Tuesday, November 10, 2009

wild things

I had an unexpected early day today (thanks, boss) so what was I gonna do with myself? I could do errands or get some cleaning done, but that's boring. I mean, when was the last time I had an afternoon off right? So I took my ass to the movies to see Where the Wild Things Are.

I had really, really been wanting to see it. Had been really intrigued by the mixed reviews and really wanted to do some judging for myself. Plus I love to go to the movies by myself and hadn't done that in a long time. Of course I was raised on the children's book by Maurice Sendak but I heard that the film was much darker. Resolved to have no expectations, I bought my ticket, my box of raisinettes, and settled in for an enjoyable afternoon.

First off, at the movie theater in my small town, there is this older man who takes tickets occasionally. And he is a sweet old lascivious old man, a shameless flatterer, a total flirt. It's sweet though. If he were any younger, it would be dirty and disturbing, but instead it just makes a girl feel giggly. It was a nice ego boost. Thanks, old movie theater guy!

Secondly, I get in the theater and it is empty. Hoorah! I love that. I love having my pick of the theater. Except what's that I see at the back of the room? A teeny tiny head with two pom pom pigtails and two big eyes peeking just barely over the seat in front of her. This little girl all by herself is standing alone in the theater, holding a box of popcorn and not sitting because she can't maneuver the seat while holding the box. Poor kid. And what was she doing by herself anyway? That, Internet, is a kidnapper's dream come true. Needless to say, softie that I am, I helped her into her seat and waited with her until her mom got there. Most disturbing moment, when a Twilight promo flashed on the screen, she announced to me that she had seen that! Wasn't it scary, I asked her. Nope. No it wasn't. What? She seemed about 5, if that. Uh huh.

Now it is at this moment that I remember that the film we are about to watch is not really a kid's movie. It's based on a children's book and it's about a child, but it is not for children. Seriosuly, do people not research a film before taking their child?

After the film started, two more families with VERY small children came in. One of which settled right in front of me. Seriously? There is a WHOLE big empty theater and you have to sit your three year old right in front of me? Your young child who screams at the scary parts and says mommy about 57 times a minute? That was your best option?

Despite the young children who were watching a movie that was not meant for children, I truly enjoyed the film. But it is not for kids. I might take an older child, but little kids? Nope. It's dark and emotionally violent. What I absolutely loved was the psychological realism. The film making itself was violent to reflect the turmoil of the characters. Story and acting aside, this film is truly a piece of art. The style at moments is incredibly quiet and reflective and quite beautiful and then next it is raucous and moving and you get sucked into the physicality of the action.

And of course the story is quite poignant and smart. It's extremely psychological and I could see how someone who doesn't appreciate the psychological perspective would not appreciate this film. But I just got lost in it. Despite the magical landscape of the film, the characters are incredibly relatable and realistic, adult in their voices but childlike in their cocoons of issues and neuroses. I absolutely enjoyed it and I can't wait to buy it and make it mine.

And of course, that leaves the best part. The soundtrack was absolutely delicious! I wanted to jump into the soundtrack and start choreographing. I was disappointed to find two different soundtracks available on iTunes from the different collaborators, but I may just have to buy them both.

Here's a great song from the film from Karen O and the Kids:



All is love. I love that. ♥

8 comments mean you love me:

TheTraveler said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I have not seen the movie yet and can not comment on the content as far as kids go, but I can say that based on the PG rating, parents in general, would not hesitate to take their kids to this movie.

While adults sans kids may see the content as not being for kids, parental units know that kids can see an entirely different movie then they do. The adult themes, humor and messages tend to go right over the younger child's head, what they see is the fun kid stuff they can relate to.

As a step parent, I questioned what our kids were allowed to see, but have quickly realized that while we're seeing the same movie, we're not SEEING the same movie.

Listen to an 8 year old tell you about a movie that you have seen together and you will be amazed at what is absorbed and what goes unnoticed. =)

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yeah, I buy that. Totally And I think a 7 or 8 year old could process this movie on their own level and appreciate it in their own ways. But these kids were all under 5 and the physicality of this film was a bit scary for that age I believe, at least in a theater, at least that's what the crying child in front of me thought. I would just think twice about what I take a very young child to and that effects the other movie goers experiences as well.

TheTraveler said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I so hear you on that one! As "part time" parental units, we do not have much tolerance for crying babies, whining children and oblivious parents, when we're at the movies. You pay $11 dollars (each) to see the movie, not someone's kid putting on a show.

That said, some parents have no option but to bring their small children with them to a movie. For some it's lack of reliable, responsible, available, near by babysitters. For others, it simply a cash flow issue. Babysitting for the afternoon or evening can set you back $40 while two kid tickets is around $16. Doesn't seem like much, but added up over the year (based on once a week) and you're saving over $1000!

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

for sure. but isn't that what netflix is for? ;D

TheTraveler said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Absofrigginlutely!

Anonymous said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Through her eyes
The world is shiny-bright
Equally dark and deep
And love is a mystery

Anonymous said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love going to movies by myself. But I agree with you about noisy kids in the theater.

When I went to see Harry Potter this summer, a woman brought HER BABY into the theater. Of course if cried in the middle of the climax of the movie.

Why did it cry? Because it needed it's diaper changed. So the lady plopped the kid right down on the sticky floor of the theater and did it right there.

BTW, I think I figured out what the comment problem is. Since you have your comments set as embedded in your post, Firefox doesn't like it for some reason. If you were to set them as a pop out window or as the page where the comment form is on the right side of the screen, I think it might work.

I decided to investigate, since I had this same problem on another blog. So I'm using Internet Explorer to leave you this comment, hoping it works.

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

she changed its diaper in the theater? I have no words for how nasty that is.

and who ARE you, mysterious poet?

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