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Here’s a quick guide to some great stop-motion films.
TOYS IN THE ATTIC 2009
The new movie opening in select cities on Sept. 7 is an English-dubbed version of this Czech film about a doll who is kidnapped by an evil bust, and her toy pals who try to rescue her. Surreal.
THE WRONG TROUSERS 1993
The Oscar-winning short with Wallace & Gromit – a dim-bulb fellow and his smart dog – a nasty penguin who is disguised as a chicken, and a pair of mechanical pants that wreak havoc. Hilarious.
A TOWN CALLED PANIC 2009
A frenzied French feature about a cowboy, an Indian, their talking horse (who’s in love with a piano teacher talking horse), and a message about being careful what you purchase on the Internet. Wacky.
CORALINE 2009
A young girl must choose between staying with her dull but loving parents or going to an alternate universe with beings that look like her parents, sorta. Disturbing.
FANTASTIC MR. FOX 2009
George Clooney voices a crafty, chicken-stealing fox, and Meryl Streep plays his concerned wife. From a Roald Dahl story, directed by Wes Anderson. Stylish.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 1993
A clever but creepy musical concerning the denizens of Halloween Town and an attempt to make Christmas as scary as that October holiday. Elegant.
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS 1963
Live action, with brilliant Harryhausen stop-motion segments, especially the army of sword-wielding skeletons that attack our heroes. Jaw-dropping.