From Oz to Narnia, It’s a Wonderful Life to The Matrix, the concept of a parallel universe that intersects uneasily with our own can translate\ to film with the psychedelic strangeness of deranged dread. The very act of watching a movie immerses us in an alternate reality that’s a headtrip through the looking glass every bit as disorienting as Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland. Director Henry Selick’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel looks to be especially effective addition to the genre. There’s something intrinsically creepy about the intricate mechanical movements of stop-motion animation, and it should look terrific in 3-D. Opening two weeks before next Februray’s Oscar, it could be the first sure contender of 2009. Reviews of Gaiman’s book, from his website:
“Gaiman’s tale is inventive, scary, thrilling and finally affirmative. Readers young and old will find something to startle them.” –Washington Post Book World
“As we used to say, it blew my mind…chilly, finely-wrought prose, a truly weird setting and a fable that taps into our most uncomfortable fears.” –Times Educational Supplement
“A magnificently creepy story…for stouthearted kids who love a brush with the sinister, Coraline is spot on.” –Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Winner of a more than a dozen awards, listed after the cut.
6 Responses for "Disturbingly chirpy Coraline trailer"
Rad, I’m down…was waiting to find something to take Dakota F. seriously–other than ‘I am Sam’….Can’t wait for Revolutionary Road!!! and MilK!!!!!!
Could this actually end the Hollywood curse for Neil Gaiman?
I think it just might.
Looks excellent. We’ve got two adaptations of fantastic children’s books coming next year, Coraline and Where the Wild Things Are. And it looks like both are shaping up to be pretty amazing.
OMG I love Neil Gaiman, American Gods was an experience that I won’t forget, and Selick’s work on Nightmare is always forgotten and he was the director.
End the Hollywood curse? Stardust may not have started off great at the box office, but worldwide in the end and on certainly on DVD release it proved to be a worthwhile hit.
Stardust was one of my top ten from last year. And Coraline looks amazing!
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