Review: Where The Wild Thing Are

Based on the classic short children’s story by Maurice Sendak, Where The Wild Things Are takes us into Max’s world and introduces us to a world of magical monsters, and childhood anger.

The film is visually perfect. I couldn’t tell what was puppetry, and what was CG. The world of the wild things is beautiful, and captures the essence of the children’s book illustrations. It is not very colorful, but wonderful to look at for young and old.

The film was both confusing and boring. It was too much like the book. When you adapt any media into another, things must be changed. Especially when you have such a short single-minded book. Yes, they added a backstory, but that was all. The movie was just an expression of childhood anger, much like the book. Once Max got to the land of the wild things the plot ceased to move forward and just became a series of angry expression by Max and the wild things. Too much like the book. The filmmakers appear to use the book theme as an excuse for not having a good story.

The synopsis of the expanded story could’ve been pulled right from H.R. Pufnstuf. Hopefully, Sid and Marty Krofft will see this movie and use it to help determine the direction an Pufnstuf feature film should take. Honestly, the 1970s camp film “Pufnstuf” was a much better movie.

I give “Where The Wild Things Are” a didn’t really need to see it.

Couples Retreat — Asstastic

Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau and Peter Billingsley. That was all I needed to know to buy a ticket. Topped off with Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Faizon Love, it became a must see. Couples Retreat is the latest in the new ‘not-quite-romantic comedies’. It’s a drama that also brings the funny. Many elitist moviegoers and reviewers have no appreciation for this kind of film. I definitely do. It’s not high art, or high comedy. But it is high entertainment.

The real life friendship of Vaughn, Bateman, Favreau and Billingsley (director) really pays off on screen. Their interaction is seamless. Yes, the core of their characters is the same as in previous movies, but it’s so good that your not distracted at all. They are all just so entertaining to watch.

I am very glad to see Kristen Bell playing mature roles. She was somewhat typecast with her excellent portrayal as Veronica Mars, but between Sarah Marshall and Retreat she has now established herself as a ‘adult’. She was the perfect choice to play opposite Bateman. I was pleasantly surprised by Malin Akerman. I’ve never been a huge fan of hers before, but she was great in this movie. She is on her way to becoming another Leslie Mann.

As with The Break-Up, writers Vaughn and Favreau bring real feelings and issues to the screen. Every married couple can find a way to relate to at least one of the couples in this movie. What was missing that The Break-Up had was pulling you in so far that you began to feel uncomfortable watching. Retreat could have accomplished this during the montage of arguments between the couples. They started to, but never went all the way. I’m guessing it ended up on the cutting room floor.

I give Couples Retreat at really glad I seen it.

Kevin Smith’s “Hit Somebody” to Film in Detroit Next Summer

We’ve know for sometime that Kevin Smith is teaming up with Mitch Albom to make adapt the song (below) “Hit Somebody”, by Warren Zevon, in to a feature film.

On September 19th, Smith met with Albom at Joe Louis Arena. That night at his show, Kevin said that one of Mitch Albom’s conditions was that it be shot in Detroit. He went on to say that it’s kind of a no-brainer to “…shoot a hockey movie in Hockeytown”, and that shooting would most likely begin summer 2010.

UPDATE: Kevin sat down with Vanity Fair and talk about “Hit Somebody”. ViewAskew has the good stuff.

Here is the song that inspired the movie:

An Evening With Kevin Smith

Last night Kevin Smith lit up the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Smith was kicking off his 2009 Fall Tour with a stop in Michigan. The show is based on the successful series of concerts he’s done over the years. They’ve also clearly been influenced and enhanced by SModcast.

Kevin came out on stage appearing as if he just woke from a nap and hurried over from his hotel (which we learn early in the show is pretty accurate). He then proceeded to disrobe and adorn a trench robe, mimicking his signature trench coat. After a slight introduction he started right into the Q&A. The first question was a great way to start the night.

Those show follow Kevin on Twitter were aware that he spent the morning at Joe Louis Arena, the home of the Detroit Red Wings. The first question was if Kevin has any plans to film in Michigan. Kevin then explains that he was at Joe Louis meeting with Mitch Albom discussing his next film, “Hit Somebody”, which he plans on filming in Detroit. So we should suspect to see a lot more of Smith in Michigan next summer.

Smith gets better and better the more he does these shows. He’s funny, but not a comedian. That is a great combo, as his stories are interesting and informative as well as being hilarious. One of the questions involved a guy whom wanted a tattoo of Kevin’s autograph on his forearm. Kevin eventually convinced him the tat should be on his ass-cheek. I hope this doesn’t start a trend. The guys buddy eventually got up and started heckling Kevin…stupid. You don’t heckle a heckler. Even though Kevin handled it well, it kind of ruined the high the show was on at the time.

The highlight of the night was at the end of the show. A woman started her question with, “…as a member of the clergy…”. The genuine reaction as Kevin looked up at her (like a deer in headlights) was priceless. The following exchange between the two was awesome, and illustrated how cool Kevin is, and how cool his genuine fans are. It was the perfect thing to top off the night.

The only downside is that being a SModcast fan, I’ve already heard a few of the stories he told. That said, the way he told them still made me chuckle. I can’t wait until Kevin comes back to Hockeytown.

Have you seen Kevin on this latest tour? Leave your comments below.

For more pictures of the night, check Twitter.

Report From The Hollywood Show

This past weekend The Hollywood Show was held at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. The two day event was filled with many stars spanning 60 years of television and film. This was the first time I’ve ever attended an event like this, and travelled from Michigan to experience it first hand.

Several of the Krofft family was there, including Marty Krofft himself. For coverage of the Krofft portion of the show, go to KROFFT.NET.

The main attraction was the Happy Days cast. Everyone of the core cast was there except Ron Howard. Throughout the day there was a huge lineup to see get autographs and pictures with the cast. I spoke with Henry Winkler and Marion Ross. They were both amazing to talk to, and Marion hasn’t aged a day. The whole cast seemed to be enjoying there time at the show, especially Erin Moran. She was just as excited to see some of her celebrity friends as the fans were to see her.

As a big fan of The View Askewniverse, it was exciting to meet Jason Mewes (not to mention my wife’s infatuation with him. He was very genuine, and was the only celebrity to spend the entire day in front of his table. As I expected, he was very humble, and put on the “Jay” attitude for pictures. It was great (now if I had only remembered my Clerks DVD for him to sign. It already has Kevin Smith’s autograph). My wife took a picture with him and got a great autograph.

Along with The Brady Kids, Christopher Knight’s wife, and the first America’s Next Top Model, Adrianne Curry was there supporting Precious Paws. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t watch Top Model but first discovered Adrianne on The Surreal Life where she met her husband Chris. It was a joy meeting Adrianne in person. We arrived as they were setting up (the show was so unorganized) and had a chance to meet Adrianne and Chris before the crowds came. She was very down to earth (as was the whole Brady group) and very good to her fans. I only wish I had more time to talk with her as I do love to read her blog and would have enjoyed discussing some of her life philosophy in person.

From what I’ve heard, Lou Ferrigno is a sweetheart, but he is very intimidating to meet in person. The man is huge and solid. I had him autograph two pictures for my sons. I felt like a little kid when I shook his hand.

There were many other celebrities there, but the show itself was run horribly. The celebrities were told it opened at 10am, but they let us in at 9am (and 80% of them weren’t there, and the ones that were there were setting up). They had Marty Krofft in a corner next to Playboy Models no where near the other Krofft actors. They had Rosanna Arquette stuffed in the corner behind the Happy Days line where she couldn’t be seen. They had Jason Mewes next to the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. Not to mention Phil LaMarr and Billy West (Futurama) buried in the corner of the lobby next to a Psychic. But, would I got again…Yes.

Please leave you questions or your own experiences below in the comments.

Will Ralph Hinkley Get A Cameo?

Look at what happening to William Katt! News is out that former cast members will be getting a cameo in the upcoming “The Greatest American Hero” movie. Read more

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