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Do, Dump, or Marry? Spike Jonze

TresSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:15:00 -0700

Director, skateboarder and all-around Gen X superhero Spike Jonze was told that turning the beloved children's book Where the Wild Things Are into a movie couldn't be done without serious artistic compromises. Well, not only did he prove his naysayers wrong, his movie was number one at the box office over the weekend!

This iconoclast has been doing his own thing for a while, though, starting out as an untrained videographer for skateboarders, moving on to direct cool videos for bands like The Beastie Boys, and following up on Being John Malkovich and Adaptation with a filmic ballad for the latch-key generation.

So boyish is this 39-year-old, Catherine Keener's son once asked him why he didn't live with his parents. What do you think about this talented guy?

Video of the Day: Kanye West and Spike Jonze's "We Were Once a Fairytale"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:21 -0700

Spike Jonze is the man today. After Where the Wild Things Are took the top box office spot over the weekend, the Internet is also buzzing with this new short film he made with Kanye West. I'm on a bit of a Jonze kick myself, so I was excited to check it out - especially since I liked their combined efforts on West's video for "Flashing Lights."

This film is called "We Were Once a Fairytale," and it features a drunken West acting belligerent at a club. (Maybe that's not a stretch given the Taylor Swift incident.) Up until about the six-minute mark, the footage is actually kind of boring, but then things get bizarre, and obscure Jonze imaginings start popping up, including a creature that could be the cousin to a Wild Thing, living in West's stomach. Really.

It's interesting to say the very least, so let me know what you think after you read more.

Balloon Boy Loses It, Michael's Plea to Lindsay, & Our Weekend Movie Reviews!

PopSugarTV — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:21:00 -0700

The 6-year-old who was hiding in an attic while everyone thought he was carried away in an experimental balloon implies it was a stunt and throws up on live TV, Michael Lohan goes on Maury Povich to reach out to Lindsay, and Kris Allen covers a Britney Spears song!

Where the Wild Things Are: A Passionate Ode to Childhood

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:30:00 -0700

There's been a bit of a controversy over how to market Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, Where The Wild Things Are. Is it for kids? Adults? Adult hipsters?

The answer is anyone who wants to feel what it's like to be a child, and not in the fun-loving, no-responsibilities way. As adults, we tend to forget the insecurity and fears we had as kids, which the film's young character Max is in the throes of. There's just enough exposition before the fantasy begins: Max has a single mom (Catherine Keener) and an older sister who has recently outgrown him. His first few acts at home show his innocence and the savage emotions under the surface. He knows it as being "wild."

Where the Wild Things Are isn't a heavy-handed allegory, or an edgy children's movie; it's a loyal tribute to the way kids think and feel. To see what else I thought of the film, just read more.

Max reaches the world of the wild things after throwing a particularly heinous fit, prompting his mother to yell, "You're out of control!" After running away, Max finds himself on a boat that finally brings him to a strange land. This is where the wild things are. The creatures Jonze has created are aesthetic wonders: creepy, hostile, and huggable at once. These aren't Jim Henson's Muppets, but real characters, led by Carol (voiced by James Gandolfini). The rest of the group is comprised of Lauren Ambrose as aloof KW, Catherine O'Hara as prickly Judith, Paul Dano as timid Alexander, Chris Cooper as Douglas, and Forest Whitaker as Ira.

Each creature has a fully realized personality, with flaws and varying temperaments; their faces are so emotive and their dialogue so human that their scenes with Max are as real as those with his mother. This group is not easily classified as friend or foe - they're dysfunctional in their relationships and don't always treat each other well. One of the most successful elements of the movie is the dialogue of the wild things, which is rooted in Max's head.

In many ways, screenwriter Dave Eggers's job was tougher than Spike Jonze's, because it's imperative to remember the way children think. Max's interactions with Carol and his new clan are made up of the kind of things a kid would hear from his parents and peers and then internalize. In fact, in the wild world, Max declares himself king to bring order, and he summons up speeches from the authority figures that he's pulling away from in his real life. Naturally, he's too young to recognize how his subverted position is significant.

Max's relationship with Carol is most telling. As the de facto leader of the group who can't handle sadness, loneliness, or jealousy, he acts out as a mirror of Max while still being his own character. The richness of Carol and the creature cast stays with you; when Max has to say goodbye to his friends, your heart breaks.

Jonze impressed me with his non-conformity; in another movie, Max would have demonstrated the grand lessons he learned from his time on the island, but in this one, he doesn't have to learn anything. He just gets to feel and experience and appreciate his emotionally fragmented new friends. It's devastating as a viewer, especially if you can put yourself back in that childlike place when your feelings were so raw and simple.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

NYC Is Where Spike, Blake, and Tom Check Out the Wild Things

PopSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:30:52 -0700

Blake Lively was one of the few ladies at last night's NYC premiere of Where the Wild Things Are. It's only Wednesday, but this was already Blake's second red carpet of the week after turning out to support boyfriend Penn Badgley Monday at his screening of The Stepfather. Blake was in rather impressive company, as Tom Hanks and Forest Whitaker also turned out to see Spike Jonze's latest film. Spike took his turn in the limelight to pose with the young star Max Records and author Maurice Sendak, who wrote the famous children's book on which the movie is based. The movie opens Friday - make sure to check out the latest trailer - and there is a huge promotional effort underway, including related lines of home furnishings, children's Halloween costumes, and even clothes for adults.

More photos from the premiere so read more.

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Images include: Catherine O'Hara, Tom Hanks, Forest Whitaker, Martin Short, Spike Jonze, Max Records, James Gandolfini, Blake Lively, Keisha Whitaker, Catherine Keener, Maurice Sendak

Blake, Forest and Tom Know Where The Wild Things Are

PopSugarUK — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:07:53 -0700

Blake Lively spent a second evening at a film premiere last night, joining Forest Whitaker and producer Tom Hanks for the New York premiere of Where The Wild Things Are at Alice Tully Hall. Blake wore her hair in gorgeous curls taking a trend straight from Paris Fashion Week. They were joined by director Spike Jonze and singer Karen O, who provides music for the soundtrack. The film is due out in the UK on 11 December: will you see it or skip it?

To see more pictures from the premiere, including Catherine Keener, Tom Hanks, Spike Jonze, Karen O, James Gandolfini and Martin Short, just read more.

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Images include: Blake Lively, Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, Tom Hanks, Spike Jonze, Karen O, James Gandolfini, Martin Short

Oprah Talks MJ's Skin, Obama Calls Out Kanye, & a First Look at the Harry Potter Theme Park!

PopSugarTV — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:37:06 -0700

Oprah says Michael Jackson's skin was see-through up close, Megan Fox threatens to stab Brian Austin Green, and take a virtual tour of the new Harry Potter theme park!

Say What? Spike Jonze's New Film Is Like a Baby Girl

TresSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

"It's like the studio was expecting a boy, and I gave birth to a girl. And now they're learning to love and accept their daughter."

- Director Spike Jonze on his struggles with Warner Brothers, who wanted his adaptation of the Maurice Sendak children's classic Where the Wild Things Are to be more like Shrek and Madagascar than an avant-garde film. Jonze, however, wanted to stay true to the original book and to make a film that didn't talk down to children. What do you think of his arresting analogy?

Michelle Lets Spike Do All the Matilda Lifting

PopSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:00:53 -0700

Spike Jonze carried Matilda on his shoulders while Michelle Williams ran errands around NYC yesterday. Matilda looked happy as can be, playfully pulling Spike's hair and laughing in her yellow mini Hunter wellies. When Michelle finally gets back to work filming Blue Valentine, it looks like Spike will make a great babysitter for Matilda when he's not busy with his own projects.

To see more photos of Michelle, Matilda and Spike just read more.

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Pacific Coast News Online

Michelle and Matilda Brave Rain and Shine

PopSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Michelle Williams and Matilda squeezed under Spike Jonze's big umbrella as the trio stepped out for a walk in rainy NYC on Friday. On Saturday, Michelle was all by herself to pick up a few goodies to ensure a successful visit from the Easter bunny for Matilda the next day. Michelle keeps her hands full, but these days Spike always seems to be around to help out.

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Flynet