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Coraline

Date: Apr 22 2009

Themes: Alternative

Grammar: Used to Do vs Be Used to

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Have you ever wished that you could just open a door and step into a different life? In the new animated movie Coraline, a young girl finds a secret door in her bedroom that leads to a parallel universe. At first, this new world seems more interesting and exciting than Coraline’s real life. But then things start getting creepy. How creepy? Think ghost children, trick mirrors, and people with buttons instead of eyes.

Coraline was made using stop-motion animation. A team of designers built hundreds of clay figures and sets, and animators made it look like they were moving. So the film is like a work of art that took years to make. Listen to Dale and Mason talk about the movie.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Mason

Dale

Mason: I gotta tell you, I already know one of my favorite movies of the year is Coraline.

Dale: I totally agree. I saw The Making Of and I cannot wait to go see it. We actually went to the theater twice to go see it, and it was sold out both times. And I’m really bummed that I wasn’t able to see it.

Mason: Right, well it’s got a couple things going for it. It’s been so long since there was a stop-motion movie made. We’ve been so used to the CGI scene that it’s really refreshing for people to see something made in that old style.

Dale: And do you know how long it took to make it?

Mason: It was like three years, right?

Dale: Actually, five years.

Mason: Wow.

Dale: It was five years. And Dakota Fanning, who’s the voice of Coraline, she actually had her voice change throughout those five years, and the director had a hard time keeping her voice accurate.

Mason: That’s interesting. I didn’t notice, so that was definitely an admirable job on their part.

Dale: And it was just amazing, I mean, for like a couple seconds, it would take almost four hours. Just a couple seconds. I can’t wait to see it.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

Mason loved the movie Coraline. Dale hasn’t seen it yet, but he really wants to. He saw a show that talked about how the movie was made. It took five years to create the film, and each few seconds of screen time required hours of work.

Most animated movies are not made with stop-motion animation. It’s much more common to see computer-animated films these days, which are easier to make. But there’s something special about seeing an animated movie where everything has been made by hand. Can you think of any other cool stop-motion films?

Coraline is about a girl who wishes for a different life. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Comments

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mi young

South Korea

I haven't seen it yet but after studying this I really want to see it!!!

There are many things that I want to chage in my life. But if I choose only one thing, I want to change personality. I want to be more agressive in everything I do. Before I do something, I really concern about that and hesitate many times, and while I do that I'm so passive.

I don't like this, if I were not that kind of person, my life would be changed a lot.

s8756110

Australia

I love Neil Gaiman's novels.

Hope this movie have a good shot.

Luizinha

Brazil

It's a great movie. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and I was pretty impressed by it. I just completly forgot that I was seeing a movie, I really felt like I was into the story.

fadel san

Saudi Arabia

I didn't see the movie yet but after read this I'll see it for sure.

Vivian83

Taiwan

“stop-motion animation” is a good vocab!

kielnl

Brazil

In some way, it reminds me Alice in the Wonderland. It's interesting, because there's a relation between both, and not only that, but also Matrix.

joaco

Argentina

great lesson, ill see this movie after this.

UME

Thailand

Looking forward to this movie ^_

blureflections

Philippines

I wouldn't have anything changed in my life no matter how those things sometimes suck…those circumstances made me into who i am today. but if i really have to make a decision, I'd like to have enough to travel around the world (i'm tired of being an arm-chair traveler!!) :)

staney

China

hi i also get the problem. what`s wrong

i can`t upload my photo . is any guys can extend you hand help me solve it

zszlaway

China

I don't know how about watching tv learn english,everyfrends hlpe me leran english

mehmetd

Turkey

thanks to God for everything that ı have..if ı believe ı need to more rich for more happiness,absolutely ı d like to be more rich..but it s not enough..human being need to have a spirit which is provide man endurance towards life s hards..or else it s imposibble to happy for man..

bartek

Poland

I don't want change anything in my life – I think it's pretty cool ;) mayby I wish I hadn't enought time and money for travel – I would like travel all the time :)

anhtuan47

Viet Nam

now, i am not a child but i still like to see the animated movies, it helps me think about past memories that really spontaneous

sofree

China

Any other cool stop-motion films? Definitely Gromit and Wallance, my favorite!

Change one thing of my life? Anything, I like refreshing things. A different career, another city, I'm open to anything.

Rawanٌ

Saudi Arabia

Actually I couldn't think of any other cool stop-motion films but I think that the movies which made by computer are imazing and I like it.

Well, I really hope if I can change many things about my life. For example, I want to change the place where I lived now and live in my hometown Palestine.

Regards,

wuxc919

China

It is the first time come here.
nice to meet you.

pizzachuwave

Thailand

wow!!~~

I'm looking forward to see it.

ps,, Dakota always impresses me**

mukashi

Myanmar

I am sick of Animation movies.It drives me crazy. In Japan Amimation not only popular in his own country but also in the world.

Until last month, I never had an idea to change my life as I am very pleased to my life. However from last month I wanna change my life. I was so bummed the present life. If I can I want a new life which have peaceful things in everywhere without angry, without greedy, without hate, without sad,without competition,, etc. Really really want peaceful life.