Monday, October 12

• Maurice Sendak Based the Wild Things on His Relatives

  The teaser posters recently released for director Spike Jonze's big-screen adaptation of the classic Where the Wild Things Are by author/illustrator Maurice Sendak featured character portraits and names for some of the scary monsters who inhabit the imagination its main character, Max (played by Max Records). However, in the original book, Sendak never named the characters. Sendak told Newsweek:

  I never wanted them to have names . . . They never had names until they became movie stars.

  Sendak said that his inspiration for the monsters came from his extended family.

  The monsters were based on relatives. They came from Europe, and they came on weekends to eat, and my mom had to cook. Three aunts and three uncles who spoke no English, practically. They grabbed you and twisted your face, and they thought that was an affectionate thing to do. And I knew that my mother's cooking was pretty terrible, and it also took forever, and there was every possibility that they would eat me, or my sister or my brother. We really had a wicked fantasy that they were capable of that. We couldn't taste any worse than what she was preparing. So that's who the Wild Things are. They're foreigners, lost in America, without a language. And children who are petrified of them, and don't understand that these gestures, these twistings of flesh, are meant to be affectionate.

  
  
  Next Showing: Where the Wild Things Are opens October 16
  

  Where the Wild Things Are - Trailer

  Directed by Spike Jonze and based on the book by Maurice Sendak

  Posted 10/12/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

Saturday, October 10

• The Creator of Where the Wild Things Are Discusses Spike Jonze's Film

  Author Maurice Sendak has had to fight for his story Where the Wild Things Are since he first offered it to publishers. The 1963 book has been praised, criticized, and even banned from some libraries over the years, but the story of a young boy escaping into a world of fantasy to avoid his problems is now considered a classic. In a recent Newsweek interview, Sendak said that Spike Jonze's big-screen adaptation of the book was true to the core elements of his book.

  The truth of the matter is, I saw immediately a combination of things that I wanted and I loved. The courage of the child, the danger of the situation — it could turn on a dime. They could have eaten him. All of that was apparent right from the start.

  When he was asked if Where the Wild Things Are is too scary for children, the same fire with which Sendak has defended his book over the years boiled to the surface regarding Jonze's film.

  I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate. 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.

  Where the Wild Things Are stars Max Records, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ruffalo. It also features the voice talents of James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, and Lauren Ambrose.

  
  
  Next Showing: Where the Wild Things Are opens October 16

  Posted 10/10/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

Tuesday, September 15

• Spike Jonze Talks Where the Wild Things Are, Plus Image Gallery

  

  Just the other day, Warner Bros. released two new TV spots for Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are. Here's a little something to go along with that: The New York Times has published five new images from the movie as part of an interactive multimedia feature.

  In the corresponding article, Jonze spoke with Times free-lancer Dennis Lim about the movie.

  I wanted it to be as natural feeling as possible. I wanted to shoot the wild things in camera: on location, out in the wild ... [My goal was to] maintain this feeling I had reading the book as a kid. Those drawings are so immersive, you just fall into them ... Maybe it's because I've known [the creatures] since I existed, basically, but my feeling is that they've always existed as creatures in the world.

  The article also discusses Jonze's movie-making process, which included voice-recording sessions with actors, filming on location with different actors, and digital manipulation for facial expressions.

  Where the Wild Things Are opens on October 16 and features in-the-flesh performances from Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, and Max Records as the protagonist. Voice talent includes Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherina O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, and Paul Dano.

  
  

  Posted 09/15/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Max Records | Where the Wild Things Are

Monday, September 14

• Two New Where the Wild Things Are TV Spots

  This movie just keeps looking better and better. Check out the new TV spots recently released for Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are.

  
  

  Posted 09/14/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

Wednesday, September 9

• Wild Things Star Likens Movie Controversy to Book Controversy

  The movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's initially-controversial-but-now-classic 1963 book, Where the Wild Things Are, has been beset by its own share of delays, re-edits, and controversy. But according to Max Records, the young star of the picture, any controversy over the movie could simply portend good things.

  When the book first came out, it was banned and all the adults hated it and stuff. But all the kids absolutely loved it. Then people started realizing, "Oh this is good. This is good." And so, I think it's the same thing — only hopefully it won't take too long for people to actually realize that it's really, really amazing.

  Though Records is only 12 years old, Wild Things is his second feature and he spoke with some insight about the movie's director, Spike Jonze.

  Spike's great; his big thing is he takes people and puts them in new situations, like I've never done the acting before. He wants it all to be spontaneous and authentic and real, and not like acting.

  
  
  

  Where the Wild Things Are - Trailer

  Catherine Keener & Forest Whitaker Star - Releasing Oct. 16

  Posted 09/09/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Max Records | Where the Wild Things Are

Friday, September 4

• Where the Wild Things Are Makes Its Way Onto Filter's Cover

  

  We're all excited about Spike Jonze's upcoming adaptation of the classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are, especially after the book's author Maurice Sendak gave Jonze his full endorsement and glowing approval in a very titillating behind-the-scenes featurette.

  And now, here's something to get everyone even more excited: We Love You So recently posted a sneak peak at the cover that will grace the latest issue of Filter Magazine.

  The cover, which was illustrated by Geoff McFetridge, looks appropriately trippy. According to the post, the Filter issue will feature interviews with Jonze and actors Catherine Keener, Catherine O'Hara, and Max Records, as well as some photos and art from the set and crew.

  
  

  Posted 09/04/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Catherine Keener | Catherine O'Hara | Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Max Records | Where the Wild Things Are

Sunday, August 9

• Theatrical Trailer for Where the Wild Things Are Now Online

  Four months after the debut of its first trailer, a second theatrical trailer for Where the Wild Things Are is now online. The adaptation of the beloved Maurice Sendak children's book has been difficult process for director Spike Jonze, including crying children at screenings and reshoots that pushed back the release date, but the trailer shows that Jonze seems to have successfully pulled off a beautiful adaptation. We'll know for sure October 16, so until then enjoy the trailer below:

  
  

  Posted 08/09/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Spike Jonze | Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

Thursday, March 26

• Where The Wild Things Are Trailer

  Previewing in theaters before Monsters vs. Aliens, the first official trailer for Maurice Sendak's timeless classic children's story Where The Wild Things Are is now online for all to see. Let the wild rumpus begin!

  In the wonderfully illustrated book, naughty Max was sent to bed without his supper and imagines sailing off to an island full of "Wild Things." When he proves not to be frightened by the the terrifying, yet cuddly monsters, they crown Max their King and they all join in on a wild rumpus. After tiring of ruling the land, Max sails back home just as his Mom is bringing up some dinner for him.

  
  

  Posted 03/26/2009 by Jim

  Related: Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

• Where the Wild Things Are Poster and Test Footage

  Earlier we showed you the new pics that came out for movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are. Now, we've discovered what looks like early test footage, and the new poster! Have a look.

  
  

  Posted 03/26/2009 by Jim

  Related: Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are

Monday, March 23

• New Pics of Where the Wild Things Are Adaptation

  Maurice Sendak's classic children's book is about to hit the big screen. The teaser trailer will be shown with Monsters and Aliens, but you can get your fix of pics right now. USA TODAY has a "first look" slideshow of 12 official images.

  
  

  Posted 03/23/2009 by Jim

  Related: Maurice Sendak | Where the Wild Things Are