Video of the Week: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

I'll admit, this week's Video of the Week is probably my favorite video I've shared on this blog. This past Sunday at the Oscars, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film (I'm pleased to say that I correctly predicted this short to win).

And now that it's won, they have posted the full length short film on YouTube. I watched it yesterday and fell in love instantly. If you're a book lover like I am, you'll also love it. It follows our main character who seems to be a book lover as well. There's a big storm and we get a sort of Wizard of Oz feel to it for the first little bit. After that, it takes on a life of its own as he walks into a bookstore and the entire short is all about books. The concept is unique and brilliant. The animation, just as strong. I won't give everything away here, because I want you to experience it full for yourself.

Here is this week's Video of the Week:

Quote of the Week: Gary Henderson on Putting Off Writing

(Image courtesy of WritersBreak.com)

Since I am in the early stages of writing a book, I have some quotes lined up that fit in well with where I am at in this process. Today's is particularly fitting, and I'll explain why. Here is this week's Quote of the Week:

"Never put off writing until you are better at it."

--Gary Henderson

Recommendations of the Week [2/26-3/3]: Oscars (& Buy Hunger Games Tickets)

(Image courtesy of TheUrbanDaily)

It's time for another of my Recommendations of the Week. These recommendations can be something that happened in the past week that I read, watched, participated in, etc., or something coming up in the following week. Feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments section below.

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations of the Week [2/26-3/3]:

TV Shows:
Academy Awards (8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT, ABC)

Jeff Dodge's 2012 Oscar Predictions

(Image courtesy of TheUrbanDaily)

Whenever the Emmys, Golden Globes and Oscars come around, I always make my predictions for who will win over at TV Watch Online. With the 2012 Academy Awards coming up Sunday night (8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT, ABC), I have now posted my predictions online. Click HERE or the link below to check them all out.

JEFF DODGE'S 2012 OSCAR PREDICTIONS

Who do you think should win? Does it conflict with who you believe will actually win? Share your own predictions in the comments below.

American Idol 11 Week 6: The Best from Final Judgment Parts 1 & 2

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Until I start recapping/reviewing American Idol when the live shows begin, I will be providing who I think are the best and my favorites from the auditions, Hollywood Week, Vegas/Performance Challenge and Final Judgment.

American Idol 11: Final Judgment - Part 1
Air Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 [8-10pm]

*Joshua Ledet
  *During his Final Judgment performance, I kept thinking that he's like the male Fantasia; his voice is very reminiscent of hers.

Video of the Week: Crazy Chair Illusion

A couple weeks ago, I shared a really cool YouTube video, "The Joy of Books," where the owners of a bookstore did stop-motion video of all the various books in the store moving around. This week, I've got another YouTube video, called "Crazy Chair Illusion!"

Here is this week's Video of the Week:

(Source: BrussPup)

Quotes of the Week: President's Day, Washington's Birthday

(Image courtesy of the White House)

In honor of yesterday being President's Day and tomorrow being George Washington's birthday, I thought I would post some quotes by a few Presidents, including Washington. Here are this week's Quotes of the Week:

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

--George Washington

Recommendations of the Week [2/19-2/25]: Celeb Apprentice (& Buy Your Hunger Games Tickets)

(Image courtesy of NBC)

It's time for another of my Recommendations of the Week. These recommendations can be something that happened in the past week that I read, watched, participated in, etc., or something coming up in the following week. Feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments section below.

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations of the Week [2/19-2/25]:

TV Shows:
The Celebrity Apprentice Premiere (Sunday, 9-11pm, NBC)

American Idol 11 Week 5: The Best from Hollywood Week Part 3 & Vegas

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Until I start recapping/reviewing American Idol when the live shows begin, I will be providing who I think are the best and my favorites from the auditions.

American Idol 11: Hollywood Week - Part 3
Air Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 [8-10pm]

Hour 1: Group Performances

Reed Grimm, Creighton Fraker, Jen Hirsh - "Hold On, I'm Coming"

Photos of the Week: Katharine McPhee (from Idol to Smash)

NBC's new musical drama, Smash, premiered last week to great ratings, and the second episode aired this past Monday. If you've been following my Recommendations of the Week, you'll know that I've been speaking very highly of this show, which stars Katharine McPhee, who we originally were introduced to on season 5 of American Idol.

In honor of her show premiering recently, I thought I would share a couple photos I took when I saw her in concert. American Idol has been on for 10 seasons now (currently in its 11th), and every year the finalists embark on a nation-wide tour each summer. And I have been to every single one of them. If you haven't been to one yet, I highly recommend it. It's very family-friendly, like the show is, and provides great music.

Quotes of the Week: Abraham Lincoln (In Honor of His Birthday)

(Image courtesy of Britannica)

In honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday (which occurred two days ago), I thought I would post some quotes by the man himself. I knew I wouldn't be able to pick just one, so here are just four of many, in this week's Quotes of the Week:

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?

Recommendations of the Week [2/12-2/18]: Grammys, Survivor Premiere & More

(Image courtesy of Ya'akov)

It's time for another of my Recommendations of the Week. These recommendations can be something that happened in the past week that I read, watched, participated in, etc., or something coming up in the following week. Feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments section below.

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations of the Week [2/12-2/18]:

TV Shows:
Grammy Awards (Sunday, 8-11:30pm, CBS)
MTV First: Taylor Swift (Monday, 7:54pm ET, MTV)
Survivor: One World Premiere (Wednesday, 8-9pm, CBS)
Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice crossover (Thursday, 9-11pm, ABC)

First up, I'm recommending the Grammy Awards! And there are many artists that I can't wait to see perform tonight. There's Kelly Clarkson. And don't forget Carrie Underwood. Plus, the one person everyone is dying to see make her long-awaited return is the one and only Adele! She hasn't been able to sing in a long time, since she's been having vocal problems and had to have surgery.

American Idol 11 Week 4: The Best from Hollywood Week Parts 1 & 2

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Until I start recapping/reviewing American Idol when the live shows begin, I will be providing who I think are the best and my favorites from the auditions.

American Idol 11: Hollywood Week - Part 1
Air Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 [8-9pm]

309 are left in the competition.

*Johnny Keyser

Elise Testone
  Husky voice

Baylie Brown

Hallie Day - "Natural Woman"

*Jessica Phillips
  R&B voice, which I really love.


American Idol 11: Hollywood Week - Part 2
Air Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012 [8-9pm]

185 contestants are left in the competition.

(There were no performances showcased in this episode, just drama and preparing for the group round).

My latest Recommendations of the Week will be online on Sunday, February 12.

Follow me on Twitter @TheJeffDodge. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, either tweet me, e-mail me or leave a comment below.

Quotes of the Week: Black History Month

(Image courtesy of MassVacation.com)

I love coming across fantastic, inspiring, moving, funny and other quotes that stand out to me. So I thought I'd share various quotes in the weeks to come that I've come across. My idea is to share at least one a week here on this blog.

In honor of this being Black History Month, I thought I would post some related quotes. And I had a hard time choosing just one, so here are this week's six Quotes of the Week:

For Africa to me...is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.
--Maya Angelou

Recommendations of the Week: Super Bowl (But Not For the Game)

(Image courtesy of BrokenSphere)

It's time for another of my Recommendations of the Week. These recommendations can be something that happened in the past week that I read, watched, participated in, etc., or something coming up in the following week. Feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments section below.

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations of the Week [2/5-2/11]:

TV Shows:
Super Bowl (Sunday, NBC)
Smash Premiere (Monday, 10-11pm, NBC)

Unless you're from some indigenous tribe, you know that the Super Bowl is today! Giants vs. Patriots! And you know what? I could care less. I mean, really. I've never really understood the fascination with it. But since this game is the most hyped game of the year every year, I do pay attention somewhat. But I don't really watch the game itself. I watch the start when they do the National Anthem and the kick-off. Then I'm done. I come back for the half-time show, and I'm gone again. Then I come back towards the end to see who wins. And when it comes to the commercials, I usually watch them online.

American Idol 11 Week 3: The Best from Portland/St. Louis Auditions

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Until I start recapping/reviewing American Idol when the live shows come around, I will be providing who I think are the best from the auditions.

American Idol 11: Portland Auditions
Air Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 [8-9pm]

Audition City: Portland, OR

Jermaine Jones - "Superstar"
  He does great on the low notes, and his voice reminds me of Ruben Studdard.

Britney Kellogg - "You're No Good"
  Her husband held her back from chasing her dreams, and he cheated on her; she has two boys. She's from Vancouver, WA, the state I live in.

Naomi Gilles - "Crying"
  She's a little shouty in the louder and higher notes, but overall it was good.

Jessica Phillips
  Her boyfriend had a stroke. Her voice is strongly R&B.

45 went through to Hollywood.

Video of the Week [2/1/12]: The Joy of Books

This week's Photo/Video of the week will actually be a video. The past couple weeks, I've been focusing on photos that I've taken. But I came across another YouTube video recently that I just have to share. Since I'm a writer and a book lover, I loved this video, and I'm sure you will too.

Here is this week's Video of the Week: