Tuesday, October 27, 2009

What's the brouhaha about?

I am sure you've run into writers blogs that have been in an uproar about comments Click here to read made by Sendak about the release of his movie, Where The Wild Things Are. Here's a better article that people aren't talking about that explains a lot about himself. Click to read. In the first link I gave you, he told the parents who think the new film of his picture book is too frightening for children to "go to hell". Okay, he's an ol' codger evidently. I'll grant you that. Grumpy too, probably. But I wish they'd just leave it alone and talk about his writing not his codgerness. Do we stop admiring Van Gogh's work because he was plagued with mental illness? Should we really listen to(gasp)Beethoven in lieu of his metal problems? Of course. I love Van Gogh's paintings and Beethoven's music. So...

I'm a little tired of the free-for-all so I've decided to talk about it today. People reacting in this way is a plus for him. More people will want to go and see the movie now. Hollywood has wanted to make this movie for years and Sendak wanted only one director, Jonze and that he told him to make it scary because the book was scary when it was released. It was supposed to be. So you wouldn't take your four year old, but you could take your ten or eleven year old.

First of all, Sendak is brilliant. He has worked hard and become an accomplished writer. He can say whatever he wants to. Children will still read his books. He is who he is. His books are still great. And he knows it. And I know it. What say you? :)

20 comments:

  1. Bravo! I have to admit, I think he was right in making it scary-it's about more than behaving for your parents, it's about facing fears. It's so much deeper than cookie cutter mom's want to admit. You're right, I believe he is brilliant, and lots of adults tell other's to "go to hell", he just gets a barrage because of envious people.

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  2. Kristi, agreed. It is envious, begrudging, folks who really haven't ever read to their kids anyway. *she screams* And it does go much deeper. Thanks :)

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  3. I think people need to get lives! Not us, my friend, we obviously have them, but the people who have nothing better to do then pick on other people.

    Harry Potter - Oh, the book's about witches and wizards, it's evil, my children can't read that book. I believe that was one of the many comments going around when the second book came out. You know what? I bet the majority of the people making those comments never read the book.

    The Golden Compass - have't read the book, haven't seen the movie, but boy, oh, boy were the blogs and articles flying when the book was made into a movie. Yes, I read the articles. No, I didn't see the movie. I didn't have any interest.

    Watchdog Groups - people who think they are far more intelligent then the rest of society and can determine what is right and proper for everybody to watch on tv, read, or whatever. My advice to them: get a life. I'm perfectly capable of deciding what to read, watch, and eat, and whatever, all on my own.

    Ooops, sorry for the rant. I seriously think that many people jump on a bandwagon without knowing all the facts and, many times, never having read the book or seen the movie and/or television show they are protesting.

    And, controversy = viewership, so perhaps this whole hoopla was devised by the Hollywood Machine to get people to go to the movie. Hmmmmm . . .

    Great post.

    S

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  4. I think sometimes it's better not to know too much behind the story. I mean, if we knew what some actor was REALLY like, we'd probably never watch their movies again. It just ruins the final outcome of their masterpiece.

    Then again, I'm one of those snoopy people that likes to go behind the scenes and learn more. So, it's almost like a win-lose situation.

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  5. I had no idea about this movie Wild Things, or the books even. Where have I been? They say negative publicity is better than none, and this proves it, because now I want to get the book and see the movie to form my own opinion. Wonder if it's in theatres here yet?

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  6. I think one problem is people take comments out of context. When you read the whole article, it's a conversation and people talk like that. Sendak is probably really tired of people who say his work is too scary or too provocative. He's been dealing with that for more than 40 years, and still Where the Wild Things Are is one of the most popular picture books ever.

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  7. Good for you Robyn! I totally agree with you.

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  8. Scott, I totally agree that watchdog groups seem to have THEIR best interest at heart when they RECOMMEND things to us poor folks that don't know how to choose for ourselves.

    It steams me. I DO know how to pick and choose. The scary thing is...people listen to these groups without forming their own opinions. YIKES! And I CHOSE not to read The Golden Compass or see the movie after discovering things about it that conflicts with my Christian beliefs. BUT. I made this decision myself without any help from anyone else. Thanks Scott. :)

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  9. In this world any and all PR works to the writer/producer/artist's advantage, even the controversial. :)

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  10. Robyn - I knew there was a reason I liked you! I think the fact that these alleged Watchdog groups think they have the right (ok, free speech, I know) to attempt to influence people to not watch something, and the fact that their actions imply people aren't capable of choosing on their own, is what really bothers me.

    You and I, and probably the majority of people, are perfectly capable of deciding things for ourselves. : )

    S

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  11. Linda, snoopy? Uh, *she whispers* "Me too." :)

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  12. Eileen, It might be in Canada, but I'm not sure. You definitely need to buy the picture book. :)

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  13. Tricia, Agreed. I know if it were me, I'd be SICK of it.:)

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  14. Susan, thanks. I just wish folks would talk about his WRITING. You know?:)

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  15. Angie, it is great for his business. :)

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  16. Scott, yes, but what makes these groups think they know better than we do? Grrrrrr

    I'd love it if more folks would put them in their place.

    All the same, some folks wouldn't make a move without those groups telling them when and where. Sad, very sad. :)

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  17. Hi Robyn! I'm with Eileen on this one - can't say I've heard any hype, good or bad. Guess I'll attribute it to the fact that I don't have kids begging to see it...

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  18. Robyn, I agree. Would parents take their children to see Edgar Allen Poe's Tell-Tale Heart....um know. Need I say more?

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  19. Oh...one more thing. I'll bet that the same thing happens again this spring when Johnny Depp stars in the upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie. I'm sure it won't be like anything we've ever seen Alice do before. But you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be the first in line to buy a ticket.

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  20. I didn't read the entire article, but I read 80% of it. It was really interesting! Coincidentally, I went to see the movie this weekend. I thought it was quite good. I've always loved the artwork in the book, so I was really excited to see how that "came to life." Sendak sounds very cool.

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