I don't see any "first-run" movies anymore (cash priorities), but I find the new technologies in the animated/computer arts interesting. Now, whether it will change "the art" in some "meaningfull" way (down the road) , that's hard to say. Time will tell I guess.

It's still the writer who's at the heart of any (good) story/film IMO... and good writing has gotten watered down with the myriad of indie films and TV channels all barking for writers for their "cool" "product". In the old days, if you were truly talented, you might get hired by Disney or another similar company, surrounded by other talented people. Today, many second & third rate wanna-be's write slop for network primetime. (I'm not slamin' the film here,I didn't see it )

But I did see this neat film-short animation recently:

http://www.gethappy.com/watchmore.html

It's a pseudo/(clay)mation by Mark Osborne... won several awards back in 1999. About 5 minutes in length (20 secs to download). And oh yeah, it's 16 MB, so unless you have cable, ferget it! (sorry). It's Quicktime as well, so PC users will need to take QT outta yer startup tab after viewing it (I hate how Apple has that aggravating habit of "thinking" for us). Very well done, just the same.