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Where the Wild Things Are is pretty amazing. (I will be careful of spoilers.)
I don't know what sort of qualifications to make -- I think this book is so enmeshed in so many childhood memories it's almost silly to say "I love the book..." But I do. Tremendously.
Knowing the story and seeing the previews, I think I had a good understanding of what the movie was going to be and I feel like my expectations were right. It is a story of childhood and therefore of playfulness and adventure, but also of feeling small and frustrated and sometimes very very scared and lonely. There are many moments which feel (appropriately) exactly like watching children play -- you laugh, but do not stop being acutely aware that at any moment someone might get hurt. As such, we went first to see if Gideon could would enjoy it and we both think mostly not. It is rated PG, but it has very very tense and frightening moments and I know Gideon well enough to know that they won't be lost on him, no matter how great the monsters are... It is definitely not a movie made for children. We'll watch it with Gideon once it's on DVD, when he'll have the freedom to tune out the more intense moments. I do want him to see it.
The wild things are incredible. The puppets/suits have weight and that tactile quality lost with only CGI. Max is incredible. There are many tiny moments that are absolutely true perfect little boy moments. The story is obviously fleshed out, but it feels "right" and you are ultimately not left with much more story than was already there. The whole thing is beautiful, really. Sad and beautiful. Bring a tissue perhaps, but I do recommend it.
ETA: An excerpt of an interview with Sendak and Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers (who worked on the screenplay) which is very telling (and awesome):
Reporter: "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?"
Sendak: "I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."
Reporter: "Because kids can handle it?"
Sendak: "If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered."
Jonze: "Dave, you want to field that one?"
Eggers: "The part about kids wetting their pants? Should kids wear diapers when they go to the movies? I think adults should wear diapers going to it, too. I think everyone should be prepared for any eventuality."
Sendak: "I think you're right. This concentration on kids being scared, as though we as adults can't be scared. Of course we're scared. I'm scared of watching a TV show about vampires. I can't fall asleep. It never stops. We're grown-ups; we know better, but we're afraid."
Reporter: "Why is that important in art?"
Sendak: "Because it's truth. You don't want to do something that's all terrifying. I saw the most horrendous movies that were unfit for child's eyes. So what? I managed to survive." | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment   |
| It's October! Here's my gift to you:
(This may or may not be the reason why there are no Halloween carols.) | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| Mondays Mat teaches at night and leaves extra early so I am alone to deal with the kiddies all the live long day. We sometimes eat mac and cheese for dinner and skip baths but everyone eats and sleeps and gets where they need to be and we're all (mostly) dressed so I call that success.
Chocolate filled marshmallows are DEEElicious.
We watched Return to Oz last night. It is still fantastic/terrifying.
I just made a quick update to the Melancholy Kitties LJ so if you're thinking of commissioning me/have contacted me about a commission/ etc, I'd like to point you over there.
Hrm. There's not much else. Oh, go vote for Angel Devil / Anna /![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) iamdollface 's design for a new doll on PatchTogether. Because she is amazing and needs 50 votes to be produced and I want one.
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| Things I find myself saying:
(After dinner, to Mat)
me: Do you want me to pack this chicken carcass up for your dermestid beetles at work?
Mat: Oh, that's a good idea.
Oh.
No wait, I don't want to have to carry it on the bus.
(Before bed, to Gideon)
me: Go brush your teeth and please don't forget to feed your cockroaches.
&hearts | | comments: 11 comments or Leave a comment |
| My whole life my parents have had a cuckoo clock which hangs in the dining room. It has weights that must be pulled back up to the top every day in order to keep running. My father faithfully pulls them up every single day and the sound the thin chains make, the metallic zip of them gliding though the clock guts, is a sound that I can hear even right now. I would ask to pull them up once in a while and it was always as satisfying as those things are... Like pushing in the "diet" or "cola" or "other" buttons on a fountain soda lid. Gideon does it when we visit, even if the weights have not made it all the way down *quite* yet.
BRRRZZZZIPP
Successful relationships are like that clock, I think. You need to pull the weights back up every day. Its not always so exciting but its satisfying.
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| I'm selling Damien. Judge is still for sale. Nothing bad, just wanting change.
Post is here, on DOA. I've had him for 5 years, I would obviously be THRILLED if someone from the flist was seriously interested, so please feel free to contact me if you are.
&hearts | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| We're in the midst of signing cards and making meals for our mothers, but it would be criminal to not send my momma love out this way to all of you.
To my sister other mothers, I adore you all, your wisdom, your comfort, your love. Enjoy your day because you deserve it.
To everyone who lets me be a mom, to talk about teeth, to have spots on my shirt and shove pictures in your face, I appreciate every second of it and I sincerely believe that you do care about what those boys are up to and it warms me inside and out.
I'll be sleeping in on Sunday and seeing a lot of those waggly eyebrows.
xoxo | | comments: 17 comments or Leave a comment |
| One of my pictures of Ramona is featured in an awesome Domadoll article Mercy wrote for the latest issue of Dolls Magazine. They are going digital and a free preview issue (the one with the article!) is online here. Thanks again Mercy for including me!
Good things are happening in my studio. Lucky emails and flattering propositions are reminding me that I've got something here and I cannot rest on my laurels. I need to keep up the momentum -- I hope to share more soon.
In the meantime, Ramona outtakes.
( Ragamuffin ) | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
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