I always thought it was a geeky reference to Risk.

Wow, that takes me back...

So, Coraline is hands-down, the absolute best use I've seen of 3-d, CG, and stop-motion. All three elements are combined seamlessly (no pun intended) in one of the most visually stunning movies I have ever seen. Ever.

DH reread the book last week to prepare and says that the movie isn't quite as dark as the original. I haven't read the book in years, and I thought the movie was plenty dark enough. But it's like Pushing Daisies style dark, where the actual visuals are gorgeous candy-colored wonderful things, which just makes the underlying story that much scarier. The Other World is just exactly as beautiful and seductive as it should be.

In short, I'm pretty much never going through a door again, and I'm replacing all the buttons on my clothes with zippers.

If I had to nitpick, it would be about the voice acting in the supporting roles. Coraline (Dakota Fanning) and both sets of parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hogdman) are very good, but the bit players could have been stronger.

(My second nitpick would be that the slimmed-down non-dorky-looking RealD glasses are not friendly to people with big heads or actual glasses, and I have both. My temples were really sore by the time we left. So note to RealD glasses manufacturers - make them slightly bigger please!)

Oh, and stay through the credits because there's a really nifty animation treat at the end.

Hodgman is voicing the father? Coooool!!!!!1!

Yes! There was actually a brief moment of cognitive dissonance when he sang a little song and it wasn't performed by Jonathan Coulton. (It was performed by TMBG instead, so at least the "geeky Brooklyn-based musician" theme was maintained. But my brain still needed a moment to adjust.)

Here's how you do it.

That is a good plan!

Wondermark takes on Westerns. As always, remember the alt-text. (He had some problems posting the comic, so you have to click to see it full-size, and then close it so you can get the alt-text.)

Coraline = AWESOME.

YOU FIEND. WHY MUST YOU TAUNT ME SO?

(I want to see it now now NOW.)

I think I just heard meeping and flailing from up near Seattle.

Yes, yes you did.

I have to say the Wired article on the effects impressed me. Hand-painted popcorn for trees. Dude.

The DH was upset enough about Stardust that I'm not sure he'll willingly see Coraline, as those are his two favorite Gaimans. But maybe just maybe...

Stardust upset me too, because I love the book and the movie was ... not what I wanted. But everything I have seen about Coraline has made me very excited.

Two new promo pictures of Slughorn.