After a crazy girls’ night out, what could possibly get me out of bed early on Sunday morning? An invitation to the first screening of Coraline, of course!

Coraline is the beautiful new 3d stop motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s book with the same name. I’m such a big fan of Neil Gaiman (and illustrator Dave Mckean), how is it possible that I never stumbled upon this book before? Shame on me!

Directed by Nightmare before Christmas’s Henry Selick, Coraline is a horror movie for children, as dark and scary as it is sweet and whimsical. It’s a great story, translated into beautiful images, fantastic 3d technology that feels like magic, a delightful soundtrack by Bruno Coulais… i could go on and on about it, but it’s better to just go and see it for yourself.

The Portuguese adaptation was left in the capable hands of my friend and Gaiman fanatic Nuno Markl, and the Portuguese cast did a brilliant job. I particularly enjoyed Maria Rueff and Ana Bola as Miss Forcible and Miss Spink - and it was so nice to meet them in person at this avant-avant-premiere. I also loved Nuno Lopes as Mr. Bobinsky, and my friend and client Luís Gaspar, as the cat. Although it’s a shame the original version won’t even be available in Portugal, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.

Until I get my hands on the book, I’ve downloaded the soundtrack from iTunes, and have wasted a considerable amount of time swapping my eyes for buttons on the official Coraline website. Right now, I wouldn’t mind diving into a fantasy world for a while.

And I might just go and see it again, once is definitely not enough.