Disturbingly chirpy Coraline trailer

From Oz to Narnia, It’s a Wonderful Life to The Matrix, the concept of a parallel universe that intersects uneasily with our own can translate\ to film with the psychedelic strangeness of deranged dread. The very act of watching a movie immerses us in an alternate reality that’s a headtrip through the looking glass every bit as disorienting as Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland. Director Henry Selick’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel looks to be especially effective addition to the genre. There’s something intrinsically creepy about the intricate mechanical movements of stop-motion animation, and it should look terrific in 3-D. Opening two weeks before next Februray’s Oscar, it could be the first sure contender of 2009. Reviews of Gaiman’s book, from his website:

“Gaiman‚Äôs tale is inventive, scary, thrilling and finally affirmative. Readers young and old will find something to startle them.” —Washington Post Book World

“As we used to say, it blew my mind‚Ķchilly, finely-wrought prose, a truly weird setting and a fable that taps into our most uncomfortable fears.” —Times Educational Supplement

“A magnificently creepy story‚Ķfor stouthearted kids who love a brush with the sinister, Coraline is spot on.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Winner of a more than a dozen awards, listed after the cut.