Just wanted to drop a quick note and say that the new episode is coming together rather nicely. A large chunk of the animation is completed and the first 2-3 minutes of final animation is edited together. I’m willing to say that possibly within the next two weeks the new short will be ready to show. We’re looking forward to releasing into the wild whacky world that is the internet. Its almost there!

A great video game controller leaves its mark by utilizing features that become industry standards. The NES made the D-Pad an integral part of the gaming experience. The N64 controller introduced rumble, an expansion slot, and most importantly, an analog stick. Sony’s Dual Shock introduced a second analog stick, and the Sega Dreamcast introduced pressure sensitive triggers. More recently it seems the 360 controller have made the “Home” button a new standard, and the Wii controller with motion control. All of these features have helped mold our modern day control pads, but surely there must have been one controller that had the greatest influence. I believe that right goes to the SNES controller as it has laid the groundwork for all controllers, and features a design that is still emulated today.

For starters, the SNES Control Pad is the first controller to feature four face buttons. It is not just the number of face buttons either, but the layout of the four buttons is also important. The buttons are laid out so that your thumb can access them as naturally as possible. The “Cross Buttons” are a proven layout that has been handed down across all major console control pads to this day. It is easy to over look this fundamental design choice in the grand scheme of things, but it has impacted game controllers as much as the analog stick.

We get a little bit of action.
We get a little bit of mystery.
And we get a little bit of comedy.
This Friday has new movies for a various bunch of different movie goers.
But CHOOSE WISELY!

“I use my future seeing ability to dodge various objects.”

Next – Nicolas Cage can see into the future right before it happens in hopes of changing the outcome of situations. Eventually he is needed to stop a terrorist plot. This movie looks like a joke. There are 2 scenes which seal the deal for me: The dodging of logs and the dodging of bullets. Both scenes just look so ridiculous that I expect the same from the rest of the movie. I must admit though, I am a big Cage fan and his action movies are usually good. I don’t want to believe this could be good too… but I think I’d see it. Guilty pleasure.

This guy has the right idea of what to do when invisible, just go ahead in the shower buddy.

A little while back, news hit the ‘net that Walt Disney Feature Animation was reviving their traditional animation unit. Reguardless of what one might think of Disney’s material, they easily employ some of the world’s greatest artists and animators, period. Among them are Adreas Deja and Mark Henn. Animated-Views.com caught up with the two greats and had a little chat about some of the up-coming projects - particularly the revival of the animated theatrical short subject. The first of these in the production pipeline is How To Hook Up Your Home Theater which harkens back the original “How To…” series from the ’40s and ’50s starring The Goof. Hockey Hommicide is easily one of my all time favorite shorts. I laugh my rear off everytime I see it.

Personally, I’m stoked to see a return of the Goofy shorts on the silver screen. I feel its vital to keep the staff of a production house engaged and honing their craft. Shorts are the perfect opportunity to do this. It allows them to break from of the constrictions of a long form narrative and to experiment with new animation techniques. Its a chance to try something new and experiment without the pressure of having to deliver on the box office.

Head over to Animated-Views.com and check out the interview with Andreas and Mark. They are extremely passionate about animation and its always a treat to hear what they have to say.

Hit your Best Buy and Circuit City and whatever other DVD selling stores are near you. Today is Tuesday and that means we get a slew of new releases hitting shelves. Here’s what’s coming to a store near you….

Déjà Vu is from acclaimed director Tony Scott. It’s about Denzel Washington hot on the case as a detective that experiences déjà vu in his latest investigation.
Night at the Museum is a Ben Stiller starring family comedy about all the exhibits in a museum coming to life at night.
The Queen is the story of Queen Elizabeth as portrayed by Oscar nominee Helen Mirren.
Code Name: The Cleaner is a comedy about Cedric the Entertainer thinking he’s a double agent…. but he’s not, he’s a cleaner.

Other notable releases are Parenthood SE*, Harry and the Hendersons SE*, The Odd Couple Season 1, The Drew Carey Show Season 1, and a limited release in theaters, 10 Items or Less, starring Morgan Freeman.

Did anyone wonder what ever happened to Tom Green? I remember watching his show back in high school and finding it entertaining, but I never became a real big fan of his. Not long after his show, he basically disappeared into no-wheres-land… until today, when I stumbled across this.

I don’t know what’s going on there aside from the fact that it looks like Tom Green has his own internet show, but what I do know is that is the saddest excuse for a show that I have seen. It doesn’t matter to me that the two don’t have their Wii facts straight, who cares about that, but Tony Hawk looks positively bored. I can’t say I’ve seen Tony Hawk in other interviews, so maybe he’s always a jerk like this, but he obviously isn’t feeling this interview. At the 59 second mark he looks away from Tom and probably wonders “Why am I here? Where is the audience?”

I was going through some backup CD’s and came across this commercial myself and Peter List did for Burger King. We did one of the three “choose your fuel” campaign spots from this time last year. Animated in After Effects, it is a photo collage of the real products Burger King is selling with cut out eyes and mouths on them. My spot was voiced by Rob Paulson so it was instantly a blast to animate. Enjoy!

It’s Friday and for all you loyal movie fans, that means you have a chance to see a bunch of new flicks. If you haven’t noticed by now, I pretty much only write about movies. So tune in every Tuesday for DVD releases and Friday for theater releases. Alright, here we go.

The best movie about snuff films since Cage’s 8MM

Vacancy – Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale are riding along all hunky dory until their car breaks down. They stay at a creepy motel for the night. They find a video tape of a “snuff film” which is basically a porno where the girls are killed in the end. They realize every tape is filmed in THEIR ROOM!!! So now they freak out and have to find a way out of this MADNESS! Gotta tell ya, I think it looks creepy and cool. Unique horror movie idea for a change in a slasher-chases-teens world we live in today.

I killed my wife with some fava beans and a nice chiante. Slurpy Slurp.

The name of the following video is called “Owning Glass Joe” and was posted in IGN’s review of Punch Out!! for the Wii Virtual Console.

That is the worst “owning” of Glass Joe I have ever seen in my life. Instead of knocking Joe on his ass when he comes in after his little taunt, they wait for him, dodge his punch, and then I guess proceed to “own” him. No guys, you nail Glass Joe right in the face when he slides in and he falls over in one swoop. They didn’t even try. That’s fine that you don’t know how to knock out Glass Joe, but don’t go around naming your video “Owning Glass Joe.”