October 22nd, 2009 / 1:22 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Blake Butler—
Who has seen Where the Wild Things Are? Is it worth the time and money? Feels like they are trying too hard to get me to go to the movie. But, you know.
Did not like. Here’s what I wrote about it after I saw it:
Then I saw Where the Wild Things Are, which I’ve been excited to see for a very long time now. The artistry that went into it is admirable, as are the intentions, but I was bored and frustrated. God, this movie feels like a chore. It lacks any sense of anarchy (pretty important for any adaption of the book) or whimsy or fun. I loved the first thirty seconds, up until right after the title flashes. Then we get some vague shit about Max’s life and how his mom has a tough job and a boyfriend and life is hard. Trite. Then it’s off to Wild Thing land and the trouble really starts. The Wild Things are some boring motherfuckers. There’s one good joke that involves two owls, but the sense of wild fun and anything-can-happen invention that made Being John Malkovich such a miraculous experience is absent from this movie. The Wild Things mutter and mope and bicker and pout and it goes on forever. What a trudge.
Did not like. Here’s what I wrote about it after I saw it:
Then I saw Where the Wild Things Are, which I’ve been excited to see for a very long time now. The artistry that went into it is admirable, as are the intentions, but I was bored and frustrated. God, this movie feels like a chore. It lacks any sense of anarchy (pretty important for any adaption of the book) or whimsy or fun. I loved the first thirty seconds, up until right after the title flashes. Then we get some vague shit about Max’s life and how his mom has a tough job and a boyfriend and life is hard. Trite. Then it’s off to Wild Thing land and the trouble really starts. The Wild Things are some boring motherfuckers. There’s one good joke that involves two owls, but the sense of wild fun and anything-can-happen invention that made Being John Malkovich such a miraculous experience is absent from this movie. The Wild Things mutter and mope and bicker and pout and it goes on forever. What a trudge.
Did not like. Here’s what I wrote about it after I saw it:
Then I saw Where the Wild Things Are, which I’ve been excited to see for a very long time now. The artistry that went into it is admirable, as are the intentions, but I was bored and frustrated. God, this movie feels like a chore. It lacks any sense of anarchy (pretty important for any adaption of the book) or whimsy or fun. I loved the first thirty seconds, up until right after the title flashes. Then we get some vague shit about Max’s life and how his mom has a tough job and a boyfriend and life is hard. Trite. Then it’s off to Wild Thing land and the trouble really starts. The Wild Things are some boring motherfuckers. There’s one good joke that involves two owls, but the sense of wild fun and anything-can-happen invention that made Being John Malkovich such a miraculous experience is absent from this movie. The Wild Things mutter and mope and bicker and pout and it goes on forever. What a trudge.
pretty much agree with everything nick says there. see paranormal activity instead. which is of course the cliched thing to say right now, most likely, but it’s also excellent. the quietest (and thus “most realistic”) american horror movie i’ve seen in a while. a write up of it by stephen graham jones: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/112832-paranormal-activity-and-the-pinocchio-complex/.
pretty much agree with everything nick says there. see paranormal activity instead. which is of course the cliched thing to say right now, most likely, but it’s also excellent. the quietest (and thus “most realistic”) american horror movie i’ve seen in a while. a write up of it by stephen graham jones: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/112832-paranormal-activity-and-the-pinocchio-complex/.
pretty much agree with everything nick says there. see paranormal activity instead. which is of course the cliched thing to say right now, most likely, but it’s also excellent. the quietest (and thus “most realistic”) american horror movie i’ve seen in a while. a write up of it by stephen graham jones: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/112832-paranormal-activity-and-the-pinocchio-complex/.
oh, and it’s scary scary. like. yeah.
oh, and it’s scary scary. like. yeah.
oh, and it’s scary scary. like. yeah.
i was asleep for most of it
i was asleep for most of it
i was asleep for most of it
alec, were you asleep for where the wild things are or paranormal activity?
I thought where the wild things are was more or less trash. Nick’s “The wild things are some boring motherfuckers” could serve as a Washington Post review and want for nothing.
I’ve got half a mind to go see paranormal activity by myself.
alec, were you asleep for where the wild things are or paranormal activity?
I thought where the wild things are was more or less trash. Nick’s “The wild things are some boring motherfuckers” could serve as a Washington Post review and want for nothing.
I’ve got half a mind to go see paranormal activity by myself.
alec, were you asleep for where the wild things are or paranormal activity?
I thought where the wild things are was more or less trash. Nick’s “The wild things are some boring motherfuckers” could serve as a Washington Post review and want for nothing.
I’ve got half a mind to go see paranormal activity by myself.
Unfortunately, the two main characters in Paranormal Activity are just as aggravating and stupid as the Wild Things. At least the demon is scarier.
Unfortunately, the two main characters in Paranormal Activity are just as aggravating and stupid as the Wild Things. At least the demon is scarier.
Unfortunately, the two main characters in Paranormal Activity are just as aggravating and stupid as the Wild Things. At least the demon is scarier.
thanks nick. kinda figured that would be the case. now i dont have to spend $20 to find out. dvd life.
thanks nick. kinda figured that would be the case. now i dont have to spend $20 to find out. dvd life.
thanks nick. kinda figured that would be the case. now i dont have to spend $20 to find out. dvd life.
Isnt ‘Paranormal Activity” just a ripoff of ‘The Navidson Record’?
Isnt ‘Paranormal Activity” just a ripoff of ‘The Navidson Record’?
Isnt ‘Paranormal Activity” just a ripoff of ‘The Navidson Record’?
Boring, silly (not in a fun way), Woody Allen puppets. I wanted to seriously slap the kid, though, so I can’t say I wasn’t moved in some way.
I will say this. The kids in the audience just quit watching. They actually just turned to each other and started waving and talking. They ignored the screen.
Never seen that…
Boring, silly (not in a fun way), Woody Allen puppets. I wanted to seriously slap the kid, though, so I can’t say I wasn’t moved in some way.
I will say this. The kids in the audience just quit watching. They actually just turned to each other and started waving and talking. They ignored the screen.
Never seen that…
Max
Max
Boring, silly (not in a fun way), Woody Allen puppets. I wanted to seriously slap the kid, though, so I can’t say I wasn’t moved in some way.
I will say this. The kids in the audience just quit watching. They actually just turned to each other and started waving and talking. They ignored the screen.
Never seen that…
Max
oh, wild things
oh, wild things
oh, wild things
i guess to disagree with nick on this one, almost all characters in horror movies are aggravating and stupid in some way. it’s part of the genre. and the film plays by the rules of the genre, so it’s not some genre bending, lynchian flick. it’s not high art and doesn’t try to be (which, maybe, is wild things big flaw; it’s trying to be something it isn’t). pa is just two people, a house, and some dark corners and too much quiet. and yeah, a lot of people around me seemed to have the boring response, too. not real sure what to say to that, except that a door moving when it shouldn’t, a shadow shifting wrong, those things have always kept me up too long at night. so it’s just hardwired into me maybe.
i guess to disagree with nick on this one, almost all characters in horror movies are aggravating and stupid in some way. it’s part of the genre. and the film plays by the rules of the genre, so it’s not some genre bending, lynchian flick. it’s not high art and doesn’t try to be (which, maybe, is wild things big flaw; it’s trying to be something it isn’t). pa is just two people, a house, and some dark corners and too much quiet. and yeah, a lot of people around me seemed to have the boring response, too. not real sure what to say to that, except that a door moving when it shouldn’t, a shadow shifting wrong, those things have always kept me up too long at night. so it’s just hardwired into me maybe.
i guess to disagree with nick on this one, almost all characters in horror movies are aggravating and stupid in some way. it’s part of the genre. and the film plays by the rules of the genre, so it’s not some genre bending, lynchian flick. it’s not high art and doesn’t try to be (which, maybe, is wild things big flaw; it’s trying to be something it isn’t). pa is just two people, a house, and some dark corners and too much quiet. and yeah, a lot of people around me seemed to have the boring response, too. not real sure what to say to that, except that a door moving when it shouldn’t, a shadow shifting wrong, those things have always kept me up too long at night. so it’s just hardwired into me maybe.
well, i mean, minus all the dark shifting hallway closet stuff. if you mean the camera use, i guess. but then, you could also say paranormal is ripping off the exorcist in many many ways. other things. all fine with me though. steal away i say.
well, i mean, minus all the dark shifting hallway closet stuff. if you mean the camera use, i guess. but then, you could also say paranormal is ripping off the exorcist in many many ways. other things. all fine with me though. steal away i say.
well, i mean, minus all the dark shifting hallway closet stuff. if you mean the camera use, i guess. but then, you could also say paranormal is ripping off the exorcist in many many ways. other things. all fine with me though. steal away i say.
have not seen. would like to seen. eventually will seen.
malkovich malkovich? MALKOVICH.
have not seen. would like to seen. eventually will seen.
malkovich malkovich? MALKOVICH.
have not seen. would like to seen. eventually will seen.
malkovich malkovich? MALKOVICH.
I really liked the movie — I think it’s going to end up being one of my favorites — and I disagree with most of what I’m reading here, though I do understand what people are saying.
The thing is that the wild things are pretty much aspects of Max’s internal life, and also his impressions of other people. So their dramas play out by moody little kid logic. Now, because it’s scary at times — one scene in particular terrified me — and because the little kids are big monsters, that works out really well.
My main complaint is that they use the music to structure it too much. I find the claim that it isn’t trying to be high art mystifying — I think it absolutely reached as high as it could.
I really liked the movie — I think it’s going to end up being one of my favorites — and I disagree with most of what I’m reading here, though I do understand what people are saying.
The thing is that the wild things are pretty much aspects of Max’s internal life, and also his impressions of other people. So their dramas play out by moody little kid logic. Now, because it’s scary at times — one scene in particular terrified me — and because the little kids are big monsters, that works out really well.
My main complaint is that they use the music to structure it too much. I find the claim that it isn’t trying to be high art mystifying — I think it absolutely reached as high as it could.
I really liked the movie — I think it’s going to end up being one of my favorites — and I disagree with most of what I’m reading here, though I do understand what people are saying.
The thing is that the wild things are pretty much aspects of Max’s internal life, and also his impressions of other people. So their dramas play out by moody little kid logic. Now, because it’s scary at times — one scene in particular terrified me — and because the little kids are big monsters, that works out really well.
My main complaint is that they use the music to structure it too much. I find the claim that it isn’t trying to be high art mystifying — I think it absolutely reached as high as it could.
i haven’t seen it but my roommate hated it and i trust him, so i’m not paying money to see it. very disappointing because i had high hopes. although i figured it was going to be big enough that it would be ruined in the process.
i haven’t seen it but my roommate hated it and i trust him, so i’m not paying money to see it. very disappointing because i had high hopes. although i figured it was going to be big enough that it would be ruined in the process.
i haven’t seen it but my roommate hated it and i trust him, so i’m not paying money to see it. very disappointing because i had high hopes. although i figured it was going to be big enough that it would be ruined in the process.
i think it is trying, reaching very high. to me, though, failing, trying too much. i agree with everything you say there (the interpretation), it just failed to entertain me, to convince me.
i think it is trying, reaching very high. to me, though, failing, trying too much. i agree with everything you say there (the interpretation), it just failed to entertain me, to convince me.
i think it is trying, reaching very high. to me, though, failing, trying too much. i agree with everything you say there (the interpretation), it just failed to entertain me, to convince me.
That’s certainly fair. I think it just made intuitive sense to me. It was pretty much what I imagined/wanted.
That’s certainly fair. I think it just made intuitive sense to me. It was pretty much what I imagined/wanted.
That’s certainly fair. I think it just made intuitive sense to me. It was pretty much what I imagined/wanted.
Its amazing
Its amazing
Its amazing
One could just buy the Urban Outfitters products and feel as though they’ve seen it.
Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.
One could just buy the Urban Outfitters products and feel as though they’ve seen it.
Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.
One could just buy the Urban Outfitters products and feel as though they’ve seen it.
Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.
I actually fell asleep during it several times.
I actually fell asleep during it several times.
I actually fell asleep during it several times.
Not horrible but definitely not good. Not worth the money.
Not horrible but definitely not good. Not worth the money.
Not horrible but definitely not good. Not worth the money.
I felt the above was only really worked in the dirtball fight.
Movie lacked any sort of sensible arc, which it needed for what it was trying to do, and was more or less Where the Emo Monsters Are. Yawn.
I felt the above was only really worked in the dirtball fight.
Movie lacked any sort of sensible arc, which it needed for what it was trying to do, and was more or less Where the Emo Monsters Are. Yawn.
I felt the above was only really worked in the dirtball fight.
Movie lacked any sort of sensible arc, which it needed for what it was trying to do, and was more or less Where the Emo Monsters Are. Yawn.
Even though I thought clearly was failing and the writing/dialogue was particularly weak, I was surprised at how unentertained the kids in the theater seemed. Kid next to me was straight up asleep. Monsters looked great though and the opening worked really well.
Even though I thought clearly was failing and the writing/dialogue was particularly weak, I was surprised at how unentertained the kids in the theater seemed. Kid next to me was straight up asleep. Monsters looked great though and the opening worked really well.
Even though I thought clearly was failing and the writing/dialogue was particularly weak, I was surprised at how unentertained the kids in the theater seemed. Kid next to me was straight up asleep. Monsters looked great though and the opening worked really well.
ugh.
ugh.
ugh.
i’m surprised about the negative response. it’s such a likable movie with so much heart. huh.
i’m surprised about the negative response. it’s such a likable movie with so much heart. huh.
i’m surprised about the negative response. it’s such a likable movie with so much heart. huh.
one wo(man’s) ceiling…
one wo(man’s) ceiling…
one wo(man’s) ceiling…
honestly i was too much asleep to notice whether or not it was a likable movie
honestly i was too much asleep to notice whether or not it was a likable movie
honestly i was too much asleep to notice whether or not it was a likable movie
shane jones luvs spike jonze. (i would luv him too.)
shane jones luvs spike jonze. (i would luv him too.)
shane jones luvs spike jonze. (i would luv him too.)
I have to agree with shane
I have to agree with shane
I have to agree with shane
Me, too. I just loved it. It was so beautiful and touching and fun and so honest about what it’s like to be a kid. But then again–I was a lonely, strange loner kind of kid with a wild inner fantasy life. So I truly identified with Max, and felt like it was maybe the first time anybody made a kid’s movie in a long time that had anything to do with what my childhood was like.
There were a few flaws, but overall I thought it was great–and so far from the crap 3D animation that passes for most kid’s movies these days. It made me want to have kids so I could take them to see it.
Me, too. I just loved it. It was so beautiful and touching and fun and so honest about what it’s like to be a kid. But then again–I was a lonely, strange loner kind of kid with a wild inner fantasy life. So I truly identified with Max, and felt like it was maybe the first time anybody made a kid’s movie in a long time that had anything to do with what my childhood was like.
There were a few flaws, but overall I thought it was great–and so far from the crap 3D animation that passes for most kid’s movies these days. It made me want to have kids so I could take them to see it.
Me, too. I just loved it. It was so beautiful and touching and fun and so honest about what it’s like to be a kid. But then again–I was a lonely, strange loner kind of kid with a wild inner fantasy life. So I truly identified with Max, and felt like it was maybe the first time anybody made a kid’s movie in a long time that had anything to do with what my childhood was like.
There were a few flaws, but overall I thought it was great–and so far from the crap 3D animation that passes for most kid’s movies these days. It made me want to have kids so I could take them to see it.
Seemed like a pretty tame and boring inner fantasy life to me.
Seemed like a pretty tame and boring inner fantasy life to me.
How was there not an arc? Kid thinks he doesn’t need family because his mom/sister don’t understand him/betray him, kid runs away and becomes King/parents to a bunch of monsters, kid finds he can’t solve their problems (aka his own) by himself, kid goes home to mom and accepts love, forgiveness, help, flawed but his, family.
How was there not an arc? Kid thinks he doesn’t need family because his mom/sister don’t understand him/betray him, kid runs away and becomes King/parents to a bunch of monsters, kid finds he can’t solve their problems (aka his own) by himself, kid goes home to mom and accepts love, forgiveness, help, flawed but his, family.
Seemed like a pretty tame and boring inner fantasy life to me.
How was there not an arc? Kid thinks he doesn’t need family because his mom/sister don’t understand him/betray him, kid runs away and becomes King/parents to a bunch of monsters, kid finds he can’t solve their problems (aka his own) by himself, kid goes home to mom and accepts love, forgiveness, help, flawed but his, family.
IMHO it would have made more sense for him to go be king, have shit be rad, then slowly start to fall apart until it all crumbles at the end and he has to go, if that is the route the movie is going to take the story. Instead he gets there and the monsters are mopey. They stay mopey. He leaves randomly.
Love Jonze’s other films, this didn’t do it for me though.
IMHO it would have made more sense for him to go be king, have shit be rad, then slowly start to fall apart until it all crumbles at the end and he has to go, if that is the route the movie is going to take the story. Instead he gets there and the monsters are mopey. They stay mopey. He leaves randomly.
Love Jonze’s other films, this didn’t do it for me though.
IMHO it would have made more sense for him to go be king, have shit be rad, then slowly start to fall apart until it all crumbles at the end and he has to go, if that is the route the movie is going to take the story. Instead he gets there and the monsters are mopey. They stay mopey. He leaves randomly.
Love Jonze’s other films, this didn’t do it for me though.
i really liked it. it’s very sad. beautiful images. though, i can totally understand why so many people didn’t like it.
i really liked it. it’s very sad. beautiful images. though, i can totally understand why so many people didn’t like it.
i really liked it. it’s very sad. beautiful images. though, i can totally understand why so many people didn’t like it.
hm. maybe i’ll have to see it for myself to make an opinion. though i can kind of imagine already which.
hm. maybe i’ll have to see it for myself to make an opinion. though i can kind of imagine already which.
definitely not for a general audience and not really for kids
definitely not for a general audience and not really for kids
hm. maybe i’ll have to see it for myself to make an opinion. though i can kind of imagine already which.
definitely not for a general audience and not really for kids
Sorry, Shane, I really am. I wanted to like it more.
I will give it a second viewing, I think I owe that to Spike.
Sorry, Shane, I really am. I wanted to like it more.
I will give it a second viewing, I think I owe that to Spike.
I dug it and was totally moved. Of course, some of that may have had to do with circumstance. They had to extrapolate more story than is in the book to make a full-length movie of it, and the direction they went I thought was logical, but still surprised me. A lot of it is about how fucking hard it is to be part of a family that’s split up (although I’m not sure how obvious that is to kids in the audience; not sure if my kids got that intellectually, but I think they got it on a more visceral level). What moved me most was being aware of how hard my own Max was trying to hide that he was crying. (And seriously, he is my own Max. The opening with Max chasing down the family dog with a fork in hand? Happens pretty much every weekend at our house, sans the fork.)
It’s about a kid missing his dad and afraid that his mom is abandoning him, too (to a new boyfriend), which, yeah, isn’t in the book, but makes sense if you look into the “why” of Max. And to that audience, it works well, maybe too well.
Not the movie I was expecting, not the movie I was excited to share with my kids, but a worthwhile movie anyway.
I dug it and was totally moved. Of course, some of that may have had to do with circumstance. They had to extrapolate more story than is in the book to make a full-length movie of it, and the direction they went I thought was logical, but still surprised me. A lot of it is about how fucking hard it is to be part of a family that’s split up (although I’m not sure how obvious that is to kids in the audience; not sure if my kids got that intellectually, but I think they got it on a more visceral level). What moved me most was being aware of how hard my own Max was trying to hide that he was crying. (And seriously, he is my own Max. The opening with Max chasing down the family dog with a fork in hand? Happens pretty much every weekend at our house, sans the fork.)
It’s about a kid missing his dad and afraid that his mom is abandoning him, too (to a new boyfriend), which, yeah, isn’t in the book, but makes sense if you look into the “why” of Max. And to that audience, it works well, maybe too well.
Not the movie I was expecting, not the movie I was excited to share with my kids, but a worthwhile movie anyway.
Sorry, Shane, I really am. I wanted to like it more.
I will give it a second viewing, I think I owe that to Spike.
I dug it and was totally moved. Of course, some of that may have had to do with circumstance. They had to extrapolate more story than is in the book to make a full-length movie of it, and the direction they went I thought was logical, but still surprised me. A lot of it is about how fucking hard it is to be part of a family that’s split up (although I’m not sure how obvious that is to kids in the audience; not sure if my kids got that intellectually, but I think they got it on a more visceral level). What moved me most was being aware of how hard my own Max was trying to hide that he was crying. (And seriously, he is my own Max. The opening with Max chasing down the family dog with a fork in hand? Happens pretty much every weekend at our house, sans the fork.)
It’s about a kid missing his dad and afraid that his mom is abandoning him, too (to a new boyfriend), which, yeah, isn’t in the book, but makes sense if you look into the “why” of Max. And to that audience, it works well, maybe too well.
Not the movie I was expecting, not the movie I was excited to share with my kids, but a worthwhile movie anyway.
I get what you’re saying. And that was definitely the biggest flaw for me: the fact that things go downhill pretty much right away. I would have liked to see more unfettered romping.
I still liked it, despite that, though. But no, not as much as some of his other movies, certainly.
I get what you’re saying. And that was definitely the biggest flaw for me: the fact that things go downhill pretty much right away. I would have liked to see more unfettered romping.
I still liked it, despite that, though. But no, not as much as some of his other movies, certainly.
I get what you’re saying. And that was definitely the biggest flaw for me: the fact that things go downhill pretty much right away. I would have liked to see more unfettered romping.
I still liked it, despite that, though. But no, not as much as some of his other movies, certainly.
Word. Yeah there was an arc to the movie as a whole, as you lay out, just not much of one to the time with the Wild Things.
Word. Yeah there was an arc to the movie as a whole, as you lay out, just not much of one to the time with the Wild Things.
Word. Yeah there was an arc to the movie as a whole, as you lay out, just not much of one to the time with the Wild Things.
Yeah, my issue was the fact that it didn’t really seem to get at any kind of a wild/anarchic fantasy life. His fantasy life was John Cheever characters dressed up as monsters.
Yeah, my issue was the fact that it didn’t really seem to get at any kind of a wild/anarchic fantasy life. His fantasy life was John Cheever characters dressed up as monsters.
Yeah, my issue was the fact that it didn’t really seem to get at any kind of a wild/anarchic fantasy life. His fantasy life was John Cheever characters dressed up as monsters.
oh my. now definitely not spending $$.
oh my. now definitely not spending $$.
Who knows, with more level expectations you might have a more exciting experience. I really expected to love it.
Who knows, with more level expectations you might have a more exciting experience. I really expected to love it.
oh my. now definitely not spending $$.
Who knows, with more level expectations you might have a more exciting experience. I really expected to love it.
relationship fart fodder does not belong in a movie about a child going to play with big hairy things. that sucks.
relationship fart fodder does not belong in a movie about a child going to play with big hairy things. that sucks.
Totally with you on the music. It was fucking awful and completely mismatched to the movie. Like playing Jack Johnson for a mixed martial arts fight.
Totally with you on the music. It was fucking awful and completely mismatched to the movie. Like playing Jack Johnson for a mixed martial arts fight.
relationship fart fodder does not belong in a movie about a child going to play with big hairy things. that sucks.
Totally with you on the music. It was fucking awful and completely mismatched to the movie. Like playing Jack Johnson for a mixed martial arts fight.
For you, I’m sure it would suck. Worked for me.
For you, I’m sure it would suck. Worked for me.
Dammit. Reply fail.
Dammit. Reply fail.
For you, I’m sure it would suck. Worked for me.
Dammit. Reply fail.
can anyone answer this: was the dad dead, or were the parents divorced?
can anyone answer this: was the dad dead, or were the parents divorced?
can anyone answer this: was the dad dead, or were the parents divorced?
i thought it was a really fun movie with some pretty emotional moments. many in the audience were crying throughout and balling at the end with carol crying. but not me, because i’m a tough guy.
i thought it was a really fun movie with some pretty emotional moments. many in the audience were crying throughout and balling at the end with carol crying. but not me, because i’m a tough guy.
i thought it was a really fun movie with some pretty emotional moments. many in the audience were crying throughout and balling at the end with carol crying. but not me, because i’m a tough guy.
I assumed divorced. I thought, besides the inscribed globe, that there was a line from his mom about the dad some time early in the movie, but damned if I remember what it was.
I assumed divorced. I thought, besides the inscribed globe, that there was a line from his mom about the dad some time early in the movie, but damned if I remember what it was.
I totally fucking cried with Carol. Even if I hadn’t, seeing my kid crying would’ve done me in. I’m a sap like that.
I totally fucking cried with Carol. Even if I hadn’t, seeing my kid crying would’ve done me in. I’m a sap like that.
I assumed divorced. I thought, besides the inscribed globe, that there was a line from his mom about the dad some time early in the movie, but damned if I remember what it was.
I totally fucking cried with Carol. Even if I hadn’t, seeing my kid crying would’ve done me in. I’m a sap like that.
It was done very subtly–I mean, they dwelled on the mom and the boyfriend for all of two seconds, and the dad was only referred to in one scene. It’s Spike Jonze–hardly one to put 90’s action movie-type relationships in his films, even kids’ films.
You should go see it, so you can either like it or hate or for yourself. It seems to be that kind of movie.
It was done very subtly–I mean, they dwelled on the mom and the boyfriend for all of two seconds, and the dad was only referred to in one scene. It’s Spike Jonze–hardly one to put 90’s action movie-type relationships in his films, even kids’ films.
You should go see it, so you can either like it or hate or for yourself. It seems to be that kind of movie.
It was done very subtly–I mean, they dwelled on the mom and the boyfriend for all of two seconds, and the dad was only referred to in one scene. It’s Spike Jonze–hardly one to put 90’s action movie-type relationships in his films, even kids’ films.
You should go see it, so you can either like it or hate or for yourself. It seems to be that kind of movie.
Yeah, I was constantly on the verge of tears, for the beauty and sadness and sheer power. It makes me feel kind of horrible that it is getting this kind of response. A lot of hate in many of the reviews, too — just out and out hate, which mystifies me.
Yeah, I was constantly on the verge of tears, for the beauty and sadness and sheer power. It makes me feel kind of horrible that it is getting this kind of response. A lot of hate in many of the reviews, too — just out and out hate, which mystifies me.
Yeah, I was constantly on the verge of tears, for the beauty and sadness and sheer power. It makes me feel kind of horrible that it is getting this kind of response. A lot of hate in many of the reviews, too — just out and out hate, which mystifies me.
Spike Jonze is a beloved director amongst critics (and myself and the other people I know who didn’t like this movie). I don’t buy that people dislike it out of “hate.”
Weird to see the differences in audience vibes people seem to have felt. I wonder how much of that is our projections? Personally, people seemed pretty bored around me and definitely saw some kids asleep. It was opening weekend and every movie tends to get a clap session up here, but this was one of the most timid and short-lived one’s I’d seen in a while.
Spike Jonze is a beloved director amongst critics (and myself and the other people I know who didn’t like this movie). I don’t buy that people dislike it out of “hate.”
Weird to see the differences in audience vibes people seem to have felt. I wonder how much of that is our projections? Personally, people seemed pretty bored around me and definitely saw some kids asleep. It was opening weekend and every movie tends to get a clap session up here, but this was one of the most timid and short-lived one’s I’d seen in a while.
Spike Jonze is a beloved director amongst critics (and myself and the other people I know who didn’t like this movie). I don’t buy that people dislike it out of “hate.”
Weird to see the differences in audience vibes people seem to have felt. I wonder how much of that is our projections? Personally, people seemed pretty bored around me and definitely saw some kids asleep. It was opening weekend and every movie tends to get a clap session up here, but this was one of the most timid and short-lived one’s I’d seen in a while.
WTWTA doesn’t even have any truly negative reviews. Nothing below a 40 on metacritic. Where is all the hate you are reading?
WTWTA doesn’t even have any truly negative reviews. Nothing below a 40 on metacritic. Where is all the hate you are reading?
WTWTA doesn’t even have any truly negative reviews. Nothing below a 40 on metacritic. Where is all the hate you are reading?
This movie had divorced parent allegory written all over it.
I think if the Dad was supposed to be dead there would have been a bit more energy. I don’t know what that means. It just struck me as a thinly veiled illustration of how your kid feels when you get divorced.
Are we talking about Spike Jonze Hate or this movie hate? Or hate in the sense that it sucked or hate in like a Young Jeezy sense?
This movie had divorced parent allegory written all over it.
I think if the Dad was supposed to be dead there would have been a bit more energy. I don’t know what that means. It just struck me as a thinly veiled illustration of how your kid feels when you get divorced.
Are we talking about Spike Jonze Hate or this movie hate? Or hate in the sense that it sucked or hate in like a Young Jeezy sense?
This movie had divorced parent allegory written all over it.
I think if the Dad was supposed to be dead there would have been a bit more energy. I don’t know what that means. It just struck me as a thinly veiled illustration of how your kid feels when you get divorced.
Are we talking about Spike Jonze Hate or this movie hate? Or hate in the sense that it sucked or hate in like a Young Jeezy sense?
I was afraid I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t. I thought it was visually stunning, emotionally complicated, and NOT a children’s movie at all — but an honest look at the craziness that is childhood.
I was afraid I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t. I thought it was visually stunning, emotionally complicated, and NOT a children’s movie at all — but an honest look at the craziness that is childhood.
I was afraid I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t. I thought it was visually stunning, emotionally complicated, and NOT a children’s movie at all — but an honest look at the craziness that is childhood.
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2009/10/16/where_the_wild_things_are/index.html is the stand-out example. It’s possible I’m reading too much into some of this, but it seems as if often the criticisms end up being weirdly personal — more about what a pretentious douchebag the director is than anything particular about the film. Yes, Jonze has been a critical darling, but we both know that means it’s just a question of time until they turn on him and tear him down.
Even a lot of the positive reviews aren’t actually that positive if you really read them. Which is fine — people don’t have to like what I like — but I don’t really understand it.
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2009/10/16/where_the_wild_things_are/index.html is the stand-out example. It’s possible I’m reading too much into some of this, but it seems as if often the criticisms end up being weirdly personal — more about what a pretentious douchebag the director is than anything particular about the film. Yes, Jonze has been a critical darling, but we both know that means it’s just a question of time until they turn on him and tear him down.
Even a lot of the positive reviews aren’t actually that positive if you really read them. Which is fine — people don’t have to like what I like — but I don’t really understand it.
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2009/10/16/where_the_wild_things_are/index.html is the stand-out example. It’s possible I’m reading too much into some of this, but it seems as if often the criticisms end up being weirdly personal — more about what a pretentious douchebag the director is than anything particular about the film. Yes, Jonze has been a critical darling, but we both know that means it’s just a question of time until they turn on him and tear him down.
Even a lot of the positive reviews aren’t actually that positive if you really read them. Which is fine — people don’t have to like what I like — but I don’t really understand it.
Is anyone here reading Shane’s post as NOT sarcastic? I know online is tough (no inflection) but he’s playing.
I keep reviewing what I felt after I left and it’s not worth the time/mind investment. I know what I saw and felt, honestly.
Not a good film.
knocking the owls out the sky rocked. I would have loved more of that absurdity.
Uh, yeh, we get that monsters were Max internally. I think we all get the metaphor thing, OK.
But NOT DONE WELL.
sorry.
Is anyone here reading Shane’s post as NOT sarcastic? I know online is tough (no inflection) but he’s playing.
I keep reviewing what I felt after I left and it’s not worth the time/mind investment. I know what I saw and felt, honestly.
Not a good film.
knocking the owls out the sky rocked. I would have loved more of that absurdity.
Uh, yeh, we get that monsters were Max internally. I think we all get the metaphor thing, OK.
But NOT DONE WELL.
sorry.
Is anyone here reading Shane’s post as NOT sarcastic? I know online is tough (no inflection) but he’s playing.
I keep reviewing what I felt after I left and it’s not worth the time/mind investment. I know what I saw and felt, honestly.
Not a good film.
knocking the owls out the sky rocked. I would have loved more of that absurdity.
Uh, yeh, we get that monsters were Max internally. I think we all get the metaphor thing, OK.
But NOT DONE WELL.
sorry.
Huh. Interesting. You’re the second person to point out the owls as a plus. For me, that was (aside from the music) the most epic fail in the movie (although their knock-knock joke was great).
Huh. Interesting. You’re the second person to point out the owls as a plus. For me, that was (aside from the music) the most epic fail in the movie (although their knock-knock joke was great).
Huh. Interesting. You’re the second person to point out the owls as a plus. For me, that was (aside from the music) the most epic fail in the movie (although their knock-knock joke was great).
He’d probably hate it. Seems like the like vs. hate is breaking down pretty close to parent vs. non-parent. Not exactly, but close.
He’d probably hate it. Seems like the like vs. hate is breaking down pretty close to parent vs. non-parent. Not exactly, but close.
He’d probably hate it. Seems like the like vs. hate is breaking down pretty close to parent vs. non-parent. Not exactly, but close.
Not sure how I felt about the owls but one thing I definitively felt was…
Wait can I put a big SPOILER tag here?
—–
I felt Jonze had no idea how magical he wanted the world the be. Owls, gigantic dog on sand dunes, field of purple flowers… that’s all kind of magic looking. But other than those things, the fort they build and the monsters themselves the world is pretty dull. It is just like a forest and a beach. I think that was a decision he needed to go fully one way on.
—
END SPOILERS
Not sure how I felt about the owls but one thing I definitively felt was…
Wait can I put a big SPOILER tag here?
—–
I felt Jonze had no idea how magical he wanted the world the be. Owls, gigantic dog on sand dunes, field of purple flowers… that’s all kind of magic looking. But other than those things, the fort they build and the monsters themselves the world is pretty dull. It is just like a forest and a beach. I think that was a decision he needed to go fully one way on.
—
END SPOILERS
Not sure how I felt about the owls but one thing I definitively felt was…
Wait can I put a big SPOILER tag here?
—–
I felt Jonze had no idea how magical he wanted the world the be. Owls, gigantic dog on sand dunes, field of purple flowers… that’s all kind of magic looking. But other than those things, the fort they build and the monsters themselves the world is pretty dull. It is just like a forest and a beach. I think that was a decision he needed to go fully one way on.
—
END SPOILERS
I’d see Cannibal Holocaust again before I’d see Wild Things.
Turtle soup, anyone?
I’d see Cannibal Holocaust again before I’d see Wild Things.
Turtle soup, anyone?
I’d see Cannibal Holocaust again before I’d see Wild Things.
Turtle soup, anyone?
Oh lord. Cannibal Holocaust was the most morally abhorrent film I have ever seen. They really killed that monkey. That film made me ill and not in the good way that having your guts smashed by a film makes you ill. It was worse than Rooster: Spurs of Death
Oh lord. Cannibal Holocaust was the most morally abhorrent film I have ever seen. They really killed that monkey. That film made me ill and not in the good way that having your guts smashed by a film makes you ill. It was worse than Rooster: Spurs of Death
Oh lord. Cannibal Holocaust was the most morally abhorrent film I have ever seen. They really killed that monkey. That film made me ill and not in the good way that having your guts smashed by a film makes you ill. It was worse than Rooster: Spurs of Death
agreed that it’s the most morally abhorrent film of all time. it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation–which makes it all the more disturbing.
agreed that it’s the most morally abhorrent film of all time. it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation–which makes it all the more disturbing.
agreed that it’s the most morally abhorrent film of all time. it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation–which makes it all the more disturbing.
“it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation”
So true.
I still have those images in my head. Help!
“it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation”
So true.
I still have those images in my head. Help!
“it’s also a nearly unbelievable document of the depths human beings will go in the name of creating a product, not to mention a remarkably well-made piece of exploitation”
So true.
I still have those images in my head. Help!
Agreed to. I saw it because it was described to me as Blair Witch (which I liked) meets Bloodsucking Freaks (which I didn’t like, but was oddly fascinated by). It wasn’t that at all, though. While BSF was obviously fake guignol, CH used some reality to blur the lines.
Agreed to. I saw it because it was described to me as Blair Witch (which I liked) meets Bloodsucking Freaks (which I didn’t like, but was oddly fascinated by). It wasn’t that at all, though. While BSF was obviously fake guignol, CH used some reality to blur the lines.
Agreed to. I saw it because it was described to me as Blair Witch (which I liked) meets Bloodsucking Freaks (which I didn’t like, but was oddly fascinated by). It wasn’t that at all, though. While BSF was obviously fake guignol, CH used some reality to blur the lines.
Yes. All who saw it need help
Yes. All who saw it need help
Yes. All who saw it need help
on a similar (or not) note there’s an incredibly hateful review of Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist in the latest Art Forum (or Art in America – I’m not sure) that makes me think if I see it it’ll be out of curiosity rather than anything else. Though the reviewer described it as equal parts sophomore-student-esque (and distasteful) gender politics meets torture porn, which I’m not so curious about.
on a similar (or not) note there’s an incredibly hateful review of Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist in the latest Art Forum (or Art in America – I’m not sure) that makes me think if I see it it’ll be out of curiosity rather than anything else. Though the reviewer described it as equal parts sophomore-student-esque (and distasteful) gender politics meets torture porn, which I’m not so curious about.
on a similar (or not) note there’s an incredibly hateful review of Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist in the latest Art Forum (or Art in America – I’m not sure) that makes me think if I see it it’ll be out of curiosity rather than anything else. Though the reviewer described it as equal parts sophomore-student-esque (and distasteful) gender politics meets torture porn, which I’m not so curious about.
Cheever! lol
Cheever! lol
Cheever! lol
I can’t decide whether to see it or not. I mean, it’s not like those animals will spring back to life if I don’t watch it. And I can watch a bootleg, so I don’t have to support the cruelty. Meanwhile, I write comedy and am inspired by some of the darkest things (parody of “Threads,” a sketch about Jim Jones, etc.) and if it’s morally abhorrent then it should be ripe as an object of satire, right? Like, ‘who are the jerks who made this?’ Because comedy can be about mocking the cruel impulse. But I can’t do that if I haven’t seen it, and I am somewhat afraid that there won’t even be grist for that mill, it will just be awful and ugly and pointless and scarring, etc.
I can’t decide whether to see it or not. I mean, it’s not like those animals will spring back to life if I don’t watch it. And I can watch a bootleg, so I don’t have to support the cruelty. Meanwhile, I write comedy and am inspired by some of the darkest things (parody of “Threads,” a sketch about Jim Jones, etc.) and if it’s morally abhorrent then it should be ripe as an object of satire, right? Like, ‘who are the jerks who made this?’ Because comedy can be about mocking the cruel impulse. But I can’t do that if I haven’t seen it, and I am somewhat afraid that there won’t even be grist for that mill, it will just be awful and ugly and pointless and scarring, etc.
I can’t decide whether to see it or not. I mean, it’s not like those animals will spring back to life if I don’t watch it. And I can watch a bootleg, so I don’t have to support the cruelty. Meanwhile, I write comedy and am inspired by some of the darkest things (parody of “Threads,” a sketch about Jim Jones, etc.) and if it’s morally abhorrent then it should be ripe as an object of satire, right? Like, ‘who are the jerks who made this?’ Because comedy can be about mocking the cruel impulse. But I can’t do that if I haven’t seen it, and I am somewhat afraid that there won’t even be grist for that mill, it will just be awful and ugly and pointless and scarring, etc.
I believe you can watch Cannibal Holocaust in its entirety here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8139367795876917425#
I wouldn’t recommend it, though. It’s a cultural artifact. But it’s very ugly. I would never watch it again.
Antichrist is interesting viewing, though. Some parts are actually very beautiful, although it’s ludicrous in the aggregate. At the NYFF, von Trier said he didn’t even bother revising the early draft of the script, and if he hadn’t been so depressed when he made it, he would have cut a lot out.
I believe you can watch Cannibal Holocaust in its entirety here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8139367795876917425#
I wouldn’t recommend it, though. It’s a cultural artifact. But it’s very ugly. I would never watch it again.
Antichrist is interesting viewing, though. Some parts are actually very beautiful, although it’s ludicrous in the aggregate. At the NYFF, von Trier said he didn’t even bother revising the early draft of the script, and if he hadn’t been so depressed when he made it, he would have cut a lot out.
I believe you can watch Cannibal Holocaust in its entirety here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8139367795876917425#
I wouldn’t recommend it, though. It’s a cultural artifact. But it’s very ugly. I would never watch it again.
Antichrist is interesting viewing, though. Some parts are actually very beautiful, although it’s ludicrous in the aggregate. At the NYFF, von Trier said he didn’t even bother revising the early draft of the script, and if he hadn’t been so depressed when he made it, he would have cut a lot out.
I thought it was worth a couple of bucks. I liked it.
I thought it was worth a couple of bucks. I liked it.
I thought it was worth a couple of bucks. I liked it.
the owls ruled. as did the very brief appearance of a cat. I don’t think the cat had a name.
the owls ruled. as did the very brief appearance of a cat. I don’t think the cat had a name.
the owls ruled. as did the very brief appearance of a cat. I don’t think the cat had a name.
I saw it yesterday with my brother. Fished out 19 dollars for it. 6 dollars for popcorn, which ended up falling on the floor during the movie. I definitely connected with the nostaligic feelings it gave about the lonliness of childhood and overwhelming emotions you can’t really understand at that age but….
There were times (during the dirt ball fight, or Max’s first order of business of going wild) where I was bored to tears and disconnected. The music montage and quick cuts. Not to mention the fact that the wild things were the saddest creatures ever created. Depressing as hell. Parts realllly drag too…
But, I agree with everything said above. Visually it was incredible though. I wouldn’t wait to watch it on a smaller screen. You may hate it entirely.
I saw it yesterday with my brother. Fished out 19 dollars for it. 6 dollars for popcorn, which ended up falling on the floor during the movie. I definitely connected with the nostaligic feelings it gave about the lonliness of childhood and overwhelming emotions you can’t really understand at that age but….
There were times (during the dirt ball fight, or Max’s first order of business of going wild) where I was bored to tears and disconnected. The music montage and quick cuts. Not to mention the fact that the wild things were the saddest creatures ever created. Depressing as hell. Parts realllly drag too…
But, I agree with everything said above. Visually it was incredible though. I wouldn’t wait to watch it on a smaller screen. You may hate it entirely.
I saw it yesterday with my brother. Fished out 19 dollars for it. 6 dollars for popcorn, which ended up falling on the floor during the movie. I definitely connected with the nostaligic feelings it gave about the lonliness of childhood and overwhelming emotions you can’t really understand at that age but….
There were times (during the dirt ball fight, or Max’s first order of business of going wild) where I was bored to tears and disconnected. The music montage and quick cuts. Not to mention the fact that the wild things were the saddest creatures ever created. Depressing as hell. Parts realllly drag too…
But, I agree with everything said above. Visually it was incredible though. I wouldn’t wait to watch it on a smaller screen. You may hate it entirely.
b/c it really isn’t abt “wild/anarchic fantasy life”, it’s more loneliness and deep, deep disappointment in everybody else around him. Reminded me of being eight years old and trying to do plays w/ the other kids who lived on my block, and when they wouldn’t say the lines the way I wanted them said, picking up heavy objects and throwing them at their heads, and then running away and locking myself in the bathroom. In this way, I related to it a great deal. I think it appeals far more to folks whose fantasy lives were heavily structured, frighteningly specific and fraught with unmet expectations.
b/c it really isn’t abt “wild/anarchic fantasy life”, it’s more loneliness and deep, deep disappointment in everybody else around him. Reminded me of being eight years old and trying to do plays w/ the other kids who lived on my block, and when they wouldn’t say the lines the way I wanted them said, picking up heavy objects and throwing them at their heads, and then running away and locking myself in the bathroom. In this way, I related to it a great deal. I think it appeals far more to folks whose fantasy lives were heavily structured, frighteningly specific and fraught with unmet expectations.
The line was the sister, on the telephone, telling her friend she had to visit her dad so couldn’t participate in some activity.
The line was the sister, on the telephone, telling her friend she had to visit her dad so couldn’t participate in some activity.
I appreciate fantasy worlds grounded in something that resembles our reality. I’ve really never understood this “either/or” sentiment so many folks express.
I appreciate fantasy worlds grounded in something that resembles our reality. I’ve really never understood this “either/or” sentiment so many folks express.
“b/c it really isn’t abt “wild/anarchic fantasy life”, it’s more loneliness and deep, deep disappointment in everybody else around him. Reminded me of being eight years old and trying to do plays w/ the other kids who lived on my block, and when they wouldn’t say the lines the way I wanted them said, picking up heavy objects and throwing them at their heads, and then running away and locking myself in the bathroom. In this way, I related to it a great deal. I think it appeals far more to folks whose fantasy lives were heavily structured, frighteningly specific and fraught with unmet expectations.”
as someone who’s fantasy life was a lot like the one described above, i can probably say that maybe that’s why i liked it so much.
also, visually, it was pretty great. there is something about seeing costumes used in place of computers [yeah alright, they used computers to make the mouths move], there is something, for me, involving a need to see something that looks real. i don’t know. i thought that visually it was great, and i liked it. whatever.
sadness and loneliness and birds being pulled out of the sky. that bit where k.w. hides max inside of her? that was awesome. seriously. it was fucking awesome.
and the stick for an arm?
“b/c it really isn’t abt “wild/anarchic fantasy life”, it’s more loneliness and deep, deep disappointment in everybody else around him. Reminded me of being eight years old and trying to do plays w/ the other kids who lived on my block, and when they wouldn’t say the lines the way I wanted them said, picking up heavy objects and throwing them at their heads, and then running away and locking myself in the bathroom. In this way, I related to it a great deal. I think it appeals far more to folks whose fantasy lives were heavily structured, frighteningly specific and fraught with unmet expectations.”
as someone who’s fantasy life was a lot like the one described above, i can probably say that maybe that’s why i liked it so much.
also, visually, it was pretty great. there is something about seeing costumes used in place of computers [yeah alright, they used computers to make the mouths move], there is something, for me, involving a need to see something that looks real. i don’t know. i thought that visually it was great, and i liked it. whatever.
sadness and loneliness and birds being pulled out of the sky. that bit where k.w. hides max inside of her? that was awesome. seriously. it was fucking awesome.
and the stick for an arm?
there was a kid behind me who seemed pretty into it.
only people that walked out when i saw it was a 30-something couple.
there were a bunch of people who looked to be in their 30’s [or at least seemingly substantially older than 24] that were saying that they just didn’t find any of it believable and that it ruined the book for them.
i don’t know. you can come in waiting to see what will happen or you can do whatever else it is that people do. i understand that the audience is going to bring their own baggage to the work.
i don’t know. my disbelief was successfully suspended.
people are probably going to get out of a thing whatever they want to get out of a thing.
this could be wrong.
there was a kid behind me who seemed pretty into it.
only people that walked out when i saw it was a 30-something couple.
there were a bunch of people who looked to be in their 30’s [or at least seemingly substantially older than 24] that were saying that they just didn’t find any of it believable and that it ruined the book for them.
i don’t know. you can come in waiting to see what will happen or you can do whatever else it is that people do. i understand that the audience is going to bring their own baggage to the work.
i don’t know. my disbelief was successfully suspended.
people are probably going to get out of a thing whatever they want to get out of a thing.
this could be wrong.
and the raccoon, whose name i forget.
and the raccoon, whose name i forget.