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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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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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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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mahrad3

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

at first i didnt enjoy it alot!actually i thought it is so damnly stupid and awkward!but then when i saw it again in our class with its own songs and voices i really got into it!it really touched my heart!it is artistic and very beautiful!just like brave animation:D

l..Romance..l

Russian Federation

I like this film so much!

But my favourite stop-motion films are the films by Tim Burton. For example, Corpse Bride and a new film Frankenweenie. I really love this director and all his movies.

If I could change one thing about my life.. I would get rid of laziness.

anamusic

Chile

I wouldn’t change anything major about my life…maybe I just could try to get upset less and smile more often

Stitch

Taiwan

I liked the movie. It has beautiful detail and craftsmenship.

kpl

Taiwan

it's certainly a big work , and it's also worth as good quality as the flick comes out i think .

Ledo

Russian Federation

After this topic I'v seen this cartoon.It is a realy awesome,but it is like scary cartoon not for children=)

manal75

Morocco

i would change change my whole life i'd do evrything i want without care about the others i'd correct the peaple and to show him the right road i'do …................. much and much and much.

Rufita

Kazakhstan

I think all of those movies, which made with stop-motion animation (including Coraline) are decerve a only top marks. The job with create those movies is very hard.

I didn't see that movie but I think it's interesting, and i hope i 'll do it

Victoriya

Ukraine

I didn't see this cartoon, but I think it should be very interesting .I like cartoons so much, that is why i want to watch this one)))

Aris426

China

I didn't watch this sort of movies before ,so i am going to watch one in future

rabbitcyg

China

I really don't like such kind of films,but the theme is interesting,is't it? If one day I go into another world,a totally different world,I assume I will not enjoy it,due to I used to live the way I have .

salley999

China

i haven'watch it ,so i will watch it in my spare time

emmashow1280

China

i haven't see that .it's sound's like a great movie.and i am very run into it, so i gusse i'll see it .and made a movie took five years? it's so amazing.

ciberd7

Brazil

I would change my entire life. I´d be rich, I´d study what I want to and the most important thing I´d be a different person, someone more handsome, got it?

ciberd7

Brazil

I would change my entire life. I´d be rich, I´d study what I want to and the most important thing I´d be a different person, someone more hadsome, got it?

Boulak

Tunisia

If it's possible I change my financial situation, and i will be rich men, and I say "I used to be poor"

kukuka

Ukraine

Place of birth i guess. I think i could get more advantages and have more possibilities if the place of birth was an option.i don't complain though, but can't resist that overwhelming impression.

Vivianzhou

China

I like movies,especially cartoons!after learning this lesson,I’m sure that I’ll see it!

Fairstorm

Tunisia

I have not yet seen the movie. I heard about it just from the box office rank. The fact that it took so many years to prepare the film amazed me. certainly I would watch it as soon as I could.