A book that unfolds a world of fright and wonder,
and of surprising possibilities;
a book that redefines "foreign" as something very near to our deepest nature and inner selves:
Sendak describes the unique elements his classic masterpiece possesses as simply "peculiar."
And this "peculiar" book is becoming a movie which will be in theaters this October.
"And they were frightened and called him the most wild thing of all
and made him king of all wild things.
'And now,' cried Max, 'let the wild rumpus start!'"
(words from the book)
What do you think?
Do you still see the world Sendak created in this image from the film?
And in this one?
I do. I think I will like this Book-to-Movie.
If you're interested, here is a very good interview with author and illustrator Maurice Sendak and the film director/artist Spike Jonze... and lots of sneak peaks of the film.
I've never heard of this book before. Do you think the film will be scary for little kids? Looks like a good fantasy book and film. I'll see if I can find the book here.(Greece)
ReplyDeleteI think it will be scary for some children, yes. Anything with a dark tint to the screen can be scary! But some kids will love it. Parents will just have to be wise and know their children well enough to assess whether or not a film like this will leave them unsettled... or inspired.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought of the book as a sort-of horror story for children simply because of the presence of "monsters" and actually did not have much of an appreciation for the book until about a year ago. The book's theme is not one of horror-- it's actually very deep and beautiful in theme. Some children can see that; others don't.
Ok - now I'm really curious about "Wild Things" knowing it has a deeper meaning than some might "see". I love books like that! I'm gonna have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThe movie version looks awfully frightening to me.....I like the visions the book conjures up in my head better.....But then I'm the one who never heard of the Zooey actress you wrote about today, too:)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading Where the Wild Things Are to my children when they were little.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would always cry at the end--the mother kept the dinner food warm! That was so me.
I saw this was going to be a movie--hmmmm, isn't imagination more vivid? As the reader, I could roar and growl far better than a movie, I bet.