Coraline, or Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

Coraline-2009, PG
Directed by Henry Selick


Last weekend, I saw Coraline with CK and N and it was amazing! I cannot explain how amazing the whole movie looked. The animation was spectacular. While the plot line was fitting for a children's movie (and thus a little juvenile), it had elements of creepy that was able to be appreciated by all ages.

The movie follows a little girl, Coraline, who has moved to the Pink Palace with her career-focused mulch-loving gardening parents. Coraline's parents never seem to have enough time for her and so one night, Coraline follows a pack of mice into an alternate world, inhabited by her Other Mother and Other Father. These parents seem to be the perfect parents, but soon the idyllic alternate world turns dark when Coraline's Other Mother demands that Coraline has buttons sewn into her eyes. Coraline must then decide what is important to her. Coraline has a very good message- Be careful what you wish for. If you could have the perfect life, what would you give up?
Now, for the animation style. It was fantastic. Coming from the creators of The Nightmare Before Christmas, there were high expectations, but the animators did not disappoint. They took the 3-D claymation style and combined it at times with 2-D animation. It blew my mind. I think the best moments were the spider web and when the alternate world fell away. It was amazing. I loved it.

So, overall rating: A-


Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
Amanda Palmer

Okay, so I have always been a fan of The Dresden Dolls and their lead singer, Amanda Palmer's debut solo album is amazing. The musical style of the entire album ranges from bouncy, radio-friendly pop ("Oasis") to emotional punk/alternative rock ("Ampersand") to something that sounds like a music-box ("What's the Use of Wond'rin?").

I must give highest praises to Amanda Palmer's songwriting and lyrics. The lyrics are poetic, following the same style as the Dresden Dolls. "Ampersand" and "Strength through Music" stand out as two of my favorite tracks on this album.

The video series of this album is phenomenal. They can be found on youtube pretty easily. These videos really bring the whole album to a higher level of awesome. The other music videos for the two independent singles "Oasis" and "Leeds United," while unrelated, are fun and matching with their own individual styles.

Two of the songs' videos, "Strength Through Music" and "Guitar Hero" MUST be viewed in order as they flow into each other. These two videos also take a step away from the rest of the video series, but still manages to fit in with the rest of them in the end through the placement of the little red man (watch the videos and you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm not going to give anything away here). These two videos were made to be a memorial to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 but in Amanda Palmer's own special way.

Oasis- Amanda Palmer

Ampersand- Amanda Palmer


What's the Use of Wond'rin?- Amanda Palmer

Overall Rating: A