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Website of the Day: 1000 Awesome Things

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:06:54 -0800

Who doesn't need a daily dose of awesome? I'm loving the latest site I stumbled upon, 1000 Awesome Things. From the surprising (#765: Thinking it's Thursday when it's really Friday) to the simply satisfying (#727: Letting go of the gas pump at just the right moment), the pain-relieving (#920: Getting the eyelash out of your eye) to small victories (#791: Getting the armrest at the movies), and my personal favorite, #654: Peeling that thin plastic film off of new electronics, the site features new awesomeness every day.

They're counting backwards from 1,000 and are nearing the halfway point; I can't wait to see what comes next!

Have an interesting website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click "New Post" under the website of the day tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Type "Technology and Gadgets" in the Categories box
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Website of the Day").
Choose whether you want the post to be private or public.
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

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.

Box Office: At the Top Is Where the Wild Things Are

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:30:09 -0700

Where the Wild Things Are lived up to its big expectations, taking the top spot at the box office this weekend with $32.4 million.

Audiences disregarded Law Abiding Citizen's less than stellar reviews (including my own), and the film took second place and raked in $21.2 million. Paranomal Activity continues to soar, climbing up to number three and making $20.1 million. Couples Retreat slid down from number 1 to 4 with $17.9 million, and The Stepfather rounded out the top 5 with $12.3 million.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Will You Take Your Kids to See "Where the Wild Things Are?"

babysugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:30:52 -0700

While the Max costume may be the hottest getup of the upcoming Halloween season, many wee ones may not actually see the flick Where the Wild Things Are. Youngsters that can't handle the pages with pictures may not be capable of dealing with the monsters in a silver-screen format. While some tots may be able to handle the long claws and yellowish eyes, others may bolt for the exit sign howling all the way home. But even scarier than the fangs and a sole mission on a boat may be the author of the classic tale's response to the question, "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?" Maurice Sendak's surprising answer:

"I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."

Yikes! It may not be the fear factor that keeps mommies from purchasing those tickets but rather a snarky old man's attitude. Still, will you take the family to see the film? The trailer above is pretty enticing.

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.

View 20 Photos ›

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

Say What? Where the Grouchy Things Are

TresSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

"I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."

- Maurice Sendak, author of the classic children's book-turned-movie Where the Wild Things Are, when asked "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?" I guess this is artistic integrity, but it's kind of a valid question, no? Unless it's simply not a children's movie . . .

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.

View 15 Photos ›

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

Thanksgiving Confessional: Share It and Move On

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:00:02 -0800

Whether you let yourself overindulge or try to keep things in check, it's impossible not to think about food during Thanksgiving. Perhaps you only splurged on the dish that is totally worth the calories to you, or maybe you ate one more piece of pie than you said you would.

The important thing is not to let it get you down. So join me in the Thanksgiving confessional! Leave a comment to shed your guilt about your biggest Thanksgiving indulgence, and together we'll resolve to get back on track now that the feast is over.

Which Magazine Will You Pick Up This Weekend?

PopSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

It's a holiday weekend, which means extra days to check out the week's celebrity headlines. Us kicks things off exploring John Mayer's many relationships, while People examines why Oprah decided to announce the end of her talk show. Life & Style takes us behind the scenes on Angelina and Johnny's upcoming big screen collaboration, and Star takes a look at celebrity bikini bodies. So, tell us - which magazine will you pick up this weekend?

10 Unexpected Thanksgiving Leftovers

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:30:52 -0800

Thanksgiving leftovers can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Tons of turkey meat and side dishes can be great, but not if they mean eating uninspired leftovers with monotonous flavors. Thankfully, there's loads you can do with leftovers beyond pot pie, sandwiches, and chili. Here are 10 of our favorite new ideas.

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