Cartoons: ‘The Simpsons’ Explains Its Button-Pushing Banksy Opening. How did “The Simpsons” manage to track down Banksy, the pseudonymous British artist, and get him to create the powerful opening-credit sequence from Sunday’s episode, which seems to reveal the torturous sweatshop responsible for the show’s creation? And how, after all that mockery, have the producers behind that Fox animated series been able to retain their jobs? Al Jean, an executive producer and the longtime show runner of “The Simpsons,” pulled back another layer of the curtain and explained the stunt to ArtsBeat on Monday afternoon. The New York Times.
Animated Movie: ”The Secret of Kells”: Yes, it really is that good. Michael Lachman of Toonzone reviews the Irish sensation. The Secret of Kells is an Irish animated film that premiered to rave reviews and was nominated for Best Animated Picture at the 2010 Academy Awards. (It lost to Pixar’s Up). Does it really deserve all that praise and hype? I myself was a bit skeptical, but after hearing nothing but good things, I decided to give it a go. The answer is yes. Yes, it really deserve all that praise. It really is that good.
The story takes place in Kells, an abbey in Ireland. This abbey, led by Abbot Cellach, is building a large wall to keep the
barbaric Vikings out. His nephew, Brendan, works in the scriptorium as an apprentice. Brendan hears stories of, and eventually meets, Aidan of Iona (and his cat Pangur Bán), a master illuminator who’s working on The Book of Iona (eventually called The Book of Kells), a beautifully illustrated Bible that will bring light and hope to the world. Aiden befriends Brendan and begins to teach him the ways of a master illuminator. Abbot Cellach disapproves of Brendan spending his time this way when he should be helping to build the wall. Brendon disobeys his uncle’s orders and goes outside of the walls to get berries for Aiden to make ink. While in the forest he meets an adorable wolf-girl-spirit-thing named Aisling and the two become friends. All the while, the Vikings are getting closer to the Abby. Toonzone.com.
Comic books: Sneak peek: Tron: Original Movie Adaptation. Marvel is pleased to present your first look at TRON: ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #1 (of 2) #1, from acclaimed author Peter David and rising star artist Mirco Pierfederici along with covers by Greg Land and a stunning variant cover by Salvador Larocca! In anticipation of Walt Disney Pictures’ 3D high-tech adventure, “Tron: Legacy,” in theaters on Dec. 17, 2010, Marvel Comics is proud to bring to you a stunning new visualization of the original first “Tron” film. Learn the secrets of the Tron Universe. Discover its cast of dynamic characters. Witness the events of the legendary film in an all-new comics event with TRON: ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #1 (of 2) #1! Marvel Comics.
