Mike and I watched the movie Coraline over the weekend. It was actually his choice since he's had some kids recommend it to him at school. He kept telling me he knew I would love it and he was so right. It is as close to a handmade movie as you can possibly come. They used all DIY special effects and made everything you see in the movie by hand. If you are interested in making your own Coraline doll like the one above you can buy a PDF pattern on Etsy from SewLolita.
I found this great article and slide show in Wired Magazine that details how they made each element in the movie. Here's a quote, "In all, the crew hand-built 150 sets and 250 jointed puppets, as well as plants and toys with countless moving parts. "What makes this film different," says Tom Proost, one of the art directors, "is that everything is real and everything moves."
Not only is it visually stunning but the story is so compelling as well. It is appropriate for mature kids but I probably wouldn't let a child younger than 6 watch it. There isn't any gore but just several amazingly shocking moments that could possibly haunt an immature kid for awhile. Hell, there is at least one scene that I will probably have nightmares about. It involved taffy and a very large bossomed woman, if you are curious.
Coraline is the perfect heroine for young girls. She's strong willed and speaks her mind. Dakota Fanning did a great job of making her real. And the writer Neil Gaiman was able to capture that moment of adolescence when you are still dependant on your parents in many ways but trying to find your own place in the world.
Synthetic Seduction recreated that quizzical look of Coraline in clay for her necklace above. It would be perfect for a Coraline fan in your life.
I think it would be a great movie to watch on Halloween. I'll be buying a copy for myself as well as Jess and Kate. I really think that Kate will identify with Coraline.
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