movie moments

i love movies. especially the ones that grab ya up and squeeze you, in all the right places. the ones that make you laugh and cry and think, and come away, changed.



we watched this incredible movie the other nite. 'cried my eyes out. and any review i could give wouldn't even do it justice. its just simple and beautiful and refreshing.

and you should watch it.

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one of my all time favorite childrens books has always been Where The Wild Things Are. so i don't know who was more excited, when we saw the movie trailer floating around for it a couple months ago ~ me or bella.

after a really long day at work last weekend, i arrived home to find jason and bella waiting for me at the door. bella grabbed my hand and said, "we thought you could use a night out, mama. we're gonna go take a drive and enjoy the fall at night". i chuckled, and tho all i really wanted to do was sit down and relax, i was curious at what they were up to and told her that sounded great.

it was a really beautiful night, so i guess you could say we "enjoyed the fall" abit, on their roundabout way to their surprise for me: tickets to the movies.

and i hafta say it was wonderful. in every way, shape and form. i think one of my most favorite things about the book, is its simplicity. and i wondered how that would translate to the screen. i also wondered if kids would really be able to grasp the concept.



i heard a review saying its "not so much a childrens movie but a movie about being a child." and i agree. its not cute and fluffy, even tho the characters are cuddly looking. there are very real deep, dark and sad moments in the movie. and while i think critics might be somewhat divided,i gotta tell ya....for all the kids at heart out there, my hats' off to spike jonze. i found his adaptation absolutely brilliant.

and kids do get it.

i don't know if i'd have chosen to take bella, had i seen it first. but in reality, i'm glad we did.

each *wild thing* represents an emotion or even a series of emotions inside of us. and i think thats what tugs at your heartstrings' the most in this film. at the lead, there's max, an adventurous and rambunctious little boy, who's struggling with all these pent up feelings inside him and what to do with them. so he escapes into his imagination and to the land of the wild things, where he becomes their king.

the main wild thing is carol who represents the anger and frustration that lives in every child. the part of you that thought life was going to be easier than this... the part that lashes out, capable of the deepest sadness and the most fiery rage. kw is the wide open, gentle, free spirit searching for peace and something better, hesitant to commit. douglas is the tried and true friend; wise and thoughtful. judith is the thorn in everyone's side, quick to sarcasm, her main defense mechanism. ira is her goodhearted, bumbling companion. content in finding his one true talent, yet struggling to find his place. alexandar suffers from low self esteem and often stands off to the side, feeling as tho he's not being heard. and the bull is the strong, quiet one, who observes, and takes his place as he's needed.

i promise no spoilers. but there's a scene in the movie where max sets sail, and carol has a sudden, very significant realization. its a pivotol moment. but i wasn't prepared for bella's reaction.

she'd sat, mesmerized, during the entire movie. she'd been so excited and brought her book with her to follow along, grabbing my arm when it got to every next page.

in the scene, carol races to the edge of the water and roars in understanding.

and bella burst into tears, just sobbing her heart out. she cried all the way out of the theatre, holding both of our hands and once in the car, it took several minutes before she was actually able to calm down long enough to hiccup out that she loved it. that she knows how max feels with all those wild things inside him. cuz she feels that way too sometimes.

and i held her and told her thats what makes it so great tho.... cuz we all have those emotions. and just like all the wild things wanted max to make everything better, they found out he couldn't please everyone. and that change started with each of them. beginning with love.

and i love that she loved it. and that she got it. and that it grabbed her up and squeezed her in all the right places.