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| Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are Alternate Title: Let the Wild Rumpus Start
Story: It's good to be king
(at least for awhile) as little Max learns in this delightful Spike
Jonze adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963
classic children's book. The film was written by Mr. Jonze
and Dave Eggers. I hereby confess that I never read
the children's classic. I was in college when it came out and did not
have children to share it with later on. I entered this imaginary world
with no preconceived ideas and had a rollicking good time.
Nine year old Max has some problems with his temper. After a fight
with his mother, he runs away and enters a fanciful world filled with
wild things and wild places. I could have gotten carried away and attempted
to analyze how each of the creatures he met represented an element of
Max's own psyche, but I preferred to just sit back and enjoy the vision
that Spike Jonze deftly presented to us. Filmed in Australia, we delight
in rocky cliffs, elegant sand dunes, fabulous structures, scary forests
and washes of color, sound and light. The film succeeds on many levels but its greatest achievement is that
it can be appreciate by all ages and levels of life experience Spike
Jonze has created a world that is both terrifying and beautiful. Little
Max learns lots of life lessons and of course learns that there is no
place like home. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM Acting: There was a five continent search for the
perfect Max. And what a Max they found. Max Records
as Max embodies perfection. He is expressive, authentic and totally
believable.Catherine Keener as the Mom, gives a sensitive
performance in a very small role. Mark Ruffalo as the
Mom's boyfriend, is not given much to do. Lauren Ambrose
as KW, Chris Cooper as Douglas, James Gandolfini
as Carol, Catherine O’Hara as Judith, Forest
Whitaker as Ira, Paul Dano as Alexander all
give amazing voice to their characters. Bravos all around. Trivia: Spike Jonze has directed two actors and two
actresses to a Oscar Nomination - Catherine Keener (Best Actress in
a Supporting Role, Being John Malkovich, Chris Cooper (Best Actor in
a Supporting Role, Adaptation, Meryl Streep (Best Actress in a Supporting
Role, Adaptation.and Nicolas Cage (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Adaptation.
Contrary to popular belief he is not an heir to the Spiegel catalog
fortune, although he is a distant relative of those that are.
Predilection: I like Spike Jonze
Critters: Other than the seven imaginary wild things
you can see a raccoon named Richard, a dog and a kitten.
Food: Frozen corn, chocolate cake.
Soundtrack: Delightful music by Karen O and Carter
Burwell
Opening Titles: Credits are at the end.
Visual Art: A visual treat is in store for all.
Theater Audience: I went to an 11 AM showing on a
Sunday. There was a good crowd filled with families, lots of kids, lots
of adults by themselves and lots of couples. A very mixed bag. The movie
theater handed out crowns to all that bought tickets. I gave my crown
to my dog Benny and cat Madison, as they are the wild things in Casa
Lobo.
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9
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