.

The Darjeeling Limited: We both really liked this. Funny and poignant. Skip the brief Part I webisode, however, unless you want to be scarred for life by the truly frightening sight of Natalie Portman’s ribs.

Stargate - The Ark of Truth: Awesome, awesome, awesome! Makes you wonder what Stargate SG-1 could have been if they could have upped the action (and the violence) just a little bit.

Becoming Jane: The rare chick flick where (spoiler alert!) the girl doesn’t get the guy (or any guy) in the end.

Surf’s Up: Everyone liked this. Amazing animation effects and truly funny characters. The Dude as a penguin… brilliant!

Dan in Real Life: Steve Carell combines his two characters (Michael Scott and The 40-Year-Old virgin) and is very funny, though still not as funny as Juliette Binoche.

Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School: A truly interesting film. Probably one of my top three favorite films about the healing power of dance (”Strictly Ballroom”, and “Shall We Dance” - the original Japenese version - being the other two).

Superbad: A true guy flick. Funny (if you’re a guy).

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium: Pretty unremarkable, actually.

Mr. Bean’s Holiday: I really enjoyed this, as did the kids, despite the fact that Mr. Bean isn’t a taste I’ve fully acquired.

The Holiday: Why, Jack Black. Why? I thought I might actually like this movie, but it was sheer torture. Honest to ‘blog, torture.