The world was shocked and devastated at the news of Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash earlier this week. The beloved athlete had a spectacular and sometimes troubled life, but lived his recent years doing great things and strengthening his legacy. One of his great accomplishments was winning an Academy Award with legendary animator Glen Keane (ALADDIN, THE LITTLE MERMAID) for their animated short DEAR BASKETBALL. If you haven’t seen it, you can now watch the 2018 Oscar-winning short below, complete with a magical score by the great John Williams. This is perhaps one of the best ways to remember Kobe Bryant, a personal and heartfelt explanation of what the sport meant to him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bryant’s family and friends in this difficult time.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
