Where The Wild Things Are Blog and Journals

We're starting a new weekly feature here at Buzznet in an effort to spread propaganda share with you things that we think are awesome. Each week, a different Buzznet staff member (and sometimes, a band member or community member) will give praise to the best in music, movies, art, television, books, and whatever else they're digging. AND YOU WILL LIKE IT! Or not. But come on in and enjoy the fun!

So I'm (Panasonicyouth) handling this week's inaugural run of the Buzz Guide. Expect the unexpected!

MUSIC

There's few things I am more excited and enthused by right now than Strike Anywhere's Iron Front. Released less than a month ago on Bridge 9 Records, it's a refreshing and inspiring slab of incredibly catchy melodic hardcore. Half this site listens to pop "punk" and completely ignores melodic hardcore. WHY. I am changing that. If you like your music to be infectious, fast, and thoughtful, get into this.

BOOKS

So, reading the Twilight series is painful to me, so I need something to wash away all the bad feelings. I've been doing that with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let The Right One In before I go to bed. It's incredibly haunting, poetic, and terrifying. I've got less than 60 pages left and I'm in love. THIS is how you write about vampires and love. Also, it's all about being bullied and we all know my childhood was TRAUMATIC, so this book has already earned a soft spot in my heart.

MOVIES

Look, call me a hipster. I DON'T CARE. This movie is so wonderful for expanding on the subtext in the children's novel to create a two-hour extravaganza of joy, anger, fear, and sadness. THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S MOVIE, ALSO. It's a movie for adults who read the book as children. And it is glorious. Near tears? Yep. Smiling ear to ear? Gotcha. Wishing it never ended? That makes a fine movie. Go see Where The Wild Things Are.

TELEVISION

I don't actually have cable (THANK YOU, HULU), but I don't miss this show. GLEE is not perfect, but what it does get right redeems everything else. Subversive, hilarious, and wildly entertaining. It's an appreciation of music and, to a greater extent, of all of us in high school who did what we loved, even though it made us unpopular. Also: Jane Lynch. I'm a fan.

ART

The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles (located in Little Tokyo) just started their sequel to their 2007 Giant Robot exhibit. Let it be known: I LOVE GIANT ROBOT. This exhibit is a celebration of all things Giant Robot and focuses on artists who have either appeared in the pages or on the cover of the magazine. If you live in Los Angeles or you're going to be here before January 24, 2010, make a point to go.

INTERNET

And the best thing I've come across on the Internet this week is Movember, a movement to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Grow gross, disgusting, and slightly ironic mustaches during the month of November for a good cause. I'm sorry, that sounds like the best idea of all time. Head on over to the Movember site and see how you can help!

Signing off,

Mark/Panasonicyouth

Review: Where The Wild Things Are

by xmisspreternaturalx

“Where The Wild Things Are” is the type of movie that has enjoyed so much acclaim and hype since the first trailer was released that it’s hard to imagine the movie could live up to the excitement. With a list of names behind this movie that could make the most jaded hipster want to dance in his thrift store boots, the movie could have been the type to suffer from its star power and from the fact that it is an adaptation of what is a classic children’s book for many people. Thankfully, it doesn’t. This is the type of film where once it starts, everything takes a backseat to the quiet exploration of the power that our imaginations hold and the potency of being a child.

The plot is both simple and dreamy in the way that only a kid’s story can be, as lovers of the book can attest. In the story by Maurice Sendak, Max dons his white wolf costume and runs around the house making mischief, causing his mother to send him to bed without any supper. While he’s in his room, Max dreams up an ocean that he begins to sail and finds the island where the Wild Things live. He becomes their king by showing no fear to the monsters he encounters, and soon all of them are engaged in the “rumpus”, dancing and causing mayhem. After a while, Max becomes homesick and sails back home to find his supper on the table and still warm. In the movie, instead of being banished to his room, Max runs away and finds the boat moored. Director Spike Jonze’s vision of Max is a lovely portrait of a kid who feels out of place but possesses a certain spark that can’t be ignored. Max could have easily been a heavy-handed depiction of the clichés of modern childhood- upset about his single mother dating and no dad in the picture, a teenage sister who cares more about her friends than him, and a general sense of being the type of child who is inches away from a prescription of behavioral meds. Yet, through the genuine and almost brutally honest writing, Max is shown as a child desperately trying to find a place where he fits in and is shown the love and attention he craves. It’s the sort of thing that a person of any age can relate to, but it especially recalls the lonely times of childhood, when we equated constant attention with love and imagination was always richer than reality. The honesty is shown in believable action, like Max’s furious wrecking of a craft he made for his sister when her friends wreck his snow cave and she does nothing (along with the subsequent tears afterwards). This realism can’t go without a nod to the boy who plays Max, aptly named Max Records. It’s difficult sometimes to remember that Records is acting, because the subtlety of his facial expressions and tone of voice seem impossible for someone his age to be acting instead of living the story. There’s a solemn sense of wonder in the way he approaches playing Max that fits excellently with that same quality in the writing.

This sense of wonder that is at once playful and pensive is only helped along by cinematography and visuals which can be described as nothing less than incredible. This movie could, and should, set a new standard for every dreamy indie flick that wants the viewer to be swept up in the beauty of a moment onscreen. The views of the sea Max sails across will take your breath away, along with the island where the Wild Things live, the would-be Utopia they attempt to build, and the Wild Things themselves. It’s easy to forget they aren’t real, such is the dedication of the special effects team to making the Wild Things seem more than alive, close enough to human in their gestures and manners that their physical appearance is secondary. Going by names that are both ridiculous and yet strangely appropriate (the one who names Max king is a male Wild Thing called Carol), the Wild Things all possess personalities that are distinct and never too wholesome. Several times throughout the movie you are reminded that these are, essentially, tamer monsters. There are moments when the physical play of the Wild Things becomes too intense and you become frightened for Max’s safety, but even more unsettling is the way Carol’s frustration and high expectations of people play out when things don’t end up as planned. This, along with a deep distrust which borders on violent that Judith, another Wild Thing, displays often on the island seem to be almost reflections of Max himself, of the sides of him that he must shed to become the strong adult the story shows us he could be. These displays remind us that as fantastic as Max’s adventure is, it’s inherently a personal story and a journey through a childhood into the hard choices. This is bolstered by the whimsical, wistful soundtrack by Karen O and the Kids, a band formed for the soundtrack composed of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, members of the Liars, Deerhunter, the Raconteurs and a chorus of children’s’ voices. It’s beautiful indie pop/folk that could be enjoyed entirely separate of the movie; my immediate move once I sat down to the computer after coming home from the movie was to download two of my favorite tracks. Thankfully, the indie influence of the soundtrack does nothing to detract from what you’re seeing onscreen, only add to the sense of adventure.

The negatives of this movie are few, but those that do exist color too much of the movie to brush away. The time Max spends with the Wild Things ends up feeling a bit too short, his departure almost too abrupt. Had he spent just a little more time getting to know the island and its inhabitants, the already emotional scene where he says his goodbyes and sails back home could have had the entire theater in tears, rather than just left feeling sad. His interactions with the Wild Things, while on the whole approached very well, could be played up in some parts and wound down in others. There’s a cathartic sense of wildness in Max’s play with the Wild Things, and it’s so infectious that children and adults were laughing with delight during these scenes, and these should have been stretched out. While the more quiet scenes are presented with proper sense of weight, they sometimes move too slowly, which can be a serious negative in a movie targeted primarily for children. The most disappointing aspect of the movie is the ending that seems both rushed and unfinished. Though under Spike Jonze’s direction both Max Records and Catherine Keener (Story-Max’s mom) act the scene to its best potential and deserve much credit for that, the scene still has a strong sense of missing something. I’m typically a person who loves ambiguous endings and tends to feel exasperated when people complain about “not getting it”. Sometimes you’re not supposed to get it, but here it feels like the story’s not quite done. There’s no explanation as to where exactly Max was or if he was really gone as long as it seems. In a children’s book, where the fantastic reigns, this is not an important factor, but in a movie that is otherwise doused in emotional realism behind the mythical adventure it becomes a serious distraction. When discussing this with a friend after the movie, I thought more about how maybe that explanation doesn’t really matter.

This is a movie for children that adults can enjoy on levels they don’t get to experience with most children’s movies, but it is still for kids. Maybe kids don’t need that explanation, because the situation is not what’s important, it’s the connection they can make to it. This is a movie that works on both the personal and visceral levels. It’s the type of film that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go, that brings back the best and worst of childhood in a bittersweet blend that can be so real and raw at times that it hurts. It doesn’t matter that the movie is rated PG, that the typical tropes of a movie about childhood innocence and growing up are mostly absent; it feels true on a deep level. The emotional resonance “Where The Wild Things Are” possesses shows us that adventure has to be experienced on a personal level, and that we never really leave our senses of wonder behind.

Grade: A-

Photo courtesy movies.ign.com

...Its been a really long time.

Last weekend I did read, but Malcolm X likes to talk. He talks so much that I didn't finish his autobiography and have been reading it this whole week too. Anyway, I'm at the 16th chapter and I really hope he dies soon, even when I look at the giant wedge of pager left to read, just so I don't have to hear another brainwashed statement about religion. Or about the "devil white man". Or about how wonderful Mr.Muhammad is/was. shutupshutupSHUTUP! I liked him better conked out, and doped up. His every sentence didn't make me want to spit on his grave. Its not that I have a problem with what he says, its more that he says it over and over and overandoverandoverandshutupshutupSHUTUP!

...Uh... I saw Zombieland, Whip It, and Ponyo last weekend too. Yeah... had lots of friend time.

Then this past week my teacher decided for sure that he hates me and my friend. She and I missed school on the same day and missed getting this paper, but both of us didn't think to ask him for it. So he comes over and points out that we could ask for it, and I, like the smart ass, uncharming, loser kid I am, told him that I am an underacheiver and that I was working up to that point. My friend was dragged down with me.

Maybe if I was a jock. Or male. Athletic males get away with being lazy. Isn't that super infuriating?!

My other friend and I went costume shopping at the salvation army. She's going to be Sylar from Heros, and I'm Wonder Woman <3

We saw Where The Wild Things Are today too, and I realized that I really have lost my wonder. I have barely day dreamed at all.

Where the Wild Things Are.

Only like, the greatest childrens book EVER!?!

But this brings me to the question on everyones mind...

Where are the wild things???

Its like, the title already expects you to know this leeeeetle tid-bit.

But honestly,

WHERE?

Under your bed?

In your bus drivers closet?

Your blender?

Your mom's blender?

My sock? (I'm not sure about that one, but a fly fell out once...)

Tell me where the where the wild things are.

HKHKHK,

Kaylee

I feel like my life has been taken over my college. I havent done anything but stuy, work and more study. I cant complain, its nice not having a busy schedule for once. The weather is getting cold, I love it. Its finally fall. Halloween is coming up which means I need a costume. I have a few idea's but i am not sure which one I want to be more.. Rudy is coming to visit in November. Im counting down. Seriously 20 and some odd days left.

This weekend my older sister, niece, nephew, and our dogs are going to the drive-in theater to see Where the Wild Things Are.. Im excited to go, never been to one. I thought the movie choice was perfect for a drive in theater. I hope this movie is good!

Not that I'm really into any of them, I'll pretend I am. Yesterday (oct.14) was my 18th birthday :D It was fun, we had a stupid "morning of reflection" for the senios at school where we watched a TERRIBLE movie (bella) but I just talked to Justo the whole time :P We got out at 11:00 and then my friends took me out to lunch. We had super nom nom mexican. At Casa where we usually ate they will sing to you and bring out a tiny cake if its your birthday. IHATEIT! The cake is fine but the singing and attention sucks! So naturally Justo decided to piss me off for my birthday hehe. Whateves, we ate our cake and salsa and were merry.

Now, lets be honest, why do we even celebrate our birthdays? So people can give us presents, DUH! Blaine came over before school that morning and presented me with my first set of gifts... Sleepy Hollow and Labyrinth DVDs hehe. Then we skipped off to school and suffered through that awful movie. Later that night my family all got together at my house for soup that I don't like but my mother has been cooking it for 17 years so why not do it 18. Everyone in my crazy family gave me money because I'm buying a new laptop and that went towards it. Tod, because we like to pretend we're freaks, got me restraint wrap and I find that hillarious because I doubt I'll ever use it. JD gave me a CD he burned of "Songs you should own", the Where The Wild Things are soundtrack (very nice, check it out) and a Where The Wild Things are shirt (i wore it out tonight). Hannah bought my lunch (nom nom). Bonnie got me a Ponyo poster, a japanese soup bowl with matching spoon and a photo of her and Alan being precious hehe. I love photos of my friends as presents :]

Ah yes, it was nice, and because Hannah and I hate that soup my mother cooks we had Subway beforehand. Saturday I want to do something with my friends, I'm thinking we could get in my backyard and carve pumpkins after we go see Where The Wild Things are because me, JD, and Hannah are defo doing that. I'll report back later on if we do that or not and how it goes. And, if possible, PHOTOSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo!

I now have 30mins to get ready for my chill time where I watch Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia, watch Chelsea Lately and read :] so, tootles.

Re Rat (...who is now 18)

AHHHHH!!! oh hi people!!! one for those of you who are reading the fanfic... i'm writing it now, but on my laptop... so it may be up on Monday... b/c i don't have wifi at my house....

Okay but this is the awesome part that actually is the whole reason for this journal.... I get to go to the midnight showing of "WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE"

Okay... so yeah that was it really.... so yeah... super excited... talk to you all soon, on here or on twitter or on facebook or myspace, or whenever!!

-Jackie !!! XD xxx

Nambu, my favorite Twitter client, has now reached V1.9.2.1. It's still in Beta but it's stable and Growl notifications are now active. This makes me very happy because I'm now able to see what the people whom we're following are tweeting about in real time while I'm working on my computer. Some of you might think that this would be a little distracting but I love it. It's pretty cool to see what people are talking about and to chime in whenever I can. Yesterday @macgasm did a piece on an app I recommended and today @thewildthings RTd a review I shared of Spike Jonze's upcoming film, Where the Wild Things Are. How cool is that? Thanks again guys!

Speaking of sharing, short of posting many of the tweets I've enjoyed over the last few weeks with you, I though it would be fun to introduce you to the first 117 tweeps we're following, interacting with and learning from. Below you'll find a Twitter Mosaic courtesy of the folks at Sxoop Technologies. Clicking each person's face will take you to his or her profile. From there you can choose to follow her and introduce yourself by mentioning us, @atris, or you can lurk. It's up to you; but I hope you'll choose to follow.

Hope this finds you feeling healthy!

-Mason

Dudes. Dudettes. Do you love Where The Wild Things Are? Are you excited to see Spike Jonze's adaptation on the big screen? Do you have an endless supply of wit? Then I have the best contest for you! Buzznet is giving away 15 special edition "furry" editions of the The Wild Things that covers the making of the film. All you have to do is provide the best caption for one of the images pulled directly from the movie in order to win!

Full instructions for our caption contest inside...

Ten days. Ten days until one a childhood classic from your squandered youth hits the big screen. With the October 16 release of Where The Wild Things Are creeping upon us ever so steadily, new trailers have been released. Check em out!

Wild Things - I herd u liek them