Coraline

Yesterday, for a Valentine treat, I went to see the new movie "Coraline".

::coraline movie poster::, originally uploaded by .renato guerra.

This movie is based on the young adult fantasy novel, Coraline by Neil Gaiman,   Amazon reviewed the book this way:

"Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it, too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and their aging Highland terriers ("We trod the boards, luvvy") and the mustachioed old man under the roof ("'The reason you cannot see the mouse circus,' said the man upstairs, 'is that the mice are not yet ready and rehearsed.'") Coraline contents herself for weeks with exploring the vast garden and grounds. But with a little rain she becomes bored--so bored that she begins to count everything blue (153), the windows (21), and the doors (14). And it is the 14th door that--sometimes blocked with a wall of bricks--opens up for Coraline into an entirely alternate universe." Karen Snelson

Since I had not read the book, the movie was my introduction to this story.  I had read about the movie in various blogs, and was going for the graphic/animation/crafty tie ins that had been blogged about.  I was not let down.  The graphic details in the movie were awesome, and the story was hauntingly delicious!  My only regret is that our tiny, little movie theatre could not support the 3d format.  Not to worry though, because I have convinced my 12 year old son, who said that he wouldn't be "seen" at a "gothic chic flick", to travel with me to an undisclosed location, far away from our town, so that we can inconspicuously wear our 3d glasses and devour the movie in all its 3d glory!

If you would rather listen to Neil Gaimon and Henry Selnick talk about the genius behind this book and movie, they were interviewed on The Sound of Young America.  

There are lots of fun links popping up all over directly related to the movie.  Knitted items have a recurring theme in the movie.  Althea Crome of Bugknits designed and made most of the miniature knits used in the movie.  If you prefer to knit on toothpicks, you should definitely check out her site where she offers her miniature patterns and needles for sale.  

For all the rest of us knitters, several free patterns have become available online.  If you want to knit the wonderful blue sweater with stars that is given to Coraline by her "other mother".  The pattern is offered at the offical Coraline website in PDF form. I loved that outfit, especially the bright blue boots!

coraline star sweater, originally uploaded by Nipperknits.

Or, if you prefer to knit gloves, the blog, Largely Unrepeatable,  has come up with a pattern for the orange striped gloves that Coraline wants her "real mother" to buy for her.  

Coraline Glove - Final, originally uploaded by TikaBelle.

Buttons have a special significance in this movie, since all the "robots" have button eyes.  The official Coraline site has a vintage button poster up for grabs.  You can download it here.

Coraline vintage buttons!, originally uploaded by susanstars.

These button keys are available on Ebay. That is where this one was purchased by Laura Hall.

Coraline button key, Poladroid-style, originally uploaded by lhall.

There are even a couple of Coraline Swaps forming as well.  On swap-bot, there is a Atc swap and a mini stuffie swap.  There is also a chance for you to join one of a 50 box swap, which was started as a follow-up to the 50 boxes that were sent out to top craft bloggers late last year to promote the movie.  If you want to join a box swap, My Little Mochi has organized the Coraline Mystery Box Swap.  Sign ups start tomorrow morning, and there is only room for 50!