My excitement to see the film, Where The Wild Things Are, was deflated when I read some mixed reviews about it. I was not ready to suffer through another children’s film where my children and I leave the theater moody and quiet without any desire to discuss the film.
The film, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, was a perfect example of a film gone wrong. The animation was incredible but the humor was embarrassingly flat and over done as if the audience was too stupid to get the point. The film left me feeling angry at the film industry and depressed about how the world has such potential but is filled with such mediocrity. Children want more than just incredible animation, they want emotion and a great story, just as adults do.
Thankfully, a friend recommended that I not take Tucker, my four year old. Admittedly, I am a bit lax when it comes to movie ratings. As long as I know that it is a great film, I don’t worry so much if the content is a bit sophisticated but on a few occasions Tucker has gotten scared and it has stayed with him. The last time we did this was at the film, Journey to the Center of the Earth. If the clouds even threatened to storm he would start whimpering and I since then have decided that I need to be more discriminating.
Brevitt, Axel and I spent the last of our money on the movie tickets and smuggled in our candy and sodas. As the lights went down I whispered to them that it was not okay to break the rules but I didn’t see any harm in saving $20.00 by bringing in our own candy. In addition to being irresponsible with movies I am teaching them how to beat the system. I never said I was the perfect role model.
The opening scene was shot to Indian war cry music, from Karen O’s indie rock group the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and my hair prickled on my neck, this was going to be good.
Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers did a remarkable job capturing the reality of life and the essence of the original 338 word book written by Maurice Sendak. Max was a boy, just like any other and he wasn’t out to save the world. He didn’t have answers for the monster’s pain and he didn’t make excuses for his faults.
How refreshing it was to see a movie that focused on character development and emotional value. By the end of the movie I was in love with Max Records and his character. I loved how he didn’t pretend to like Judith and I loved his reaction to her when she told him that if he were king he wasn’t allowed to play favorites and he wasn’t allowed to talk back to her, even if she was a pain in the ass. Most boys do not respond well to high emotion and his way of handling her was no different than how my ten year old would have reacted, in fact Max reminded me of all my boys put together. His destructive behavior when he was angry was Axel, his imaginative play and fearlessness was Brevitt and his wildness was all three at any given moment.
As I sat there in the theater with a huge lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face I was overwhelmed by how expertly the movie exposed the love and emotion that occurs between a mother and her son.
Walking out into the light of day I couldn’t help but hug my boys so completely. I love having them with me to witness great pieces of works and get their thoughts on everything.
There is so much for me to show them but I want to do it now, while their minds are still so creative. If only I were courageous enough to sail away with them and explore the wonders of the world, monsters and all.
Jillian's Real Life 
I’m so glad you had the opportunity to share this movie with your boys and I loved reading this post. I have two boys as well and they loved it. I especially love how the movie captured the dark tones of the book that many people overlook. Childhood is mysterious and full of emotions and Jonze did an excellent job of capturing it in this film!
It’s a shame that the reviews are scaring some parents away from bringing their children. Everyone I’ve talked to that has brought their kids has really liked it!
All the best,
Lori
http://www.loricalabrese.com
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Loved your review! p.s. We are also candy smugglers %-)
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We’ll have to smuggle together sometime.
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Good times! Can’t blame you for bringing in your own goodies either! The cost of movies WITH goodies is so outrageously over-inflated it is almost comical. Almost. If it didn’t borderline sinful.
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I’m beginning to question my ethics.
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Okay, you make me feel like such a bad un-cool mom by not smuggling in candy! LOL Hubs does it with the kids all the time, and I can’t bring myself. Fear of being kicked out is what it is.
I think it’s so great that you see such passion in movies like that, and the chance to visit with your kids about them. Talking is entirely UNDERrated. 🙂
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The fear was there but I had my excuses at the ready.
Next time we’ll keep our popcorn bags and fill them with popcorn made at home. I am getting way to good at living the life of a criminal to get by.
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I love Dave Eggers and met him recently in New Orleans at a book signing. Did not know he was involved in the screenplay. Now I can’t wait to take the grandchildren. Thanks, Jillian.
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Darrelyn, he is an incredibly talented man who truly understands kids. I would love to meet him. What was he like?
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“Jill, Loved your review. I was a wreck through the entire movie. You put words to my raw emotions. Thank you. Hope you guys are all well. We miss seeing you. Best, Ann”
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I was so in love with this book as a child that when I saw the previews and how they brought those memorable characters to life just like I had envisioned them, I cried at commercials.
Of course, all 4 kids thought I was off my roker at that moment.
I so look forward to seeing it this weekend. So thanks for the “2 thumbs up” review. I won’t forget the hankie – or the candy.
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And you thought you were the only ones who brought a survival pack to the movie theater?
I totally agree with your Meatball review. How disappointing. I’m looking forward to bringing the boys to see the Wild Things. Thanks for sharing.
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So glad to know that I’m not alone!
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Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog…! So glad to read your review…am quite psyched about the movie…but am worried it’s too much for my Ben (4 years old and on the sensitive side). You agree?
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Liz, I would recommend not bringing your four year old. I think that they will miss the meaning behind it all and just be scared.
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Sorry, me again! Had to come back now that I’ve gone through almost your entire blog…surfing lessons? Birthday toast to your husband? Mountain biking? Recommending sex for Father’s Day? Damn, are you sure we’re not best friends from another lifetime????
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Liz, we may have been! I think that we are going to have a lot of fun swapping stories. You can be the city mouse and I’ll be the country mouse.
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We’re smugglers, too especially since my son has a severe nut allergy! BTW, thanks for the comment you left on my blog and for the follow! And you are a THETA MOM because you are true and authentic! 😉 Looking forward to blogging with you!
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Maybe you’re right but after a birthday party where I made the bread, the pizza, the chili and the cake I realized that perhaps if I hadn’t multi-tasked so much I could have had a better chance of reaching perfection on at least one of those things.
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