From the annals of great back-handed compliments: yesterday, Joel and Ethan Coen's new film, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" was screened for Disney executives. In attendance was a representative of the American Humane Society who inquired about a particular shot where a cow was hit by a car. The AHS rep was told that in fact the cow was digitally created. The shot was so convincing the rep refused to believe what she had seen could be anything but real. In fact, she looked at the shot 10 times.

In order for the filmmakers to be allowed to include the statement, "no animals were injured during the making of this film..." Digital Domain, the company that created the visual effects for the film, and the shot in question, will have to authenticate its work.

This had some of the amused digital artists mumbling, "where's the beef?"