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Beatriz (17 KP) rated Coraline (2009) in Movies
Feb 21, 2019
Coraline
Contains spoilers, click to show
Coraline is a stop-motion film that took almost 4 years to be done. It was released in 2009 and produced by Henry Selick also knows by producing The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Coraline was considered a childrens horror and ,in my opinion, that is the ONLY wrong thing about the film. I watched it as a child and it caused me nightmares for years. Its no children film. Its a genious animated horror film for sure, but not for + 6 years olds (the age that the cinemas said it was okay for people to watch)
Long story short Coraline is the story about a girl that doesnt have a close relationship with her parents that moves into the Pink Palace. Where she finds a door to a world where she has another mother and another father that are absolutely everything she ever wished for......until they are not. Until the Other Mother starts doing everything to sew buttons into Coralines eyes in order to trap her in the Other World with her.
This is by far on my top 3 favourite films and a 10 is unfair.
I loved the film so much I ended up researching for every fact and theories I could find. Here are one of the most interesting ones I've found ...
1 - The Ranft Brothers moving truck shows up at the Pink Palace towards the beginning of the film. A hidden detail appears on their truck in the form of
spray paint, which is a shout-out for stop-motion animation.
The two brothers are also a shout-out, though, specifically to Joe and Jerome Ranft, two brothers who were famous for their animation work, specifically
through Pixar.
2 - Two big reasons Selick pushed for stop-motion animation over live-action was that he felt a talking cat was too much of a gimmick in that context and the
film itself might end up being too scary.
3 - It is never specified in the film whether the real Bobinsky actually has a mouse circus. Selick believes he does not actually have one.
4 - Up to thirty animators worked on the film at any one time.
5 - The hat Coraline wears in several parts of the film is a Japanese school boy’s hat that she finds. While promoting a film in Japan, Selick had picked up one of
these for his son as a souvenir, but the boy never wore it. He figured he could at least make Coraline wear it.
Theories
1 - Wibie says that the well is so deep that some people say they "can see a sky full of stars in it" and The Other World is always night so the well could be another portal as in the end we see the cat disappearing in another portal so there are more portals than the small door.
So ... in the end of the film, did Coraline accidentally just returned the key to Beldam ?
2 - The Taffees that the actresses give Coraline have 3 dates in them that match the years that new people moved in the Pink Palace, which would match the 3 ghost children.
Coraline was considered a childrens horror and ,in my opinion, that is the ONLY wrong thing about the film. I watched it as a child and it caused me nightmares for years. Its no children film. Its a genious animated horror film for sure, but not for + 6 years olds (the age that the cinemas said it was okay for people to watch)
Long story short Coraline is the story about a girl that doesnt have a close relationship with her parents that moves into the Pink Palace. Where she finds a door to a world where she has another mother and another father that are absolutely everything she ever wished for......until they are not. Until the Other Mother starts doing everything to sew buttons into Coralines eyes in order to trap her in the Other World with her.
This is by far on my top 3 favourite films and a 10 is unfair.
I loved the film so much I ended up researching for every fact and theories I could find. Here are one of the most interesting ones I've found ...
1 - The Ranft Brothers moving truck shows up at the Pink Palace towards the beginning of the film. A hidden detail appears on their truck in the form of
spray paint, which is a shout-out for stop-motion animation.
The two brothers are also a shout-out, though, specifically to Joe and Jerome Ranft, two brothers who were famous for their animation work, specifically
through Pixar.
2 - Two big reasons Selick pushed for stop-motion animation over live-action was that he felt a talking cat was too much of a gimmick in that context and the
film itself might end up being too scary.
3 - It is never specified in the film whether the real Bobinsky actually has a mouse circus. Selick believes he does not actually have one.
4 - Up to thirty animators worked on the film at any one time.
5 - The hat Coraline wears in several parts of the film is a Japanese school boy’s hat that she finds. While promoting a film in Japan, Selick had picked up one of
these for his son as a souvenir, but the boy never wore it. He figured he could at least make Coraline wear it.
Theories
1 - Wibie says that the well is so deep that some people say they "can see a sky full of stars in it" and The Other World is always night so the well could be another portal as in the end we see the cat disappearing in another portal so there are more portals than the small door.
So ... in the end of the film, did Coraline accidentally just returned the key to Beldam ?
2 - The Taffees that the actresses give Coraline have 3 dates in them that match the years that new people moved in the Pink Palace, which would match the 3 ghost children.
Joe Kline (10 KP) rated Beetlejuice (1988) in Movies
Dec 9, 2017
The style of Tim Burton makes this movie amazing visually (3 more)
Michael Keaton creates one of the funniest ghosts of all time
The score by Danny Elfman is phenomenal
Still unique after all these years
Some of the stop motion effects may turn off certain people (1 more)
Although originally rated PG it would easily be a PG13 by modern standards
80's Classic with Timeless Appeal
This is a movie about a young couple's struggle to cope with life, or rather their lack there of. The Maitlands discover that death is just the beginning and the living can be a nuisance.
Trouble is on the horizon as a yuppie couple and their terminally dismal daughter Lydia move in. The rustic country house is soon renovated into a warped view of abstract modernism. The Maitlands are unable to scare off the invaders. In a moment of desperation they respond to an erie advertisement by calling Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
After awakening this audacious spirit they soon realise why the other ghosts had warned against him. He is crass and crude and has no boundaries. However the Maitlands discover that putting this genie back in the bottle will not be easy.
Chaos ensues when Beetlejuice goes overboard and makes the family right back. Lydia, who has befriended the Maitlands, is caught in the middle.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a funny, quirky take on the afterlife. Tim Burton's signature style makes the world beyond both creepy and intriguing. It's paired perfectly with a brilliant score by Danny Elfman.
This is easily one of Michael Keaton best performances. Beetlejuice is the perfect villain that you love to hate, and you hate that you love. Every character is perfectly cast.
There are some negatives, but they're mostly nit-picks. This movie was PG when it came out, but some of the language and humor would easily make it a PG13 today. Some of the stop motion effects may look cheesey to some, although personally I love them. Finally, the eighties modern stylings of the Deets family may date the movie for some.
I cannot recommend this movie enough. If you love dark humor and the visual flare of Tim Burton you owe it to yourself to see this movie.
One final warning: The song Day-O will be stuck in your head for days.
Trouble is on the horizon as a yuppie couple and their terminally dismal daughter Lydia move in. The rustic country house is soon renovated into a warped view of abstract modernism. The Maitlands are unable to scare off the invaders. In a moment of desperation they respond to an erie advertisement by calling Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
After awakening this audacious spirit they soon realise why the other ghosts had warned against him. He is crass and crude and has no boundaries. However the Maitlands discover that putting this genie back in the bottle will not be easy.
Chaos ensues when Beetlejuice goes overboard and makes the family right back. Lydia, who has befriended the Maitlands, is caught in the middle.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a funny, quirky take on the afterlife. Tim Burton's signature style makes the world beyond both creepy and intriguing. It's paired perfectly with a brilliant score by Danny Elfman.
This is easily one of Michael Keaton best performances. Beetlejuice is the perfect villain that you love to hate, and you hate that you love. Every character is perfectly cast.
There are some negatives, but they're mostly nit-picks. This movie was PG when it came out, but some of the language and humor would easily make it a PG13 today. Some of the stop motion effects may look cheesey to some, although personally I love them. Finally, the eighties modern stylings of the Deets family may date the movie for some.
I cannot recommend this movie enough. If you love dark humor and the visual flare of Tim Burton you owe it to yourself to see this movie.
One final warning: The song Day-O will be stuck in your head for days.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) in Movies
Aug 26, 2017
Not quite in the same league as other Japanese animations
Just like those crazy Studio Ghibli films of fantastic tales and amazing creatures, Laika productions (famous for Coraline) has created a stop motion animation using Japanese folklore. Now as a fan of Ghibli, I can say that this is no way near that league although the animation is always amazing to behold.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
Jack Reynor recommended The Vanishing (1993) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3188 KP) rated Truckers (Bromeliad Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 13, 2020
First book of Terry Pratchett's so-called Bromeliad trilogy (consisting of this, Diggers and Wings) which, I believe, was turned into a stop motion kids TV series in the early 90s.
This follows a race of tiny people known as 'Nomes' from another planet, who have crash landed on planet Earth thousands of years ago and have now all but forgotten their own past, with some living in the fields where they are preyed upon by wildlife and others in a large department store and refusing to believe there is such a thing as 'outside' ('did not Arnold Bros., est 1905, say "everything under one roof" ...')
This belief is put to the test when Masklin - one of the outside Nomes - arrives in the store leading a ragtag group of (mostly older) Nomes, just before said store is about to be demolished, and having to hatch a plan to rescue as many Nomes as he can and get back home safely, aided by 'The Thing' (what we would term a black box computer) that has been dormant for many centuries in (again, what we would term) power-saving mode.
This follows a race of tiny people known as 'Nomes' from another planet, who have crash landed on planet Earth thousands of years ago and have now all but forgotten their own past, with some living in the fields where they are preyed upon by wildlife and others in a large department store and refusing to believe there is such a thing as 'outside' ('did not Arnold Bros., est 1905, say "everything under one roof" ...')
This belief is put to the test when Masklin - one of the outside Nomes - arrives in the store leading a ragtag group of (mostly older) Nomes, just before said store is about to be demolished, and having to hatch a plan to rescue as many Nomes as he can and get back home safely, aided by 'The Thing' (what we would term a black box computer) that has been dormant for many centuries in (again, what we would term) power-saving mode.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) in Movies
Jul 13, 2018 (Updated Jul 13, 2018)
Fantastic animation style (3 more)
Great music
Great acting
A unique story
My favourite movie of all time
This is by far my favourite movie of all time.
Created my Tim Burton who is also my favourite director (yes I know he didn't direct this)
The style he uses in incredible. It's all stop motion which basically means he builds real life models, takes a picture of it in a pose and then takes another in a slightly different pose then and another and another until the pictures come together to look like a moving model. It's incredible and if you watch the behind the scenes you can see the effort they put into this movie and it shows.
The character designs are so good as well as the locations.
The plot is pretty much halloweentown finds Christmas for the first time. It's fun, funny, emotional, even creepy and it's just a good time all the way through.
The music is fantastic. Every song is unique and catchy and you will find the soundtrack on my phone. Actors are incredible and at perfect for the roles they play.
People tend to ask if it's a Halloween or Christmas movie but I watch it anytime of the year.
Created my Tim Burton who is also my favourite director (yes I know he didn't direct this)
The style he uses in incredible. It's all stop motion which basically means he builds real life models, takes a picture of it in a pose and then takes another in a slightly different pose then and another and another until the pictures come together to look like a moving model. It's incredible and if you watch the behind the scenes you can see the effort they put into this movie and it shows.
The character designs are so good as well as the locations.
The plot is pretty much halloweentown finds Christmas for the first time. It's fun, funny, emotional, even creepy and it's just a good time all the way through.
The music is fantastic. Every song is unique and catchy and you will find the soundtrack on my phone. Actors are incredible and at perfect for the roles they play.
People tend to ask if it's a Halloween or Christmas movie but I watch it anytime of the year.
David Zellner recommended Robocop (1987) in Movies (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Wolfs Heir ( The Wild Rites saga 3) in Books
May 22, 2023
65 of 235
Kindle
The Wolfs Heir ( The Wild Rites saga 3)
By Anna McIlwraith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Of all the shapechanger races Emma's met so far, the wolves are the most loyal - and the least tame. When the Russian wolves beg Emma for help, she jumps at the chance to use her burgeoning powers for good, in spite of the misgivings of those who would rather she stay safe and untouched under their protection. After all, Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races - and if her power can't save one innocent kid, what the hell is it good for? Besides, the Russian wolves might be able to help her solve the mystery of her own stray wolf's origins, or at least give her some tips on how to stop him chewing up the furniture.
But old enemies have been biding their time, and Emma's promise to the wolves sets events in motion that will push her to the limits of her mind, body and soul, and finally awaken the ancient powers that have, until now, lain dormant within.
Can she save the wolf's heir - and herself?
This is my favourite so far! Fast paced loved the story development and oh my am I a little bit in love with Alexi!! This is a pretty decent shifter series!
Kindle
The Wolfs Heir ( The Wild Rites saga 3)
By Anna McIlwraith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Of all the shapechanger races Emma's met so far, the wolves are the most loyal - and the least tame. When the Russian wolves beg Emma for help, she jumps at the chance to use her burgeoning powers for good, in spite of the misgivings of those who would rather she stay safe and untouched under their protection. After all, Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races - and if her power can't save one innocent kid, what the hell is it good for? Besides, the Russian wolves might be able to help her solve the mystery of her own stray wolf's origins, or at least give her some tips on how to stop him chewing up the furniture.
But old enemies have been biding their time, and Emma's promise to the wolves sets events in motion that will push her to the limits of her mind, body and soul, and finally awaken the ancient powers that have, until now, lain dormant within.
Can she save the wolf's heir - and herself?
This is my favourite so far! Fast paced loved the story development and oh my am I a little bit in love with Alexi!! This is a pretty decent shifter series!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) in Movies
Jun 6, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2018)
Star Trek: the Motion Picture - more gruelling to make, or to watch? We may never know the answer. Actually, viewed these days, it's not quite that bad - Enterprise crew reconvene after big cloud is sighted on a course for Earth. Many conversations ensue, intercut with stately special effects sequences which feel like they go on forever. Mainly because they do.
To be honest, if you stop thinking about TMP as a movie and view it instead as the most lavish TV pilot in history, many of its problems are a bit more understandable. It explains why the crew take ages getting back together, and why they don't really seem like their old selves until near the end. It explains why much time is devoted to introducing new characters (even if they don't, in the end, make it out of the movie alive - although Will and Ilia were sort of reincarnated as Will and Deanna some years later). It doesn't really explain why the plot is so derivative of TV Trek, but you can't have everything I suppose.
It is true you can get a very good sense of the history of Star Trek without ever watching this movie, and also that the first three minutes may actually be the most engaging bit of it. But if you're watching it at all, you'll most likely have enough affection for the original characters to overlook the numerous flaws in the film.
To be honest, if you stop thinking about TMP as a movie and view it instead as the most lavish TV pilot in history, many of its problems are a bit more understandable. It explains why the crew take ages getting back together, and why they don't really seem like their old selves until near the end. It explains why much time is devoted to introducing new characters (even if they don't, in the end, make it out of the movie alive - although Will and Ilia were sort of reincarnated as Will and Deanna some years later). It doesn't really explain why the plot is so derivative of TV Trek, but you can't have everything I suppose.
It is true you can get a very good sense of the history of Star Trek without ever watching this movie, and also that the first three minutes may actually be the most engaging bit of it. But if you're watching it at all, you'll most likely have enough affection for the original characters to overlook the numerous flaws in the film.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) in Movies
Dec 8, 2019
What's not to love about an Aardman movie?
I won't go into an extended synopsis for this as it's not all that complex that it needs more background. Shaun the Sheep gets up to more antics, this time with an alien... there, we're all caught up.
The beginning surprised me as it was a little dark but filled with suspense and it had some of my favourite stop-motion bits of the whole film... those chips... it conjured up the first of many smiles throughout the film.
There are so many bits in Farmageddon that will make you happy, I loved the addition of Forever Autumn and spotting the original Wallace and Gromit, and the toaster that every one of us can identify with... these little touches really do add to the whole film. The attention to detail is epic. The other thing I love is that you can see the fine changes of the character's skin in the animation.
Who am I kidding with this "these bits are good"... I love the whole thing, it's amazing.
There's really isn't much I can say without gushing about just how wonderfully wholesome this film is. It's funny for kids and so well crafted with little touches here and there that adults will love it too... and that ending! I'm going to tell you I wasn't crying, and you're going to believe me.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2019/11/farmageddon.html
I won't go into an extended synopsis for this as it's not all that complex that it needs more background. Shaun the Sheep gets up to more antics, this time with an alien... there, we're all caught up.
The beginning surprised me as it was a little dark but filled with suspense and it had some of my favourite stop-motion bits of the whole film... those chips... it conjured up the first of many smiles throughout the film.
There are so many bits in Farmageddon that will make you happy, I loved the addition of Forever Autumn and spotting the original Wallace and Gromit, and the toaster that every one of us can identify with... these little touches really do add to the whole film. The attention to detail is epic. The other thing I love is that you can see the fine changes of the character's skin in the animation.
Who am I kidding with this "these bits are good"... I love the whole thing, it's amazing.
There's really isn't much I can say without gushing about just how wonderfully wholesome this film is. It's funny for kids and so well crafted with little touches here and there that adults will love it too... and that ending! I'm going to tell you I wasn't crying, and you're going to believe me.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2019/11/farmageddon.html