Thursday, January 29, 2009

CORALINE press junket part 2

sitting on the floor of a swanky Beverly hills hotel,
listening to the soothing sounds of Neil speaking to various and sundry reporters
on the domestic part of his Coraline junket.

press junket

hotel

view from bev hills

Last night was the big industry screening at the Graumann’s Chinese, that venerable old Hollywood landmark. Publicist Maggie won me over with the free popcorn and the clever use of a deck (or ten) of Bicycle playing cards as tokens to get in to the afterparty. (i drew the nine of diamonds, Boss got the eight of hearts) It was Almost as clever as the Fabulous Lorraine using buttons as passes......

free popcorn!

The 3-D so well done, it nearly overwhelmed me, in the way that I was feeling dizzily disoriented at even the Real D logo in the very beginning.

about the movie--

A shout-out toTeri Hatcher, girl, you were truly impressive with that buttery honeydripper of a voice for all the incarnations of Coraline’s mother.

also lovely was the fact that there was a cat character (devilishly voiced by Keith David)
that wasn’t a stereo-typical mean kitty. finally!
I could listen to Ian McShane’s Mister Bobinsky’s accent forever. I have been saving the whole of Deadwood for a snowed-in someday, but now I may just get that out of the way to spend more time with Mister Ian.

FRENCH AND SAUNDERS as SPINK AND FORCIBLE. I want to be them for Halloween, both of them, and have jewelled eye glasses on stems, with big glittery ocean colored gems on as a costume. I was literally drop-jawed in all their scenes.
Those ladies, worth their weight in gold.

I was moved and frightened at different turns. Without giving anything away, I had to be reminded by the videos playing at the afterparty of the animators moving the little gorgeous puppets, that silicone puppets moved by human hands evoked those emotions in me. I gave a big love-punch to the shoulder of director Henry Selick for fooling me so perfectly. His sense of put-this-here and place-that-there, his is a true director’s heart.


Coraline screening

Neil had Fairuza Balk accompany him to the screening, and she was a sparkler, a starlet-y firecracker. My Drew, who years ago told me she was his ultimate Hollywood crush, was a bit gaga. Neil asked him at one point in the evening if he could sort of stay with her, while he got whisked away on a wave of well wishers---the look of love and gratitude on Drew’s face towards Neil, priceless. Here they are together :

Drew & Fairuza

Drew left this morning for the Elton John tour, here he is on Captain Fantastic’s star, last night in front of the Chinese Theatre with Mr. Selick in the background. {Bye honey}

Drew & Elton & Henry

Neil has to move on to another location to do more press. So I wrap this up.
Will say this, that man is terrifyingly smart, with one hell of a spicy charming bite. The press is getting their best quotes out of him, as he valiantly strives to give each one a bit of a different story.

I always learn so much, perched in the corner, ticky tapping on my MacBook.

(not sure if this is a junket leak, but Boss just made me laugh with saying to some reporter that he could now relate to the Jonas Brothers, because of the tweener age group girls coming and asking for his autograph)

11 comments:

Dragonsally said...

I am seriously impressed that you were frightened...wow, even a member of Team Gaiman.
I wonder what Miss Maddy has to say about Tweeners swamping her dad.

Yoga Gal said...

What a super girl friend you are to let your Drew alone with justa beautiful actress! She does have a killer smile! But then so do you beautiful! As always, you photos rock!

Bill said...

Your word weaving just keeps getting more and more impressive.

Dan Guy said...

They all look so adorable and happy at that premier, I just want to pinch all their little cheeks! I'm so pleased for Team Gaiman.

vampi said...

am i the only one who inserted brains after spicy?


sounds like a fab time :) i really like the shot looking down at the garden.

your review has made me so excited. boy doesn't know the story at all and is excited as well after seeing some trailers.

*waves to drew* so jealous about elton.

spacedlaw said...

Great post, Kitty!

(Vampi: Brains are included. Of course)

Xtopher said...

Great commentary (along with the always superb pix)!!! You make it feel like we are all right there with you, standing behind the ropes and getting to see things from a more personal and unique angle. Wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

I have to be so careful when I read your blogs - I feel like I'm right there and had the same experiences - and I hate to be an experience-thief! I can see you in your costume, and want to help you make it. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT MOVIE! ~p

EmilyLady said...

Such exciting times for writers and readers and friends and viewers alike!

Yiannis said...

What an impressive Lady you are!!

Anonymous said...

Allow me to be your pyshic friend:
You drew a 9 of diamonds:With this nine good luck attends,and in a week your income mends!
The Boss: 8 of hearts: Yours is a luckly working life,quite free from proverty or strife! (don't need a psychic friend to tell him that!) Hope all is going well with you and the Boss whenerver he is! namaste- geri -a.k.a. yoga gal