Xixax Film Forum

Film Discussion => The Vault => Topic started by: tpfkabi on November 27, 2003, 09:31:27 PM

Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on November 27, 2003, 09:31:27 PM
i think this was discussed briefly in the jonze/lee thread....i did a search and didn't find anything on it, so i figured it needed it's own thread.

if you don't know, Spike Jonze heard this film was in the works and lobbied to let him direct it.

this is so exciting for me. this was always a favorite of mine as a child. it's one of the few books i remember to this day, especially the drawings of the wild things.

recently i went to the library and read it. it's going to be interesting how they stretch it to 90 minutes. i'm guessing they're going to go in depth about Max's family before the fantasy sequence, and of course, expand that.

i believe if anyone can do something great with this, Spike can. hopefully he'll make it for kids, while still apealing to adults (the same way Wonka has the ability to crossover).

i hope he goes the costume route instead of a bunch of CGI. maybe that would work.

what do you think? i wonder if a script is already done.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: Ernie on November 27, 2003, 09:37:22 PM
I have no more info on it then you do man but I'm definitely looking forward to it. Concerning the animals - I thought it might be cool if he went with stop motion rather than CGI or costumes...even though it might look like he's copying Wes Anderson, I think it would be cool. Stop motion is something I definitely want to see make a comeback.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: Ravi on November 27, 2003, 10:11:11 PM
I too loved this book when I was little.  The artwork was amazing.  I even had a read-along LP.

Remember this (http://snurl.com/36bs)?
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: tpfkabi on November 28, 2003, 02:13:40 PM
i never saw the animated version.......how long is it? is it basically the same as the book?

maybe he could use animatronics. Grimlins was on and i liked the look of it.....i'm guessing they probably used some stop motion for the parts where they were walking.........anything but CGI........that just takes me out of a story most of the time
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: SHAFTR on November 28, 2003, 02:57:30 PM
My fav book growing up.  I'm not sure how they will create the monsters.  CGI could work, if used well.  The only way I really see this film working is if it was done completely by Pixar, but we'll see.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: Reinhold on November 29, 2003, 11:15:42 AM
Quote from: SHAFTRMy fav book growing up.  I'm not sure how they will create the monsters.  CGI could work, if used well.  The only way I really see this film working is if it was done completely by Pixar, but we'll see.

i agree with you.

if i could afford royalties and stuff, i'd kill to make a harold and the purple crayon movie. it would be totally sidescrolling, like in sega genesis games.  no color other than the off-white background and a deep purple for outlines. badass classical music under it, too.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: BrainSushi on November 29, 2003, 11:22:27 AM
In elementary school, we used to watch what was basically a taped play of "Where the Wild Things Are." I'm not sure if it was specifically made as a video or if there actually was a stage version of the story.

The monsters were basically guys in large suits with animatronic faces. Sort of like Barney suits. As I remember, they worked fine but they were basically carbon copies of what the creatures look like in the book, and lacked the realism that I imagine will be put into them in the movie.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: Reinhold on November 29, 2003, 03:40:39 PM
bet it sucked as much as schoolhouse rock live.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on November 29, 2003, 09:18:03 PM
I'm creaming myself thinking about a Where The Wild Things Are movie...by Spike Jonze no less.

Maybe if it was Lynch, I'd be more curious, byt Spike rocks anyway.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: Ernie on November 29, 2003, 11:27:15 PM
Quote from: Reinhold Messner
Quote from: SHAFTRThe only way I really see this film working is if it was done completely by Pixar, but we'll see.

i agree with you.

Me too. I like Spike Jonze but yea, I would be looking forward to it more if it was Pixar that was behind it. That would just seem like it might fit a little better. I could be wrong though, Spike has a knack for surprising us, or me at least, I'll speak for myself.
Title: where the wild things are
Post by: dufresne on November 30, 2003, 04:07:15 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drizzle.com%2F%7Eearlb%2Fcostume%2Fpictures%2F98maxwtt.jpg&hash=4ab42be90aec3c1eea22f583b1fc849c98365e70)
Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: grumpus on October 22, 2005, 09:45:01 PM
nytimes.com:

ON May 25, 1963, a 34-year-old Maurice Sendak put together a small, handmade volume with which he had been struggling for eight years. Titled "Where the Wild Things Are," it used just 338 words and some occasionally disconcerting illustrations to tell the story of a boy named Max, who, sent to his room with no dinner, rebels by running away to a creature-infested island where he is named king of the beasts.

In "Where the Wild Things Are," Max, who is sent to bed without dinner, imagines traveling to a land where he becomes king of the beasts.
After a brief but exhausting adventure - "Let the wild rumpus start!" the book reads - Max returns to his bedroom, where he finds "his supper waiting for him."

That much-honored book about childhood anger stands on the brink of becoming a Hollywood movie - but only after a 15-year trip through the woods, and an occasional rumpus among the producers, directors, screenwriters and executives who have been struggling to make a picture with which even Mr. Sendak can be happy.

In the project's current incarnation, Spike Jonze, of "Being John Malkovich" fame, will direct, from a screenplay he has written with the novelist Dave Eggers. Mr. Sendak will serve as a producer along with John Carls, in concert with Tom Hanks's Playtone Productions, for Universal Pictures.

Pre-production is well under way. Animatronic "wild things" - six- and eight-foot-tall monsters that are operated from the inside by actors, and which will eventually be given computer-generated faces - have been tested for cinematic impact. So have exotic locations in New Zealand and Australia. Pending approval by Mr. Sendak and Universal executives of a screenplay draft due within a week or two, a 2006 start date is likely. A budget of "well under $100 million" has been roughly agreed upon, Mr. Carls said. (A Universal spokesman declined to comment, beyond saying the project was in development at the studio.)

"I don't know what to make of it, exactly, but I am so for it," said Mr. Sendak, 77, speaking by telephone from his home in Ridgefield, Conn. "I am in love with it. If Spike and Dave do not do this movie, now, I would just as soon not see any version of it ever get made."

To date, the film has done a very good job of not getting made, despite a march toward the screen that began in the early 1990's. Mr. Carls, then an executive at Orion Pictures, became interested when he read the book to his 3-year-old daughter. Using Orion's relationship with filmmakers like Jonathan Demme, Milos Forman and Woody Allen as bait, Mr. Carls contacted Mr. Sendak, and proposed that he consider a studio deal.

Before any deal could be made, however, Orion fell into financial difficulties. Several key Orion officers, among them Orion's president Mike Medavoy and his vice presidents, Marc Platt and Stacey Snider, landed at TriStar Pictures, recently purchased by Sony. Mr. Carls and Mr. Sendak created a production company, called Wild Things Productions, and set up shop at TriStar. They moved into offices on Sony's Culver City lot and began working toward turning Mr. Sendak's books into movies.

Writers and directors met with Mr. Sendak and his associates. But the author said recently that he had difficulty finding someone he could "clinch with and collaborate with."

"What most people wanted was a reproduction of the book, because the book made money," Mr. Sendak said of a work that has sold seven million copies, according to a representative for its publisher, HarperCollins. "I'm very fond of the book," he said, but "the film would be about seven minutes long."

Executives who were on the lot at the time said that Mr. Sendak was reluctant to turn his prize book into a Hollywood guinea pig. "Maurice was very protective of 'Wild Things,' " said one who asked not to be named, to avoid disruption of working relationships. "This was his first foray into the feature film world. He wanted to see how the process worked on something else."

Mr. Sendak did not deny he was protective, or that he insisted on staying involved. "I didn't want to turn it over to a director who would never see me again," he said. "What do you get for that? A packet of money for having sold your book."

He had then and has now, Mr. Sendak said, "a loathing of movies that are based on children's books, and a loathing for most children's books." In his words: "It's all vulgar. It's all Madonna." Asked about the film versions of Dr. Seuss's "Cat in the Hat" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - both released by Universal, where Ms. Snider is now chairman - he said: "What is the purpose of this debauchery? Money! Only a seriously sick or brainless person could like them."

Even though "Wild Things" wasn't officially in development at TriStar, Mr. Sendak and Mr. Carls continued to attempt to make movies from other children's books. The project that came closest was another classic, Crockett Johnson's 1955 "Harold and the Purple Crayon," which tells the illustrated story of a boy so dismayed by the impending arrival of a younger brother that he uses a magic crayon to draw a universe where he can trap and ultimately defeat his enemy.

After meeting with many directorial candidates, and finding them wanting, Mr. Sendak met with a young video director named Spike Jonze - and fell in love.

"He was the strangest little bird I'd ever seen," Mr. Sendak said. "He had fluttered into the world of the studios and, could he not be swatted dead, I knew he would manage. I had total faith in him."

Michael Tolkin, whose screenplay for the 1992 Robert Altman film "The Player" had skewered studios very much like Sony's Columbia and TriStar, was brought on to write a script that would feature a technologically advanced combination of live action and animation. A budget of slightly under $50 million was set, and animation was begun.

Then the top management of Columbia and TriStar was ousted - and new managers had less faith in the material, and none at all in Mr. Jonze, a first-time director. Two months before principal photography was to have begun, Mr. Carls said, TriStar pulled the plug.

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Forum: Movies
"The budget kept changing, and the script kept changing, and they got nervous," Mr. Tolkin said. The problem, Mr. Tolkin said, was that Mr. Jonze "was a genius who hadn't yet made a feature."

By Mr. Carls's account, he and Mr. Sendak were "really upset" by Sony's behavior. "We walked away, leaving six projects behind," he said, among them "Harold and the Purple Crayon." So the two men turned their efforts to television. Over the next several years, they made several animated features and television series with the Canadian animation company Nelvana.

But Hollywood's interest in "Wild Things" was undiminished. Mr. Snider and Mr. Platt, the executives who had brought Mr. Sendak to TriStar, moved to Universal. Mr. Hanks's Playtone was now housed on that lot, and being run by Gary Goetzman, whom Mr. Carls knew from the Orion days. "Wild Things" suddenly had new life as a Universal property. Gore Verbinski, who had already made the Nathan Lane child comedy "Mousehunt," was hired to direct, and he brought in the screenwriter Eric Singer.

The plan was to take advantage of new computer technology and make "Wild Things" a live-action movie with enhanced effects. But Mr. Singer's script, Mr. Carls said, took too long to arrive and then "failed to satisfy the demands of the book." Then Mr. Verbinksi left the project to direct "The Mexican."

Mr. Carls and Mr. Sendak next turned to a more traditional approach, hiring an animation director (Eric Goldberg, a veteran who had worked on the Walt Disney Company's "Aladdin," "Hercules" and "Fantasia/2000" features ) and an animation writer (David Reynolds, of "Mulan," "A Bug's Life" and "Tarzan"). But Mr. Carls and Mr. Sendak disliked their version, which Mr. Carls said was "too Looney Tunes-ish" and "too much like an amusement park."

Further efforts included a fresh screenplay draft by Michael Goldenberg, who wrote the 2003 remake of "Peter Pan" and the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." By then, Mr. Carls had made peace with Sony and was busy doing pre-production on that studio's upcoming animated film "Open Season," a deer-bear buddy comedy. Mr. Sendak had turned his attention to other collaborations, most pointedly an American version of the Czech children's opera "Brundibar," in concert with the playwright Tony Kushner. To finance the opera, Mr. Sendak wrote a book version of the story, which was published in 2003.

Sometime in 2004, their optimism revived by the Goldenberg script, Mr. Carls and Mr. Sendak approached Mr. Jonze, who had recently overseen the successful release of his second feature, "Adaptation." The director's response "was immediate and passionate," Mr. Carls said. Mr. Jonze brought in Mr. Eggers - then hot off his autobiographical best seller "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius." The two made a fresh start with a fresh take on the story. (Representatives for the director and screenwriter said their clients had no comment.)

The plot and details of the Jonze-Eggers script are a tightly guarded secret, but a great deal of Max's adventure now involves his journey home. In the book, readers learned that the island king's beastly subjects begged Max not to leave: "Oh please don't go - we'll eat you up - we love you so!" In the Jonze-Eggers script, Mr. Carls said, Max must make a daring escape with the "wild things" in hot pursuit. The pair have also brought to the material a fresh twist on Max's relationships with the "wild things," in particular one of them.

Mr. Sendak, who said his health prevented him from leaving Connecticut, said he was at work writing and illustrating a new children's book. "I can't say what it is because I don't know yet," he said. "I work very slowly, and I go by these little mysterious clues, like little lightning bugs in the night."

Despite revival of interest at Sony in "Harold and the Purple Crayon," which Mr. Carls said may go forward now as an entirely animated film, based in part on Mr. Tolkin's original, 12-year-old adaptation, Mr. Sendak said "Where the Wild Things Are" will surely be his last involvement in film.

"I don't think anyone ever wanted me for anything but 'Where the Wild Things Are' anyway," he said. But Mr. Jonze and Mr. Eggers have remained in close contact. "They call, they write, they send postcards, they show me script changes, they send me pornographic pictures and models of the monsters," Mr. Sendak said. "They're very attentive. They make me useful to them."
Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pubrick on October 22, 2005, 10:35:21 PM
that's a great article, man. it's kinda touching, in a way, this old man collaborating with hip young ppl over a children's book. clearly the book means a lot to all of them, there seems to be a huge amount of love going into it.. i think this has potential to be the greatest film of all time. maybe most loved.

there i said it.
Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on October 22, 2005, 11:33:06 PM
I'm just amazed we're not seeing a news item like this instead:

"Where The Wild Things Are", to be directed by Breck Eisner, from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman.  Loosely based on the beloved Maurice Sendak book.

Seriously... Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers.  Awesome.  This will be amazing.  The "Wizard of Oz" of our time.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 09, 2006, 10:21:26 AM
Warner Bros. has snapped up "Where the Wild Things Are" out of turnaround from Universal reports Variety.

The film adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic kid's book, which Spike Jonze will helm from a script he and novelist Dave Eggers penned, is expected to head into production late in the year. Legendary Pictures is expected to co-finance.

The live-action feature will likely require a sizable CGI budget, and details of the Jonze-Eggers version are being kept closely guarded. The current vision of the pic has the strong support of author Sendak who was very critical of Universal's early attempts to adapt his work.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on January 15, 2006, 11:04:33 PM
this book was such a huge part of my childhood. even though we all know what often happens with book adaptations, i have a really good feeling about this movie.  i can't wait to see the island and the wild things themselves. when i was a kid, i used to think about the trip to the place where the wild things are and play in my back yard like i was max on my way there.

i got really sick for a few days while i was home for vacation. my mom got me a hardcover edition of the book for christmas. i destroyed my first copy from overuse when i was a kid. she came up and read it to me while i was in bed and it brought back a lot of really great memories. i can't wait to see this movie.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on February 02, 2006, 04:44:26 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skatefairy.com%2Fny06%252009.jpg&hash=a74fb4068c8309a79aa85595ca8ae938fcdb671b)
could those ears belong to Max....

and again, Spike makes something I wish were real...
http://millerauditions.com/

Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on February 25, 2006, 06:04:22 PM
Catherine Keener speaking to Charlie Rose on Friday's show:

"I'm getting ready to work with him again. He's doing Where the Wild Things Are. He's doing it in New Zealand. I'm playing the mom looking for Max. Then there will be six actors or so performing the roles of the monsters, the wild things. And then Henson's company is making puppets."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pubrick on February 25, 2006, 11:00:33 PM
Quote from: modage on February 25, 2006, 06:04:22 PM
Catherine Keener speaking to Charlie Rose on Friday's show:

"I'm getting ready to work with him again. He's doing Where the Wild Things Are. He's doing it in New Zealand. I'm playing the mom looking for Max. Then there will be six actors or so performing the roles of the monsters, the wild things. And then Henson's company is making puppets."
"... and then i'm getting fired for revealing too much."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on May 04, 2006, 02:29:57 AM
Voices roam for "Wild Things"
Source: Hollywood Reporter

A diverse group of vocal talents, including Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro, Michael Berry Jr., Paul Dano, Tom Noonan, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker and Michelle Williams, has been recruited to provide the voices of the titular characters in writer-director Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book "Where the Wild Things Are."

The film, which Warner Bros. Pictures is producing in association with Legendary Pictures, will combine voice performances, live-action puppetry and computer animation to dramatize the ad-ventures of Max, a rebellious young boy who runs away from home after a fight with his mother and finds himself in a forest where the wild things roam.
 
A Playtone/Wild Things production, the project will employ a script by Jonze and Dave Eggers. The production team will include production designer K.K. Barrett, cinematographer Lance Acord and editor Eric Zumbrunnen. The producers are Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Sendak, John Carls and Vincent Landay. The exec producers are Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 02, 2007, 09:51:13 AM
from a JoBlo interview with Mark Ruffalo...

What about WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE? Anybody get hit in that? [laughter]

No, no. There's some animals flying, bouncing off the trees and stuff like that. They're like stuffed animals. They're creatures... but they're made of...

I know the book.

Jim Henson made the creatures... they're Jim Henson puppets. They're not real animals.

So you're a voice in that?

No, no, I'm...there's live action. It's all live action, really. I play the mother's boyfriend who's kind of you know... wishes he could be the father of a child but is too immature.

It's not that difficult you know...

I have two. It is difficult. It's not that easy! [Laughing]

Who plays the mother?

Catherine Keener . She's great.

Yeah, I always hear great things about her. I've actually talked to her before and she's amazing.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
has this already been shot?!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on June 21, 2007, 02:44:32 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwizarduniverse.com%2F_images_%2F004902%2FWheretheWildThingsPoster.jpg&hash=ab762cf7e3d8d7d915387be76c01dcb20d9f01a3)


(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv.com%2Fshared%2Fpromoimages%2Fmovies%2Fmovies_blog%2F062107_wildthingsare_big.jpg&hash=1c28ad0d6f8f24d96b6666f263fa671b493507b8)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on June 21, 2007, 06:02:13 PM
 :yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup: :!:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pubrick on June 21, 2007, 10:35:16 PM
the lady in blue is looking for neve campbell.

and i'm looking for a time machine so i can watch this and witness the redemption of mankind.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on June 22, 2007, 02:43:26 AM
y'know, i cant fucking wait for this either, "wizard of oz of our time" <agreed, but i shutter when thinking of the hot topic crowd that will jizz all over this, almost to the point where i dread this movie even coming out.... fuck those kids....
i'll be seeing this with side-blinders on...



Fuck Those Kids.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on June 24, 2007, 11:42:47 PM
Only thing that needs is a Caldecott medal and it's the book cover.

Beautiful.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 18, 2007, 10:43:54 AM
We've Got Dave Eggers's and Spike Jonze's Script for 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Source: NYMag

...and it is really, really good.

In transforming the 338-word story of Where the Wild Things Are into a 111-page screenplay, Eggers and Jonze have fleshed out the story not, unexpectedly, with wild plot developments, and not, thankfully, with densely packed pop-fiction references. Instead Where the Wild Things Are is filled with richly imagined psychological detail, and the screenplay for this live-action film simply becomes a longer and more moving version of what Maurice Sendak's book has always been at heart: a book about a lonely boy leaving the emotional terrain of boyhood behind.

We certainly have our problems with Dave Eggers's writing at times, but one thing he has always been able to do is to recall with great specificity the excitement, small joys, and great disappointments of childhood. In many ways, between his work at 826 Valencia and his most recent novel, What Is the What, his infatuation and identification with childhoods ordinary and extreme has remained at the center of his career. This ability to conjure up authentic moments of boyish emotion is combined, in Where the Wild Things Are, with Spike Jonze's devilishly inventive visual sense to create something pretty amazing.

Max, the hero of Wild Things, is now an 8-year-old with an absent father, an older sister who's drifting away from him, a mother whose personal and job concerns leave her little time or energy for the rambunctious boy she dearly loves. Eggers and Jonze — mostly, we suspect, Eggers — touchingly sketch this troubled family unit and carefully track the rising frustration and alarm Max feels as his world becomes darker and more unhappy, until, on page 21, he runs away, climbs aboard a boat, and sails to the island of the Wild Things.

There Jonze's influence begins to be felt, as the enormous creatures — with names like Carol, Alexander, and K.W. — look to Max as their King, and in a series of marvelous adventures, wrestle tornadoes, eat mud, and tame hawks. Always, though, there's a subtle undercurrent of menace, and it becomes clear that while spinning a yarn, Jonze and Eggers are also taking us on a tour of Max's psyche, as he works out so many of the issues that plague his young life. But any time the drama threatens to overcome the story's wonder, along comes another visual cherry bomb to shake things up: a tiny model of a city with rivers for streets; a pile of Wild Things, wiggling and wet, with Max sleeping against them; Max's final hiding place, and how he gets out. We won't give too much more away, because the pleasures of this screenplay are in its moment-to-moment details and discoveries.

We were deeply nervous about anyone taking on a story this beloved yet difficult, even talents like Eggers and Jonze, but this screenplay — if it hasn't been changed too dramatically since October 2005, when it was turned in — goes a long way toward reassuring us that this movie, which is coming out in 2008, will be something special.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on October 22, 2007, 01:13:49 AM
Dave Eggers's Next Novel Is Based on 'Where the Wild Things Are'?
Source: NY Mag

Publishers Weekly reports that the Frankfurt Book Fair is abuzz with talk about Dave Eggers's new novel, which apparently quietly sold to Ecco last winter. Ecco, the small, super-literary imprint at Harper, doesn't usually brag about sales potential, usually because most of its books don't have a lot of sales potential. According to PW, though, Ecco chief Dan Halpern is telling everyone at the fair that the book — an adult novel based on Where the Wild Things Are, scheduled to be published in 2008 to coincide with Spike Jonze's movie, for which Eggers co-wrote the screenplay — will be a monster hit, if you'll pardon the expression. "I think it's going to be his biggest book. I think it's going to be huge." We kind of think so, too, so color us pretty excited.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on November 26, 2007, 12:48:48 AM
Ambrose is simply 'Wild' for Jonze pic
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Lauren Ambrose is going into the wild, voicing one of the title roles in Spike Jonze's fantasy film "Where the Wild Things Are" for Warner Bros.

In the feature adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's tale, Ambrose will play KW, one of the giant creatures in the land of the Wild Things. When a young boy named Max visits their strange world, KW and company turn him into their king.

Ambrose is replacing the previously cast Michelle Williams. According to a production source, the filmmakers enjoyed working with Williams, but her voice didn't match their original vision of how the Wild Thing should sound.

Warner Bros. is producing the Playtone/Wild Things production in association with Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow. Jonze and Dave Eggers wrote the adapted screenplay. Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Sendak, John Carls and Vincent Landay are producing the film, which will use real actors, computer animation and live-action puppeteering. The film is set for release in fall 2008.

Ambrose is starring in the Fox series "The Return of Jezebel James" and appears opposite Frank Langella in Roadside Attractions' drama "Starting Out in the Evening." During the summer, she played Juliet in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of "Romeo and Juliet" in New York.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on December 02, 2007, 12:23:49 PM
totally unfinished, but it screened.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34943

this makes it real.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on December 12, 2007, 04:46:53 PM
has anyone seen this yet?

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filmdrunk.com%2F%2Ful%2F781-wildthingsare.jpg&hash=dd8da9837339f9d48da6d06b1e4b5c080cc08f5a)

it gives me a tickle in my anus.
here's this if the pics not showing up: http://www.filmdrunk.com//ul/781-wildthingsare.jpg (http://www.filmdrunk.com//ul/781-wildthingsare.jpg)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: jtm on December 13, 2007, 10:15:41 PM
a bunch of midgets in furry suits makes your anus tickle?

creepy.


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pubrick on December 13, 2007, 11:02:38 PM
Quote from: jtm on December 13, 2007, 10:15:41 PM
a bunch of midgets in furry suits makes your anus tickle?

i don't think any of them are midgets.

they all look normal adult size except the kid.

if anything, they're giants. giant wild midgets.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: jtm on December 14, 2007, 05:35:14 PM
oh. my mistake.

so it's a bunch of giant, wild (and probably high) midgets that makes his anus tickle.

perfectly normal.

;-)


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: pete on December 27, 2007, 09:18:12 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin on November 26, 2007, 12:48:48 AM
the filmmakers enjoyed working with Williams, but her voice didn't match their original vision of how the Wild Thing should sound.

I could've told them that.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 16, 2008, 02:51:46 PM
Karen O Pens Tunes for Jonze/Eggers Wild Things Film
Source: Pitchfork

No upbringing is complete without a few hundred bedtime readings of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, and no beloved literary relic of childhood is complete these days, it seems, without a major motion picture adaptation. Thus we have Where the Wild Things Are the film, directed by Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" and "Weapon of Choice") and coming to a movie theater near you in late 2008 or so.

Long before we can smile slyly at the possibility of some ignorant parent renting that other Wild Things for the young ones instead of this film, we can get all jazzed about its soundtrack. For that soundtrack, according to a post on blog The Playlist confirmed by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' publicist, will include musical selections from none other than Karen O.

Ex-beau Jonze has enlisted O to write "songs and other pieces of music for the film," according to the website of composer Carter Burwell (previous Jonze films, various Coen Brothers films), who is "helping with the score." As if the hipster quotient weren't through the roof already, Dave Eggers collaborated with Jonze on the script.

No word yet whether the Karen O contributions have anything to do with the lady's long-discussed forthcoming solo record, reportedly produced by Jonze's brother Squeak E. Clean (aka Sam Spiegel).

And couture hounds and O oglers alike may want to flock on over to designer Christian Joy's website, where Karen is presently modeling Joy's spring 2008 collection [via TheFADER.com].

Yeah Yeah Yeahs have kept otherwise quiet of late, though guitarist Nick Zinner did contribute to the new Hives single.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on January 16, 2008, 03:28:29 PM
I just read that on Pitchfork.

I can't wait. What was that YYY's song that was on one of Spikes Nike commercials? Tomorrow something. I always felt that song sounded very fantasy esque.

Dark Knight who?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 16, 2008, 03:44:18 PM
Quote from: Stefen on January 16, 2008, 03:28:29 PM
What was that YYY's song that was on one of Spikes Nike commercials? Tomorrow something. I always felt that song sounded very fantasy esque.
Hello Tomorrow. (http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=7431.0)

yeah i like that song too. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: edison on February 15, 2008, 07:03:12 PM
First ever (I think) clip here (http://www.buzznet.com/wherethewildthingsare)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on February 15, 2008, 07:49:02 PM
Quote from: edison on February 15, 2008, 07:03:12 PM
First ever (I think) clip here (http://www.buzznet.com/wherethewildthingsare)

We're sorry, this clip is no longer available. The user who posted this clip (which appears was user generated, and not from the film itself) pulled the clip down.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: The Perineum Falcon on February 15, 2008, 08:28:29 PM
I saw it just before they pulled it down, I guess. I thought it was beautiful, and I'm not sure why it's saying it was user generated. I'm not quite sure what it means, either. It looked pretty professional to me.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on February 15, 2008, 08:51:56 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iwatchstuff.com%2F2008%2F02%2F15%2Fwhere-wild-things-are-clip.jpg&hash=c28ad66eef7b9ca4ec19898bd8347452245f6b47)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Ghostboy on February 16, 2008, 12:10:17 AM
That clip was AMAZING.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on February 16, 2008, 12:42:14 AM
Yes it (http://www.freewebs.com/imtnt/) is...
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on February 16, 2008, 03:43:14 AM
holy farts. thank you teeth
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: last days of gerry the elephant on February 16, 2008, 05:19:06 AM
It's got humor and heart, very nice!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on February 16, 2008, 11:46:31 AM
oh my god.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: diggler on February 16, 2008, 11:50:05 AM
thanks teeth! loved the music at the end
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: edison on February 16, 2008, 03:27:01 PM
Once again I get the shaft, nice re-find teeth

music sounds like it was from Being John Malkovich
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on February 16, 2008, 03:32:17 PM
Oh jeez...that is sweeter than wine.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on February 16, 2008, 08:57:10 PM
Quote from: edison on February 16, 2008, 03:27:01 PM
Once again I get the shaft, nice re-find teeth

music sounds like it was from Being John Malkovich

No way, Thanks to you first, Ed...

And fuck yes, Carter Burwell will be doing the score for this, which is awesome...

i wish Pubes were here.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: brockly on February 17, 2008, 10:03:18 AM
wall• e used to be my most anticipated movie of the year
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on February 17, 2008, 02:31:40 PM
that made me so happy.

Quote from: 72teeth on February 16, 2008, 08:57:10 PM
i wish Pubes were here.

me too.

Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: cine on February 17, 2008, 02:41:36 PM
Quote from: pozer on February 17, 2008, 02:31:40 PM
Quote from: 72teeth on February 16, 2008, 08:57:10 PM
i wish Pubes were here.

me too.



he cut his wrists after seeing CMBB.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on February 17, 2008, 05:03:58 PM
Quote from: brockly on February 17, 2008, 10:03:18 AM
wall• e used to be my most anticipated movie of the year

it still can be, this aint coming out till oh-nine...  :yabbse-sad:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on February 17, 2008, 05:37:47 PM
It loos like the kind of thing that shows generational gaps between audience members. I bet the same people that digs Jonze's 90's music videos output will be the ones sold on it. Like me. I can't imagine baby boomers getting this at all. Or the cgi educated idiot teens of today.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: brockly on February 17, 2008, 06:36:30 PM
Quote from: 72teeth on February 17, 2008, 05:03:58 PM
this aint coming out till oh-nine...  :yabbse-sad:

:doh: :(

Quote from: brockly on February 17, 2008, 10:03:18 AM
wall• e ponyo on a cliff used to be my most anticipated movie of the year 2009
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on February 17, 2008, 06:38:05 PM
so diving further into this, im reading that it's just early test footage shot at the griffith observatory in LA.  the real movie was shot in Australia.  that's not the kid nor voice that was cast.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on February 17, 2008, 09:02:18 PM
Clip isn't loading at all (the secret one)

Is there anywhere else I can see this? That still posted has that Lance Accord look to it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on February 17, 2008, 11:10:57 PM
here's a smaller version (http://www.filmick.co.uk/2008/02/scene-from-where-wild-things-are.html)...
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: brockly on February 17, 2008, 11:20:49 PM
if your quick its on youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=fNgpeTf-WaU).
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on February 17, 2008, 11:27:15 PM
Thanks guys.

Amazing. Just amazing.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on February 18, 2008, 08:25:23 AM
Quote from: pozer on February 17, 2008, 06:38:05 PM
so diving further into this, im reading that it's just early test footage shot at the griffith observatory in LA.  the real movie was shot in Australia.  that's not the kid nor voice that was cast.

I thought something was off. There didn't seem like one professional set up or transition in the whole clip. It looks like the clip is showing an emotional peak in the film, but it was filmed as if the filmmakers were standing around and shooting. Nothing more. I would have been dissappointed if that really was a clip from the film
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: JG on February 18, 2008, 11:26:50 AM
also, the monster's audio was clearly recorded in a room. its still really cool though.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on February 18, 2008, 03:07:42 PM
AICN is reporting that that's the cut Moriarty saw. It looked just like that, but people are complaining about how it's not "fantasy" enough and that was the big gripe coming out of the test screenings.

Personally, I prefer the "contemporary" look of it. The clip that was shown is absolutely PERFECT as far as tone goes. I don't wanna see something that doesn't look real.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on February 19, 2008, 01:14:28 AM
Quote from: Stefen on February 18, 2008, 03:07:42 PM
AICN is reporting that that's the cut Moriarty saw. It looked just like that, but people are complaining about how it's not "fantasy" enough and that was the big gripe coming out of the test screenings.

But in the clip, that's neither the actual kid nor the actual costume, is it? 

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv.com%2Fshared%2Fpromoimages%2Fmovies%2Fmovies_blog%2F062107_wildthingsare_big.jpg&hash=1c28ad0d6f8f24d96b6666f263fa671b493507b8)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on February 19, 2008, 09:30:13 AM
They said it's the clip isn't from the movie, just that it looked the same. Gandolfini was nowhere to be found.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on February 20, 2008, 01:05:59 AM
Jonze Comments on "Leaked" Wild Things Clip
Source: ComingSoon.net

A clip believed to be from Warner Bros. Pictures' big screen Where the Wild Things Are was recently leaked online. Today, however, director Spike Jonze told us that the footage seen is not actually from the film.

"That was a very early test with the sole purpose of just getting some footage to Ben our vfx (visual effects) supervisor to see if our vfx plan for the faces would work," Jonze said. "The clip doesn't look or feel anything like the movie, the Wild Thing suit is a very early cringy prototype, and the boy is a friend of ours Griffin who we had used in a Yeah Yeah Yeahs video we shot a few weeks before. We love him, but he is not in the actually film...Oh and that is not a wolf suit, its a lamb suit we bought on the internet."

Planned for a 2009 release, the family fantasy-adventure stars Catherine Keener, Benicio Del Toro, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara, Tom Noonan, Michael Berry and James Gandolfini.

The film follows the adventures of Max, a head-strong young boy who leaves home after having a fight with his mother -- only to find himself in a mysterious forest bordering a vast sea. Misunderstood and rebellious, Max sets sail to the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on February 20, 2008, 09:42:20 AM
Quote from: MacGuffin on February 20, 2008, 01:05:59 AM
"That was a very early test with the sole purpose of just getting some footage to Ben our vfx (visual effects) supervisor to see if our vfx plan for the faces would work," Jonze said.

Wow, if that is just an early test I can't even imagine how amazing the actual film will look/be.

This and Avatar will rule 2009; btw, when was it officially changed to 2009????  :yabbse-angry:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on February 20, 2008, 03:18:03 PM
http://chud.com/articles/articles/13720/1/WHERE-THE-WILD-THINGS-ARE-BEING-COMPLETELY-RESHOT/Page1.html

Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on February 20, 2008, 06:57:17 PM
Quote from: that article on February 20, 2008, 03:18:03 PM
You can imagine the panic at Warner Bros when they realized they'd made a reportedly 75 million dollar kiddie art house film.

then what the fuck did they hire Spike Jonze for?!

edit: just finished reading it.

Quote from: that article on February 20, 2008, 03:18:03 PM
It's not a cookie cutter kid movie, and I know that was part of the original appeal to folks at Warner Bros - why the hell else do you bring Jonze on?

WB Suit #1: Well, should we scrap it or re-shoot with some hack?
WB Suit #2: ...let's do it Kubrick directors series DVDs style.
WB SUIT #1: ...we shit on it.  Fuck yea-yeah!
*high five*


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on February 20, 2008, 09:59:29 PM
if they really gave him $75 MILLION dollars to make this, they are fucking retarded. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on February 27, 2008, 01:00:33 PM
New release date: October 16th 2009
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on March 27, 2008, 03:17:21 PM
Whitaker Addresses 'Wild Things' Re-Shoots, Says Kids Can Handle Jonze's Vision
Source: MTV

Recent headlines have speculated wildly on the fate of "Where the Wild Things Are." Advance screenings have reportedly proven too scary for kids, and resulting rumors have Spike Jonze's flick being re-cut, re-focused, or even entirely re-shot.

According to one of the film's voice stars, however, there are at least three kids who had no problem handling the horribleness.

"My children are 9, 11, and 16," insisted Forest Whitaker, saying that he took his children to one of those early "Things" screenings. "It was intense. They liked it, though. They enjoyed it."

The film is a unique mix of live-action, CGI, animatronics and enormous puppets, with Whitaker as the main monster. "I play Ira, he puts the holes in the trees," the Oscar-winner grinned. "I have a wife and kid, and we're the only family unit inside [the land of the Wild Things]. It's a good movie. I saw an early cut of it. I brought my kids to see it, and I was really impressed."

So impressed, in fact, that Whitaker is becoming increasingly concerned by all those rumors that Jonze's cut is under siege. "I'm going to call Spike and find out what's going on," he promised. "The thing is, it's one thing to read [scary stuff] in a book, but when you see an itty-bitty kid running alongside a 10-foot-giant on the side of a cliff, it gets intense. But that's the point, because we're representing the things inside of the kid. They represent his struggles, either him being too angry or being confused, or not feeling like he belongs. They're a gargantuan extension of the way he's feeling inside."

The good news for fans is that Jonze has stayed faithful to the book; the bad news for Jonze, however, is that he may have stayed too faithful to the book. "[The dark scenes] are the point of the movie, and I hope that they maintain that point, because I think children can identify with a character who is upset," the father of four explained, citing one key scene of destruction as being particularly controversial. "[The main character Max] built this whole city, and nobody likes it, and he tears it all up. He's like, 'Well if you don't like it, I'm just going to tear it up!' because he wants so badly for someone to like it."

"This kid rolls by himself, no father figure; this is a single family home," he continued, with passion. "His mother ends up having a boyfriend that becomes like a monster to him...people have to build trust with the people their parent starts to date...These are real issues that the character deals with, and I hope that [the filmmakers] continue to explore them, because kids need to see that; they need to see that other kids are dealing with it."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 29, 2008, 01:12:53 AM
Just let Spike do his thing. What's the worst that can happen?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on April 06, 2008, 04:56:18 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kanyeuniversecity.com%2Fclient_images%2Fkanyewest%2F3164_e99203d8945bfc7fac334b1c7bbfa29b.jpg&hash=2fdc1341a537d83d08540b3edc53b5a6b5ff44e6)

i dont know if this has anything to do with the movie but it was on kanye west's blog. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on May 21, 2008, 12:52:43 AM
Studio to Director: 'Wild Things' Needs Taming
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book Where The Wild Things Are may be a beloved classic, but with just 338 words and an unruly kid who hangs with a group of gloomy, hard-partying monsters at its center, it doesn't sound like old-fashioned family fun. No wonder, then, Warner Bros. is concerned that its $75 million film adaptation might not become the blockbuster it needs. The movie - which has been in development at various stages since 1992 - will miss its original release date this October 2008, and now director Spike Jonze, who is best known for offbeat, grown-up fare such as being John Malkovich, is about to begin a round of reshoots. In addition, sources inside the studio and around Hollywood tell EW the production is "deeply troubled."

The problems began at the end of last year, when Jonze showed early versions to Warner execs. According to sources, they told him that his take was too dark for it target audience. Wild Things producer John Carls insists "there is nothing inappropriate for a child," but bloggers fueled the bad buzz with reports that youngsters cried during a public research screening last December. All of that prompted Warner to request significant changes to the script (penned by Jonze and author Dave Eggers) from Alvin and The Chipmunks screenwriter Jon Vitti. Carls says that the script's tone will not change; rather, he explains," we're inserting new moments that will make the individual Wild Things' story lines more clear." Warner, meanwhile, issued this statement: "We have always believed in and continue to support this film. As with all films, post-production is an evolving process, and Spike Jonze will be shooting some additional scenes."

Since he doesn't have authority over the final cut, fans are encouraging Jonze to leak his version online if the studio ends up removing him from the film. Carls says that won't happen, and adds that Sendak himself is "very pleased with what Spike has accomplished thus far." Considering that Warner is still smarting from the abysmal debut of its kid-targeted Speed Racer adaptation, perhaps its execs should hope that the master of children's storytelling is right.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on May 21, 2008, 02:48:31 PM
Now the Wachowski's are even ruining legitimate filmmakers movies!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on June 30, 2008, 05:36:17 PM
Quote from: modage on April 06, 2008, 04:56:18 PM
i dont know if this has anything to do with the movie but it was on kanye west's blog. 

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestweekever.tv%2Fbwe%2Fimages%2F2008%2F06%2Fspikejonzeninja_.kanyejpg.jpg&hash=e56eadd47eaca1718d082d568e8c0b9423e26244)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on July 12, 2008, 10:06:31 AM
Can Spike Jonze save 'Where the Wild Things Are'?
Source: Patrick Goldstein; Los Angeles Times

Something has gone very wrong with "Where the Wild Things Are," the much-anticipated Spike Jonze adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book. The $80-million film, with a script by literary cool-guy Dave Eggers, was filmed largely in the second half of 2006 in Australia. It was originally slated for release this October but got pushed back to the fall of 2009. Last week it disappeared entirely from the Warner Bros. release schedule, a sign of continuing troubles.

The script got good early reviews. But for months the Web has been pulsing with rumors and in-depth accounts that when Jonze had a research screening last December, kids in the audience were crying and fleeing the theater--not exactly the reaction the studio had hoped for.

As you may recall from having read the Sendak story to your own child, "Where the Wild Things Are" is about a mischievous boy who, after being sent to his room without his supper, creates a forest-like world full of exotic beasties. The movie's big problem? The boy, played by newcomer Max Records, is almost entirely unlikable, coming off as more mean-spirited and bratty than mischievous. Jonze has also had tons of issues with the wild things. Originally shot as actors in furry creature suits with animated faces, as well as animatronic puppets, they were a big disappointment. Instead of being scary or funny, they almost seemed blank, with little warmth or emotion. Jonze is now retooling the film, using CGI to create more life-like monsters.

But can the movie be saved? And when will it ever see the light of day? I just spoke to Warners chief Alan Horn, who offered, for the first time, his studio's side of the story.

Horn denied rumors that the studio has taken Jonze off the movie, saying he remains fully supportive of the filmmaker.

"We've given him more money and, even more importantly, more time for him to work on the film," Horn said. "We'd like to find a common ground that represents Spike's vision but still offers a film that really delivers for a broad-based audience. We obviously still have a challenge on our hands. But I wouldn't call it a problem, simply a challenge. No one wants to turn this into a bland, sanitized studio movie. This is a very special piece of material and we're just trying to get it right."

Warners can afford to take its time. It has an influx of 12 to 14 movies from the newly absorbed New Line studio that Warners is still trying to fit into its release schedule. The really fascinating issue about "Wild Things" is that it shows the pitfalls of Warners' strategy of marrying gifted directors to mainstream studio material. The strategy has produced a number of triumphs, most notably Chris Nolan's "Batman Begins" and the upcoming "The Dark Knight," Alfonso Cuaron's "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven." But it has also resulted in disasters where the filmmakers have been totally miscast with the material, whether it was the Wachowski brothers' "Speed Racer" or acclaimed German "Downfall" director Oliver Hirschbiegel's "Invasion," which underwent all sorts of rewrites and reshoots but still turned out to be a flop.

I congratulate Warners for being willing to let daring artists tackle its more conventional material. No one wants to see "Where the Wild Things Are" in the hands of a paint-by-numbers filmmaker like Chris Columbus. But if Jonze has his mind set on making a dark, occasionally disturbing film, how much rope should the studio give him before it tries to rein him in? It's not an easy call. I'll give Alan Horn the last word, since he was enough of a stand-up guy to debate the issue with me.

"We try to take a few shots," he said. "Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. The jury is still out on this one. But we remain confident that Spike is going to figure things out and at the end of the day we'll have an artistically compelling movie."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on July 12, 2008, 03:43:58 PM
this is already the most fascinating movie ever made.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: john on July 12, 2008, 04:24:30 PM
I'm not sure how I feel about the public consciousness on this whole affair.

In a way, I think these articles kind of protect the film - each piece seems to get the internet community vocal about the idea of letting anyone but the original creative team tinker with the final film...

But internet displeasure doesn't mean shit compared to box office. As much as Warner likes to talk about how much they want to invest in the artist, they ultimately do not give a shit and have proven it time after time.

Plus, it gives the whole thing a real extraneous notoriety. I like the silence regarding the film. I like the mystery. And, in that regard, these articles just stain what matters most: the finished film.


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on July 13, 2008, 11:52:37 AM
That article scares me. Up till now, I was thinking the movie was one of those too brilliant for audiences flicks, and the studio wanted Spike to cutesy it up, maybe add a wisecracking sidekick. Now it seems like there are problems with the film that have nothing to do with dumb audiences. Most notably the part where it says Max is unlikeable. That can be a HUGE problem considering the source material.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on July 14, 2008, 11:24:05 AM
Yes, this whole situation sounds like a filmmaker's worst nightmare.

The worst part of it is that the finished product could become a bland, middle ground mixture between the worst aspects in Jonze's vision and what the executives demand from the film. And it will also, very likely be left to die in terms of marketing.

Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on July 14, 2008, 01:03:32 PM
$80mil is a hefty price tag for a Spike Jonze flick. Money can't buy creativity.

I bet Spike could make a better movie with half that budget or even less. A big budget is probably a detriment to someone like him.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on July 14, 2008, 05:10:54 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv.com%2Fmovies%2Fphotos%2Fblog%2Fjavits_photos_061008%2Fwildthings_javits_061008.jpg&hash=6dfdd29b99c9a9438cfb75e153cb5a30e2353129)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on July 14, 2008, 08:01:57 PM
Fuck that little kid.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on September 06, 2008, 02:44:37 PM
Wild Things are Coming October 2009
Source: ComingSoon.net

The Spike Jonze-directed Where the Wild Things Are is back on Warner Bros.' release schedule. The adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's book is now set for a release on Oct. 16, 2009. The pic stars Catherine Keener, Benicio Del Toro, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara, Tom Noonan, Michael Berry and James Gandolfini.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on November 18, 2008, 07:52:16 AM
EPIC.  INTERVIEW.

http://aintitcool.com/node/39145

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aintitcool.com%2Fimages2008%2FWTWTAsunsetsm.jpg&hash=9fdea7c01178acd35c0171f10c011bfb43b6d4e6)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on November 18, 2008, 09:18:31 AM
I hate when say, "like" for every other word. Spike Jonze isn't an exception.  :yabbse-thumbdown:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on November 25, 2008, 09:48:11 AM
Berger On Why He Said No To Wild Things

Oscar-winning special-effects master Howard Berger told SCI FI Wire that he turned down doing the film version of Where the Wild Things Are--which he called his favorite book as a child--and that he anticipated the problems that director Spike Jonze is reportedly having adapting the classic book to film.

In his bio--and speaking backstage after winning an Oscar for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe--Berger said that his fascination with special effects started with his mother, a teacher, as she read him Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. "That's what started this for me," Berger said.

So was he disappointed not to work on the film version of his favorite book? "No, I'm not," Berger said with a laugh. "We were approached four times, and we turned it down four times. [We turned it down] because I'm in love with it so much. I respect it too much. What is happening is what I thought would happen."

There were rumors earlier, reported on C.H.U.D. and elsewhere, that Warner was not happy with Jonze's footage and that it was even considering re-shooting the entire film. The movie is expected to be released in October 2009.

Whether those reports are true or not, Berger said: "The direction that they were taking in the movie was certainly not the direction that I would have taken. It was potentially a catastrophe. I had a sinking feeling about it. I didn't want to get myself in it. It's a horrible idea."

Berger and his partner, Greg Nicotero of KNB EFX Group, in Van Nuys, Calif., met with Jonze, who is helming the movie for Warner Brothers. Berger worked on Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith, Land of the Dead and Transformers, as well as The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, which comes out on DVD on Dec. 2.

"Even when I heard about it I thought, 'I don't want to do it,'" Berger said. "Greg and I met with Spike Jonze a couple of times, and they kept asking us if would we do it."

The film is going to be a mix of computer-generated animation and animatronics, with some of the characters in giant suits made of foam. The cast includes Forest Whitaker, Michelle Williams, Catherine O'Hara and James Gandolfini.

Berger said that he still has a life-sized beast in his office like one of the Wild Things.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on November 25, 2008, 10:09:47 AM
It breaks my heart that this film is having so much trouble. It's quite possibly the movie I'm most looking forward to.

The less faith the studio has in it, the more faith I have in it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on November 25, 2008, 10:33:35 AM
yeah. so the guy who worked in narnia, episode 3 and transformers thinks this was a terrible idea. as opposed to those films i guess, which were so wonderful and full of the true magic of motion pictures. so we can be sure this is going to be great.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on November 25, 2008, 02:48:10 PM
Quote from: Alexandro on November 25, 2008, 10:33:35 AM
yeah. so the guy who worked in narnia, episode 3 and transformers thinks this was a terrible idea. as opposed to those films i guess, which were so wonderful and full of the true magic of motion pictures. so we can be sure this is going to be great.

Oh god, don't discredit him in such a smug way. He's worked on a lot of other films (including Boogie Nights and the Kill Bill movies) and his work isn't the reason why all three of the films listed were bad. The guy gave his opinion and it seems to correlate with a lot of other reports. Does it mean the film will be bad? No, but I can't see how we can be dissing someone on a situation we know nothing about.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on November 25, 2008, 09:14:55 PM
A guy like that should shut his face. A director is having trouble to get a vision on screen and this guy comes out to say something like that? He felt the need to contribute or something? Fuck him and his Narnia oscar.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on November 25, 2008, 10:03:26 PM
Quote from: Alexandro on November 25, 2008, 09:14:55 PM
A guy like that should shut his face. A director is having trouble to get a vision on screen and this guy comes out to say something like that? He felt the need to contribute or something? Fuck him and his Narnia oscar.

That's just ridiculous to me, but alright.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on November 26, 2008, 08:56:16 AM
I agree with Alexandro. If Berger thinks he can do better, he needs to get funding and prove it. I can't imagine anyone like Spike Jonze criticizing Berger for his attempted work so in turn, it's not fair the other way around, either.

He needs to know his role. There's a reason Spike Jonze is an accomplished filmmaker and Berger does "make-up."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Sleepless on November 26, 2008, 11:54:05 AM
Please, the article reads like total filler, like it was pieced together because the editor wanted another story on how WTWTA is doomed. His comments were from a couple of years back, and it's essentially the same thing said three different ways. It's not like he called up Variety with the intention of dissing the film. You guys need to chill.

Besides, his reasons for not doing the film was because he was so attached to the source material. I seem to remember lots of folks here upset about the Transformers and new Star Wars movies for similar reasons?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on November 26, 2008, 11:57:36 AM
Any of us would have jumped at the chance to work on Transformers or the Prequels.

We wouldn't be like, ""The direction that they were taking in the movie was certainly not the direction that I would have taken. It was potentially a catastrophe. I had a sinking feeling about it. I didn't want to get myself in it. It's a horrible idea."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on November 26, 2008, 12:30:39 PM
Quote from: Stefen on November 26, 2008, 08:56:16 AM
I can't imagine anyone like Spike Jonze criticizing Berger for his attempted work so in turn, it's not fair the other way around, either.

yeah, it's unsettling in that they obviously admired his work and wanted his talent on their movie and he makes it a point to say they approached him four times and he said no that many times and knew it would be a disaster.

"Even when I heard about it I thought, 'I don't want to do it.'"  way to take on a challenge, Narnia guy.  keep playing it safe with Transformers 2.  the Children of Men animators had the balls to say YES that's all that matters.   
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on December 02, 2008, 01:06:28 AM
Hot Movie Drama: Where the Wild Things Are
Source: Rolling Stone

No film project has enthralled the indie-blogiverse more than Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers' adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic Where the Wild Things Are. But in the past year, the film has been plagued by rumors: that Jonze's version was too dark, that the studio hated it, that Jonze might take his name off the movie. Here, the media-shy Jonze finally sets the record straight on one of 2009's most anticipated films.

Fans were thrilled that you and Eggers were collaborating on WTWTA. But then it was reported that Warner Bros. was concerned about an early version, that it wasn't the mass-audience movie they wanted. What happened?
Well, the editing process wasn't always fun, but in the end, we've made the movie we set out to make. All the reasons you were excited about it, those were the reasons they [Warner Bros.] were uncomfortable with it. It isn't what they're familiar with. But they've become comfortable and embraced it. In the end, they let me finish my movie.

They had to have known if they hired you and Eggers, it was going to be unusual.
It's just not the kind of movie that they make on their own. In most movies about kids, there's, like, a movie reality: The conflict is a movie conflict, the kid is a movie kid. So when you see behavior or a tone that's not like that, it took them a while to embrace that.

What specifically did you and the producers argue about?
You know, it's like talking about a couple that's been fighting and going to counseling. What matters now is that we made it through all of that — and it's probably better not to rehash what happened in counseling. I got to make my movie. It is true to the intention of what I set out to do.

What was your intention?
I wanted to make a movie that felt true to me and my experience of being a kid, trying to understand the world and people around me, trying to understand the relationships and wild emotions inside me and the people I was close to. As a kid, there's no road map to navigate any of that. Basically, I wanted to take this nine-year-old kid seriously as a person who is trying to understand the world and himself.

Some early reports said that the film might be too intense for young kids.
We're walking that line of making something that's intense, because kids are so open that something that's just kind of intense is really intense to an eight-year-old. But any rumor gets so blown out of proportion.

Is it a film for young kids?
It's not for all four-year-olds. It might not be right for one four-year-old but could work for another. When Maurice wrote the book, Max was five. When I started, it felt like the natural age for Max was eight or nine. So the movie is different in that way.

Is it true there was a moment you almost walked away?
It goes back to the couples counseling. There was definitely a point in time when they were sleeping on the sofa.

Has Maurice Sendak seen it?
Maurice is happy with it. It was important to me that he felt it was honest. To know that he is happy and didn't think it was pandering or cutesy . . . that passed his barometer test of honesty. That meant a lot.

What was the biggest lesson of all this?
I think I was sort of willfully naive about how hard it was going to be, given the size of the movie, the technical difficulty, that it's a movie starring a kid, shot on locations. But I think it's important to stay naive through all of that. If you make decisions based on how hard they're going to be, then it could be a mistake. So I hope I can be as naive to how hard it is next time. But I need to sleep for a year before I can do anything again.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on December 15, 2008, 04:32:06 PM
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
In theatres on October 16

(according to the WB 2009 movie preview)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on December 15, 2008, 04:37:18 PM
I just hope it's not studio dumbed down.

From the test footage I've seen, I'd watch this if it had no dialogue at all.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on December 26, 2008, 10:54:35 PM
if you liked the Twin Peaks Nike's...

http://www.lakai.com/product/08/SM08/footwear/series_ltd_eds/wtwta_series/
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on December 26, 2008, 11:42:57 PM
I may pick up the white pair. I just wish they weren't so plain and had some black lines like the white Adidas Superstars I've been wearing everyday since, like, 2003. Poseur.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 01, 2009, 10:58:14 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F01%2Fwildthingsimage.jpg&hash=b6483edb1cc8fe499d562bb8002df7c4d8cb2f0e)

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
In theatres Oct. 16

Australia. That's where the wild things are. Director Spike Jonze made extensive use of Down Under locales for his long-awaited take on Maurice Sendak's classic children's tale. ''The look and feel is very naturalistic—when our creatures knock down trees, they really knock down trees,'' says Jonze. ''When I was a boy, reading this story, I imagined myself really being there—not in front of a bluescreen.''

Jonze has been in production since 2006 and admits ''none of it was easy.'' Among the challenges: evoking the rich interior life of a precocious child (newcomer Max Records, left). ''The movie rests on Max's performance,'' says Jonze. ''It's all about taking this 9-year-old seriously as a person.''
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 11, 2009, 06:08:33 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F01%2Fwildthingstimes.jpg&hash=69a6cba5397cdf3a1172f7d70b7f8ce8f3020757)

how many pictures are they going to release with the back of the Wild Things heads? / this looks awesome.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 16, 2009, 04:43:59 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmore%2Fwild-things-skateboards-dec.jpg&hash=f8f2a3eb6decf0785ce3c196797c3045269a6ef7)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmore%2Fwild-things-skateboards-sjo.jpg&hash=cf56df40957250feaaeb2db36e9619873e8cb01f)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmore%2Fwild-things-sneakers.jpg&hash=c15ff953b5435d6d46a4149920fe80cf3d4415e2)

First Look: Spike Jonze's Skateboard Company Offers First Peek At The 'Where The Wild Things Are' Monsters

Nice. Spike Jonze's skateboard company, Girl Skateboards have provided the first real look at the monsters of his upcoming "Where The Wild Thing Are" adaptation. Sure, four or five images have already leaked, but this is the first real and true look at their faces and expressions and they tell so much. They're pretty creepy and scary, so maybe this is why kids were reportedly freaked out the notorious early 2008 test screenings? No matter. They look fantastic and Jonze and co. look like they're on track with the look, tone, feel and aesethetics of the film. We're not ones to salivate and pant, but we're almost there. We're excited.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: elpablo on January 16, 2009, 09:47:21 PM
I wish I was the kind of person who had money to spend on things to hang on my wall. I would hang one of those on my wall.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on January 16, 2009, 09:48:57 PM
This is torture. I just want some real footage! A teaser trailer. SOMETHING MOVING FROM THE FILM.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 17, 2009, 10:20:44 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfilm.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fimages%2Fwildthingstopboards.jpg&hash=631e778f9f4c6cd23c18d0b7b587b0c0cbe1c1ad)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Jefferson on January 19, 2009, 06:43:52 AM
i'm loving everything i've seen so far. though this last round of photos is going to make the months of anticipation crawl by. a trailer might freeze time entirely.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 17, 2009, 03:48:49 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfilm.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fimages%2Fwherethewildthingsareposter-440x640.jpg&hash=1715d07126b9bfd60ef9244d8aa0bff6291b5575)

The first trailer for Spike Jonze's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE will be enclosed with prints of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS next week.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 17, 2009, 03:58:01 PM
omg yeeesss.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on March 17, 2009, 07:15:27 PM
LORD
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on March 17, 2009, 07:54:24 PM
I've gotta play devil's advocate on the poster here.  Every picture we've seen from this movie so far has been beautiful and evocative and real, and then this poster comes along and it's just big and flat and fake-looking.  The tagline is awful and awkwardly placed, and the hand-drawn typeface feels too cute by half; there might as well be a backwards "e" in there somewhere.  Ironically, this poster is the first image from the movie that I would not want to hang on my wall.

Now that I've got that out of the way, I can go back to anxiously anticipating every bead of information that drips out about the movie.  Can't wait for the trailer!   :yabbse-smiley:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Sleepless on March 18, 2009, 11:40:46 AM
Suddenly I want to see Monsters v Aliens.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 18, 2009, 12:14:09 PM
The poster isn't as good as the other promotional stills that have come out, but the poster could be A LOT worse. I think it found a happy medium between Spike Jonze's artistic vision and the studios insistence on it being a by the numbers family film.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on March 18, 2009, 02:09:59 PM
Are you trying to say you don't like Pablo Ferro?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 23, 2009, 09:58:37 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fwildthings-max-1carol.png&hash=3230429ac7a1c9f1edf1446fccca5d2d16a4b725)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fwildthings-carol2.png&hash=40c940f56dd4458275d5ea28e5a984a58c7077b0)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fwildthing-max-judith-photo.png&hash=28c178df739ecd6250eddb0932f2ee1324936854)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fwildthings3-max.png&hash=15c7294e3071c065a6f7010aeca95ec880c8da31)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fwildthings-max-sad.png&hash=2707f358c59b8edca43aa8afa27f11265a744c8e)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fkeener-wild-things-max.png&hash=f64036718756cbe95adc22c30d5b381d86fcbcc7)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmore%2Fofficialcredits.jpg&hash=ddcb9604719c34145923de6ec6abb547abad6d80)

Confirmed: Karen O And Carter Burwell Composing 'Wild Things' Score

There was some confusion to the soundtrack of Spike Jonze's live-action adaptation of "Where The Wild Things" last week.

Some thought the Arcade Fire and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, were involved. We said, nope, this is untrue (it's possible the Arcade Fire could have a song in their somewhere - we doubt it - but so far officially, only one of their songs is being used in this week's upcoming teaser trailer).

But as we've been saying all along, Karen O of the Yeah, Yeah Yeahs (just her!) and composer Carter Burwell (who wrote the score for Jonze's "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation") were the ones composing the score and writing songs for the film (dude from Deerhunter/Atlas Sound helped out, but didn't do any actually songwriting that has been credited; though he surely helped with creating sounds). Now there can be no mistake with this above screencap of the official credits scanned by the folks at the fan site WTWA (click on the image for a larger version).

These credits all give further credence to our posit that Tom Noonan's voice has been replaced with Chris Cooper's as all the voice actors are listed but Noonan's is noticeably absent (but then again, so is Paul Dano's voice credit). However, there are 7 monsters total and 5 voice actors in the credits (James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose and Chris Cooper), plus Dano and Noonan makes seven, yes?

Well, no The Bull is a silent character that doesn't speak according to USA Today (and yes, he doesn't speak in the original script either; though he did speak in the test screening briefly).

Has Tom Noonan's Voice Been Replaced With Chris Cooper's In 'Where The Wild Things Are'?

When it comes to Spike Jonze's live-action adaptation of "Where The Wild Things Are," we've been a bit of obsessive stickler nerds about finding out every little detail, especially the voice casting (we did a whole informed, but semi-speculative piece on what actor voiced what monster last year). And we and anyone else who's been following closely has been thrown off a few times.

When Warner Bros. first posted their 2009 online schedule in December, most of us were shocked to hear that Mark Ruffalo was part of the film. Casting had out there for years, but somehow his participation had eluded most of the online press (it turns out he plays Catherine Keener's -- Max's mother -- boyfriend in the film, which is a small part in the beginning).

But even in November we were surprised even more when it was casually mentioned in a long AICN feature with Spike Jonze that Chris Cooper ("Adaptation") had all off a sudden voiced one of the creatures; and his name had certainly never been mentioned before this.

Voice actors have been replaced on the film already. Lauren Ambrose was brought on to voice a character after Michelle Williams voice apparently didn't match the original vision of how the monster should sound.

So this new USA Today article is curious because it says Chris Cooper voices "Douglas the big chicken." But when Cinematical talked to 'Wild Things' voice actor Tom Noonan (who appeared in the Spike Jonze-produced, "Synecdoche, New York") at Cannes in 2008, he said he was "the big chicken." USA Today also mentions all the actors voicing the Wild Things monsters in the photo article and Noonan's name is nowhere to be found (they do however confirm that Paul Dano does voice Alex The Goat).

So like Michelle Williams, did Noonan's voice not work out either? Sounds like it. Sometimes these things obviously work out as planned. Either way, from what we can remember from reading the script, Douglas does not have a huge part. We're sure just like Williams being replaced, there's no hard feelings (obviously) and Cooper taking over the part was nothing personal, but it is interesting to note.

First look: 'Where the Wild Things Are' gets Maxed out
By Susan Wloszczyna, USA TODAY

Who's Max? Why, Max is Max.

Max Records, 11, is the boy with anger issues who escapes to a land where giant beasts roam in Where the Wild Things Are, the film version of Maurice Sendak's 1963 storybook classic.

Such same-name casting is the type of coincidence that could only happen to a filmmaker who once placed a portal in an actor's head in Being John Malkovich

"It's just fortuitous, kismet, circumstance," says Spike Jonze, who cast Max after a director friend sent him a tape. "I can't imagine anyone else playing Max. Max is the soul of the movie. He's a very special sort of kid. Deep and thoughtful. Sweet and sincere."

Audiences will get a chance to check out both Maxes on Friday in a trailer accompanying Monsters vs. Aliens.

The Portland, Ore., sixth-grader spent four months on the film, which was shot outside Melbourne, Australia. His parents — Shawn, a photographer, and Jenny, a librarian — along with brother Sam, 7, joined him Down Under.

Max has been in videos for Death Cab for Cutie and Cake but has almost no performing experience other than a bit part in school "that was pretty pathetic." Save for Star Wars, he says, "I wasn't a huge movie person. "I'm not into what won the Oscars this year."

What he is into is books, and Wild Things is one of his favorites. "It's sort of different and not a simple story."

Max, who also can be seen in The Brothers Bloom (May 29), would like to continue to act. "But not gigantic parts. I'm in school and stuff. It's too disruptive." He did get some encouragement — from Sendak himself.

"I got to meet him last September," he says.

What did the author say to him? "Good job."

Director's 'Wild' vision drives movie's creation
By Susan Wloszczyna, USA TODAY
How do you take a storybook that sparks the imagination and touches the heart with a mere 338 words and expand it into a full-length movie?

With the author's blessing, of course.

Spike Jonze, a director whose off-kilter idiosyncrasies were on display in his first two features, Being John Malkovich (1999) and Adaptation (2002), has always been drawn to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.

"As a kid, I just connected to it. I wanted to hear it over and over," he says of the 1963 tale of Max, an angry boy who escapes to a mythical land of untamed giant beasts. "It's like trying to explain why you love somebody. To me, the Wild Things are both cuddly and dangerous. I wanted to climb atop of them like Max."

Jonze, 39, has known Sendak, 80, since 1995, when they tried to make a film out of another popular children's story, Harold and the Purple Crayon. About four years ago, the author came to him to discuss adapting his best-known work into a movie.

Jonze and his co-screenwriter, novelist Dave Eggers, regularly turned to Sendak for advice as they expanded upon his Wild Things universe.

"He was adamant that I make my own thing," Jonze says. "He had strong opinions, but he would ultimately defer to us. He said, 'Make something personal to you.' "

Jonze won't reveal much, but script additions include details about Max's home life that shed light on why he felt the need to run off to a magical place.

Actress Catherine Keener, who has appeared in all of Jonze's films, plays Max's mother — a character only briefly referred to in the book. The actress says Jonze is the perfect man to set the Wild Things free on screen.

"Spike has such an incredible imagination, and this is very much a work of imagination," she says, "And there is so much room to apply your own."

Various animated versions of Where the Wild Things Are have been tried, including one in the early '80s by Pixar's John Lasseter. But Jonze strongly felt that it had to be told with live action.

"I wanted them to actually be there," he says of the seven towering creatures that Max encounters. "I think as a kid I wouldn't imagine it as a cartoon. I would imagine they were in my world. There's a danger with Max being there on a real location. Dangerous and exciting."

The voice actors — such as James Galdofini, who speaks for the Wild Thing called Carol in the film, and Catherine O'Hara, who is the Wild Thing known as Judith — were recorded in Los Angeles before the production moved to Australia. Though nameless in the book, Jonze decided who was who based on their personalities.

What he didn't try to do was to dilute his distinctive style for a family audience. "I never thought of it as a children's movie," he says. "My intention was to be true to how it felt to be 9 years old. Maurice's whole thing is to be honest. You can say anything to kids as long as you are respectful and not pandering."

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmovies%2Fspike-jonze-max-noonancopy.png&hash=90029521e65a1d98e6904406f76ad9d00c2f012e)

http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on March 23, 2009, 10:06:46 AM
that's great.

now, where's the trailer?? did anyone see it attatched to monsters vs. aliens?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 23, 2009, 10:13:48 AM
cant. wait. any. longer.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Ghostboy on March 25, 2009, 12:23:53 PM
Trailer here: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2009/03/where_the_wild_things_are_trai.php
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on March 25, 2009, 12:35:35 PM
holy shit.


thanks ellen!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on March 25, 2009, 12:40:11 PM
Came here to post the same thing... got me really excited... really really excited.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on March 25, 2009, 12:49:24 PM
SORRY THIS TITLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

someone post a new link or put me out of my misery!!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on March 25, 2009, 12:50:42 PM
http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/25/first-where-the-wild-things-are-trailer/

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/where-the-wild-things-are/trailer


And if anyone asks, The Arcade Fire - "Wake Up"
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on March 25, 2009, 12:55:13 PM
Ho... ly... shit.

We have to wait seven more months for this?!!?!  I don't know if I can handle that.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on March 25, 2009, 12:56:49 PM
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on March 25, 2009, 12:59:48 PM
That trailer definitely makes me excited for Spike Jonze's work post-Kaufman. I kind of had written him off in my mind, but a second chance is coming.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on March 25, 2009, 01:01:52 PM
i'd just like to re-iterate...holy shit.

that trailer gave me goosebumps. what is it about arcade fire?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 01:05:03 PM
Ellen's the man!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on March 25, 2009, 01:11:31 PM
[size=9]YES[/size]
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 01:18:46 PM
I'm going home for lunch just to watch this trailer. I told my supervisor I had an emergency. I do.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 25, 2009, 01:38:53 PM
i will admit, the way the song was edited bothered me a bit.  until the end and the images were so powerful, it was truly awesome.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on March 25, 2009, 01:48:13 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin on March 25, 2009, 12:50:42 PM
And if anyone asks, The Arcade Fire - "Wake Up"

This is not the Funeral version though, is it?

It doesn't sound like I remember it, especially at first. Seems a little slower.

This looks really good, btw.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 25, 2009, 01:59:13 PM
the beginning is acoustic and then goes into the album version.

HD: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on March 25, 2009, 03:17:50 PM
looks beautiful.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 03:20:05 PM
Quote from: modage on March 25, 2009, 01:59:13 PM
the beginning is acoustic and then goes into the album version.

HD: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/

:inlove:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on March 25, 2009, 03:57:22 PM
^^^^ indeed

what can I say, are we the luckiest filmgeeks alive or what? same year we get wild things, avatar, voyage of tree life, antichrist and so on...this year already rules.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 04:00:15 PM
^Don't forget The Road!

This is going to be the best year since 1999.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on March 25, 2009, 04:21:54 PM
Quote from: modage on March 25, 2009, 01:59:13 PM
the beginning is acoustic and then goes into the album version.

is the full acoustic version from a b-side or live radio show?
i've never heard the full thing.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on March 25, 2009, 05:11:30 PM
Quote from: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 04:00:15 PM
^Don't forget The Road!

This is going to be the best year since 1999.


damn it, I was totally gonna put that one also, but thought those five were 'nuff...in fact lemme add another one The Lovely Bones and whatever our girl kate does this year (although imdb has no project for her yet)  :shock:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 25, 2009, 05:20:51 PM
The wild things look AMAZING. Organic and real. I'm so glad Spike Jonze didn't go with shitty CGI. Let's hope the studio doesn't make him throw in some wack shit like one of the creatures farting by a pod racer.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on March 25, 2009, 05:42:31 PM
I'm completely with Stefen on that.  The most amazing thing about this movie is how completely authentic it feels.  There's nothing cutesy, nothing phony, nothing that feels like a compromise to what studio executives assume isn't suitable for a movie that's ostensibly aimed towards kids.  Just a real kid in real locations with real wild things. 

This is not one of those movies that's going to come and go.  This is going to be a touchstone; something that people will still be watching and still be talking about 50 years from now.  I said it on the first page of this thread back in 2005 and I still believe it: The Wizard of Oz of our time.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Bethie on March 26, 2009, 02:36:05 AM
eeeeexciting
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Sleepless on March 26, 2009, 07:39:35 AM
Fucking A. I'm well excited. How long have we been waiting for this trailer? I love the beginning of it - the boy slowly realizing where he is, moving through the forest. Awesome. 2009 is going to be a great year. Well, the final 9 months of it should be anyways. I don't know whether this has any basis in reality or not - but did you notice those shots where the kid is happy playing in the snow? Seems to me it could be a flashback to happy times with his dad/Mom now has a new boyfriend. I wonder if that's some bits the studio wanted to give him an arc. Don't care though - all looks really great!! Yeay!!!!!  :yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on March 26, 2009, 11:25:03 AM
Quote from: polkablues on March 25, 2009, 05:42:31 PM
This is not one of those movies that's going to come and go.  This is going to be a touchstone; something that people will still be watching and still be talking about 50 years from now.  I said it on the first page of this thread back in 2005 and I still believe it: The Wizard of Oz of our time.

I think this is very plausible.

The question is - how do you think Spike Jonze would react to enormous success?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on March 26, 2009, 01:03:19 PM
Quote from: bigideas on March 26, 2009, 11:25:03 AM
Quote from: polkablues on March 25, 2009, 05:42:31 PM
This is not one of those movies that's going to come and go.  This is going to be a touchstone; something that people will still be watching and still be talking about 50 years from now.  I said it on the first page of this thread back in 2005 and I still believe it: The Wizard of Oz of our time.

I think this is very plausible.

The question is - how do you think Spike Jonze would react to enormous success?
He's going to be offered Transformers 3 and win a best director for it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 26, 2009, 06:08:35 PM
Arcade Fire Re-Record 'Wake Up' For 'Where The Wild Things Are' Trailer
Source: MTV

By now, you've probably watched, rewatched, embedded, Tweeted, re-Tweeted, status-updated and texted about the trailer for Spike Jonze's "Where the Wild Things Are." The sneak peek debuted Wednesday on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (!) and the Apple Movie Trailers site, then quickly made the rounds on every social-networking site known to mankind (and some that probably haven't even been invented yet).

For some, the mere appearance of the trailer was enough to send them into a tizzy. After all, the buzz surrounding Jonze's take on the Maurice Sendak children's classic has been, to use one word, troubling, with rumors of disastrous test screenings and reshoots. But what really stood out for others — and gave some the shivers — was the music in that trailer.

More specifically, the use of the Arcade Fire's rousing "Wake Up," from their 2004 album Funeral. For months, there have been rumors about the music that will be featured in "Wild Things," with some reports saying Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O created the film's soundtrack along with Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, something Cox would neither confirm nor deny when MTV News spoke to him last year.

Well, as it turns out, O's name is listed in the just-released "Wild Things" trailer, alongside musician Carter Burwell, who has scored all of Jonze's previous feature films as well as a little film you might have heard of called "Twilight." Under the "Music By" tag, Cox's name is nowhere to be seen.

But, more importantly, given that it's their song featured in the trailer, will the Arcade Fire's music also be featured in the film? Well, maybe. A spokesperson for the Fire told MTV News that he was reaching out to them for comment on "Wild Things" and their involvement with the film but had received no answer by press time. He did, however, confirm to MTV News that the version of "Wake Up" featured in the trailer was "a new version, re-recorded specifically for the film," so perhaps the band didn't just stop there.

But that's all just speculation at this point. Until we have some definite answers, why don't we all sit back and watch that trailer one more time.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on March 26, 2009, 06:23:16 PM
With the huge buzz and anointed success that this film is already receiving, there is more intrigue into who will win this year's Xixax Awards then next year's. I smell a Paul Thomas Anderson runaway with Where the Wild Things Are.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 26, 2009, 06:26:17 PM
Speaking of PTA, I don't think a trailer has affected me as much as this one has since I saw the Magnolia trailer attached to Green Mile.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 26, 2009, 08:51:50 PM
let's not forget that this might be a crushing disappointment!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 26, 2009, 10:03:56 PM
Quote from: modage on March 26, 2009, 08:51:50 PM
let's not forget that this might be a crushing disappointment!

Well, the lofty expectations it's set for itself is nobody else's fault but it's own. If it sucks, it's it's own fault for having awesome marketing.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Ghostboy on March 26, 2009, 11:24:30 PM
I agree about the song edits being distracting. I love watching it without audio though.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gamblour. on March 27, 2009, 09:12:45 AM
This trailer has my vote for best trailer at next year's xixax awards. This is one up there with one of the best trailers I've ever seen. I love the matching shots of the kid running away/towards the camera.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pas on March 27, 2009, 09:40:51 AM
Could be the best trailer ever. I've never rewatched a trailer and this one I'm at about the fifth time, freeze-framing when everything goes too fast to see all the details.

This will be huge.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on March 27, 2009, 09:58:05 AM
the best part is all the running. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Fernando on March 27, 2009, 10:32:09 AM
Quote from: Gold Trumpet on March 26, 2009, 06:23:16 PM
I smell a Paul Thomas Anderson runaway with Where the Wild Things Are.

well, we have Malick too, and as far as I know he just made the best film(s) of this decade...

seriously this is really awesome, I've often thought about how would this board be if it existed back in 99, and now this is happening, there are pretty high expectations for many films and more than anything the caliber of directors is the best there is.

if P needs to find an excuse to return (if he even thinks about it) how about a triple review of jonze, malick and cameron...can't go wrong with that.


Quote from: Stefen on March 26, 2009, 10:03:56 PM
Quote from: modage on March 26, 2009, 08:51:50 PM
let's not forget that this might be a crushing disappointment!

Well, the lofty expectations it's set for itself is nobody else's fault but it's own. If it sucks, it's it's own fault for having awesome marketing.

Quote from: Stefen on December 17, 2008, 11:12:36 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fexchristian.net%2Fexchristian%2FSMALL___Blasphemy___Shelly.jpg&hash=4cc23960aa891948b79defd3fef4b59c483f56f9)

I don't get why some ppl doubt spike, he has done two AMAZING films, I know this has had many problems but not even the suits can fuck this up, in the end we will see jonze's vision, I have blind faith in this.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on March 27, 2009, 10:42:37 AM
^I hope so. And I know that if Spike is in charge it will be awesome because what he wants to see is what I and everyone else here will want to see. But if the studio interferes like we've been hearing and change everything to make it as mainstream as possible, it's doomed because what the studios and mainstream audiences want to see is the complete opposite of what we and Spike want to see.

The suits need to just let Spike release HIS movie. I understand they sank a lot of money into it, but Spike's vision could be an all-time classic. It may not break the bank at the box office, but it will be fondly remembered for years to come and I guarantee will be remembered as a classic when all is said and done. If the studio has their way, it'll make a lot of money in the short term, but nobody is going to remember it in the long term.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on March 27, 2009, 12:25:04 PM
Quote from: Fernando on March 27, 2009, 10:32:09 AM
seriously this is really awesome, I've often thought about how would this board be if it existed back in 99, and now this is happening, there are pretty high expectations for many films and more than anything the caliber of directors is the best there is.

I came to the old board in late 1999. I don't remember a lot of the specifics, but I think talk about Magnolia (as far as new movies go) was 90% of the discussion. I remember some discussion about Being John Malovich, but that thread couldn't compete with the monster of a one that Magnolia had. I also think at the time the third most discussed movie was Three Kings.

But it was still an infant board at the time because it had only been newly created once I showed up. It would have been interesting to see 1999 replay itself with a developed crowd like we have now.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on March 27, 2009, 01:02:49 PM
I've been watching the trailer a few times every day for the past couple days and love love love it... the music edits don't bother me and I've fallen in so much love with the trailer that when I listen to the full version of the song, I feel mildly disappointed.

I showed the trailer to my wife last night... she is never impressed by trailers I show her online, but after this one, she just said "Oh my GOD!"... tears in her eyes, the whole nine. 
It's amazing... your teddy-bears have come to life... like LIFE LIFE! 

I agree about the running being the coolest stuff, but the part that always gets me is when the Soprano Monster is crying.

GT, I don't think the first board was up in 99... I'm pretty sure we were still doing the mailing list thing.  The actual board I think started in late 2000 or early 2001.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on March 27, 2009, 03:36:24 PM
Quote from: RegularKarate on March 27, 2009, 01:02:49 PM
GT, I don't think the first board was up in 99... I'm pretty sure we were still doing the mailing list thing.  The actual board I think started in late 2000 or early 2001.

Yea, after a few hours I started to re-think my post and whether or not I got the date the right. I remember always going to the website in 1999 in anticipation of Magnolia, but it took a little while for the board to start up.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on March 27, 2009, 04:18:09 PM
Yeah, because I remember signing on as soon as that board had started up, and I hadn't actually seen Magnolia and henceforth gotten interested in PT Anderson until sometime in 2000.  I'm sure we were still talking about a lot of 1999 movies at that point, though.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: jtm on March 28, 2009, 03:10:41 AM
this trailer is too awesome for words, so i won't even bother.

but i will say, i'm looking forward to this more than any film that will come out in the next 5 years.


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: brockly on March 29, 2009, 01:35:40 AM
so i just saw the trailer and, um, most anticipated movie....ever?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: New Feeling on March 29, 2009, 02:16:14 AM
this is undoubtedly the best trailer since Observe and Report.   
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pas on March 29, 2009, 09:40:46 AM
Quote from: New Feeling on March 29, 2009, 02:16:14 AM
this is undoubtedly the best trailer since Observe and Report.   

haha I don't know if that's sarcastic but I loved the trailer for Observe and Report
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on March 30, 2009, 05:53:31 PM
yeah, it's love, ive watched this so many times too and the beginning is definitely the best part... the birds, rustling footsteps, Gandolfini's breathing, that big monster's heartbeat... love.

and how did i not acknowledge The Arcade Fire before?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on April 06, 2009, 08:49:57 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfilm.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fimages%2Fwtwtaposter2.jpg&hash=075af4028bf822720c57f8a5fcb0706b863fc473)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on April 06, 2009, 09:06:24 PM
If my penis could talk it would say, "Thank you."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on April 06, 2009, 09:37:03 PM
Much better.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: w/o horse on April 06, 2009, 09:40:35 PM
I'm hopelessly uninterested in this movie.  It's obviously a visceral, wish-fulfillment kind of movie, and as I don't harbor that level of emotionally fantastic dreamscape within my personality I'm going to be outside of this one.

As in you obviously get this one or don't.  And I, unfortunately, because I have nothing against the movie or the director, don't.  My impression of this movie is that it fits squarely into the Goonies, Big Trouble in Little China, Labyrinth, excited-about-that-Dracula-Muppett-musical-movie kind of demographic, probably the E.T.-loving demographic.  The age-most-everyone-here-is demographic.

I'm that age too, but I never liked those movies and this movie doesn't seem to be offering a lot outside of wild things and running children.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on April 06, 2009, 10:03:21 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 06, 2009, 09:40:35 PMI don't harbor that level of emotionally fantastic dreamscape within my personality
are you trying to say you don't have an imagination? i'm confused by what that means.

the trailer was mainly (fucking perfect) wild things and a running child (running through fucking perfect, beautiful environments), yeah. it was a damn good trailer.. it's not going to tell you the whole story.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on April 06, 2009, 10:06:11 PM
Still not feeling the font.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on April 06, 2009, 10:26:31 PM
Quote from: Stefen on April 06, 2009, 10:06:11 PM
Still not feeling the font.

Yeah.  Either actually have a kid hand-write it, or give up the pretense.  It's like the difference between the voices from Charlie Brown Christmas and the later Charlie Brown cartoons, when it was all professional voice actors. 

Plus, it's all scrunched.  Ugly.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Sleepless on April 07, 2009, 07:58:07 AM
Quote from: MacGuffin on April 06, 2009, 08:49:57 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfilm.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fimages%2Fwtwtaposter2.jpg&hash=075af4028bf822720c57f8a5fcb0706b863fc473)

I love this poster. Had to quote it just to see it again.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: w/o horse on April 07, 2009, 11:18:36 AM
Quote from: picolas on April 06, 2009, 10:03:21 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 06, 2009, 09:40:35 PMI don't harbor that level of emotionally fantastic dreamscape within my personality
are you trying to say you don't have an imagination? i'm confused by what that means.

the trailer was mainly (fucking perfect) wild things and a running child (running through fucking perfect, beautiful environments), yeah. it was a damn good trailer.. it's not going to tell you the whole story.

I'm saying my childhood was largely filled with more tangible and practical imaginings.  Just a different type.  The fantasy world stuff I've never latched onto.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on April 07, 2009, 12:52:59 PM
Watch This: Spike Jonze's 'Everyone Poops' Trailer
Source: Cinematical

When the first Where the Wild Things Trailer arrived online, folks went absolutely nuts for it. Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book looked honest, inventive and a whole lot of fun. Then, of course, came the party poopers -- an obligatory group of haters who made fun of the trailer and added the Arcade Fire song to other trailers in an effort to prove that it was the song that made the film look good, and not anything else. (I like to think it was a combination of the song, the editing and the visuals that excited most people, but whatever -- our world is full of haters, so let them be.)

Now that the trailer is no longer hot news, some more creative folks are taking a stab at spoofing it -- and first up are the clever chaps over at Landline TV who created a trailer for the non-existent Spike Jonze adaptation of the children's book Everyone Poops. You know the book -- it's one of those novelty pick-ups at Urban Outfitters, but it's also (from what I've heard) a nice way to teach little kids how to, well, poop. Or something like that. Anyway, the spoof -- which takes cues from the real Wild Things trailer -- is pretty hilarious and definitely worth two minutes of your attention. Check it out below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsLqKAvKiQM
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: New Feeling on April 07, 2009, 02:23:36 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 07, 2009, 11:18:36 AM
Quote from: picolas on April 06, 2009, 10:03:21 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 06, 2009, 09:40:35 PMI don't harbor that level of emotionally fantastic dreamscape within my personality
are you trying to say you don't have an imagination? i'm confused by what that means.

the trailer was mainly (fucking perfect) wild things and a running child (running through fucking perfect, beautiful environments), yeah. it was a damn good trailer.. it's not going to tell you the whole story.

I'm saying my childhood was largely filled with more tangible and practical imaginings.  Just a different type.  The fantasy world stuff I've never latched onto.


yeah but even if you don't exactly imagine the fantastic, does that really render you incapable of enjoying the fantastic/poetic imaginings of others?  Can't you be excited about the very real drama that is inherent whenever a group of talented and passionate people get together and try to share something important to them with the world?  My mind generally steers towards the more realistic but I'm still damn excited by the prospect of a wonderful family film from someone other than Pixar coming down the pike. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: w/o horse on April 07, 2009, 11:10:18 PM
Quote from: New Feeling on April 07, 2009, 02:23:36 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 07, 2009, 11:18:36 AM
Quote from: picolas on April 06, 2009, 10:03:21 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 06, 2009, 09:40:35 PMI don't harbor that level of emotionally fantastic dreamscape within my personality
are you trying to say you don't have an imagination? i'm confused by what that means.

the trailer was mainly (fucking perfect) wild things and a running child (running through fucking perfect, beautiful environments), yeah. it was a damn good trailer.. it's not going to tell you the whole story.

I'm saying my childhood was largely filled with more tangible and practical imaginings.  Just a different type.  The fantasy world stuff I've never latched onto.


yeah but even if you don't exactly imagine the fantastic, does that really render you incapable of enjoying the fantastic/poetic imaginings of others?  Can't you be excited about the very real drama that is inherent whenever a group of talented and passionate people get together and try to share something important to them with the world?  My mind generally steers towards the more realistic but I'm still damn excited by the prospect of a wonderful family film from someone other than Pixar coming down the pike. 


Oh sure, maybe.  I'll have to see the film to find out.

I just think the trailer is kind of silly and people are really convincing themselves they like it before there's any kind of evidence.  Which that sort of willful anticipation I can relate to in many instances but not this one.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pas on April 08, 2009, 08:08:29 AM
lol no it's great
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on April 08, 2009, 12:27:57 PM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 07, 2009, 11:10:18 PM
I just think the trailer is kind of silly and people are really convincing themselves they like it before there's any kind of evidence. 

I know some people are going to not like this trailer, but I still don't get this statement.

I understand that you were never a real kid and therefore can't imagine your teddy-bears coming to life and stealing you away from the harsh realities of life, but how can you not at least appreciate how amazing the monsters look?  And they are able to express emotion so well.

This is impressive... Childhood love of a book or not.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on April 09, 2009, 08:44:04 AM
not to mention the technical skill of pulling that together... tracking animated faces onto moving, hairy non-human objects with humans inside them (which means that the costumes are constantly moving slightly, even when apparently still)  is a huge undertaking. the grading and light is beautiful. max's look is right. it's coming together so soildly that, aside from the font, i don't see what there could be not to like.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Jefferson on April 09, 2009, 09:30:57 AM
as a childhood fan of the book i've been excited about this from the start, and after finally seeing the trailer im still jazzed, just in a slightly different way. i agree to a point with those saying that it seems a bit silly, but whereas that would generally be a turn off for me i found that this one wasn't. while it wasn't neccesarily as engaging as i expected it to be, i found myself really enjoying the fraggle rock/spirit of the beehive feeling i was picking up. maybe it won't be anything like that, but regardless, my interest is still there.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on April 09, 2009, 11:34:52 AM
I don't understand how this looks silly. Judging from the trailer, this movie was made in the least silly possible way without just abandoning entirely what the book is about. For a frame of reference for "silly", watch the trailer for the new Robert Rodriguez movie. The difference is pretty clear.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on April 09, 2009, 03:16:09 PM
the idea of it sounded silly at first in the way making a movie based on a Disneyland ride sounded silly. but the trailer proved it is not silly and i dont think my niece & nephew & myself watch it together repeatedly because we've convinced ourselves we'd like it pre-trailer. in fact, one time they were reading the book together and i said "did you guys know they're making a movie about this?" and they replied "that would be ridiculous. piss off, uncle."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on April 09, 2009, 04:33:09 PM
They talk to their uncle that way?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on April 09, 2009, 04:38:16 PM
Quote from: Pozer on April 09, 2009, 03:16:09 PM
in fact, one time they were reading the book together and i said "did you guys know they're making a movie about this?" and they replied "that would be ridiculous. piss off, uncle."

lol
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: w/o horse on April 09, 2009, 09:02:19 PM
Basically imagine how you likely feel about the Transformers 2 trailer, and that's how I feel about this movie.

I mean ultimately it's not the technical achievements I give a shit about.  And I don't mean to engage in either a battle of semantics or a speculative disagreement over the merits of a film that I haven't seen.  It could be the best movie ever for all I know.  I think it's basically a sentimental trailer with all brass and no balls, and I don't give a slightest fuck about wild things (you know Wild Things costumes sell for upwards to $300 right now?  The gf told me this so if she's wrong I'll kill her, but point is, + with the shirts and shoes and anticipation, the fanbase was already obviously built into this film, and I'm 100% sure that MOST (so the exceptions can stay relaxed) people who like this trailer already liked the Wild Things whatevertheyare in the first place).

There's zero difference between this trailer and like Jonze's Nike ads, in my opinion.  And I wouldn't want to watch a full length version of a Nike ad.

I think everyone is being respectful about my opinion though and I appreciate that because I know there's some real expectations for the film.  Like I've said, I've got nothing fundamentally against the movie.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: New Feeling on April 11, 2009, 12:28:09 PM
so are you saying you feel the same way about Spike Jonze that I feel about Michael Bay?  I'm so disinterested in Tr2 that I will probably never watch the trailer.  I don't think I ever watched the trailer for the first one. 

It's obvious that if Spike got to adapt an ad or anything else into a feature film it would be worth checking out and being excited about.  He is a pretty visionary type dude IMO.  Are you not a fan of his or something?

ps don't kill your GF
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on April 13, 2009, 01:28:30 AM
Quote from: w/o horse on April 09, 2009, 09:02:19 PM
Basically imagine how you likely feel about the Transformers 2 trailer, and that's how I feel about this movie.

I mean ultimately it's not the technical achievements I give a shit about.  And I don't mean to engage in either a battle of semantics or a speculative disagreement over the merits of a film that I haven't seen.  It could be the best movie ever for all I know.  I think it's basically a sentimental trailer with all brass and no balls, and I don't give a slightest fuck about wild things (you know Wild Things costumes sell for upwards to $300 right now?  The gf told me this so if she's wrong I'll kill her, but point is, + with the shirts and shoes and anticipation, the fanbase was already obviously built into this film, and I'm 100% sure that MOST (so the exceptions can stay relaxed) people who like this trailer already liked the Wild Things whatevertheyare in the first place).

There's zero difference between this trailer and like Jonze's Nike ads, in my opinion.  And I wouldn't want to watch a full length version of a Nike ad.

I think everyone is being respectful about my opinion though and I appreciate that because I know there's some real expectations for the film.  Like I've said, I've got nothing fundamentally against the movie.

that's a little puzzling to me... jonze has demonstrated so much more sensitivity to the potential of the medium for thoughtful storytelling rather than the pure spectacle of Bay. sure he's handling a piece that a lot of people want to spend money on here, but that doesn't make it transformers 2.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: cine on April 13, 2009, 05:13:57 PM
obama read this story to kids today at the easter egg roll.

looking forward to MSNBC's coverage of spike jonze being invited to the white house.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on April 15, 2009, 02:01:07 AM
Spike Jonze's New Project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsLqKAvKiQM


the font is the funniest part.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on April 15, 2009, 11:04:57 AM
Quote from: squints on April 15, 2009, 02:01:07 AM
Spike Jonze's New Project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsLqKAvKiQM
the font is the funniest part.

This has been going around far too much in the past couple weeks... it's not funny.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on April 15, 2009, 11:15:04 AM
It's kind of funny. I like the way the sunlight is reflected the same way as in most of Spike's films.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on June 03, 2009, 12:47:44 PM
A baby watches (and loves) (http://www.buzzfeed.com/sarahmorgan/baby-reacts-to-where-the-wild-things-are-trailer) WTWTA trailer.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on June 03, 2009, 01:15:55 PM
even better than the trailer itself.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Bethie on June 04, 2009, 12:00:16 AM

QuoteA baby watches (and loves) WTWTA trailer.

this makes me laugh. this is xixax. we would all do this to our children. we wouldn't tell our kids "its called where the wild things are" we'd be like "this is the new spike jonze film!!!"
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on June 04, 2009, 12:41:27 AM
lol. nobody here will ever have children.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Bethie on June 04, 2009, 01:35:51 AM
haha i had "non-existent" typed out before "children" but erased it
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: hedwig on June 06, 2009, 09:05:35 AM
Quote from: Stefen on June 04, 2009, 12:41:27 AM
nobody here will ever have children.
marquee this motherfucker, plz.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: New Feeling on June 06, 2009, 03:11:50 PM
Quote from: Stefen on June 04, 2009, 12:41:27 AM
lol. nobody here will ever have children.

I've got two.  But then, I'm probably too good for this place.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on June 06, 2009, 03:24:13 PM
I did it anyway.

(https://xixax.com/header_words/marquee-children.jpg)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on June 17, 2009, 04:12:34 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.usatoday.com%2F.a%2F6a00d83451b46269e20115702b894e970c-350wi&hash=c29d58825f7860f86fb8a9718d6cc003a88b3b53)

Peek at Eggers' furry 'Wild Things' novel
Source: PopCandy (USAToday)

Think you've read Where the Wild Things Are?

Well, you have, and it's an undisputed classic. But this fall Dave Eggers' interpretation of Wild Things arrives at around the same time we'll see Spike Jonze's adaptation of the children's tale on the big screen.

Eggers' tie-in novel runs 300 pages and is loosely based on Maurice Sendak's book. You can pre-order it on Amazon.

McSweeney's plans to publish a special "fur edition" of the novel, and they just sent me an early peek at the cover. It looks quite cuddly.  The Wild Things book arrives in stores Oct. 1. The film opens Oct. 16.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on June 17, 2009, 04:22:09 PM
That is too awesome. I can't wait to read Egger's take on it. 300 pages isn't exactly short.

I wonder how much the fur edition is going to cost.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on June 17, 2009, 04:27:22 PM
Quote from: Megan Fox is a stupid bitch on June 17, 2009, 04:22:09 PMI wonder how much the fur edition is going to cost.

$18.48

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Things-Fur-covered-Dave-Eggers/dp/1934781622/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245273998&sr=1-5
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on June 17, 2009, 04:37:56 PM
ORDERED.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on June 18, 2009, 07:20:41 PM
theplaylist.blogspot.com

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi205.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb52%2FThe_Playlist%2Fmore%2Fwildthingsbook2_-1.jpg&hash=48f5f048706145c9b355f87e2ec81aba58425400)

Heads On, We Shoot': Another 'Wild Things' Book - The Behind-The-Scenes 240 Page Color Hardcover Edition

Hello, what do we have here? Yet another "Where The Wild Things Are" related book thanks to Dave Eggers' McSweeney's? Hell yes, and this one sounds and looks pretty awesome too. We may have to shell out for this one. Eggers obviously co-wrote the 'Wild Things' script with director Spike Jonze, and McSweeney's is already releasing "Wild Things" on Oct 1, Eggers' novelization of the script that combines what he wrote, the ideas of the film and Maurice Sendak's original classic work.

Now another book, a fat-ass coffee table edition, is in the works and this one looks more like a straight-up behind-the-scenes book that's titled, "Heads on and We Shoot: The Making of Where the Wild Things Are," and its due October 13. It retails for $26.39 and is a pimp-sized 240 pages, color hardcover book that we want. Like now.

Here's two synopsis:

"But how do you turn one of the world's favorite children's books into a movie? This film incorporates the most dynamic elements of voice performance, live-action puppetry, and computer animation into a live-action adventure story that captures the magic of the book - and takes it to a new dimension. In order to preserve the realistic nature of the film, the Wild Things are not created digitally. Instead, Spike Jonze brings these characters to life in the form of physical suits built by the Jim Henson Company. These creatures, operated by a suit performer, interact with the live actor playing Max on set in front of the camera. After principal photography is finished, CGI is being used to make the creatures completely lifelike and convincing."
Umm, you guys are buying this as an early Xmas present to us or fuck you, already. Man, Warner Bros., plus Eggers and Jonze are really keen on bombarding everyone. Come the fall, October is going to be like official, "Where The Wild Things Are" month. Oh, btw, that furry cover edition of Eggers' novelization that wasn't on Amazon when we first wrote that story? Yeah, that's the funny-looking image here to the right.

Sure, it's his brother and what else is he gonna say, but this got us slightly excited: The National Post in Canada caught up with Squeak E. Clean, aka Sam Spiegel, Spike Jonze's younger brother and they asked him if he had seen "Where The Wild Things Are" yet. His simple, terse response? "His greatest movie ever, dude." Color us further stoked. [via @thewildthing/additional info GATW]
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on July 24, 2009, 12:50:42 PM
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/

new featurette up
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on July 24, 2009, 01:57:17 PM
Well, if its got the author's blessing I'm completely in.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on July 24, 2009, 07:50:47 PM
i almost can't stand how wonderful that makes it look.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on July 25, 2009, 04:10:25 AM
Comic-Con: 'Where the Wild Things Are' gets an intro from its pint-sized star

Max Records is 11, and he's never been in front of a Comic-Con-sized crowd before. So it's OK if he reads notes about his movie, "Where the Wild Things Are" off of the palm of his hand.

"Wow, this is a lot of people," he said, a little startled. "I haven't really done anything like this before."

Before introducing the trailer and additional footage from "Wild Things," Records said he'd recently talked to author Maurice Sendak, who wrote the 1963 kids story book classic. Sendak told him, "You know, I really love this movie, and I just hope people like it. Because if not, they can go straight to hell."

In a filmed clip Sendak said director Spike Jonze's version of the story "maintains the peculiarness" of the book. "There will be controversy," he said.

"Wild Things" revolves around a boy with anger issues who escapes to an imaginary land where giant beasts roam. To get the right-sized reactions to the fantastical world out of Records, Jonze apparently resorted to a bit of trickery. 

"A lot of people ask what it was like working with Spike," Records said. "Instead of acting, he wanted real emotions, so in the middle of shooting a scene where I'm supposed to act surprised he got a huge propane tank and lit a huge flame over me. And it kinda worked."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on August 06, 2009, 07:14:46 PM
NEW TRAILER.  :yabbse-grin:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808412037/trailer (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808412037/trailer)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on August 06, 2009, 07:24:28 PM
Oh my fuck.  Amazing.  I can't wait to see that trailer in high quality.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on August 06, 2009, 07:24:53 PM
holy shit!~
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 06, 2009, 07:35:53 PM
I don't want to die before I see this. This is my one reason to live. I'm gonna start exercising, I'm gonna stop smoking pot and drinking, I'm going to look both ways before I cross the street and I'm going to start using condoms everytime. I will ALWAYS wear my seatbelt. I'm not going to fly or even travel very far. If a pools deeper than 5 feet I will not enter. I'm going to start taking a multivitamin. I'm going to be nicer to everyone around me. Every night before bed I'm going to pray and ask Jesus to keep me safe until I see this movie. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on August 06, 2009, 07:59:23 PM
(polka, it's in HD)

as exciting as the first trailer.  soundtrack is edited together better.  less scary, more joyful.  i love it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 06, 2009, 08:05:48 PM
A minor peeve is I wish Spike would have used a different song. I read a rumor that he was cutting a trailer to the Flaming Lips, "Do You Realize" which would have brought tears to my eyes.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: SiliasRuby on August 06, 2009, 11:01:20 PM
Soooo wonderful
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Bethie on August 07, 2009, 01:19:44 AM
awwwww, magical
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on August 07, 2009, 01:36:57 AM
Quote from: modage on August 06, 2009, 07:59:23 PM
(polka, it's in HD)

Well, will ya look at that...
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on August 07, 2009, 12:53:43 PM
In the words of the Gossip Girl cast incessantly shooting outside my apartment - OMFG. 

I'm going to allow myself to watch this three more times and that's it. Just three more times... 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: cinemanarchist on August 17, 2009, 10:02:47 PM
Excerpt from novelization of WTWTA, by Dave Eggers:
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/08/24/090824fi_fiction_eggers (http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/08/24/090824fi_fiction_eggers)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Sleepless on August 22, 2009, 08:32:34 PM
Quote from: Stefen on June 04, 2009, 12:41:27 AM
lol. nobody here will ever have children.

So..........

my wife is pregnant  :shock:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 22, 2009, 08:39:28 PM
haha, well, congratulations, I suppose.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on August 22, 2009, 08:56:40 PM
Quote from: Sleepless on August 22, 2009, 08:32:34 PM
Quote from: Stefen on June 04, 2009, 12:41:27 AM
lol. nobody here will ever have children.

So..........

my wife is pregnant  :shock:

But is it yours? Statement could still prove to be true.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on August 26, 2009, 12:16:57 PM
LA peeps: http://826lascreenings.eventbrite.com/
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 26, 2009, 12:29:40 PM
JUMP ON THIS! Tix still available.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Ghostboy on August 26, 2009, 03:26:07 PM
Quote from: modage on August 26, 2009, 12:16:57 PM
LA peeps: http://826lascreenings.eventbrite.com/

Dang, I'll be out of town.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: for petes sake on August 26, 2009, 08:26:35 PM
Dang, $75.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 26, 2009, 08:41:01 PM
Quote from: for petes sake on August 26, 2009, 08:26:35 PM
Dang, $75.

Small price to pay to be the fucking man here. $75 and you can be the xixax em vee muthafucking pee.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on August 26, 2009, 09:38:13 PM
only MacGuffin and SiliasRuby can afford it.

i aint allowed to see it without the niece and nephew.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on August 27, 2009, 12:03:19 AM
what has two thumbs and will be seeing this shit before most...? 
   :yabbse-grin:
:yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 12:09:29 AM
Quote from: 72teeth on August 27, 2009, 12:03:19 AM
what has two thumbs and will be seeing this shit before most...? 
   :yabbse-grin:
:yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-thumbup:

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.go.com%2Fphoto%2F2007%2F0614%2Fnba_a_longoria_268.jpg&hash=d584e9c0ca52046d16830eb865e4a623f4107ae3)

You're Xixax's Most Valuable Poster.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on August 27, 2009, 08:12:18 AM
they're also doing this:

September 29: Chicago
September 30: San Francisco
October 1: Los Angeles
October 5: Boston
October 6: Ann Arbor
October 7: Seattle
October 14: New York City

http://www.826national.org/article/191/the-wild-things-are-coming-to-your-city

some tix onsale now.  none as expensive as LA (so far).
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 09:04:36 AM
You going to the NYC showing, Mod?

pete, you going to the San Fran showing?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on August 27, 2009, 09:21:59 AM
i'm waiting for the tickets to go onsale.  and hoping its not too expensive since its only 2 days before the movie actually comes out.  MOMA is also doing a Spike Jonze retrospective (http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/08/25/the-museum-of-modern-art-presents-spike-jonze-the-first-80-years/) that I want to go to. 

In Cahoots: Maurice Sendak and Spike Jonze
Thursday, October 8
8:00

Spike Jonze had been friends with Maurice Sendak for more than five years before he and Dave Eggers began working on their adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, recognizing in Sendak a passionate, daring, truthful, and, yes, wildly imaginative artist, and a fellow imp of the perverse. In these short films, made while Wild Things was in production, a sometimes melancholy but always wickedly funny Sendak reflects on his Depression-era childhood in the Brooklyn shtetl, a joyous day at the World's Fair, the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, his books In the Night Kitchen and Higgledy Piggledy Pop!, his two beloved Hermans (Melville, and his German-shepherd namesake), and a long-buried secret.

Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak. 2009. USA. Co-directed with Lance Bangs. 40 min.
Maurice at the World's Fair. 2009. USA. With Spike Jonze, Catherine Keener. 4 min.
The Creature Within. 2009. USA. With Maurice Sendak, Sonny Gerasimowicz. 1 min.
Where the Wild Things Are [clips]. 2009. USA. 5 min.
Program 100 min. Introduced by Jonze. Followed by onstage conversation with curator Joshua Siegel.

if either of these go onsale and I haven't mentioned getting tickets, someone please give me a heads up.  I don't want to miss these. thx!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Neil on August 27, 2009, 10:16:44 AM
 :) Cannot wait
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 10:17:43 AM
Are you attending a screening, Neil? Which one?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: pete on August 27, 2009, 11:07:10 AM
Quote from: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 09:04:36 AM
You going to the NYC showing, Mod?

pete, you going to the San Fran showing?

are they selling the tickets yet?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on August 27, 2009, 11:43:47 AM
Oh, sweet... Dave Eggers is doing a Q&A after the Seattle screening. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll actually be able to score tickets.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Neil on August 27, 2009, 01:23:47 PM
Quote from: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 10:17:43 AM
Are you attending a screening, Neil? Which one?

First "long distance" travel and pre screening film event.


CHI TOWN!! 


walrus, wanna meet up?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gamblour. on September 02, 2009, 04:34:29 PM
NY Times Magazine article about Spike Jonze and Where the Wild Things Are:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/magazine/06jonze-t.html
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on September 02, 2009, 04:37:26 PM
Quote from: Stefen on August 27, 2009, 09:04:36 AM
You going to the NYC showing, Mod?

pete, you going to the San Fran showing?

UGH $75 for General Admission!  I know its charity, but get real 826NYC.  It's only 2 days early.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 03, 2009, 08:47:02 PM
Two and a half minute featurette with some new footage:
http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=25742 (http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=25742)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on September 04, 2009, 05:01:08 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent5.catalog.photos.msn.com%2Fft%2Fshare0%2Fd3fd%2F0%2Fb6437027-3eeb-4b6e-bfae-9c1a5d37fd9f_Main_WTWTA_502.JPG&hash=c276f4058054bab4a27cfb361028939af0543e12)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 04, 2009, 07:39:04 PM
Very in-depth New York Times article: Bringing "Where the Wild Things Are" to the Screen (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/magazine/06jonze-t.html?_r=1)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gamblour. on September 06, 2009, 05:21:17 PM
Quote from: polkablues on September 04, 2009, 07:39:04 PM
Very in-depth New York Times article: Bringing "Where the Wild Things Are" to the Screen (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/magazine/06jonze-t.html?_r=1)

(psst look up four posts. Nonetheless, it's a great article worth reposting.)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 06, 2009, 11:25:12 PM
Sunnuvabitch.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on September 16, 2009, 12:13:36 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_dom_imax.jpg&hash=3a859b69dddf19dca98f4eba9bddd3c17c22bfd7)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_dom_banner_ira.jpg&hash=ac04c7e3bb7c7e9f433df26fb1bac1482479db3f)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_dom_banner_douglas.jpg&hash=9773d691d6cc9f49484731cb1ab614ebdb671998)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_dom_banner_alexander.jpg&hash=f26706d15130cf0fba94b927f2ce26ff4626725b)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_dom_banner_thebull.jpg&hash=9a853d948b66db0b60670edac47c093836d4cb1e)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_kw_dom.jpg&hash=26536cba7996bcdc515fc9fbdbedf677e06bf25e)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_judith_dom.jpg&hash=c8ae8001aa0dae58f40c8ce8647a50e308895e05)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_carol_dom.jpg&hash=8f549f8ca4fb3b0bf6b59f474dc76ee6a99ee594)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F09%2Fwtwta_max_dom.jpg&hash=25e594ae97ced2431c126136cadd4e971b3729b6)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on September 19, 2009, 04:24:13 PM
who else is going to this?

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/film_screenings/7592
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on September 19, 2009, 05:01:44 PM
i'm planning on going but tix don't go onsale till oct 1 and you have to buy them in person.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on September 23, 2009, 08:54:47 PM
I just saw a preview for this during the Ultimate Fighter on SPIKE. haha. What an odd demographic to try and appeal to.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 23, 2009, 09:00:58 PM
Guys in their 20s and 30s?  That's the demographic this thing was made for!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on September 23, 2009, 09:20:56 PM
Quote from: polkablues on September 23, 2009, 09:00:58 PM
Guys Neanderthal meat heads in their 20s and 30s standing in line waiting for Boondock Saints 2?  That's NOT the demographic this thing was made for!

Fixed.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on September 24, 2009, 01:21:24 AM
When Spike met Maurice: Bringing 'Where the Wild Things Are' to the screen
Source: Los Angeles Times

When bestselling children's author Maurice Sendak contacted Spike Jonze at the start of this decade and broached the idea of a big-screen adaptation of his illustrated classic "Where the Wild Things Are," the filmmaker demurred. The book was a childhood favorite for Jonze, but how could he possibly translate a sweet story of a mere 10 sentences into a feature-length film?

"I was very hesitant in terms of, like, when I first started talking to him about ideas," Jonze told me last month during a conversation about the process of creating a distinctive look for the movie's big beasties.

Jonze warmed to the idea, however, during a frosty patch in his own life. He re-read the storybook about a little boy in a wolf suit who imagines himself in a magical neverland at a low ebb in his life -- it was during the break-up of his marriage to Sophia Coppola in 2003 -- and the director had a thunderbolt of creativity, a sudden moment of clarity. He phoned Sendak, spewing a torrent of ideas about how to bring "Wild Things" to the screen.

"I was telling him things I wanted to do and ideas of what the movie was about," Jonze recalled, "but I also wanted to make sure that this doesn't betray what the book is."

Instead of being proprietary about all the new narrative twists and embellishments, Sendak encouraged the director -- or to be more precise, he demanded that the "Being John Malkovich" director be bold enough to put his own stamp on things.

"His attitude is so counter to that, to protecting anything," Jonze said. "His assignment to us was, 'Take this, make it your own. Make it something personal. This book was something I made when I was your guys' age.' It was almost like he handed it to us."

Jonze enlisted big-deal literary sensation Dave Eggers to co-write the screenplay but continued to solicit Sendak's input. Because of his health, though, the 81-year-old author was unable to travel to Los Angeles to give his OK to the movie's monsters, plotting and overall production design. Undeterred, Jonze sent Sendak reams of drawings and photos of the work in progress. And from 2004 to 2006 he took every opportunity to travel back to Connecticut to meet with Sendak in his studio, an old converted barn.

"That's where we got all the tweaks on the characters," Jonze remembered. He added, while laughing: "He was like, 'The muzzle is too long on the bull' or 'The feathers on the rooster could be much more flamboyant!' "

Once the production moved to Australia for principle photography, Eggers' younger brother Toph -- who happens to be the co-protagonist in the author's breakthrough memoir, "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" -- was consigned to shoot and edit a video diary for Sendak. For his part, the author remained fully committed.

"To be empowered by an artist whose work you respect and whose work has effected you for so much of your life was not only liberating, it was a mandate," Jonze said. "Like, OK, we gotta go there. We can't compromise it in any way."

At Comic-Con International in July, Sendak left little doubt that he continued to have Jonze's back after seeing the finished product. 

"I've never seen a movie that looked or felt like this," Sendak said. "And it's his personal 'this.' And he's not afraid of himself. He's a real artist that lets it come through in the work. So he's touched me. He's touched me very much."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on September 29, 2009, 04:46:21 PM
Quote from: Stefen on September 23, 2009, 09:20:56 PM
Quote from: polkablues on September 23, 2009, 09:00:58 PM
Guys Neanderthal meat heads in their 20s and 30s standing in line waiting for Boondock Saints 2?  That's NOT the demographic this thing was made for!

Quote from: Stefen on September 23, 2009, 08:54:47 PM
I just saw a preview for this during the Ultimate Fighter on SPIKE. haha.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on September 29, 2009, 08:31:25 PM
Yeah, so? Wanna fight about it?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 29, 2009, 08:41:28 PM
Oh, god damn it...

http://www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=5&designerid=246&productid=10483&cn=menu5 (http://www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=5&designerid=246&productid=10483&cn=menu5)

The first person I see on the street wearing this wins a free rock to the back of the head.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on September 29, 2009, 09:03:07 PM
This reminds me of that time we all went and got those red Team Zissou beanies.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on September 29, 2009, 11:14:01 PM
Onion A.V.
Hater: Where To Wear The New, Expensive Where The Wild Things Are Clothing Line

Of course there's a clothing line based on Where The Wild Things Are . Of course there is. Lisa from The Real Housewives Of Atlanta has a clothing line. Charlie Sheen has a clothing line. Rachel Bilson has a clothing line. And you know what they say: "If that girl from the OC who isn't Mischa Barton can do it, literally anyone can do it!"--They

And why shouldn't a children's movie about adorable monsters have a clothing line? Kids love dressing up like their nightmares. Witness the Twilight line for Hot Topic . But, unfortunately, the Where The Wild Things Are clothing line isn't for children. It's for adults who so identify with a children's book about adorable monsters, that they want to pay $300-$800 to wear the skins of said adorable monsters in public. A small, twee, immature, impossibly-irritating demographic to be sure. 

Still, sometimes all you need is a little context to see the versatility of ridiculously expensive furry monster wear for alleged grown-ups.  Turns out there are several scenarios where clothes from Opening Ceremony's Where The Wild Things Are line would look appropriate.

For example, at a Snuffleupagus tribute show:

Or at your workplace, if you happen to be a hooker at a furry convention:

You could wear it to Whole Foods

Or To Rite Aid

Or, really, anyplace else with long lines and barely contained chaos where the sight of you in your asshole suit would just be one more annoyance added to the giant pile. 

If you're planning a molting-bird-creature look to wear to the open field where you plan to set all of your money on fire, this is a good one:

And, of course, you could wear it while standing around wondering where your life went wrong

Cause that's what pretty much everyone else who sees you in these expensive Halloween costumes will be thinking.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: jtm on September 30, 2009, 01:41:55 AM
Quote from: polkablues on September 29, 2009, 08:41:28 PM
Oh, god damn it...

http://www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=5&designerid=246&productid=10483&cn=menu5 (http://www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=5&designerid=246&productid=10483&cn=menu5)

The first person I see on the street wearing this wins a free rock to the back of the head.

i'm guessing you are really against this film.

because otherwise, there's no absolute reason this should bother you. 


Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 30, 2009, 02:12:37 AM
Imagine there's something you really care about, and then you go on the internet one day and see that it's being gangraped in front of you by hipsters. And the hipsters each paid $600 to do it, just so they could prove themselves the most elite of hipsters to all the other hipsters. And just like that, a small part of you dies inside.

Yes, this bothers me.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Neil on September 30, 2009, 03:18:14 PM
origin of xixax?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: pete on September 30, 2009, 04:06:12 PM
if it's onsale for $600 on the internet, I doubt it's the hipsters that'll be buying them.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on September 30, 2009, 05:57:00 PM
The fact that it's $600 means that only the hipsters will be buying them. It's not based on love of the source material, it's a status symbol. If they were selling the thing for 50 bucks, or even 100, I don't think I would give a shit about it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on September 30, 2009, 06:23:51 PM
If they were selling it for $50, I'd fucking buy one but at $600, um, no -- let the rich upperclass hipsters have it. fuggin jerkoffs.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 01, 2009, 09:35:33 PM
I saw the film tonight at a Vice Magazine screening room with 100 people who would buy one of those.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 09:41:27 PM
dude.

wtf?

and...? spill it!

:crazyeyes:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on October 01, 2009, 09:47:03 PM
yeah! give us one god forsaken adjective at least! don't just waive that shit around..
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on October 01, 2009, 10:11:18 PM
He's lying.  He probably went to see it with Stefen's baby.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 01, 2009, 10:54:46 PM
Emotional.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 11:00:38 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ficanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fmoar.jpg&hash=3a61093ee831112e9f76ac06e99220c830d365c0)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 01, 2009, 11:35:11 PM
I was lucky enough to see this film tonight and it's one I've been looking forward to for a long time. But I don't want to get anyone's hopes up or dash them. I'll say I didn't love this movie totally but I did love parts of it.  The opening of the film is especially fantastic.  Everything that happens to Max in the beginning of the film feels so honest and true to what it's like to be that age and feel that boredom, that mischeif, that hurt.  The snowball fight is perfect.  So perfect that I was a little disappointed when Max enters the world of the Wild Things.

There the film takes a steep departure both from the beginning of the film and from the book.  In the book, Max leaves the real world after a fight and goes to this place where he can do whatever he wants, which seems great at first until he realizes this place too has problems and he misses his family and wants to return home.  Instead the film misses these beats because when Max arrives the Wild Things world is already dangerous and Wild Things quite complicated with emotions.  This lessens the impact of their good time falling apart because the contrast wasn't there.  While I loved the natural look to the real scenes I think had the Wild Things world been a bit more fantastic it might have helped further differentiate these two.

Putting those expectations aside I really did like the film.  The lead Max Records is great in this.  The special effects are good because you're not thinking about them, you're just reacting to the story. (Take notes, James Cameron!)  The opening credits and title card are nice touches.  The ending is unexpected.  The soundtrack is also really good though I made the mistake of listening to it before I saw the film which made the music more noticeable throughout the film.  Spike Jonze has said he wanted to make a movie that felt true to what it's like to be a kid (rather than a kids movie) and he's succeeded.  It's hard to say if kids will enjoy this but it's really like no film I've ever seen, kids or otherwise.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 11:43:51 PM
 :bravo:
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on October 01, 2009, 11:47:39 PM
i want Wild Things to make my heart sing.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 11:52:34 PM
I really wanna see it, but not with a bunch of twat rockets in the audience. Fuck kids. I think I'll catch the latest showing possible.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on October 02, 2009, 12:11:05 AM
You (at matinee showing): One for Where The Wild Things Are please.
Box Office Teller: Beat it, Polanski!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 02, 2009, 11:45:10 AM
Quote from: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 11:52:34 PM
I really wanna see it, but not with a bunch of twat rockets in the audience. Fuck kids. I think I'll catch the latest showing possible.
It was crazy, like the ultimate rich-ster crowd in this tiny screening room.  People were actually sitting on the floor incl. that model Agyness Den and the dude from Phantom Planet (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&fkt=847&fsdt=5634&q=agyness%20deyn%20alex%20greenwald&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi).  I half expected someone to tell me to give up my seat.  But it didn't end up dampening the experience.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on October 05, 2009, 08:31:34 PM
Modage nailed it down pretty good...

This movie is a child behaviorist's dream, the way the wild things interact is exactly like a kindergarden-3rd grade class, right down to the brutal honesty:

Line Spoil (paraphrasing):

"So what, i should just go away, you just don't need me anymore?"
"no, im sorry..."

End

i don't know if that translates well but the delivery is just perfect, honest with sincerity at the same time... For analitical purposes, the re-watchablity is super high. Like an Altman film, you can watch it from so many different character's POV, can't wait... 

The Q+A was typical, Keener hardly acts in BJM or Hamlet 2, she really is that playful/bitchy, but i guess its that childlike lack of sugar coats that attracts Spike to her in the first place.

They showed a short film that they both made for Sendak's 80th, an old grainy black and white film of them re-enacting one of Sendak happiest childhood memories. It was really cute and i hope they include it on either the dvd or the hbo doc thats coming out...

My sisters and I were able to shake Spike's hand afterwards and tell him thank you. This movie super aged him...
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on October 06, 2009, 03:14:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ddM1ROySA

making of the soundtrack

*possible spoils*

it seems to talk/show some scenes

this seems to be the full soundtrack for stream:

http://www.imeem.com/karenoandthekids/playlist/MW0cdjqf/where-the-wild-things-are-soundtrack-music-playlist/
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: cinemanarchist on October 06, 2009, 08:04:56 PM
Quote from: 72teeth on October 05, 2009, 08:31:34 PM


They showed a short film that they both made for Sendak's 80th, an old grainy black and white film of them re-enacting one of Sendak happiest childhood memories. It was really cute and i hope they include it on either the dvd or the hbo doc thats coming out...

The short is going to be on the new Wholphin DVD and if you have the McSweeney's App, it was on there last week.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on October 07, 2009, 10:04:02 AM
7 good things Spike Jonze added to "Where the Wild Things Are"
Source: SciFi Wire

We knew that a movie based on Where the Wild Things Are would add stuff to Maurice Sendak's 48-page illustrated children's story. That could be a good thing if the right filmmaker gave us more Wild Things than our childhood imaginations ever experienced. The film's director and co-writer, Spike Jonze, may have done just that.

The film includes the book's key images of Max (Max Records) in a wolf suit, sailing to the land of the Wild Things, commanding them to be still, becoming their king and having a wild rumpus. That's five minute of screen time down, 85 more to go.

We spoke to the cast and filmmakers last weekend in Beverly Hills, Calif., where they discussed the new additions to Where the Wild Things Are. Here's a guide to Jonze's "improvements" to the beloved book. Spoilers follow! The film opens Oct. 16.

1. We meet mom. In Sendak's story, Max's mother is just an outside voice who sends him to bed without supper. In the movie, Catherine Keener plays Max's mom. She proves to be a loving, supportive single parent, comforting her son when he's upset. She blows up at him only after an exasperated night of Max's acting out in front of her date. That makes this Wild Things a story for parents, too. "When Max has that moment and bites her and everything, she cannot handle it, because she's at her wit's end," Keener said. "That, to me, is very real. As a parent, I don't always know, I don't have the time to sit here and teach you a lesson through this in the most politically correct, gentle way. I just react."

2. Max's wolf suit gets pimped out. Max still wears his wolf suit in the movie, but with a few modifications. Max now has finger holes and wears sneakers with his iconic costume. Costume designer Casey Storm explained how those alterations show more history to Max and his playtime costume. "Instead of having claws on the edge of the hands, he kind of grew out of the suit," Storm said in a separate interview. "It's a suit he's had for a long time, so he's cut the fingers off and he's cut the feet off, so you do see his tennis shoes. Also, for the purpose of practicality, to have him be able to be tactile and touch things and do things, it was good that you could have his fingers come out of his suit."

3. Wild Things step on heads to make a point. King Max leads the Wild Things in a dirt clod war, one of the new set pieces for the movie. After throwing hunks of dirt fails to get results, some of the Wild Things step on their brethren's heads, and that's not cool. It's just like how kids don't understand why their parents tell them to keep their elbows off the table. "You don't exactly know, what does stepping on the head mean?" Jonze said. "That means something in this society, but you understand the emotion behind it. I guess the idea was the same [as] a kid who's observing the world is observing all these weird adults and all the things we care about or don't care about or get upset about. They don't understand exactly the specifics about it, but they understand the feeling behind it. I think that sort of was the guiding force in creating the world of the Wild Things."

4. King Max has a political platform. In the book, Max became king, led the rumpus and went home. In the movie, he comes up with a plan as king. Max determines to build a fort for the six Wild Things, where there will be no sadness. The fort will melt any intruders' brains before they can hurt the inhabitants. This leads to another social lesson in children's terms. The fort still ends up making people/Wild Things feel bad and becomes socially oppressive itself.

5. The land is bigger, but it still looks like Sendak art. In the movie, Max finds the wild things in their village of huts. The huts are a new addition to Sendak's concept of the forest, as are sojourns to the desert and the fort that Max builds. They all look like Sendak could have drawn them, though, because production designer K.K. Barrett used a cross-hatch style when he built sets to mimic Sendak's drawing style. "That was intentional," Barrett said. "We kind of came up with a system of a forest that was burnt where you could see infinite depth. It didn't obscure the [Wild Things], and it looked like the lines that he would draw, like his tree trunks. Then with the shading, the stick work in the huts and the fort. We wanted everything on the island to be more primal, more feral. We went back to what animals would build, should they build."

6. The Wild Things have names. The anonymous Wild Things of Sendak's book get names, at least the ones that made the cut for the movie. Carol (voice of James Gandolfini) is that iconic one in the front of Sendak's drawings with two horns. The long-haired one is KW (Lauren Ambrose). The one with the snout of a goat is Alexander (Paul Dano). The birdlike one is Douglas (Chris Cooper), the one with three horns is Judith (Catherine O'Hara), and Ira (Forest Whitaker) has the bulbous nose. Gone are the ocean creature and warthog things.

7. Bye-bye, bedroom forest. The one change even Sendak vocally opposed was that the forest no longer grows out of Max's room. In the film, Max runs away through the forest and finds the boat that sails him to the land of the Wild Things. Jonze thought having Max run away and discover the land of the Wild Things would make the whole adventure more real than if it had just magically sprung from his room. "I love that part of the book," Jones said. "As we started writing, it just didn't seem to make sense anymore to what we'd written up to that point. It doesn't make sense to have that kind of fantastical thing suddenly happen. It doesn't feel true. What feels true is running away, after that fight."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Stefen on October 07, 2009, 08:05:41 PM
Has anyone gotten their fur edition book yet? I preordered from Amazon months ago and it was supposed to ship Monday but now it doesn't even have an estimated shipping date.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on October 09, 2009, 11:34:20 PM
Consider this Rumor Mill-worthy, but the Things from Another World retail website is taking pre-orders for Warner's Where the Wild Things Are on single-disc DVD (SRP $28.99), 2-disc DVD special edition ($34.99) and a Blu-ray ($39.99) formats. According to the site, the release date is reportedly set for 1/6/10, but that's a Wednesday. Nevertheless, January 2010 seems a reasonable timeframe, though keep in mind that the film hasn't yet been released in theatres (it opens next week, on 10/16), the date is hasn't been officially announced and whatever it is, it's almost certainly subject to change.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on October 12, 2009, 05:25:30 PM
Danger lurks in Jonze adaptation of `Wild Things'
Source: AP

LOS ANGELES - Spike Jonze recalls how Maurice Sendak urged him to make the movie version of "Where the Wild Things Are" as dangerous as the book was when the children's classic came out in 1963.

The question now is whether Jonze made it too dangerous.

The film arrives in theaters Friday, a year later than originally planned by distributor Warner Bros. The studio was queasy over the dark, menacing tinges Jonze brought to the story about a boy who sails off to an island where resident monsters proclaim him their king.

"It wasn't what they were expecting," Jonze said in an interview. "We just ran into the sort of quagmire of like, `That's not what we thought it was going to be.'"

Instead of a cozy children's movie, Jonze crafted a tale about childhood, with a lot of the messy issues adults pay a fortune to exorcise through psychoanalysis. It touches on divorce and feelings of abandonment. It presents a child acting out in ugly, even violent ways, engaging in a shrill shouting match with his mother and running away from home in a red rage. Its monsters resemble the beloved images of Sendak's picture book, but their moodiness and occasional ferocity may prove more unsettling than endearing to viewers.

At a test screening of an early cut, some children found the wild things creepy and scary.

Rather than snatching the $80 million project away from Jonze, Warner decided to give him more time. Jonze reshot some scenes, and he spent the past year applying computer animation to create the facial expressions on his wild things, which were shot live on set using actors inside giant monster suits.

The result certainly is more challenging, and potentially more rewarding, than many family films.

In keeping with the sparse few hundred words of Sendak's text, the story is slim, Jonze providing a snapshot of a broken family before sending his young protagonist, Max, to the realm of the wild things.

The film plays out in an impressionistic manner akin to Sendak's book, Max having some wild rumpus adventures among his new friends, whose erratic behavior veers from loving to threatening.

When first published, the book found some harsh critics who thought its images were too frightening for children and that Max's disobedience set a bad example.

Sendak, who told Jonze at the start to make the story his own, said he was pleased with the results and that he and the filmmaker have become close friends.

"As you do these things, you relive them — and that's not always a pleasant experience," Sendak said. "Spike was reliving his business and giving Max his Spikean drama, which is what it was all supposed to be. I was not supposed to sit there and tell them, `Make it this way, make it that way.' If anybody had done that to me while I was making the book, I would have had a fit."

Sendak and Jonze had talked for years about adapting the book to film. Jonze had been reticent, uncertain what he could bring to the story and not wanting to fabricate some contrived plot line to expand it to movie length.

He finally found his way into the story as he mused about not where the wild things are, but who they are.

"The idea that I came up with is if the wild things are wild emotions. As a kid, one of the things that can feel scary or out of control is wild emotions, out-of-control emotions, either in yourself or the people around you," Jonze said. "Having a tantrum, that's scary as a kid, because you just see red. ... Trying to make a movie that feels like what it feels to be 9 years old at times, that was the idea."

With a screenplay co-written by Jonze and author Dave Eggers, the movie is a visual marvel, no surprise from the director who turned identity and perception on its head with his first two films, "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation."

And voiced by James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, Catherine O'Hara and Paul Dano, Jonze's monsters have true soul, their dialogue punctuated with whoops of joy or authentically weary sighs that make their emotional swings feel very human.

Cast members said the story offers valuable lessons in human behavior for young audiences.

"This is a fantasy environment for kids to be able to address their own fears so they can try to figure out what's going on inside of them, and see an example of themselves," Whitaker said. "You start to understand why he's throwing these tantrums, but then you start to see that maybe those tantrums aren't so healthy, aren't so cool."

Even if the film enlightens, though, it still might intimidate some.

Max Records — the 12-year-old actor who stars as Sendak's Max — said reaction was mixed among students at his school in Portland, Ore., where the film was screened recently.

"There were some kids who absolutely loved it and just thought it was really amazing," Records said. But at certain moments, some younger children "were just like, `I don't want to listen to this.' They just like, covered their ears or their eyes."

Any kid fears about the movie being too intense actually could be parents' fears, said "Being John Malkovich" co-star Catherine Keener, who plays Max's mother.

"I totally think the parents are more afraid. They're projecting a lot of stuff," Keener said. "I really hope that parents can just roll with this."

Warner Bros. certainly is rolling with it, debuting "Where the Wild Things Are" in 3,500 theaters with a big marketing blitz, hoping to score a commercial success before the barrage of holiday-season films begin to arrive in early November.

However audiences respond, Jonze is glad he got to adapt the story his way — and that Sendak approves.

"I knew we'd always make our movie, ultimately. I was never going to compromise. To care about something, to work on something this long, I was never going to let it become something it shouldn't," Jonze said.

"I was worried that when it came down to them marketing it, that they would try and sell it as something it wasn't. Try and sell it as this safe children's movie. But I think they've done a good job at being honest about it. ... They've not only accepted the movie, but they've embraced it in the marketing of it."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on October 15, 2009, 12:36:39 AM
got into a packed advanced screening. had to sit three rows from the front. turned out to be the best seats to see this movie from.

*i talk a little about structure and vague things i liked.. not really spoilerful, but if you want to go in and be 100% surprised maaaybe don't read*

this wasn't what i was expecting but it was really incredible and i love it. jonze has totally accomplished his goal of capturing what the heck childhood is. it actually reminded me of things i'd forgotten about... the most impressive and inspiring thing about this movie to me is its lack of structure, just like a kid would imagine it.. it feels like a run-on sentence in the best possible way, inventing and re-inventing itself as it goes.. it's really really really funny.. all the wild things have such perfectly defined personalities, representing these precise facets of a child's personality.. james gandolfini is inspired and perfect casting. catherine o'hara does an amazing job too... best cgi acting EVER. i'm seriously impressed by just how expressive.. specifically, uniquely expressive the faces were. i kept expecting for it to enforce some kind of moral perspective, just cause i'm trained to expect it from children's movies. the "and what have we learrrrrnned??" part. but it's too real for that. it really is a piece of childhood. it shows imagination as not just an idealized, wonderful place where everything's carefree.. not the imagination we expect in a kid's movie, but also a place filled with conflict and darkness. because for a child imagination is an all-purpose way of dealing with the world. not just escaping from it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: samsong on October 16, 2009, 05:39:17 AM
liked it despite finding it to be a bit of a disappointment.  the effort to make an honest film about childhood is respectable but not entirely successful.  much of it resonates but i'm not sure what jonze is getting at through the overabundance of childlike articulation--it's mostly all cadence and no meaning.  there are times when this film viscerally evokes the feeling of childhood but it doesn't sustain nor develop it into anything worthwhile to walk away with.  for all the elaborations it makes on the book, it lacks the eloquence and incisive mysteriousness the book had in addressing a child's perspective.  "childhood is messy too" will inevitably be used to validate how unwieldy this movie is but i think where the wild things are suffers from a messiness that results from miscalculation and overindulgence.  it was hard to imagine how they could've turned this book into a feature-length film without it being overstuffed, and they haven't,  but there's elation to be experienced here, just in uneven spurts; this is definitely a case of the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. 

it's a muddled, naval-gazing treat of a film.  absolutely loved the beginning of this film but it was all too brief (felt like more time needed to be spent establishing max's reality).  the scene with max and his mom while she's on the phone and the bit directly following that is so good it's unreal.  karen o's soundtrack is hit or miss. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: JG on October 16, 2009, 05:55:07 PM
man, as usual, samsong says it best. messy and pretty okay, but i thought the music mostly bad and wayy overused.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on October 17, 2009, 11:26:17 PM
accurate review, samsong. the music was hit or miss, and i'd say there was a little too much of it.

i disagree about the film missing/mishandling childhood. not just because childhood is messy. i think that the film beautifully captured the isolation of an angry kid.  this film really illustrated the isolation, sadness, and confusion that characterize childhood anger. the structure of the film followed that experience so well. i think that if it felt hurried, it felt hurried in the same way that a lot of childhood imagination games are hurried-- especially when you're really trying to think about something else, not just playing. the anger thing, though, was just so well handled. feeling out of control, feeling like you're fucking it up and not wanting to (just too late), giving in to getting carried away, hating that you know better but you're giving in anyway, going deep into your imagination and cooling down... and coming back to the world.

the last two shots of the film were so perfect. each actor really nailed it. it's love.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on October 19, 2009, 10:32:42 AM
tell me what i missed. i got there right on time and there was a line. when i got up there it was probably 5 after and i asked if the show had started. they said i had 2 min. walk in and it's already started.

i think the first thing i saw was max in the house messing with a dog and then the handwritten title card. probably not much, but sometimes the first first shot or sound can set an interesting tone.

i couldn't believe there were so little previews in front of it, especially a kids' movie.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on October 19, 2009, 11:28:32 AM
Quote from: bigideas on October 19, 2009, 10:32:42 AM
tell me what i missed. i got there right on time and there was a line. when i got up there it was probably 5 after and i asked if the show had started. they said i had 2 min. walk in and it's already started.

i think the first thing i saw was max in the house messing with a dog and then the handwritten title card. probably not much, but sometimes the first first shot or sound can set an interesting tone.

i couldn't believe there were so little previews in front of it, especially a kids' movie.
translation: I have no ideas, let alone big ones to put toward the film.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on October 19, 2009, 01:37:11 PM
Quote from: Pozer on October 19, 2009, 11:28:32 AM
Quote from: bigideas on October 19, 2009, 10:32:42 AM
tell me what i missed. i got there right on time and there was a line. when i got up there it was probably 5 after and i asked if the show had started. they said i had 2 min. walk in and it's already started.

i think the first thing i saw was max in the house messing with a dog and then the handwritten title card. probably not much, but sometimes the first first shot or sound can set an interesting tone.

i couldn't believe there were so little previews in front of it, especially a kids' movie.
translation: I have no ideas, let alone big ones to put toward the film.

how can i comment on an incomplete film, pubrickozer?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on October 19, 2009, 01:52:45 PM
You missed corporate logos.

I'm just echoing here, really.  I was also disappointed, but still enjoyed it.  I really liked the child-logic, but wanted to see more about how that world affected Max's real life. 

Still stunning, but I wasn't blown away.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pedro on October 19, 2009, 02:42:23 PM
I'm in line with what most are saying:  I was disappointed but still impressed.  Visually, the film was absolutely arresting.  I thought the soundtrack was beautiful and not overused.  The acting was spot on and the Wild Things were incredible to watch.  I agree about the inspired casting of Gandolfini as well.  The ability of Jonze and Eggers to tap into the thought process of a child was very very impressive.  I forgot that I had thought that way, but seeing the movie reminded me of EXACTLY what being a kid was like.  Wow, the more I write this the more it seems that I wasn't disappointed at all.  What disappointed me the most was at the same time what impressed me the most:

This is spoilery

The parallels between Max's own situation and that of Carol's were absolutely moving and beautiful to watch, but I think that it took a little too much time for this theme to be developed.  It was as if it was decided during the last drafting process or something.  Of course, you don't want it to be too overbearing, so I could understand why they would wait until the end to make it most obvious.  Maybe I was just missing something. 

end spoil

All in all it was a good movie, maybe even great, but honestly I was expecting to weep. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: tpfkabi on October 19, 2009, 02:53:53 PM
One thing that really stood out to me - during the Max/Mom on telephone scene (I think this is where it was) - is there a Karen O soundtrack bit where she's kinda screaming in the right channel?

I was sitting on the right side and thought it might have been bleeding from the neighboring screen, but I don't think it was. It was very weird.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on October 20, 2009, 11:47:36 PM
I loved loved loved loved loved it.

More later, after I digest.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on October 21, 2009, 01:21:21 PM
Parents upset, bored by 'Where the Wild Things Are'Story Highlights
Parents who watched the film with their kids over the weekend didn't find it scary
Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Parents may have fond memories of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are." But if their social-networking postings are any indication, some are not pleased with the movie.

The creatures may look scary, but parents said their kids didn't find them so wild.

"It was joyless. There were maybe 15 minutes of the hour and a half that my kids were into it," said James Griffioen of Detroit, Michigan.

His 4-year-old daughter asked, "Why is this movie so sad?" in the middle of their family's matinee viewing, while his son, a 20-month-old who normally can't get enough of the 1963 children's classic, was simply bored, he told CNN.

"I think the book is almost designed for the 1-to-4 age group," said Griffioen, 31. "The text is so simple, and it fits in with the other books that are appropriate for that age level, which is why the movie is so strange because it seemed much more dedicated to the 8-to-12 age group."

Movie critics were, on the whole, approving of the PG-rated film, though the poor reviews were particularly scathing. "I have a vision of 8-year-olds leaving the movie in bewilderment. Why are the creatures so unhappy?" wrote The New Yorker's David Denby.

The heavily publicized film, which opened in theaters last Friday and debuted on top of the weekend box office, seemed to do too much, said Griffioen. He thought much of the problem lay in the script, by director Spike Jonze and author Dave Eggers, which expanded on the 10-sentence children's book.

"As someone who reads that book to his kid every day, I wanted it to be a movie he could be thrilled about. I think there almost wasn't enough of a fear element -- there was never a moment when my [20-month-old] was crying. He was totally into the scenes when they're throwing stuff at each other, because that's what he's accustomed to from the book."

But Jason Avant, founder and editor of parent-focused review site Dadcentric.com, thinks taking children any younger than 5 is pushing it, because they'll probably end up bored or scared. Several reviewers have said that the movie has more of an adult perspective and that its PG rating is earned. Avant and his 5-year-old son loved the movie when they caught a matinee last weekend.

"Family movies and kid movies have become so safe and homogenized and shallow in a sense," Avant said. "['Wild Things' is] such a real depiction of how a kid acts -- the mood swings, the temper tantrums. My son is like that: he's happy as a clam one minute and he's throwing a tantrum the next; everything is so urgent and immediate. It was interesting to watch him watch it, and I think it struck a chord with him in a way that kept him interested."

For Devon Adams in Chandler, Arizona, the problem wasn't keeping his 5-year-old daughter, Claire, interested -- it was dealing with the aftermath of the violent scenes.

"She and her friend seemed to enjoy the film, but when she returned home, she threw her own tantrum, bit her mother very hard (something she does not do), and told her she was going to run away from home and go to where the wild things are," Adams said.

Adams, a high school English teacher who considers himself to be a big "Wild Things" fan, expected "a story about a boy throwing a tantrum and being sent to his room without dinner, [imagining] going away to a far off land where he feels important, and eventually realizes that he misses his family and returns home."

In his view, what he got was radically different.

"I did not expect a film that promotes a weak parent figure who fails to seem to be concerned for her children, a main character who truly seems to need a therapist and a 'Wild Thing' that throws temper tantrums by destroying private property and physically abusing others," Adams said.

Frequent iReport reviewer Rajiim Gross said his 4-year-old granddaughter seemed to enjoy the film, but he did not. "It was just dull through the whole thing," Gross said, noting that he saw several people in his Fort Thomas, Kentucky-area theater fall asleep during the movie. Watch Gross give his review

Griffioen thought the original story's ferocity was dampened by the more adult themes.

"[They] took this book about imagination and escape and turned it into an hour and a half of Muppet therapy," he said. "There were obvious themes of working on divorce pains, but Max was the king of all wild things, not a family therapist. The kid uses his imagination to work through all of his issues, but that's something that you do when you're 22 and in college, not something you do when you get in your boat and sail off to where the wild things are."

But, said reviewer Avant, someone Griffioen's age is probably a better audience for the film.

"It's definitely aimed at adults," Avant said. "I wouldn't necessarily call it a kid movie, but rather a movie about being a kid."
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 21, 2009, 02:07:32 PM
People Have Differing Opinions On Movie
Source: CNN

(CNN) -- This is not a news story.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on October 21, 2009, 05:21:36 PM
I hate people.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 05:50:25 PM
It's going to take a while for the consensus to build on this movie.  Hopefully once enough people get it into their heads that it's NOT ACTUALLY A KIDS MOVIE, they can start appreciating it for what it is (masterpiece).
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on October 21, 2009, 05:54:58 PM
seriously.. i've never had so many instances of reading negative reviews and thinking 'but THAT'S why this movie is so great!!'

really disappointed by all the disappointment.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: samsong on October 21, 2009, 08:12:28 PM
Quote from: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 05:50:25 PM
...it's NOT ACTUALLY A KIDS MOVIE, they can start appreciating it for what it is (masterpiece).

it's one thing to misconstrue the film as a kids movie, which i agree it isn't, but calling it a masterpiece is just as invalid.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: picolas on October 21, 2009, 08:48:22 PM
"masterpiece" isn't a genre though.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Champion Souza on October 21, 2009, 08:53:43 PM
Based on all the press beforehand this was just like I expected it to be as far as tone and pacing.  I was not disappointed at all.  I loved it.  The music was wonderful.  My favorite film so far this year.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: john on October 21, 2009, 09:32:00 PM
Quote from: samsong on October 21, 2009, 08:12:28 PM
Quote from: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 05:50:25 PM
...it's NOT ACTUALLY A KIDS MOVIE, they can start appreciating it for what it is (masterpiece).

it's one thing to misconstrue the film as a kids movie, which i agree it isn't, but calling it a masterpiece is just as invalid.

Nah, it's a masterpiece, albeit an unwieldy, sloppy one (the best kind)...

it's also a kids movie.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on October 21, 2009, 09:38:13 PM
Quote from: samsong on October 21, 2009, 08:12:28 PM
Quote from: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 05:50:25 PM
...it's NOT ACTUALLY A KIDS MOVIE, they can start appreciating it for what it is (masterpiece).

it's one thing to misconstrue the film as a kids movie, which i agree it isn't, but calling it a masterpiece is just as invalid.

i don't know that i agree with you on that. it's touching, intriguing, and max's logic is masterfully employed to structure the film. the special effects are also spectacular to say the least.

the music is my one minor gripe... i don't think that's enough to invalidate it as a masterpiece. 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Gold Trumpet on October 21, 2009, 09:58:34 PM
I think "masterpiece" is now a dead description word. It's no longer thought of as the word to identify someone's best or greatest work. Now it's just another vague term like "great" that has too many open ended meanings. The easiness in which I see it lofted about is a little ridiculous, especially considering in the last 3 months, everyone i've seen mention something as being a "masterpiece" actually never intended to say they were talking about anyone's best work. Instead it just means something else. What exactly? I never know.

William Faulkner waited until 8 years before he died to call any work of his to be his masterpiece. It was for A Fable in 1954 and the book got mixed critical reaction, but the book did take ten years for him to write. It wasn't a simple gesture to procure good publicity and another Pulitzler (which it did get), but the book was a lifelong obsession because it transformed him into the writer he always wanted to be. Whether you like the novel or not, there is a justifiable reason to why he said what he said.

Now masterpiece seems to be a throw away word. It belongs with other words that are over embellished at parties where people praise everything at any length in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: john on October 21, 2009, 10:04:31 PM
Quote from: Gold Trumpet on October 21, 2009, 09:58:34 PM
I think "masterpiece" is now a dead description word. It's no longer thought of as the word to identify someone's best or greatest work. Now it's just another vague term like "great" that has too many open ended meanings. The easiness in which I see it lofted about is a little ridiculous, especially considering in the last 3 months, everyone i've seen mention something as being a "masterpiece" actually never intended to say they were talking about anyone's best work. Instead it just means something else. What exactly? I never know.
.

That's how I mean it. I think this film is a perfect distillation of Jonze's work. It might be a little premature to say, considering he's only made two films previous to this. But taken as part of everything he has directed, I think it's the most concise representation of what he intends to accomplish as an artist.

Can he make a superior film that would, in turn, be his "masterpiece"? Sure, but until then... this is it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 10:12:24 PM
I didn't mean to spark a semiotics debate... I do agree with GT; people in general (and myself in particular) give words such as "masterpiece" or "genius" a much more casual connotation than they had in the past.  I don't think that's a good or a bad thing, just part of the evolution of language.  And that doesn't mean it's a dead descriptive word, simply that it lacks the import it once had.  When I call WtWTA a masterpiece, I mean it in a fairly broad sense.  It's a masterpiece that exists alongside a large army of fellows in my personal opinion.

Quote from: john on October 21, 2009, 09:32:00 PM
Nah, it's a masterpiece, albeit an unwieldy, sloppy one (the best kind)...

I agree wholeheartedly with this.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: OrHowILearnedTo on October 21, 2009, 10:32:30 PM
Quote from: polkablues on October 21, 2009, 10:12:24 PM
Quote from: john on October 21, 2009, 09:32:00 PM
Nah, it's a masterpiece, albeit an unwieldy, sloppy one (the best kind)...

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

As do I. I totally fell in love with this movie.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: samsong on October 22, 2009, 05:29:02 AM
i've definitely gushed over many a film.  this just isn't one of them.

polka, what other masterpieces would you consider this to be among in the large army you mentioned?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: B.C. Long on October 22, 2009, 11:52:27 AM
Best film of the year. Maybe from the past 5 years. I'd just like to know how in the hell Jonze was able to convince people to fund this. It's so abstract and non-commercial, it feels like it wasn't made by an american.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on October 22, 2009, 12:38:04 PM
Quote from: samsong on October 22, 2009, 05:29:02 AMpolka, what other masterpieces would you consider this to be among in the large army you mentioned?

Why exactly is that relevant?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: samsong on October 22, 2009, 02:13:52 PM
because i'm curious and decided to ask.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Reinhold on October 22, 2009, 05:57:35 PM
Quote from: B.C. Long on October 22, 2009, 11:52:27 AM
Best film of the year. Maybe from the past 5 years. I'd just like to know how in the hell Jonze was able to convince people to fund this. It's so abstract and non-commercial, it feels like it wasn't made by an american.

haha. read this whole thread. he almost lost control of the project and had a hard time getting it made for reasons similar to what you've got there.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: polkablues on October 22, 2009, 08:41:15 PM
Quote from: samsong on October 22, 2009, 05:29:02 AM
polka, what other masterpieces would you consider this to be among in the large army you mentioned?

My post from the Top 25 of the Decade thread:
http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=10863.msg281625#msg281625 (http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=10863.msg281625#msg281625)

Obviously, this is only reflective of the most recent batch of movies, only indicative of my own tastes, and I would only comfortably call about half the movies on the list masterpieces in any sense.  Were I to add Where the Wild Things Are to this list, I feel right now that it would easily be top ten, maybe even top five.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ©brad on October 23, 2009, 01:44:05 PM
Well Obama liked it! (http://movie-critics.ew.com/2009/10/22/obama-where-the-wild-things-are-ew-com/)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on October 23, 2009, 02:14:49 PM
i cant believe ive seen Paranormal Actshitty and not this. been too far outta town.

as for samsong's masterpiece beef, it's because he only finds movies enjoyable at best..

Quote from: samsong on October 03, 2009, 01:04:40 AM
i really enjoyed this

Quote from: samsong on September 23, 2009, 04:18:16 AM
i enjoyed this.  

Quote from: samsong on September 07, 2009, 12:30:06 AM
for now, i'll just say i enjoyed it.

Quote from: samsong on July 01, 2009, 05:25:21 AM
an engrossing, enjoyable gangster movie



 
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on October 23, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
Mine is "I really liked it", when I can't quite bring myself to say "love".
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Kal on October 23, 2009, 04:15:02 PM
Quote from: modage on October 23, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
Mine is "I really liked it", when I can't quite bring myself to say "love".

Same here.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Kal on October 24, 2009, 01:47:44 AM
Here is Dreamworks adaptation of the book:

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfilm.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fimages%2Fdreamworkspresentswildthing-678x282-550x228.jpg&hash=de7242585b3ce0ce79d2480646de61e3681e26bb)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Bethie on October 30, 2009, 12:58:14 AM
needed more c's in the middle of a make shift heart. also more forts.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: 72teeth on October 31, 2009, 05:57:26 PM
read the wild thing by dave eggeers! where "wtwta" is a dramatic film for kids, "the wiold things" is a childrens book for adults... i like it so much more than the movie. the movie was hard for me too watch, carol was my dad, but none the less ive seen it 4 times in theatre... i really feel like this might be the movie that speaks top me the most. even tho i never travled to a wierd land of monsters, growing upm was that taht weird, and even now, living has thrown me so many crazy cortk screw balls that i can relate to max... being thrown in these situation that are so fantasicly crazy and sadf... 9im rambling but seriously, read "the wild things" by dave eggers, it so so ez to read yet so so deep and so vivid... it reminded me of the vigin suicides by jeffery something.... perfectly meloncholy.... i m iss you all
! i wuish i had the internet more, HAPPY HALLOWEEN'! BE SAFE! HALLOWEEN
!!!
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: socketlevel on October 31, 2009, 09:34:25 PM
Quote from: kal on October 23, 2009, 04:15:02 PM
Quote from: modage on October 23, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
Mine is "I really liked it", when I can't quite bring myself to say "love".

Same here.

yep same, very impressive film to get made. It's whole deal is that it's all story and lacks plot, and while i can love movies like that (and am constantly impressed when someone can make it in the hollywood system), at the end of the day this film doesn't quite pull off the type of narrative it wants to be in a brilliant way.

i really liked it too, but i'm not going to say i love it just because of who made it or what they tried to do. It's all about end product.  this is not a masterpiece, anyone who claims it to be, in my opinion is high on the release fanfare.

Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on November 02, 2009, 10:34:03 AM
Screenplay:

http://www.mypdfscripts.com/screenplays/where-the-wild-things-are
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: ono on November 11, 2009, 05:05:02 PM
Where The Dirty Hipsters Are (http://thedw.us/post/228175874/movie-trailer-parody-of-the-day-poking-fun-at)
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Pozer on November 11, 2009, 10:14:47 PM
Quote from: socketlevel on October 31, 2009, 09:34:25 PM
Quote from: kal on October 23, 2009, 04:15:02 PM
Quote from: modage on October 23, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
Mine is "I really liked it", when I can't quite bring myself to say "love".
Same here.
yep same

i liked it. really.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: RegularKarate on November 12, 2009, 12:04:46 PM
Quote from: ono on November 11, 2009, 05:05:02 PM
Where The Dirty Hipsters Are (http://thedw.us/post/228175874/movie-trailer-parody-of-the-day-poking-fun-at)

Where the Funny Isn't
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: md on November 15, 2009, 07:13:17 PM
Does anyone know what the name of the theme song is?  I believe its Karen O just going wawhoooawhooooo a bunch of times. Real settling.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on November 15, 2009, 09:45:10 PM
Quote from: md on November 15, 2009, 07:13:17 PM
Does anyone know what the name of the theme song is?  I believe its Karen O just going wawhoooawhooooo a bunch of times. Real settling.

All Is Love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAfcBwYuNDU
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: md on November 15, 2009, 10:36:22 PM
Thanks Mac, but I'm looking for a slower version that's playing during the last half of the movie.  Maybe its not on the soundtrack, just the score?
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: squints on November 16, 2009, 01:06:11 AM
i'm pretty sure the song your talking about is called "Igloo" and its the first track on the soundtrack or it could be the upbeat version of the same song but its called "Sailing Home" and its the last track on the soundtrack.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: brockly on December 09, 2009, 11:24:07 PM
with the exception of CMBB, i don't recall anticipating a movie as much as this since i was a kid. i wasn't disappointed, this was everything i was hoping it would be.

WTWTA is the perfect narrative for what the film adaption strives to achieve given how many generations associate the novel with their childhood. this is hardly a kid's movie, it's too dedicated to its purpose to be appealing enough for kids.

the opening scenes are perfect in capturing what makes Max angry and wild. they're also very touching - i loved every second i spent with Max and his mother, my favourite moment being Max's sad vampire story which beautifully illustrates his loneliness, fear of abandonment and wild imagination. it takes a little adjusting once Max sets off on his journey but as soon as he started communicating with the wild things i was just in awe at how much it resonated with my childhood.

i love the way Max comes to terms with his behaviour through these monsters, both justifying and condemning his outbreak. i think Mod made a good critique about the contrast being non-existent from Max's initial ecstatic rumpus with the wild things before realising that their world too has problems. however, i like this aspect of the film. Carol's tantrum, stemming from his fear of abandonment, is what prompts Max to interact with the creatures in the first place and act as their saviour. his purpose of being there is deeper than simply rebelling against his mum, he sympathises/identifies with them and wants to help them.

i lost my shit at the end. Max says goodbye to the purest part of his childhood and returns home, where his mother watches over him until she falls asleep exhausted from worry :yabbse-cry:

i placed this right near the top of my best of the decade list in speculation and right now i'm pretty happy with that placement. Spike Jonze, i love you <s3
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: socketlevel on December 12, 2009, 11:52:48 PM
saw it again, hoping i'd see something i didn't the first time.  and in the end, i really feel like....

it sure was the hipster event of autumn. really that's all i take from it.

this movie should be 20 mins shorter.  while i agree with everything said by pro WTWTA xixaxers, all the themes, expressions and techniques could have been done better.  it's just a flat film, despite everything going for it.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 12, 2010, 03:10:53 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehdroom.com%2Fimages%2Fnews%2F6177a.jpg&hash=5f93a3f5e836d8f52e5c5de34f3cac1cde6db7ff)

Where The Wild Things Are Blu-ray Release Date and First Details

Multiple rumored dates have been shaken out and March 2 stands victorious as the date Warner Home Video will bring Spike Jonze's fantastical film Where The Wild Things Are to Blu-ray Disc and DVD.

The film grossed nearly $77 million at the domestic box office but was expected to do more based on its estimated $100 million budget. Fans of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story or the curious who missed the film theatrically will likely rush to catch it on home video.

Details surrounding the Blu-ray Disc are currently incomplete but we can confirm a 2.35:1 1080p transfer, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, and DVD and digital copy included in the package.

Bonus features will at minimum include the Blu-ray exclusive all-new 'Higglety Pigglety Pop' short featuring the voices of Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker. Other features could be announced at a later date though there is no guarantee any are planned.

Where The Wild Things Are on Blu-ray will carry an SRP of $35.99. You can catch a glimpse at the Blu-ray cover art below from a trade ad, then be on the lookout for a higher resolution shot and Amazon pre-order information right here.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: modage on January 29, 2010, 02:14:05 PM
watch this.

http://www.theawl.com/2010/01/his-mother-called-him-ugatz-and-he-was-sent-to-bed-without-any-gabbagool
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: MacGuffin on February 28, 2010, 11:48:26 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmoviesblog.mtv.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F02%2Fjonzeqa.jpg&hash=24ab0704b27eef7a43c305b0bb55cfa8435e79b3)


Spike Jonze And Lance Bangs Talk 'Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak'
Source: MTV

With his adaptation of "Where The Wild Things Are" set for DVD release on Tuesday, March 2, Spike Jonze took a night to chat about the intimate documentary about the witty and wise author Maurice Sendak, along with co-director Lance Bangs. "Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak" takes you through enchanting, funny, and sometimes sad moments of the "Wild Things" creator's life as he recounts his childhood, the controversy surrounding his recently adapted book, his late partner of fifty years, Eugene Glynn, and his obsession with death. The 40-minute film exposes life as Sendak views it, quirks and all.

In the film, Jonze and Bangs combine detailed stories with photographs and illustrations that take us on an emotional tour through what matters most in Sendak's life. Through the past couple years they taped several casual conversations with the writer and illustrator in his Connecticut home. During these chats, he speaks candidly about his eight decades of life, starting with his early memories of being a two year old.

Sendak's life is as full of wonder as the tales in his books. You can't help but fall in love with him and his stories as they are as inspiring as his passion for creating his wonderful works of art.

After the screening, Jonze called upon long-time friend Mike Myers to help moderate a Q&A with the audience. The two directors spoke of the creativity behind the film, naming Sendak as an inspiration in and of himself.

"I find his imagination is certainly inspiring. I think that's what really drew me to him," Jonze explained. "But what I find deeply inspiring is his ferocious honesty and his fearlessness to be honest both as a person, as a friend, and as a mentor in helping us make this movie. As the thing about him is, he has no ability of small talk or chitchat. He wants to engage in something real. He is who he is and he doesn't have the energy to pretend to be someone else."

Jonze also spoke about Sendak's approval of the "Where The Wild Things Are" adaptation. "Not that he hated it, but it was the fact that Max didn't go to his room and the bedroom didn't turn into the forest. That was something early on in writing Dave [Eggers] and I realized didn't make sense with this movie we were writing. He didn't hate it, but he did challenge me on it".

Despite Sendak's eccentrities -- or perhaps because of them -- Jonze and Bangs were able to capture the essence of who this old man really is in their documentary. Whether it was his creepy obsession with mortality or how strange yet captivating his books are, "Tell Them Anything You Want" is a wonderful look into the life and success of one of literature's most creative minds.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on March 15, 2010, 12:29:55 PM
wow.
stupendous film. truly one of a kind. i can't think of anything to compare it too. time will turn this into a classic. visually is probably one of the most beautiful films ive ever seen.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Alexandro on March 16, 2010, 06:52:10 PM
oh yeah, and I'm sorry parents and critics who didn't like the film because it didn't fit into the usual mcdonald's harry potter bullshit package of what a kid movies should be. grow the fuck up, stop embarrassing your children.
Title: Re: Where The Wild Things Are
Post by: Ordet on April 05, 2010, 10:20:41 AM
I cried a lot with this movie. I cry too much.