By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Where the Wild Things Are’
Directed by Spike Jonze
Rated PG, 101 minutes
Director Spike Jonze has created an amazing film filled with feelings of friendship, fear and isolation. Max (Max Records) is a young boy full of imagination. After acting out in front of his mom (Catherine Keener), he runs away and takes a magical trip to the land of the Wild Things. He befriends Carol (voiced by James Gandolfini), who proclaims him king of the land. The two join the rest of the Wild Things — Alexander (Paul Dano), KW (Lauren Ambrose), Judith (Catherine O’Hara), Ira (Forest Whitaker), Douglas (Chris Cooper) and The Bull (Michael Berry Jr.) — and they “let the wild rumpus start.” Soon, Max begins to miss his mom and discovers the Wild Things are not as cuddly as they seem. “Where the Wild Things Are” is one of the most original films I’ve ever seen, and it takes viewers on an adventure like no other. CV
‘The NeverEnding Story’
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
1984, Rated PG, 102 minutes
Sticking with the childhood theme, I chose the magical film “The NeverEnding Story.” I watched this film so much growing up that the VHS tape finally quit working. At the time, the film was praised for creating a uniquely new world, much like “Where the Wild Things Are.” The story follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver), who is bullied on a daily basis. After taking refuge in a bookstore, he discovers a book that is “not safe.” But instead of heeding the store owner’s warning, Bastian steals the book and begins to read “The NeverEnding Story.” Bastian becomes engulfed in Fantasia, the book’s fantasy world, and the story of Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), a young warrior sent to end “the Nothing” that is destroying the land. “The NeverEnding Story” is full of imagination and still has the magic and mysticism I enjoyed as a child. CV
