Well I just saw this movie today at about 8am and.....

i think i'm going to see it again at about 6:30. to say that this movie is fantastic just isn't doing it justice. this film breaks down barriers. I was told it was a kid's movie, but it's hard to classify it as such. perhaps because it was adapted from a children's book, it automatically makes it a children's movie.

this movie has some VERY dark moments and some that will terrify young kids. That being said, it captures a child's imagination so vividly and frankly, perfectly, that no movie has ever done before and doubtfully ever will, that is unless spike jonze tops himself (which he has now done twice in a row).

Do whatever you can to see this movie. right now, get off of your computer and go to the theater. really, you'd be doing yourself a favor.

i definitely foresee this movie sweeping the awards shows in the same manner as slumdog millionaire did last year (and if the main kid doesn't get nominated for best actor, i will be ****ing shocked).

see see see this film!

I want to see it and now because of your review, i will prolly see in the next week or so

Must be pretty damn good to get that kind of praise from you!

Well, Ala Douche is the resident movie critic of SG and if he says the movie is just that awesome then I should probably see it.

Never heard of the book until this film was announced, just went to the movies and saw a trailer for it, i always love films that explore the dark sides of childrens imaginations, like Pan's Labyrinth and to an extent 6th Sense.

I liked the look of the trailer, like a fantasy land that was all this kid could ever dream of, but isn't as amazing as first appears? Am i getting the gist at all? Maybe not :P Still, I do want to see this film

That's good to hear. I have plans to go see it with my friends later tonight.

Never heard of the book until this film was announced, just went to the movies and saw a trailer for it, i always love films that explore the dark sides of childrens imaginations, like Pan's Labyrinth and to an extent 6th Sense.

I liked the look of the trailer, like a fantasy land that was all this kid could ever dream of, but isn't as amazing as first appears? Am i getting the gist at all? Maybe not :P Still, I do want to see this film

the ****? did you never have a childhood? :lol::lol::lol:

the ****? did you never have a childhood? :lol::lol::lol:

Erm, it must not have been a thing here in England, because I have never heard of it, and none of my friends have heard of it, but yeah, looks good :P

My childhood was filled with Trap Door, Bucky O'Hare, Biker Mice from Mars, Terry Pratchet books and shit like that :P I guess I just had other things to supplement for my childhood :P

Where the Wild Things Are was my favorite book as a child. I made a deal with myself that I was going to see this movie. I have no doubt it'll be great!

the book is amazing i still have it around here somewhere. i plan on seeing this movie asap

I recall the illustrations from when I was younger now that this movie has gotten attention, but I never actually read the books. Until just now, I thought it was written by Lewis Carroll. o_O

Really?! I don't think I'll go out of my way to see this movie. BUT PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TOMORROW!!! Guess who wont be sleeping for a few days?

I loved the book, so its really good to know the movie is just as good.

will definitely check this one out.

I don't think of Where the Wild Things Are as being terrifying but after seeing it get an A from Entertainment Weekly and getting praised from you I really want to see it. It's playing at a local drive-in theater along with Meatballs so maybe I'll go and see it tomorrow.

I just got back from seeing it and I thought it was amazing. Not gonna lie, there was one part of it that totally freaked me out. And overall, it was a pretty dark and upsetting story, but it was totally worth it.

Wasn't really considering it, not having read or heard of the book until the trailers, but yeah, me and some friends are trying to find a film to go and see, this may be the ticket :thumbsup:

Really?! I don't think I'll go out of my way to see this movie. BUT PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TOMORROW!!! Guess who wont be sleeping for a few days?

not a fan of spike jonze eh?

Erm, it must not have been a thing here in England, because I have never heard of it, and none of my friends have heard of it, but yeah, looks good :P

My childhood was filled with Trap Door, Bucky O'Hare, Biker Mice from Mars, Terry Pratchet books and shit like that :P I guess I just had other things to supplement for my childhood :P

Yeah it's over here in England too. I remember it from when I was really young. I'm kind of surprised that the film's good though. The book was very childish.

I saw it last night, and it blew my mind. It's incredibly heavy, and I saw kids leaving the theater crying, during it, but it was extremely good. Go see it.

I've never heard of this book and frankly the movie looks stupid. I'm the kind of guy that if I don't hear it from someone close that it is good I won't believe magazines or anyone else. I won't be seeing this movie.

I actually want to see this film. Great to hear awesome reviews.

Is the CGI better then D9?

No its not better than D9, but its different. It works really well with the story.

I've never heard of this book and frankly the movie looks stupid. I'm the kind of guy that if I don't hear it from someone close that it is good I won't believe magazines or anyone else. I won't be seeing this movie.

Dear god, man. You need to see this. I ended up seeing it last night when me and my girlfriend couldn't think of anything to see...excellent.

well if it just came out in the US then Down Under we won't see it in cinemas for months. :(

That movie SUCKED! I'm glad I left early to see Paranormal Activity. And btw I wont be sleeping for a few days.

:shocked:
Blasphemy!

:shocked:
Blasphemy!

:tongue:

"Where the Wild Things Are"

Hmm... Sounds like a very strange porno...

That movie SUCKED! I'm glad I left early to see Paranormal Activity. And btw I wont be sleeping for a few days.

What didn't you like about it?

What didn't you like about it?


From what I can remember; the music, the camera (at some points) and it seemed like a soap opera with big ass monsters. Mind you that I didn't see the ending. What happened SPOILER!!!! after Carol gets all pissed that the owls move in. Thats about when I left.

"Where the Wild Things Are"

Hmm... Sounds like a very strange porno...

Lol, I thought the exact same thing. Bravo Awoll! Our minds are as one. Let's think like symbiotic twins!

Paranormal Activity? Really? Another brainless shock-flick about supernatural Bullsh!t? Don't we have enough of those? Granted, I haven't seen it, but come on...

I'm gonna go see this Where The Wild Things Are on Ala's advice. If it's half as good as he describes it, it'll still be better than most of the movies out in theaters.

Paranormal Activity? Really? Another brainless shock-flick about supernatural Bullsh!t? Don't we have enough of those? Granted, I haven't seen it, but come on...

I'm gonna go see this Where The Wild Things Are on Ala's advice. If it's half as good as he describes it, it'll still be better than most of the movies out in theaters.

Dude its really awesome. It wasn't as scary as I expected but worth every penny.

The only reason im watching this movie its because the soundtrack.

kind of a fan of the yeah yeah yeahs.

Nostalgia Detected.

After reading this I can't wait to see this movie. Hopefully I can find a few people who want to see it with me.

From what I can remember; the music, the camera (at some points) and it seemed like a soap opera with big ass monsters. Mind you that I didn't see the ending. What happened SPOILER!!!! after Carol gets all pissed that the owls move in. Thats about when I left.

you didn't like the camera in this, but loved paranormal activity? :huh:

that's too bad that you consider a drama a soap opera, but what happened after you left was
Carol's best friend (i can't remember his name... the bird one) tells him that Max is not really a king and carol rips off his arm and tries to eat Max. after being saved by KW, he realizes he needs to go home.

Nostalgia Detected.

damn, seeing that seems like it's being compared to transformers or GI Joe. that really really sucks. this is an incredible film by an amazing director that never makes anything less than brilliance. While in those movies people will openly admit being able to look past the fact that they are awfully made films because of the nostalgia factor, this one is not that way.

i understand some people don't care about good film and just want to see explosions or be able to turn their brain off when they're at the movies (nuclear ninja for one... and that's not a bad thing!), and to those people, movies that have an actual message or try to convey something deeper than just a good time at the movies, may not like where the wild things are. but what this movie definitely DOES NOT DO is lean on the nostalgia crutch.

I read this book to my kids all of the time. It is one of our favorites! My 5 year old is named Max, so he especially loves it!

We are going to see the movie this week. Will it scare my kiddos?

I read this book to my kids all of the time. It is one of our favorites! My 5 year old is named Max, so he especially loves it!

We are going to see the movie this week. Will it scare my kiddos?

parts of it definitely will.

For those interested, here is my full review of the film!

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Visionary director Spike Jonze brings Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book to the big screen with the help of hipster icon Dave Eggers, who teamed with Jonze to pen the adapted screenplay. A mixture of real actors, computer animation, and live puppeteering, Where the Wild Things Are follows the adventures of a young boy named Max (Max Records) as he enters the world of the Wild Things, a race of strange and enormous creatures who turn the young boy into their king.

It has been a long time since my last review. Almost a year in fact. It seems like there is no better opportunity to get back into the swing of things than with Spike Jonze's adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are. This has been one that I've been looking forward to for a long time simply for the fact that it's Spike Jonze. If you're unfamiliar with his work (shame on you), he has directed Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. Both of which are (rightfully) considered to be modern masterpieces of film. In my opinion, Jonze has a way of triumphing himself every time he makes a new movie and Where The Wild Things Are is no exception.

I should start with the negatives first, because when deciding to go view a movie the negatives usually outweigh the positives. The biggest negative is this movie is considered a "kid's movie". That's not to say that every kid's movie is automatically bad or not worth seeing, because that is definitely not the case. There are many movies for children that are absolutely fantastic (though not so much any more). I consider this a negative because when I saw this in the theater there were parents there with toddlers. Toddlers who were so scared some had to leave the theater. Many couldn't sit in their seats and had to climb onto their parents. I think the biggest fault is the rating it received. A PG rating makes it seem like it is OK for everyone when it definitely is not. I would say the youngest audience that should see this is probably 8 or 9 years old. Now the bad has been covered, let's talk about the good things!

I can't go any further without talking about the acting. As many people know, I don't take it easy on actors because they are young and, in fact, that is usually the biggest catalyst for me hating a movie. bad acting is bad acting no matter how old or young they are (here's looking at you Phantom Menace). Max Records (who plays Max in the film) has one hell of a career ahead of him. It is extremely rare to see such a good child actor, especially in a role that requires him to be so self-aware of children his own age. At just 9 years old, he plays possibly the most believable real child I've ever seen in a kid's movie. He also had a small part in the movie "The Brothers Bloom" in which he also does fantastic (and I would strongly suggest watching that one as well as it is an absolute joy to watch). Jonze brought back Kathleen Keener for the third consecutive film (though he probably had to as she was a producer as well), and she does very well in the worried mother role. The voice actors, led by James Gandolfini, were a lot of fun. Catherine O'Hara (Judith) gives an amazing performance and does a great job in Gondolfini's shadow. Paul Dano also does a great job as the outcast Alexander. An interesting fact about the voice actors is that rather than just having them in a sound booth with headphones reading off a script, Jonze had styrofoam sets created to mimic what was going on in the actual film where they recorded their voice overs. I think it really paid off as I never once thought that they sounded like they were reading from a script. That is a problem with many movies with voice actors (Battle For Terra).

The cinematography was great, which you get an idea from by the trailer. It was very obvious they took a lot of time to get every absolutely gorgeous shot just right. There are many extreme wide shots showing one or two very small characters in the midst of an enormous landscape, and there are even more extreme close ups of Max and the Wild Things who do an incredible job of showing emotion (and the right emotion for the scene).

Where The Wild Things Are accomplishes, with flying colors, what it set out to do: To capture a child's imagination so vividly and believably that it is impossible for you to forget. This movie caters to three kinds of people. Those who enjoy good "film" will see this as the fantastic work of art that it is. Adults will be reminded (sometimes in ways they may not like) what it's like to be a child again, and kids will be able to connect with it on a level that other kid's movies fall short. In an interview with author of the book Maurice Sendak, he states that he wanted the film to respect kids and not talk down to them. That is something that I really see throughout the whole thing. Where most kid's movies today are so dumbed down and relying on slapstick humor to keep their attention, this one does the exact opposite. There's drama there's action, there's horror and there's some comedy throughout as well. I think it was a brave film to make and it just works. Plain and simple.

OVERALL: 9/10
Go see this film!

Lol, I thought the exact same thing. Bravo Awoll! Our minds are as one. Let's think like symbiotic twins!

That or you're just both sick-minded gits. Knowing Jai, my suggestion seems likely.

Going to the cinema either Thursday or Sunday with friends, seeing this or Zombieland, now hope tis this

Great review, Ala Douche!

BTW Adaptation is an amazing movie. I read the screenplay first and then watched the movie. Loved it so much. Being John Malkovich is great too. I didn't enjoy the movie so much, but I still think it was genius....if that makes sense!

Lesley, some of the scenes may frighten children, the opening in particular. My daughter is 5 and enjoyed the movie so much that she was asking if she could have the DVD for Christmas before we got out of our seats. What she remembers the most was the funny moments throughout the movie. I will say that she was either in my wifes lap or mine due to her being scared but never so much that she hid/cried/or asked to leave. She did ask some questions about some of the emotional interactions between the characters. Trying to understand why they were doing the things they were. Hope that helps a little.

This movie actually helped during a movie guessing game during class.Only postponed the other teams victory though.

Lesley, some of the scenes may frighten children, the opening in particular. My daughter is 5 and enjoyed the movie so much that she was asking if she could have the DVD for Christmas before we got out of our seats. What she remembers the most was the funny moments throughout the movie. I will say that she was either in my wifes lap or mine due to her being scared but never so much that she hid/cried/or asked to leave. She did ask some questions about some of the emotional interactions between the characters. Trying to understand why they were doing the things they were. Hope that helps a little.

Thanks! That does help. I think mine will be fine seeing it!

That or you're just both sick-minded gits. Knowing Jai, my suggestion seems likely.

Going to the cinema either Thursday or Sunday with friends, seeing this or Zombieland, now hope tis this

OHH! Burn! No need to be nasty lol :lol:

But it's true. :tongue:

I would see Zombieland if I were you, the introduction scene to that is awesome!!!

I would see Zombieland if I were you, the introduction scene to that is awesome!!!

Fight Club did it.

Carol's best friend (i can't remember his name... the bird one) tells him that Max is not really a king and carol rips off his arm and tries to eat Max. after being saved by KW, he realizes he needs to go home.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? That would be pretty cool.

Excellent review, Ala Douche! I just saw the film tonight, and I was moved myself. Unbelievably good movie. I thought the monsters were just the right combination of CGI and puppetry/costumes, and each was a very believable character. I think my favorite touch was that their dialogue and way of living completely reflected what it would be like if their actions and words were dictated by a nine-year-old. There's a lot more to say, but for now, I'll just leave it at brilliant.

did not like this movie.
it seemed like it ended...umm wrong?
and that bugged me

did not like this movie.
it seemed like it ended...umm wrong?
and that bugged me

haha, how would you have ended it? it was pretty much the way the book ended, except his mom was there...

I think my favorite touch was that their dialogue and way of living completely reflected what it would be like if their actions and words were dictated by a nine-year-old. There's a lot more to say, but for now, I'll just leave it at brilliant.

i completely agree. a couple things i neglected to mention (or not enough) was this was spike jonze's first movie in which Charlie Kaufman didn't write the screenplay. the other thing is i should have touched more on the soundtrack because that really was a HUGE part of the movie as well.

Just went and saw this movie today. It was very well done.

I still need to see this movie, but to be honest from the previews and hype it seems like yet another attempt at jamming a contrived, high-profile movie into the "indie" niche. The nostalgic appeal to books (or other such things) that we may or may not have liked when we were little, combined with mainstream music that wishes it was indie (like Arcade Fire), has really become cliche in the last 5 years or so. With that said, I'm still going to watch it, and I'll probably enjoy it. We'll see.