Where the Wild Things Are

Childhood is something that comes and goes too quickly for one to appreciate. It's a time where one doesn't have to worry about everything around them, just the things that matter to them alone. But as is learned sooner or later, you have to grow up.

Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are has that as an overlying theme. Following Max (Max Records) as he escapes to his own imagination, he encounters the titular creatures and is crowned their king. At first Max revels in such an honor but the clashing personalities of the beasts cause a number of problems, many of them Max can't fix.

Based on Maurice Sendak's book of the same name, Jonze expands the 40-page story to explore more of Max's sense of creativity. And knowing Jonze's projects prior to this, it's interesting to see him tackle someone else's work (especially something more family friendly).

With his work often featuring fantastical elements, Jonze practically seems perfect to adapt Where the Wild Things Are. Granted, his previous films could be viewed as adult fairy tales (sometimes in every sense) but here he tones down his usual storytelling. And the result seeps with nostalgia.

Where the Wild Things Are is a decided change of pace for Jonze but it's an interesting one regardless. (What's the likelihood of him doing a similar project in the coming years?) He may be more known for mature (if sometimes crude) stories of whimsey but such familiarity with this type of tale greatly benefits him when doing a family-friendly one. (Oh, and you'll be missing James Gandolfini more as a result of watching this.)

My Rating: ****1/2

Her

The problem with modern romance films is that everything's been done already. It's the same formula for every one. How do you do a romance film that follows the formula but is still a fresh concept?

Spike Jonze answers that question in the form of his new film Her. The film follows the familiar formula but Jonze throws in a little twist. What is it? One half of the main couple is the voice for an OS.

It sounds like an odd concept, certainly, but Jonze provides perhaps one of the most honest films in God knows how long. We've seen so many films that feature backstabbing and lying to the point where when romance gets brought up, it's practically impossible. (Or it feels artificial, depending on the film.) But with Her, it's practically a relief to see characters being truthful and open with one another.

And the performances are great. Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt and Olivia Wilde make the most of their limited screentime. Amy Adams plays the role of the quiet, understanding friend beautifully. And now we get to the true stars of Her: Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. Johansson plays her role wonderfully, proof that she's very capable of giving a great performance with just her voice. And I absolutely love the complete 180 Phoenix did from this and The Master. Such a lovely, vulnerable performance here.

There have only been two films I've seen that I can easily sum up in one word. The films in question are The Apartment and Her. And the word? Perfect.

My Rating: *****

Adaptation

There are people who think a career in Hollywood is easy to achieve. That getting your name in lights takes little effort. Boy, how stupid some people are.

By all accounts, it takes years to garner a name for yourself if you want to be an actor. It'll take even longer if you want to be a director or a writer. Spike Jonze's Adaptation shows the situation for the latter albeit an already established one. Even after you've made a name in Hollywood, it's hard to follow up.

The film was not only written by Charlie Kaufman but also has him as the main character. Kaufman is played by Nicolas Cage, who also plays Kaufman's (fictional) twin brother Donald. Seeing Cage play both the repressed Charlie and the eccentric Donald is an absolute marvel. (When will Cage get another role like this?)

Also among the cast are Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper, both nominated alongside Cage. (Cooper was the victor of the trio.) Both have done a number of serious roles, so seeing them do something more free-spirited is a nice touch. Their nominations (and Cooper's win) were completely justified.

Adaptation could have a number of ways and I'm grateful that it didn't. It gets a little too crazy in some scenes but that didn't stop me from loving it. And again, can someone in Hollywood give Cage a good role again please?

My Rating: *****

Being John Malkovich

Originality in movies is starting to dwindle down to practically nothing. We're essentially having sequels, reboots and remakes crammed down out throats. I don't know about you, but I'm sick of it. Had it not been for the occasional quirky movie, I'd stop watching them.

Puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) has recently taken a job as a file clerk on Floor 7 1/2 of the Mertin Flemmer Building. There, he finds a portal that goes to the mind of John Malkovich (John Malkovich). Upon discovering this, he finds a way to earn money off it, much to the interest of wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) and co-worker Maxine Lund (Catherine Keener).

Man, this was refreshing after a string of unoriginal movies. It would've been fun had Malkovich gotten an Oscar nomination. Cusack and Diaz are both almost recognizable. Though I didn't like the bittersweet ending, I did love the rest of Being John Malkovich. Quirky characters, off-the-wall dialogue and originality by the boatload, Being John Malkovich is a very funny movie.

My Rating: *****