Coraline

It is incredible how sometimes, and only sometimes, a film can be so gorgeous that it feels as if that beauty in itself can add depth to the story. I've watched Coraline many many times in my life, especially as a kid, yet I was still in awe of a lot of the frames. I cannot tell if it's a fault in my memory or improvements made for the 15th anniversary rerelease, but either way, the artists deserve all the praise in the world. They've either bettered something already perfect or they made something so special and so beautiful the first time, that no matter how many times it's watched, there's always something new to be discovered and make your eyes widen. Pause the film at any given moment and you'll find something worth framing and hanging on your wall. It's truly no wonder this movie has had me bewitched for the past 15 years. Of course, there's much more to Coraline than just the artistry of the stop motion. Watching now as an adult, I clearly see the themes and how much more sweet that makes the ending. But that is merely a late rationalization of someone watching this movie for the n-th time. A truly great example of how the beauty of anything can touch your heart long before your brain can begin processing the reasons why. Great cinema is made as a reflection of the human soul, so what better proof that we are much more heart than brains?