Where The Wild Things Are!!! ~ BOX OFFICE #1 HIT!!! ~

[momrek06]

Who cannot wait for this movie? Friday, October 16, 2009!

Just take a minute and watch this video!! I absolutely love the soundtrack!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM


The Story
The film follows the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max (Max Records), who is angry when his mother, Connie (Catherine Keener), invites her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) over. After he causes one mischievous antic after another, his mother tries to send him to his room. He ends up biting her and running away, feeling angry and unloved. He runs outside at night, through a fence until he stumbles upon a boat. He sails away to an island inhabited by seven imaginary monsters called the Wild Things, where they crown him as the ruler.

The Cast
Max Records as Max
Catherine Keener as Connie, Max's Mother
Mark Ruffalo as Connie's boyfriend
Forest Whitaker as Ira (voice)
James Gandolfini as Carol (voice)
Lauren Ambrose as KW (voice)
Catherine O'Hara as Judith (voice)
Michael Berry Jr. as The Bull (voice)
Chris Cooper as Douglas (voice)
Paul Dano as Alexander (voice)
Steve Mouzakis as Mr. Elliott
Angus Sampson as Marco (voice)

 

[AshleyW]

Who cannot wait for this movie? Friday, October 16, 2009!

Just take a minute and watch this video!! I absolutely love the soundtrack!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM


The Story
The film follows the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max (Max Records), who is angry when his mother, Connie (Catherine Keener), invites her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) over. After he causes one mischievous antic after another, his mother tries to send him to his room. He ends up biting her and running away, feeling angry and unloved. He runs outside at night, through a fence until he stumbles upon a boat. He sails away to an island inhabited by seven imaginary monsters called the Wild Things, where they crown him as the ruler.

The Cast
Max Records as Max
Catherine Keener as Connie, Max's Mother
Mark Ruffalo as Connie's boyfriend
Forest Whitaker as Ira (voice)
James Gandolfini as Carol (voice)
Lauren Ambrose as KW (voice)
Catherine O'Hara as Judith (voice)
Michael Berry Jr. as The Bull (voice)
Chris Cooper as Douglas (voice)
Paul Dano as Alexander (voice)
Steve Mouzakis as Mr. Elliott
Angus Sampson as Marco (voice)

I CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! for this movie! I almost never go to the theater, but I am SO going for this one! This was definitely one of my favorite books as a kid. I'm a big Spike Jonze fan, too, so I'm sure it will be great.

 

[TnTsParty]

My 12 year old niece can NOT wait to see this movie - its all she has talked about in months. She has a shirt and the book. I remember the book from when I was a kid I don't remember much about it. I want to take her this weekend to see it. Just have to make the plans.

 

[Pakey]

I've already told my husband that I want to see it. We go to the movies so seldom (last one seen was Iron Man).

And our youngest child is 28 so I don't even have the excuse that my child wants to see it.

 

[golfgal]

I've already told my husband that I want to see it. We go to the movies so seldom (last one seen was Iron Man).

And our youngest child is 28 so I don't even have the excuse that my child wants to see it.

I think you will find many adults without children at this movie-it was such a popular book back when we were little. I have read on some other sites about some of the 'smother mothers' warning people about this movie because it portrays "rebellious behavior"

 

[suejai]

I think you will find many adults without children at this movie-it was such a popular book back when we were little. I have read on some other sites about some of the 'smother mothers' warning people about this movie because it portrays "rebellious behavior"

That reminds me of the time DH and I overheard a lady in a book store saying she wouldn't let her daughter watch Beauty and the Beast because the Beast yelled and displayed anger.

I never read Where the Wild Things Are and neither did DS, so we likely won't see the movie. I do like the song they play in the trailers though.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

OK, you all have to promise not to laugh. I watched the trailer and CRIED like a BABY. DH said, "WHAT THE HECK???"

I don't know. Maybe it is because I have a son Max's age. I just grabbed him and held him and made him promise not to grow up.

I have been forbidden to see the movie. Y'all let me know how it is.

 

[MidgeD79]

I was disappointed to see such a popular children's book become a rated PG movie. I wonder what the reasoning was?

 

[NMAmy]

I was disappointed to see such a popular children's book become a rated PG movie. I wonder what the reasoning was?

The director, Spike Jonze, was featured in Entertainment Weekly last week. In warning parents to take the rating seriously, he said, "It's a movie for adults first and for a certain kind of child second."

I'm very excited about the movie. Since dd is away at school, I'll be going on my own most likely but the book has been one of my favorites for many years.

 

[XYSRUS]

I think they may ruin a great book with the movie....like they always do...I'll have to wait and see on this one. I agree...a PG rating? for Max?

 

[golfgal]

I think they may ruin a great book with the movie....like they always do...I'll have to wait and see on this one. I agree...a PG rating? for Max?

I am sure it is because it is scary-the book is pretty scary for little kids too.

 

[PatsGirl]

I also cannot wait for the movie. DD's class is going to see it as part of their "bedtime stories" seminar she is participating in this semester (class on children's literature) so I'll most likely be going without her

As for the PG rating, some of these creatures look a little scary and I always think of G as absolutely nothing in it that even the youngest child could not see.

 

[minniebeth]

OK, you all have to promise not to laugh. I watched the trailer and CRIED like a BABY. DH said, "WHAT THE HECK???"

I don't know. Maybe it is because I have a son Max's age. I just grabbed him and held him and made him promise not to grow up.

I have been forbidden to see the movie. Y'all let me know how it is.

I'm not laughing at you, I cried too! I had no idea the book was being made into a movie, so it took me off guard and being one of my favorite books as a child and a teacher when I taught, it just tugged at me!
Can't wait to see it.

 

[momrek06]

I CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! for this movie! I almost never go to the theater, but I am SO going for this one! This was definitely one of my favorite books as a kid. I'm a big Spike Jonze fan, too, so I'm sure it will be great.

I've already told my husband that I want to see it. And our youngest child is 28 so I don't even have the excuse that my child wants to see it.

My youngest is 23yo. It is the CHILD in ME that wants to see this sooo badly!!

I do like the song they play in the trailers though.

I absolutely love the soundtrack.

Soundtrack
Where the Wild Things Are

Soundtrack by Karen O and the Kids
Released September 29, 2009

The soundtrack of Where the Wild Things Are was released on September 29, 2009.

"Igloo"
"All Is Love"
"Capsize"
"Worried Shoes"
"Rumpus"
"Rumpus Reprise"
"Hideaway"
"Cliffs"
"Animal"
"Lost Fur"
"Heads Up"
"Building All Is Love"
"Food Is Still Hot"
"Sailing Home"
Spike Jonze's former girlfriend Karen O, the vocalist of the New York art rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, wrote the film's soundtrack. Karen O's bandmates Brian Chase and Nick Zinner and former touring guitarist Imaad Wasif, Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, Liars' Aaron Hemphill, The Dead Weather's Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence from The Raconteurs all also contributed.

The first single of the soundtrack, titled "All Is Love", was released on August 25, 2009.

I'm very excited about the movie. Since dd is away at school, I'll be going on my own most likely but the book has been one of my favorites for many years.

I asked DH and DS (23yo) if they wanted to go...they are on the fence. DS loved this book as a little boy and thinks the movie looks awesome and that the soundtrack is also fab..but he is not sure if he really wants to see it at the theaters...so I will go on my own!!!

OK, you all have to promise not to laugh. I watched the trailer and CRIED like a BABY. DH said, "WHAT THE HECK???"

I don't know. Maybe it is because I have a son Max's age. I just grabbed him and held him and made him promise not to grow up.

I have been forbidden to see the movie. Y'all let me know how it is.

If you do go, bring a big box of kleenex!!

The director, Spike Jonze, was featured in Entertainment Weekly last week. In warning parents to take the rating seriously, he said, "It's a movie for adults first and for a certain kind of child second."

I'm very excited about the movie. Since dd is away at school, I'll be going on my own most likely but the book has been one of my favorites for many years.

I also cannot wait for the movie. DD's class is going to see it as part of their "bedtime stories" seminar she is participating in this semester (class on children's literature) so I'll most likely be going without her

As for the PG rating, some of these creatures look a little scary and I always think of G as absolutely nothing in it that even the youngest child could not see.

Your DD will likely want to see it AGAIN!! Wait and go together!!

I'm not laughing at you, I cried too! I had no idea the book was being made into a movie, so it took me off guard and being one of my favorite books as a child and a teacher when I taught, it just tugged at me!
Can't wait to see it.

 

[MickeySP]

And our youngest child is 28 so I don't even have the excuse that my child wants to see it.

My one & only is 25 and yes I can use the excuse my child wants to see it This was his favorite book.

I have already bought a hardcover copy for my granddaughter.

 

[ICF]

review from EW....says it's very good.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312172,00.html

This is one of the year's best. To paraphrase the Wild Thing named KW, I could eat it up, I love it so. A

 

[Jennasis]

Wehile the film is a bit of a departure from the book (which was only like 8 pages long) it still contains the main theme. The reviews I've read so far have been glowing, and I am THRILLED they made it a PG movie. It's a thinking-movie. Not a mindless fluff thing like Shrek 2 or Alvin and The Chipmunks. Kids and the child-at-heart will be happy with the results.

 

[momrek06]

Thanks, ICF, for posting this review!!!

review from EW....says it's very good.

Where The Wild Things Are
By Lisa Schwarzbaum

Profoundly beautiful and affecting, Where the Wild Things Are is a breath-
taking act of artistic transubstantiation. From Maurice Sendak's beloved picture book about a rambunctious little boy named Max and the kingdom of untamed creatures who adopt him as their like-minded king, filmmaker Spike Jonze has made a movie that is true to Sendak's unique sensibilities and simultaneously true to Jonze's own colorful instincts for anarchy. This is, to quote the 1963 children's classic, ''the most wild thing of all.'' It's also personal movie-
making, with corporate backing, at its best. Whatever the (well-documented) struggles it took to create this gem, the result is worth every monster growl.

''Let the wild rumpus start!'' Max declares in Sendak's pages, and Jonze, working from 
 a just-right screenplay he co-wrote with 
 simpatico spirit Dave Eggers, begins the boy-centric hullabaloo from the very first frame. Max Records, a Botticelli-faced discovery, plays the fictional Max with a lovely purity of energy and freedom — he has a rare kid-aged talent for concentration in the midst of brouhaha. When we first meet him careening around the home he shares with his patient mom (huggable Catherine Keener), Max is a boy on a tear, all motor and no brakes. Whether roughhousing with his dog, devising snowball-warfare strategies, shrieking with a power surge of 
 energy, or collapsing in a child's heap of spent emotion, Max is a dervish of mixed instincts. And Jonze's astute longtime cinematographer, Lance Acord, captures the jumble naturally, chasing after the kid with the nimbleness of a monkey-cam.

It's when Max pushes Mom's tolerance to the limit — Mark Ruffalo has a sweet, small bit as a visiting boyfriend who wears the glazed smile of 
 ''Do I really need this crap?'' — that the hero's adventure really begins. In Sendak's spare book (fewer than 350 words in all!), Max, outfitted in a really cool wildcat costume with whiskers, travels to unknown territory without leaving his room. In Jonze's seamlessly expanded view, he runs outside, whiskers erect, then boards a boat and heads to sea, and on and on ''in and out of weeks and almost over a year'' (to quote the book) to the place where the Wild Things are. The dark colors of nightmares break into golden hues. The music, by Karen O and Carter Burwell, haunts.

Such a place — so playful and mysterious! So liberating and scary! (Yes, some littler kids might be frightened during this PG-rated film, but probably no more so than they already are in their dreams, the kind that come with no rating system to guide a parent; besides, to face one's demons is to tame them, right?) Jonze and Eggers make a smooth storytelling leap by giving each Wild Thing a name and a personality, joyously inspired by Sendak's own illustrations of the creatures' bodies, balloon-big heads, and little V-shaped shark teeth. (Jonze regular Casey Storm designed the ebullient costumes.) I'll leave the discussion of personality integration to shrinks and online discussion groups. Any kid — or adult, for that matter — can identify with the anxieties of Carol (James Gandolfini, more delightfully vulnerable than we've ever heard him); the peace brokering of Judith (Catherine O'Hara, funny to her marrow); and the squabbles, preferences, vanities, and insecurities of Ira (Forest Whitaker), Alexander (Paul Dano), and Douglas (Chris Cooper). I especially like the measured feminine wisdom of KW (Lauren Ambrose). In their gorgeous landscape of dunes, jungle, and enigmatic structures that are as graceful as Noguchi sculptures (the production designer is K.K. Barrett), Max's new friends show him the way home to a self he can live with. On the way, I found myself bowled over with emotion.

Sendak's great gift to readers, old as well as young, is the seriousness with which he presents even the wildest mayhem, the deepest contradictions in human (and Wild Thing) behavior; the author empathizes with fantasists but has no time for cuteness. In his transcendent movie adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, Spike Jonze not only respects the original text but also honors movie lovers with the same clarity of vision. This is one of the year's best. To paraphrase the Wild Thing named KW, I could eat it up, I love it so. A

The reviews I've read so far have been glowing, and I am THRILLED they made it a PG movie. It's a thinking-movie. Not a mindless fluff thing like Shrek 2 or Alvin and The Chipmunks. Kids and the child-at-heart will be happy with the results.

 

[AlienBrain]

My favorite review site to go to is rottentomatoes.com. I will never take one reviewers word for anything. Rottentomatoes.com compiles all the reviews from all the major reviewers (LA times, EW, NY Times, USA Today, etc.).

Right now, "Where the Wild Things Are" has a 64% and a 57% (rotten is below 60%) by the top critics. This is an OK review that would warrant people who liked the book to go see the movie. To give you a comparison, "UP" got 97% and 85% by top critics, "Zombieland" 88% with 85% by tc, and "Couple's Retreat" 15% with 15% by tc.

Anyway, I just wanted to help you all out with movie reviews for the future. I LOVE movies and have found rottentomatoes to give the best consensus on if a movie is worth watching or not. Based on the current % for WTWTA, I would definitely go see it if I was a fan of the book. If I was on the fence, I would wait for the DVD.

 

[momrek06]

My favorite review site to go to is rottentomatoes.com. I will never take one reviewers word for anything. Rottentomatoes.com compiles all the reviews from all the major reviewers (LA times, EW, NY Times, USA Today, etc.).

Right now, "Where the Wild Things Are" has a 64% and a 57% (rotten is below 60%) by the top critics. This is an OK review that would warrant people who liked the book to go see the movie. To give you a comparison, "UP" got 97% and 85% by top critics, "Zombieland" 88% with 85% by tc, and "Couple's Retreat" 15% with 15% by tc.

Anyway, I just wanted to help you all out with movie reviews for the future. I LOVE movies and have found rottentomatoes to give the best consensus on if a movie is worth watching or not. Based on the current % for WTWTA, I would definitely go see it if I was a fan of the book. If I was on the fence, I would wait for the DVD.

Do ratings change at all AFTER a movie has been released? Just curious.