Coraline : Crazy, Climactic, and Controversial

Coraline: Crazy, Climactic, and Controversial

      

           
Be careful what you wish for, especially if you are Coraline Jones, the new girl from Michigan who really just wants a little extra attention from her parents. Henry Selick creatively and successfully uses the children’s book Coraline, written by Neil Gaiman, to step us into the first 3D stop-motion animated film with perfect voices such as Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher.

      

            Coraline has just moved into the Pink Palace homes with her parents, also owned by Ms.Spink and Forcible and Mr. Bobinsky. After being notably neglected by her mother and father, Coraline decides to check out the new place, while also discovering a suspicious tiny door, which inside turns out to be the life she’s always dreamed of. This “Other World”, however, is home to her “Other Mother” and “Other Father”, who have buttons for eyes, as well as everyone else in this “magical” place. Despite the warnings from neighbors to enter this door, Coraline continues to return all to escape the bore of her parents. Unfortunately, after her last return to her real home, her parents are nowhere to be found, and kidnapped by Coraline’s  “Other Mother”. To get her parents back and get rid of this “Other World” forever, Coraline must uncover many secrets and undergo many obstacles to return to the real life that she originally took for granted.

      

            With a director and producer like Henry Selick and hundreds of special effects and makeup department assistants, it comes to no surprise this movie was nominated for an Oscar, won eight other awards for Best Picture of the Year, and twenty -four other nominations.

      

            One aspect of making Coraline, is the stop motion animation that was deeply taken into account while watching this movie. Stop motion is a technique in which an inanimate object, or a puppet, has the ability of looking as though it is moving on its own. Stop motion requires moving the object in small increments while taking pictures, creating the illusion of movement. Also, many images were printed as 3D to create the look of real life. The animation includes different facial expressions, real horsehair, and special puppets, to make the image realistic.  Another captivating piece of this movie, is the score. Composed by Bruno Coulais and performed by the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Choir of Nice, the score was able to take home the Annie Award in 2009 for Best Score in an Animated Feature.

          

             Although this movie had won many awards, and even nominated for an Oscar, it is known to be rather controversial. Many people are skeptic about believing this movie is children appropriate. WARNING: SPOILERS -With the suggested thought of cutting out Coraline’s eyes and replacing them for buttons, may be a little inappropriate for young children, seeing this is a “children’s film”.  Also, some of the scenes in the movie may be disturbing, such as the incident in which “Other Mother” pins “Other Wybie’s” mouth up, so he will always be smiling. Another example would be the frightening images in which “Other Mother” goes crazy, turning into a spider-type lady, and chasing Coraline, through the “Other World” realm. However, there aren’t any sexual innuendos or inappropriate stereotypes at all in this movie, so in my opinion, it’s all good, but know your viewer before watching this movie. 

      

       In my opinion, this movie deserved every award won and nominated for. The animation was spot on, the characters’ voices were perfect, and the music score for an animated film was astounding. Teri Hatcher’s sweet, yet creepy voice fits perfectly with the split personality of the "Other Mother". Also, Dakota Fanning’s voice has the innocence and longing that Coraline portrays. When I first saw the movie, my first impression was, that it was a weird film, but really, it’s just creative. Anyone who can come up with this creative storyline and put it into this colorful, magical, strange cinema, is Oscar winning to me.

     

     

      

Parenthood: The Premiere Bringing Families Back Together for TV Time




Cast of Parenthood

               Parenthood, the NBC primetime series produced by Jason Katims, which captured the hearts of families for over three seasons, starts its fourth, continuing to bring the family aspect to NBC. Zeke (Craig T. Nelson, Poltergeist and Coach) and Camille Braverman (Bonnie Bedelia, Die Hard) are the proud parents of four grown children, who have become successful, mature adults, with growing families of their own.  Adam Braverman, (Peter Krausse), has started his hectic, yet realistic and loving family, with Kristina (Monica Potter), and their three children Haddie, Max , and Nora. Next is Julia (Erika Christensen), the hardworking lawyer married to Joel (Sam Jaeger), the stay-at-home dad taking care of their children, Sydney and Victor, their newly adopted son. Next is Sarah, (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls), an out-of-work woman living at her parent’s home, raising her two children, Amber and Drew on her own, while juggling her recent  engagement to her children’s former teacher, Mark (Jason Ritter).  Lastly, is Crosby (Dax Shepard), who in Season One met up with his former girlfriend, Jasmine (Joy Bryant) and his unexpected younger son, Jabbar.

                Previously on Parenthood, Crosby and Jasmine became engaged and married, while Julia and Joel adopted their son Victor, after the hectic previous adoption they went through. Crosby and Adam, who are currently business partners at a recording studio, made harsh decisions about their career together.  



Ray Romano, the new addition to the Parenthood cast

                It looks like another season of hardships for Sarah Braverman. While looking for another job that pays the bills for the time being, the discussion of the upcoming family portrait is discussed between her and Camille. Camille refuses to put Mark, Sarah’s fiancé, into the picture,  because of the previous girlfriend of Crosby, who ruined the opportunity for others.  Later on, when Sarah stops by the photography shop owned by Hank (Ray Romano), she notices the Help Wanted sign and tells a few white lies about her extensive photography experience, but while she does get the job, her truths come about and is fired from the job. Mark, later on, puts his foot down and insists to be in the picture, letting Camille and Zeke know he is a part of the family, even if it is currently not official.   

                And we are back for another season of chaotic with Adam. While the family prepares for one last week with Haddie before she goes off to college, everyone still must work around the craziness that is their family. Haddie who would love to spend some last minute quality time with friends,  is pressured by Adam and Kristina to spend her time with family. Throughout the entire episode, we notice  Haddie’s unhappiness about this family bonding, however when it comes to saying goodbye to her parents at the airport, Haddie comes to realize she is now on her own, leaving her crazy yet irreplaceable family behind, for now.

                Will Julia finally find her happiness? After her grueling previous adoption that ended up falling flat, Julia is granted with a miracle, a second child. However, the question still lingers, is having an adopted child worth stepping on eggshells for the rest of her life?

                And then there is Crosby.  Jabbar has started to pray and learn of his grandmother’s religious beliefs, but Crosby and Jasmine are a little undecided how they should inform Jabbar on the “God subject”.

                All in all, this premiere seems to have gone off smoothly. We are back to the story lines that pull at our heart strings and keep us guessing what will happen in the upcoming episode. I have always loved this show and the storylines the writers come up with and this premiere has definitely reiterated that feeling. I would expect to see more storylines that cause lots of drama for Adam and Kristina throughout the season with Haddie being gone and Max’s struggle with Asperger’s.  I would also expect a roller coaster of emotions from Crosby, Julia, and Sarah and their families. All three of their families have their own dilemmas and time will only heal those problems. I am looking forward to what happens next.

First Post

This is my first post in my senior blog!