Coraline

"Be careful what you wish for"

The movie Coraline, directed by Henry Selick, released in 2009, a clay stop-motion animation is based on a novel previously written by Neil Gaiman. Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, I Am Sam) starring as the little girl Coraline, is an adventurous girl that finds another world, which is a strangely idealized version of her fustrating home that has sinister secrets. Some other voice overs in the film is: Teri Hatcher (Desperate Houswives) and John Goodman (Roseanne).

In the movie Coraline, the main character goes on some outrageous, yet scary adventures in her new home. One day, she is looking for an old, hidden well that she has heard stories about. While searching, she made a new friend named Wibey who is an adventure seeking individual. A day later or so, Coraline is checking out around the house when she finds a secret door. Once she opens the door, there is only a brick wall behind it. That night, she has a dream that a mouse takes her into a tunnel from the door, and she ends up in another world where peoples have buttons as eyes. Some "button eyed" people include her "other world" parents who are much nicer and actually love her than her real parents. Coraline's "button" mom gives her a nice new star sweater for a special event. Coraline gets to attend Miss. Spink and Miss. Forcible's acrobatic play, which she gets to take place in. One night at dinner, everything seemed to be going great, until her "button" parents ask her to sew the buttons on her eyes so she can never leave the "other world". Coraline hates that idea and is scared. She asks her "button" mother if they can play a game. The game is, if Coraline finds three ghost eyes, her mom will let her go. If she doesnt find them, she will get the buttons sewn on her.

Costume design is a big part of the movie. Each outfit for the characters are hand sewn with yarn. Coraline has nine pairs of each outfit. Incase one gets ruined, they have a backup. Each piece of clothing has tiny wires in them so they are flexible to move around like the bodies. Coraline was also the hardest character to design/make.

The movie Coraline was a long time process for filming. They needed to design multiple silicon structures for each character. Under the silicon are many wires that frame the body's shape and make them move around like a human. The doll Coraline had more than fifteen bodies made just for her. All of the settings/designs are all hand drawn.

My overall reaction to this movie was that it was interesting and orginal. I believe that there are some innapropriate scenes for children, for it being a bit scary and horrifying for them twords the ending. On the other hand, this movie is very creatice and there is nothing else like it.

GLEE: "The New Rachel"

"You're here because your the best of the best"

Just when we thought Glee couldnt get any better, it did. Last weeks' season premier was a change for everyone, encluding a new variety of cast. In all of the other seasons, we are used to the original,first members of the show. Now, we have new students at Mckinley High. In the past three previous seasons. we are used to watching the show in one setting. Now we watch over the United States in New York as Rachel takes on College.

Alone in the big city, Rachel has graduated from high school and has moved on to a big time Arts Academy. Rachel takes a dance and singing class, where her teacher, guess star, Kate Hudson, is rude to her in class. Rachel auditions for a singing showcase using the song, "New York State of Mind."

Everything has changed. Back at Mckinley, Artie is popular, Sam is loved by all girls, and Tina is stuck up and popular. Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) has a new "bitch" named Kitty since she has had a child. Everyone wants to audition for glee club and become the new "Rachel" and puts Artie under the pressure to be the judge.

Audition time! Tina and three other of the main characters do a group audition, singing, "Call Me Maybe," by Carly Rae Jepsen, to get the title of the "new Rachel" act. Many new-comers try out for the club but only two stand out. Jake and Marley who are sophomores, are the only two that get standing applauses. Club postings are up and only Marley makes the team. Jake is pissed that he doesnt see his name on the list. Artie chooses Blaine to be the "new Rachel" even though he didnt try out.

Not alone any more, Rachel calls Kurt (a high school friend) and confesses to him how much she hates her college. Her dance teacher stresses her out and her roomate always has "unwanted" company. All of a sudden, Kurt pops up behind Rachel, while still on the phone with her, and says, "i'll be your roomate," which leads into the next episode of Glee season 4, next week.

Overall, I believe that the season premier was a great episode. Many of the characters have changed in a way that makes the episode/show/season even better than last time.

This is my first post!