Our friend and creator of Mr Toast, Dan Goodsell, has a wintertime show coming up at 88Point5. Dan’s artwork is frequently at G1988 shows and it’s always a treat to see it. 88point5 is an interactive gallery by Gallery 1988, which offers buyers an opportunity to meet artists and purchase affordable pieces of original artwork. Please take some time to check out the site and be sure to say hi to Dan. If you’d like to know more about the creator of Mr Toast, check out my interview with him from last year.

Be prepared for another awesome animated movie from DreamWorks, in theaters March 27, 2009. Watch the trailer for Monsters vs. Aliens and expect to get hooked. They’re producing it in real 3-D, so here’s hoping a nearby theater has it, otherwise I’ll be watching it in regular D. Either way, I’m looking forward to this movie.

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young California girl named Susan Murphy and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

I think Insectosaurus and B.O.B. will be popular characters. Thanks to Shawn from Branded in the 80’s for bringing this to my attention.

Dragon Quest IV - This is one excellent remake for the Nintendo DS and RPG fans should definitely consider it. In fact this is one of the best DS games I’ve played all year. The way the chapters introduce the player to different heroes is fresh and unique. Like most RPG games, you must battle-battle-battle your way to experience points and gold. (Although it doesn’t get boring or take that long.) The only real bad remark I can make about the game is the poor English translation, which makes parts of the dialog laughable. It doesn’t ruin the game, but it makes you wonder what was lost in translation.

Overall the gameplay, storyline, characters, quests, monsters, music and graphics are excellent and make it really fun to play! (The characters and monsters were designed by Akira Toriyama, of Dragonball fame.) This is the kind of game that will get you excited. If you like old-school RPGs then this is the game for you. Go buy your copy today!

I hope that Dragon Quest V and VI are as good as this!

I just saw this at FAO Schwarz - it’s a Make Your Own Muppet Whatnot Workshop! The choices are limited, but where else can you make your very own Muppet to play with? Choose the color, eyes, nose, hair and outfit. Order now and get your Muppet just in time for the holidays. It’s too bad there’s not more body colors and shapes to choose from. I’d pick a Gonzo or Dr Bunsen Honeydew character.

The Drinky Crow Show is the new original series slated to debut on Adult Swim Nov. 23, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (ET/PT). The animated series is based on show creator Tony Millionaire’s award-winning, syndicated comic strip Maakies and stars Drinky, a suicidal crow with a drinking problem, and Gabby, a depraved monkey. The two are crew members aboard the SS Maakies, and together they go on a number of misadventures. From co-creators and executive producers Tony Millionaire and Eric Kaplan, The Drinky Crow Show originally aired in May 2007 as part of Adult Swim’s Night of 1,000 Pilots and quickly became a viewer favorite.

The first episode to air is entitled Beer Goggles. It’s comedy is dark, existential and quite entertaining. So if you’re old enough, I think you should watch it. Another cool thing is that the series theme song is performed by They Might Be Giants. And you know when they do the theme song for a show - you know it’ll be a winner!

All I want for Christmas is Doctor Who… I saw this at the San Diego Comic-Con a few months ago, but it’s airing in England now. You can watch it on the BBC site if you’re in the UK, otherwise check it out on YouTube. It’s a one-minute long trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special and there are spoilers! Cybershade attack!

As you might have heard, David Tennant has announced that he will leave the award winning BBC drama Doctor Who when he has completed the filming of four special episodes which will be screened in 2009 and early in 2010. I for one will miss the Tenth Doctor’s quirky ways and messy coif.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I was reminiscing of Thanksgivings in years past. There’s the traditional Thanksgiving dinner when the whole family squeezed around the expandable table, which had been just pulled out. Sometimes the kids sat at their own table, which gave the grownups a break. The feasting began and everyone grabbed what they could of the sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cornbread, cinnamon applesauce, cranberries, pumpkin and apple pie, turkey, ham, stuffing or dressing and gravy. It was great when grandma prepared it all by hand. She was a great cook.

The fun times with my family made for great childhood memories. Just like the days before Thanksgiving and the school teachers gave out busy work which included Thanksgiving crafts and decorations. My favorite Thanksgiving craft was the hand print turkey, with it’s many creative possibilities. (Construction paper, crayons, finger paint and felt!) It always made me proud having my work on display, even if it was just on the old fridge at home.

To help you prepare, I’ve found some fun Thanksgiving resources that your whole family will enjoy. Turkey Crafts, the Tin Can Turkey, the ever popular Handprint Turkey, Thanksgiving papercraft , and Thanksgiving Coloring Pages. I hope I’ve helped get your creative Turkey juices flowing. Gobble, gobble.

This animated short, directed by Anthony Lucas, is the first of a trilogy. Simply put - it’s an impressive, original piece of animation about a journey into the dark heart of man.

Set in a world of iron airships, this silhouette animation tells the story of Jasper Morello, a disgraced aerial navigator who flees his plague-ridden home hoping to redeem himself. His expedition leads him to an island which is home to a monster that may hold the cure for the Plague. The journey back is filled with dangers but, Jasper soon discovers that the greatest horror of all lies within man himself.

Check out The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello.