David Maybury | Blog

Yesterdays xkcd – the book needs no introduction, but just in case click and all will be revealed.

Right, back to work slackers.

Time to close some tabs and share a few links that never made it onto the blog this week -

First out of the cage is Spiderman – superheroes ARE in vogue don’t ye know. The friendly neighbourhood web-slinger is being hit where it hurts most, his pocket. Peter Parker is going to feel the onslaught of financial armageddon when he loses his job at the Daily Bugle and starts working in McDonalds.

“The economy is going to hit people like Peter Parker the hardest,” writer Brian Michael Bendis told the New York News. “Web fluid doesn’t grow on trees, you know.”

And Spider-Man isn’t the only superhero to be taking a hit. Iron Man’s billionaire alter ego Tony Stark has had his assets frozen and is on the run after taking the blame for failing to stop an alien invasion. – Plenty more to read in the guardian.

And sticking with the Guardian, Chas Newkey-Burden investigates stomach sickening stories, paragraphs to puke by and vomitus vocabulary. Apparently it all started when he read The Twits…

It started with The Twits. My mum must have thought Roald Dahl’s classic was the ideal birthday present for her giggling, bookworm eight-year-old son. And it was, right until the scene when Mrs Twit mixes worms into spaghetti and serves it to her husband.

It haunted me for years, especially at mealtimes. I would ungratefully push my bowl of spaghetti back across the table to my mum. “I just can’t get those worms out of my mind,” I would shrug. A squeamish reader was born. – Read on, if you can stomach it!

Update: And in other comic related news – Samuel L Jackson is beating the recession with only one eye. He’s just agreed a deal to play Nick Fury (head of S.H.I.E.L.D) in Iron Man 2 – and potentially a further 8 movies, including Thor, Captain America and The Avengers. More over here.

So it’s Thursday evening and you have nothing to do. How about a night out on the town with Conor Kostick, P.J. Lynch, Oisín McGann, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Sarah Webb? Sounds good doesn’t it?

Thanks to iBby Ireland you’re dream night out can be a reality! And now the details….

A cultural evening to highlight awareness of the newly formed iBbY Zimbabwe, will be held in Pearse Street Library on Thursday 26th February 2009 from 6.00-8.00pm. Tickets 10 euro which includes refreshments. Donations will be accepted and a raffle will be held for great prizes too.

Join a host of Irish authors and illustrators who have generously agreed to come along and talk about their latest work to help iBbY Ireland raise funds for iBbY Zimbabwe’s important work.

With Conor Kostick, P.J. Lynch, Oisín McGann, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Sarah Webb already confirmed, we know that it will be an enjoyable evening with African music and refreshments to add to the ambience!

Tickets are a mere €10 and there’ll be an accompanying raffle to bolster the enthusiasm. From 6-8pm tonight in Pearse Street Library you too can help play your part*. Email secretary@ibbyireland.ie or call 087 996220 for more details.

iBby Ireland – making dreams come true.

*Terms and conditions apply: Namely that you behave yourself and don’t try to grope anyone, especially not Conor Kostick, he hates that. No authors were harmed in the typing of this advertisement. I have no affiliation to anyone in Zimbabwe – especially not Mr Eli Jones whose €10 million is just resting in my account until he can collect it, at least that’s what he said in his email.

Watchmen and The Secret of Kells – the only thing in common is that they are movies… and of course that they feature here today, side by side.

Kells has been getting some great press lately – it closed this years Dublin Film Festival – and this is what those clever folks in the Irish Times had to say:

…the most impressive Irish film at this year’s event was, surely, Tomm Moore’s weird, unclassifiable The Secret of Kells . The animated feature from Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon, which constructs a new myth around the creation of the Book of Kells , has been laboured over with a degree of dedication comparable to that displayed by those ninth century monks (though with more breaks for video games).

Eschewing Christian iconography for nods towards Celtic myth, the filmmakers never employ a lazy or obvious image when they can construct something odd, expressionistic or mind-bending.

And elsewhere – Kells is getting some help from the Movies @ cinemas in Dublin. Those folks that make the decisions have decided to stock the tie-in books for the film – the amazing picturebook and the novel adaptation.

So – on to Watchmen. There is just over a week left to general release – or less than that if you enter the competition on movies.ie… go on! The good news – the Irish Film Classification Office (Ifco) have changed the film classification from 18 to 16. The Film Appeals Board hasn’t sat in almost a year – but I’m glad to see that they have reversed the decision.

I’m a good few years older than 16 but this is one movie everyone should see – especially since the book is being touted as one for reluctant teenage readers.

MS Corley may be a certifiable genius.

Go see some more – here.

As reported by the VHC – the Red House Children’s Book Award was announced yesterday. My interest in shortlists has increased lately, noticeably as the deadline for the Bisto shortlist announcement gets closer and closer. This list is pretty diverse -

Fiona McCann collecting her award from an escaped Yeti - picture by the talented glasseyalley.com

I’m only crawling out from under my dark shadowy rock now following the debauched and thumb breaking madness* of the Blog Awards.

Damien and everyone involved put an incredible night together, bolstered by the diverse and always welcoming 400+ of Irish bloggers. Congrats to the winners – all listed here – and a special nod to Fiona, Raptureponies, Kate, beaut.ie, Sweary and the queen of bloggers Suzy. It was great to meet so many friends, to make some new ones, and of course to receive the highest honour -  giving away Ciara during the proceedings.

Right – so down to business…

David Walliams – the celebrity Kids book champion (along with Harry Hill) gives a candid interview, covered in the Independent UK.

I managed to miss Amanda Craig’s ‘best of what is out there so far this year’ list in the Times UK a few weeks ago – well worth a read.

Nicolette Jones reviews Chris Wormell’s Ferocious Wild Beasts

Impressively skilful in the way its pictures make the creatures realistic as animals, yet human in their attitudes and expressions, this tale is both delightful and suspenseful and has a punch line that will encourage children not so much to disobey their mothers as to respond without prejudice to the people and creatures they meet.

And sticking with the Times UK, it carries det

ails on the Oxford Literary Festival – including 33 events for young readers with appearances by Philip Ardagh, Francesca Simon, Malorie Blackman and David Almond.

And in the Guardian – deep breath now -

Alison Flood looks at Waterstone’s 12 ‘new voices’ for 2009.

Philip Pullman presents an audio slideshow discussing Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.

Siri Hustvedt visits artist Annette Messager’s first show large show case in the UK – in the Hayward Gallery, London until May 25.

Lucy Mangan continues her Book Corner series – this time The Wombles by Elizabeth Beresford

When does that receptive little corner of our minds start to harden and grow impermeable to such simple common sense and make us into the people Great-Uncle Bulgaria will never understand, “Not even if I live to be three hundred”?

Meg Rosoff reads Morris Gleitzman’s Then “the latest in that shadowy sub-genre of children’s books, the Holocaust novel.”

Gleitzman offers his characters consolation in the form of love, but does not allow them (or us) to believe that love trumps evil. The average 10-year-old will leave this book sadder and wiser about the race of men – but, like the very best children’s books, Then should be read by adults as well.

The bright star of Christopher Nolan gets the send of any Whitbread winner would be proud off in the Independent, Guardian and Irish Times.

And finally – elsewhere on the web – Eoin Purcell poses a question. Authonomy: Good Or Bad?

*The ‘auld thumb is not in fact broken… just sprained. What can I say? I’m a man – we need to exagerate these things.

Andrew Stanton accepting the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film:

My producers Jim Morris and Lindsey Collins should really be up here to accept this with me. It’s been such an inspiration to spend time with a character who so tenaciously struggles to find the beauty in everything that he sees. It’s a noble aspiration to have at times like these. I dearly want to thank everyone that’s been on this film: the cast, the crew, everybody at Disney and Pixar Studios. I have to single out Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs for creating a cinematic safe haven where only a film like WALL-E could be made. To my wife Julie, my kids Ben and Audrey, I love you so much, and I guess I’d be remiss if I did not thank my high school drama teacher Phil Perry for 28 years ago casting me as Barnaby in Hello, Dolly!. Creative seeds are sown in the oddest of places so, uh, thank you so much to the Academy for this.

I’m genuinely glad that Wall-E won the award – despite my hopes and predictions that Kung Fu Panda might surprise everyone – Bolt never stood a chance either way.

In sticking with a favourite recurring theme – namely what books are coming soon – I spotted two on Bookbrunch that are definitely worth mentioning.

Cora Harrison is set to continue her stint at Macmillan with I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend – based on the story of Austen’s friend Jenny Cooper. Cora’s most recent book with Macmillan was the second Burren mystery – Michaelmas Tribute. I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend should be on the shelves early next year.

Elsewhere, HarperCollins are to release US based Janice Hardy’s young adult book, The Pain Merchants, the first of a fantasy trilogy. The first novel will be out later this year, October to be more specific.

Plenty more listed online – have a look see. And if ye fancy writing your own, have a read of the latest in scientific research about what “compels readers to form more vivid identification in literature“. (via Boing Boing)

Irish Blog Week - Very Hungry Caterpillar

What do you get if you throw five bloggers onto a panel and stick ‘em in front of an audience?

Thanks to the help of the Teacher’s Club on Parnell Sq, the very lovely panelists – Sarah Rees Brennan, Twenty Major, Ivan O’Brien, Fiona McPhillips and Mags Walsh – as well as the help of Captain Mulley and the Irish Blog Week we got a chance to find out…

You get an evening of interesting book talk and one bad pirate joke.

The discussion covered a very wide remit – touching on blog-to-book deals, book-to-blog marketing, using a blog as writing practice, publisher reactions to bloggers, quality, copyright, plagiarism, libel cases and the future of books and publishing.

Sounds like a lot really, doesn’t it?

The evening was helped along with questions and input from Kirstie and Aisling from beaut.ie, Sinead Gleeson and Fiona McCann. One of my favourite questions – why is there not more fictional blogs (and subsequent fiction deals) like Twenty and Grandad?

More pics of the night are here – thanks to the legendary Ms Whoopsadaisy. Elizabeth, who spent much of the night furiously taking notes, has a great run down of the evening. And there are other reactions to the event from Ivan and Fiona.

Just flicking through the blogs and spotted over on Achockablog:

STOP PRESS: Waterstones Winner

Michelle Harrison is the winner of 2009 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

There’s a big blurb about the awards over at waterstones.com including a video with Kate Philips, from Waterstones in Oxford (below). The Guardian covers the story too – click for more.

Just a quick post as I’m still in recovery after yesterday’s kidnapping ordeal. This two links:

The O’Brien Press have launched their blog – and are still learning how it all works. Go have a look see and let them know if you have any suggestions… (I’m sure the guys there have plenty of plans too and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of it)

And after some tech troubles at his old address, Neville Thompson is back. A new blog, with the same black look, but with the same, reliable, old Thompson charm. (Not that Neville is old… well… not too old) As well as some evangelizing from Johnser.

Enjoy the reads.

Help! I’ve been kidnapped. Two hefty looking blokes broke in and blindfolded me, dragged me into a large van crammed with other book types and we’re all being taken to an disclosed location. There are murmurs about seeing a movie, maybe this one. But I don’t know… Hopefully they’ll let me go in time for the Blookie Event tonight.

Good friends Richard & Judy* tell me they’re looking for your votes – namely for their Children’s Book of the Year Award. There are some great books on the list – including Artemis Fowl, The Great Paper Caper, Before I Die and Kaspar. (Not that I’m trying to influence your votes… no not at all)

That general trouble maker Eoin Colfer has his own plea for votes or you can go straight to voting here.

*My good friends Richard and Judy may not be the more telly famous R&J.

Update: I’m no longer being held hostage. AND I got to see the stunning Secret of Kells. Tom Moore should be very proud – he, and several hundred others, have created a 2D visual masterpiece. Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally lend their powerful voices to the movie (and one of the downfalls I felt was in some of the younger cast in comparrison) as well as a strong soundtrack from Bruno Coulais and Kila.

Over the weekend, when I wasn’t at the Coraline screening or racing to buy the last strawberries in Dublin, I read some newspapers…

Alison Flood in the Guardian has a look at the stiff competition in the Arthur C Clarke SF Award.

While in the Irish Independent, Cathy Kelly (who doesn’t quite write science fiction), has some tips and bugbears for would-be writers. This is my favourite:

If you are stunningly attractive, a photo may help. They won’t publish your book because you’re cute, and people won’t buy it because you’re cute…  …if and when you do publicity, there is a slightly greater chance that newspapers will want to publish an article if they get gorgeous pictures too. Sad but true.

Oxford University Press come out guns blazing in their own defence in the Times UK:

it gives children structured support and engagement. It has always been the intention of Oxford Reading Tree to get children reading as quickly as possible so that they can access the richly diverse world of children’s literature for themselves. – Kate Harri, Managing Director, Educational and Children’s Division, OUP.

Sticking with the Times UK, this time with Nicolette Jones, who reviews Emily Gravett’s Dogs.

Over in the Guardian Julia Eccleshare has not one but two reviews – Joe Berger’s Bridget Fidget and Helen Cooper’s Dog Biscuit.

In our own Irish Times, Peter Crawley reviews The Giant Blue Hand (Marina Carr’s new play for children playing in The Ark)

Some will be surprised by how dark Carr is willing to go here, but even as the Giant Blue Hand boasts about eating his victims with mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise, each hardship comes cushioned with a savoury gag.

“Time can do terrible things,” says Walker, “but it can also do the wonderful.” That desire to explore the dark folds of fantasy in a production brimming with imagination speaks directly and sincerely to kids. To grown-ups too, for that matter.

And finally – Slashfilm have some sneak peaks from Where the Wild Things Are. Go see! Go see!

The friendly faces behind the Blog Awards have organised a panel discussion this week with some other friendly faces – namely Sarah Rees Brennan, Twenty Major, Ivan O’Brien, Fiona McPhillips and Mags Walsh, alongside some other special guests. Sinéad Keogh and yours truly will be on hand to fire some well-thought-out-and-by-no means-spontaneous questions and there has been the promise of wine, water, the odd chocolate bar and an open-floor Q&A.

Fancy asking Twenty where he gets his grooming products from? Or a chat with Fiona about the Birds and the Bees? Or maybe something a little more important, the urge to nod appreciatively at sharp insights and observations perhaps? Then tag along to The Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Sq at 7pm this Wednesday (Feb 18).

HarperCollins (or what’s left of them) is getting itself down with the kids. They’ve launched a Bebo campaign in search of slang for inclusion in the prestigious Collins’ English Dictionary.

According to theBookseller – words that are in the mix include: bare (a lot of), fiend (addicted to something) and shifted (to get arrested).

Now I don’t know how its done across the water but in my day shifted meant something entirely different… And while I’m on that subject, does anyone still say meet? Usage: Me friend around the corner wants to meet your sister. Is she around?

Any nominations for our own home grown slang? (If this got you piqued have a look here)

Did anyone else know that Tomm Moore has a blog for the Secret of Kells movie? No, me neither… I’ve started reading posts from way back at the beginning of the project – all the way back in 2005.

We’ve been working on this in Cartoon Saloon for almost six years, just dpping into it everynow and then the development was long, meandering and ponderous. We’re finally in full-time preproduction with a crew in place. We started in October and we’ll be aiming to finish it up for Chrimbo 2007. So stay tuned. I just posted some pictures of the main character Brendan that I did last year at this time and a newer one.

And is it worth mentioning that I’m going to see that very movie, The Secret of Kells, at a secret time, in an undisclosed location, next week?

Vincent of Movies.ie fame raved about it (below) and ye can see the trailer on the movies.ie forum:

I loved THE SECRET OF KELLS, the movie has a magical other-worldy feel that reminded me of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies (such as Spirited away) It’s one of the most visually arresting animations I’ve seen, every frame is a work of art. That coupled with a perfect soundtrack and a back-drop of Irish folklore, it’s impossible not to love it.

In recovery today after a manic day on Tuesday (more on that tomorrow) but two pieces on bullying caught my eye -

22pc of Irish teens have experienced bullying online, with four out of 10 experiencing it frequently, according to Microsoft Ireland. – Marie Boran on Gadgetrepublic.com

Educational theatre group Team have put together a three-part DVD drama called Get Real , to highlight the dangers of the online social networking phenomenon amongst teenagers. – John Holden in the Irish Times

Now that the snow is receding and the cold outside is less Siberia and more just raining Hibernia it’s safe to go outside and see some of the world. Or more specifically I have a few recommendations that ye might be interested in…

Tonight Conor Kostick is in St Pats College (Drumcondra, Dublin) from 7 talking about Marxism and Children’s Literature. I’ve been promised a chapter on lizards which could be interesting… Details are here.

Elsewhere in the city, the talented Mr Brian Coldrick launched his exhibition ‘Shrunken Head’ – it runs until February 17 and features everyone’s favourite sloth, Slothey T. Hoffman, in many guises. Have a sneak peak here.

And as if all that wasn’t enough - Alex Milway, of Mousehunter fame, visited the Illustration Cupboard last week and recommends we all drop what we’re doing and go see it now.

I implore everyone to go, as some of the original artwork on display is superb. There are beautiful Shirley Hughes pictures, some awesome Chris Wormell prints, and best of all Chris Riddell’s ink drawings for Neil Gaiman’s Graveyard Book. One of which is below. – Alex Milway, on the Illustration Cupboard.

Just woke up to some great news – Sarah Webb’s new, and first, teenage novel, Amy Green Teen Agony Queen is to be made into a film. According to the Irish Independent Sarah has signed a recession busting deal for Boy Trouble to be made. Congrats Sarah!

The Irish Independent has the the full story – and you can read Sarah’s new look blog over here.

After a week of manic weather, and just when everyone in Dublin thought it was safe to go back out doors, we woke on Sunday to an incredible winter wonderland all over again. And this time I took full advantage – a snowball fight against the meanest, hardest 7 year olds I’ve ever met (I’m not a sore loser, nope) and then the birth of Mortimer Jones Frost II. Isn’t he pretty? (Sadly Mortimer Jones didn’t last the night… he was a mere puddle of his former self this morning.)

Of course with the weekend comes some free time to read the newspapers:

JK Rowling and Jacqueline Wilson are winning the library popularity contest – The Most Borrowed Books of 2008

And speaking of popularity – Rowling was given French Legion of Honour last week.

Lucy Mangan in the Guardian continues to build the most brilliant Children’s Lit Library – this time featuring Mr Roald Dahl and his fabulously scrumptious chocolate factory.

Sticking with the Guardian for a bit longer – Rachel Ward’s book Numbers goes under the microscope and Michael Rosen sets himself the challenge to get kids reading.

Numbers is a high-concept, it-could-go-anywhere idea taken down an unexpected and interesting route. Seemingly downbeat, it is both intelligent and life-affirming. First-time author Rachel Ward is certainly one to watch. But I’d avoid eye contact if I were you. – Philip Ardagh on Numbers

Comics and cartoons feature in the Independent for the New York Comic Con and Nicholas Tucker in the Independent UK reads Siobhan Dowd’s Solace of the Road

Creating the characters Holly meets in just a few words, quickly conjuring up the urban scenery, expertly flitting between past and present, Siobhan Dowd meets every challenge with the authority of a born writer taken from us too soon.

And in the Times UK Nicolette Jones reviews Anna Perera’s Guantanamo Boy

This powerful and humane book shows that hatred is never an answer, and proves the pointlessness of torture and the danger of thinking of anyone as ‘other’.

Despite the weather and some of the delegates being delayed – this year’s ISSCL conference is still going ahead in Dublin. The conference is titled Nation, Translation, Migration and features talks on Terry Pratchett, Shaun Tan and Siobhan Dowd as well as panelled discussions tomorrow.

If you do nothing else today – have a look at the conference site and, if you’re in the area, maybe visit the keynote address at 7 tonight. (E Block, Room 210, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.) The keynote speaker is the Prof. Maria Nikolajeva – discussing The (Un)changing Stereotypes in Swedish Young Adult Fiction.

Aubrey Flegg launched this years Bookmarks Programme in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) – without repeating the press release word for word – Bookmarks is run by TCD and the Ark for schools classed as disadvantaged.

The students have nearly two months to get ready – and the rest of us just have to wait – until the exhibition is opened to the public on 24 March. You can find out more about the programme over on the Ark Blog.

So… On your bookmarks. Get set. GO!

I managed to miss the piece in the Times UK about their Children’s Fiction Competition but Emerging Writer spotted it. Tying in with yesterday’s blather about editors – I thought it was pretty interesting to read Barry Cunningham’s comments about the shortlist:

Threads by Sophia Bennett

Funny, serious and absorbing. The lives of a group of friends who love fashion and style become entwined with a young, brilliantly talented African refugee with a painful background.

Marshes of Magdalen by Victoria Suzuki

A colony on another planet runs into trouble from the survivors of the previous failed expedition and the intelligent life forms already there. Physically gripping and exciting, with very real teenagers at its heart.

The Psychic Squad by Shar Ros-Elman

Children with psychic abilities are singled out for special training. The question of whether they are to be used for good or evil is mixed in with their relationships to each other.

Charlie Squires Goes Elsewhere by Justine Windsor

Amusing fantasy romp for younger readers. A young boy follows his mother through a painting to an alternative world of mild peril, but strong adventures.

Chasing the River by Anne Giraud

A beautifully written African odyssey. A young refugee from a massacre travels through a devastatingly beautiful landscape and battles with danger, betrayal and impoverishment. Hope, resourcefulness and courage beat in his breast.

Head over to the Times site to find out more about the competition – and to read extracts of all the shortlist.

Great news from the Just One More Book! podcast. They’re being syndicated in the UK on the diverse radio station, Unity Fm in Birmingham. Joining the ranks of UB40, Black Sabbath, Novacon, Electric Light Orchestra, Larry O’Loughlin and Wizzard (all Brummie/West Midland exports)

You can catch the show on Thursdays from 9pm. Tune in online – ah, go on.

Last week Bookbrunch asked a few UK editors what they were looking for in 2009. It makes for interesting, and contradictory, reading.

In times such as we face this year, escapism becomes even more important and will fuel the need for high entertainment – action, humour, riveting interest – in both fiction and non-fiction. – Roland Philipps, from John Murray.

And it has gotten me thinking about what is to come in children’s lists, more specifically Irish lists. Last week Puffin came out guns blazing with a list that would make anyone shed a tear of envy; and Simon and Schuster have some big titles coming through in the first 6 months. (Have a read of what’s to come) While Waterstones are begging publishers for more ebook releases – with competitive prices.

O’Brien Press have the Secret of Kells franchise releases – with a picture book and novel – as well as a new Judi Curtin book, Linda Moller’s The Great Pig Escape, James Allison’s Demon from the Deep End and Celine Kiernan’s next installment Crowded Shadows.

Mercier have two great books on the horizon – Damsel, Susan Connolly’s debut, and Kieran Crowley’s excellent and thrilling Colm And The Lazarus Key. On top of the new releases Mercier have picked up Anvil Press and the Children’s Press so there should be some really great reappearances – all available on the Mercier site soon.

So… what are Irish editors, agents and companies looking for in 2009?

P-p-p-plenty happening in the UK papers over the weekend, not so much in the Irish press though. In other news… the blanket of snow this morning made it harder than usual to get up. We still managed to throw a few snowballs before being desk bound.

The Sunday Tribune covers Suzanne Collins’ new YA book The Hunger Games.

Peter Murphy gets more of a look-see in the Tribune and the Irish Independent.

And across the pond, the Times UK had a pretty busy weekend – Amanda Craig goes to the dogs with a review of Emily Gravett’s Dogs and Dogger by Shirley Hughes.

Nicolette Jones, in the Sunday Times, reads the excellent Siobhan Dowd’s new book Solace of the Road.

In the Guardian Mal Peet reads Ally Kennen’s Bedlam

One of the many things I like about Ally Kennen’s novels is that they are built around big, centralising metaphors but she doesn’t overcrank them, nor resolve them. At the heart of Bedlam is the image of asylum, sanctuary. However, like our government’s policy on asylum, it’s a shambles. Kennen powerfully suggests that the real place of safety is within the generous hearts of the young.

And if all that wasn’t enough reading for ye – Declan has worked out a new fitness regime for everyone. 39 steps to getting published. A sure fire way to the top.

Thanks to the power of the interweb – and those nice people over on movies.ie, thankee muchly – we made it to see the premiere of Bolt 3D. An impeccably presented and perfectly animated movie I came away trying to place the dozen or so cartoon homages lining the script – the pigeons throughout are straight out of Animaniacs. There is more to it than that… the story and characters are pieced together from other classics – it seemed to be Disney’s answer to Inspector Gadget – Bolt is Brain, Penny is… Penny, and Rhino, the movie’s saving grace, is the delusional Inspector Gadget – it even comes complete with the M.A.D Cats… Having seen it, I think Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda are safe to duke it out for Best Animated Oscar this year.

Ten Second Reviews:

We managed to get to see the uncomfortable and brilliant The Wrestler too this weekend. Mickey Rourke delivers a performance that will, or should, win him an Oscar.

And just because it was so so cold outside we squeezed in a third flick. Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist… the poor man’s Juno.