WATCH
Teenaged Coraline gets all angsty and bored when she moves with her writer parents to a home out in the sticks. But then Coraline discovers a secret door that leads to a bizarro parallel world where all her dreams come true, and even her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" are like genies who cater to her every whim.
That's the premise of "Coraline," a fantasy flick filmed using stop-motion animation.
Of course, that talking cat and the creepy doll with the button eyes, which happens to look like Coraline, are clues that all is not as it appears in Coraline's newfound dream world.
Based on a book by Neil Gaiman and directed by Henry Selick (of "Nightmare Before Christmas" fame), "Coraline" isn't fluffy kid stuff. It's out now on DVD.
Teenaged Coraline gets all angsty and bored when she moves with her writer parents to a home out in the sticks. But then Coraline discovers a secret door that leads to a bizarro parallel world where all her dreams come true, and even her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" are like genies who cater to her every whim.
That's the premise of "Coraline," a fantasy flick filmed using stop-motion animation.
Of course, that talking cat and the creepy doll with the button eyes, which happens to look like Coraline, are clues that all is not as it appears in Coraline's newfound dream world.
Based on a book by Neil Gaiman and directed by Henry Selick (of "Nightmare Before Christmas" fame), "Coraline" isn't fluffy kid stuff. It's out now on DVD.
LISTEN
Pearl Jam has your fix
Why is Pearl Jam the last grunge band standing?
Perhaps because, unlike a lot of grunge bands, Pearl Jam didn't see the need to feel stupid and contagious and partake in navel-gazing all of the time.
The Seattle band's new single, "The Fixer," is evidence. It's a peppy, bouncy slab of dumb ol' power pop chords with amps turned down to 9, a "yeah-yeah-yeah" chorus that at least tries to be as hooky as those Mop Top guys, and frothy I-wanna-do-good lyrics sung by Eddie Vedder as if he just walked out of a Wayne Dyer workshop.
Hear it at myspace.com/tenclub. Pearl Jam's new album, "Backspacer," arrives Sept. 20.
GO ONLINE
It's in the cards
Sure, everyone knows the value of an ace in the hole in Texas Hold 'Em. But what if you score an ace in Pai-Gow Poker, Pusoy or Booray?
The rules for those and other card games -- lots of 'em -- are online at bicyclecards.com. Along with Pai-Gow, this site can tell you how to lose your shirt playing Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride Stud, Whiskey Poker or Jackpots Poker. And for the hard-head at your weekly game who's always arguing about who can call a re-deal, the site includes an extensive list of "Poker Laws."
The site also provides rules for bridge, canasta, rummy, hearts, gin and other games, as well as a card game glossary, general rules for playing cards and a history of cards.
Pearl Jam has your fix
Why is Pearl Jam the last grunge band standing?
Perhaps because, unlike a lot of grunge bands, Pearl Jam didn't see the need to feel stupid and contagious and partake in navel-gazing all of the time.
The Seattle band's new single, "The Fixer," is evidence. It's a peppy, bouncy slab of dumb ol' power pop chords with amps turned down to 9, a "yeah-yeah-yeah" chorus that at least tries to be as hooky as those Mop Top guys, and frothy I-wanna-do-good lyrics sung by Eddie Vedder as if he just walked out of a Wayne Dyer workshop.
Hear it at myspace.com/tenclub. Pearl Jam's new album, "Backspacer," arrives Sept. 20.
GO ONLINE
It's in the cards
Sure, everyone knows the value of an ace in the hole in Texas Hold 'Em. But what if you score an ace in Pai-Gow Poker, Pusoy or Booray?
The rules for those and other card games -- lots of 'em -- are online at bicyclecards.com. Along with Pai-Gow, this site can tell you how to lose your shirt playing Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride Stud, Whiskey Poker or Jackpots Poker. And for the hard-head at your weekly game who's always arguing about who can call a re-deal, the site includes an extensive list of "Poker Laws."
The site also provides rules for bridge, canasta, rummy, hearts, gin and other games, as well as a card game glossary, general rules for playing cards and a history of cards.
