And for something completely different...
Neil Gaiman, icon and author of scores of novels, comic books and films has another project in the pipes, and it's quite exciting: Coraline. (But don't click that link just yet! Read on in the jump for why.)
More in the vein of 2005's Mirrormask than Stardust (and even less in line with Beowulf), Coraline is a movie set for release in 2009 based on a YA novella Gaiman wrote.
Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) finds and unlocks a door in her new house that leads her into a fantastic new world filled with parallel "Other" versions of everything she knew in her own life. These new parents, neighbors and friends that are far more exciting than anything back home. In true Neil Gaiman fashion, however, things don't stay simple and fun as Coraline's story takes a turn for the dark and she must find a way to escape back into her real world.
Yes, this is another movie based on a Neil Gaiman story, but there's something even more special about it...
As if Coraline being made via gorgeous stop-motion animation and directed by the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach, Henry Selick, wasn't enough of a sell, it's going to be presented in 3-D.
Now, I know a lot of people think 3D tends to be just a gimmick to haul people into theaters to see an otherwise mediocre movie (see: Journey to the Center of the Earth), but think about it! With the 3-D presentation, you're going to be seeing the fantastic sets and miniatures the way they actually are.
I for one, am fascinated to see how this turns out. Neil Gaiman's stories are spectacular and though the story is meant for children, none of his work ever condescends to children, and often has many insights for adults, and I expect the same this time around. (In fact, the movie's garnered a PG rating as it is).
Oh, and speaking of the Coraline website, if you click through, you'll be presented with a keyhole and a bar that tells you to input a "key." If you get them right, you can gain access to new trailers introducing aspects of the movie:
"buttoneyes" shows you pieces of the characters in the movie overlayed with lines of dialogue.
"stopmotion" shows you the scale of some of the amazing miniatures created.
"sweaterxxs" is an insane featurette detailing how the puppet clothing was knit.
"armpithair" details the...detailing of the puppet hair.
"puppetlove" Henry Selick (the director) talks about the puppets.
"moustachio" is a dancing mustache. (I'm not even kidding.)
...Or you could just punch in "otherworld" to get to the main menu and click on all of the trailers! There's always an easier way. ;)
For those of you too lazy to even do that, here's a youtube preview:
Also see: The official movie website
First post! JK. I heard about Coraline back in the summer and I'm just BLOWN by the details in the back story, character creation, sets!--and hey! The movie looks good, too! I take that back. It looks amazing! Neil Gaiman has been on my top 10 author's list since Stardust (2007) and the thought of him and Henry Selick making a film together? =D It's going to be good.
I've been following Gaiman since the Sandman series. His visual storytelling ability is superb and that kind of substance with Selick's artistic experience in film makes Caroline a must see. The visuals will definitely not disappoint. I'm sure the artbook will be awesome too ;]
Brings a whole new meaning to "cute as a button."
But this one looks good!!
Also, that cat is effing scary.
Ooh, artbook. Just looking at the trailers and screens is amazing enough, I'd love to see high-res images. (I'm all about high-res images and artbooks!)
Did you just say that Beowulf was a Neil Gaiman creation? Because it looks like you just said that Beowulf was a Neil Gaiman creation. And that derailed me so much that I couldn't read any more of this post. :(
Oops, I meant that the recent Beowulf movie had significant Neil Gaiman influence (aka: he was one of the writers). That did look like I said Beowulf was created by Gaiman, which is totally wrong. I mean, I did major in English, so of course I know where Beowulf originated.
Robert Zemeckis, obviously.
JUST KIDDING.
... That... hurt my heart.