Where The WIld Things Are

Anyone grow up with the book? well it looks like the one of the first great, non-pixar kids movies Hollywood has made in a long time. I just thought the trailer for it was beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM

I know what I'm doing October 16th

Oh god, I grew up on that book, wow, this brings back memories.

Nostalgia kicks in..now.

I grew up with this book, and when I saw the trailer, I freaked. It looks soo amazing (:

All these book-movie adaptations mean one thing.

No one can come up with original ideas for movies anymore.

But you cannot deny: this looks like it could be one of the best adaptations of a children's book in a long time. None of this stupid "Robert Rodriguez" run-of-the-mill type of kids movie. This looks specatular.

Saw the trailer at Harry Potter, but the guy in the projection booth ****ed with the sound so it was blasting. Freind of mine shouted, "Could you turn it down so we can hear after we leave?" Was lulzy.

I'm very excited for this. Very, very excited.

I never thought something like this could happen. Whats next, a live action version of Clifford?

This has one of the most well put-together trailers I've ever seen.

I'm a big fan of the book, and it looks like Jonze is going to pull off the movie. I'm pretty excited, though release is too far away for me to get super-hyped about it.

Although I am religiously against adaptation movies, the trailer to this movie kind of pulled on my hearstrings. I'm reserving hope for this, which may be the first good adaptation since... jesus, since Lord of the Rings, probably. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the last for a long time, too

That trailer nearly put tears in my eyes. I was somewhere between shock and glee. I will see this.

Originally Posted by BoJanglz

All these book-movie adaptations mean one thing.

No one can come up with original ideas for movies anymore.

I disagree, I think it's about bring the books to life for people who are too stupid and lazy to read them, and for people who read them to have their thoughts vividly visualized.

Huh. Well, this movie does look like it has potential to be a good family film.
I, as well, grew up "on" this book, so I suppose it holds a place in my heart too (:
Although, I would not say it brought tears to my eyes =/ No, not even close.

I would be afraid to take something like this on if I were the creators. A lot of pressure from fans of the book. But whatever, we will see how it goes.

I only hope that there will be more of a plot/story than the trailer shows. It makes it look like a movie of nothing but a bunch of freaks dressed in costumes frolicking around and frittering their days away with some kid they've kidnapped =/... Well, I guess that's the book too, sort of... I mean, it worked in book form... for kids... Yeah, uh, good luck movie (:

that trailer is amazing! Great music and everything.

It's also Nolan's avatar.

When I saw Inglorious basterds I was surprised to see a different preview with a small interview with the director and the book author. Not as good as the first trailer I saw at Harry Potter, but I'm still planning on seeing it. xD

Well, it was a lot better than I thought it would be. But it wasn't great either.

There was actually some sort of a plot, even if sort of weak and choppy.

I saw the trailer. I never read the book—but why must that be a requirement before watching the movie? When the movie comes to the local theater, I'm going with my girlfriend—who also wanted to see it.

I've heard good things. Thinking about checking it out over the next weekend.

Saw the film last night. Here's my quick review:



Plot Synopsis:

”Misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max (Max Records) escapes to a land populated by majestic, and sometimes fierce, creatures known as the Wild Things. The Wild Things allow Max to become their leader, and he promises to create a kingdom where everyone will be happy. However, Max soon finds that being the king is not easy, and that his relationships with the Wild Things are much more complicated than he originally thought.”

Wow, what a tough film to review. Its main focus is certainly not of a grand adventure, with some moral that’s easily digested. With that said, this film isn’t for everyone. In fact, in order to get the most out of Where the Wild Things Are, you really have to put yourself in Max’s shoes. And if you can do that, then you’re in for one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride.



The live actors in this film, of the virtually two that exist, are a perfect choice. Young Max Records as the film’s protagonist excelled in a way that, I think, no other child actor could. This kid carries the film for a good 90 minutes, proving to be both likable and relatable. As a friend of mine said, he’s “basically a stand in for your inner child and all those feelings that you thought you forgot.” Catherine Keener is also terrific as the mother, playing the part of the “everyday mom” just about perfectly.

The voice actors, too, are perfectly cast. James Gandolfini gives a powerful performance as Carol, ranging from kind and innocent to unpleasant and frightening. While all of the Wild Things are ids of Max’s imagination, it’s through Carol where Max views himself. However, as much as I hold Gandolfini’s performance in high regard, it’s Lauren Ambrose as KW who really stole the show; she’s the character everyone most wanted to love and be loved by.

As much as I love Where the Wild Things Are, I don’t think my feelings on the film will be fully understood until a second or third viewing. Again, this is not a straight-forward, easily digestable fantasy adventure. In fact, the closest thing that this film has to a weakness is its being – at least to some extent - more suited for adults than for children. Right now, this film stands as a 9.5/10 in my book, but much like the majority of my all-time favorite films, I can see Spike Jonze’s latest only getting better with age.

I remember the book from when I was a little baby. Frankly, i'm suprised they didn't make a movie up until now.

who hasnt had the book read to them when they were little?

more suited for adults than for children.

Thats what I've heard despite the "kiddy movie" image you get from the trailers.

Originally Posted by Rare Addict

Wow, what a tough film to review. Its main focus is certainly not of a grand adventure, with some moral that’s easily digested. With that said, this film isn’t for everyone. In fact, in order to get the most out of Where the Wild Things Are, you really have to put yourself in Max’s shoes. And if you can do that, then you’re in for one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride.

You hit on something there with "if you can put yourself in Max's shoes", because I found myself looking skeptically on his mood swings as "yeah right, that's silly". but then I remember being a kid and having so many emotions that I didn't understand, and it became more clear to me that Max was a good example of that childhood confusion of trying to understand emotions, and not just your own, but other peoples'.

Originally Posted by Rare Addict

The live actors in this film, of the virtually two that exist, are a perfect choice. Young Max Records as the film’s protagonist excelled in a way that, I think, no other child actor could. This kid carries the film for a good 90 minutes, proving to be both likable and relatable. As a friend of mine said, he’s “basically a stand in for your inner child and all those feelings that you thought you forgot.” Catherine Keener is also terrific as the mother, playing the part of the “everyday mom” just about perfectly.

I found KW to be a frustrating character. going from friendly and laid back, to ♥♥♥♥♥y and selfish, to just silly. I thought it was a bit frustrating how the monsters could be SO naiive at times, and so grown-up sometimes, especially with KW and how she talks. it was confusing for me. But I guess that was the running theme of the story. balancing your naiive hopes with reality, and trying to make it all mesh with the fact that everyone sees things differently, and experiences different emotions toward the same things.
As for Max, I think he did a fantastic job, and is just cute as a button. I wanted to hug him the whole movie His little free spirit and wild side were so adorable, and an interesting insight into the mind and heart of a little boy.

Originally Posted by Rare Addict

The voice actors, too, are perfectly cast. James Gandolfini gives a powerful performance as Carol, ranging from kind and innocent to unpleasant and frightening. While all of the Wild Things are ids of Max’s imagination, it’s through Carol where Max views himself. However, as much as I hold Gandolfini’s performance in high regard, it’s Lauren Ambrose as KW who really stole the show; she’s the character everyone most wanted to love and be loved by.

Again, I didn't think KW was as strong of a character, but Gandolfini was great as Carol, and I really enjoyed the similarities between Carol and Max.

Originally Posted by Rare Addict

As much as I love Where the Wild Things Are, I don’t think my feelings on the film will be fully understood until a second or third viewing. Again, this is not a straight-forward, easily digestable fantasy adventure. In fact, the closest thing that this film has to a weakness is its being – at least to some extent - more suited for adults than for children. Right now, this film stands as a 9.5/10 in my book, but much like the majority of my all-time favorite films, I can see Spike Jonze’s latest only getting better with age.

I'm not enough of a movie person to be able to compare this with Jonze's other movies, but I think that the movie really captured the balance of reality, whimsy, and emotion of a child.
There were times when I felt things needed better explanation...
Like in the beginning when Carol is smashing the huts... They said that those were their houses, but that didn't really make much sense... they seemed just as content to sleep outside in a pile, than in their own huts. I dunno... sometimes I found myself wondering "wait, is this a metaphor, or just poor directing?" lol! Some of the reactions/language that the characters used seemed to not be consistent. I am having a hard time explaining myself so I'll leave it here.

My opinion: 7.5/10