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'Wild Things' a struggle and a joy for director
SAN FRANCISCO -- Maurice Sendak wasted few words writing his 1963 children's picture book "Where the Wild Things Are." A scant 10 sentences were all he needed to tell the story of Max, a boy who is sent to his room without supper and imagines himself in a world of friendly creatures. It was originally to be horses, but Sendak, who also illustrated the book, couldn't draw them.
Director Spike Jonze has done what seemed impossible: he's turned those 10 sentences into a feature film that opens Friday. It stars Max Records, Catherine Keener and the voice talents of James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Cooper and Lauren Ambrose. (Listen to Max read Sendak's story in a special interactive that includes production photos and interview audio clips) .
Early reviews of the book were mixed, but it's now considered a masterpiece of American children's literature. It was awarded the 1964 Caldecott Medal, given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American children's picture book
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Worlds collide in ‘The Magician & the Geisha’
Clovis author Jeff Morris’ book, “The Magician & the Geisha” (Idea Majik, $12.99), is based on a true story. The title characters’ love is tested when the magician must deal with Japanese traditions.
While he changed some elements, the basic story is based on Morris’ own experiences.
“The part in Japan is right on,” he says. “I shared a dressing room with dancers and fell in love with a geisha. I added the ending to give it more drama.”
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Reminiscent of Italy
For years, Daniel Goss admired the house across the street from his Fresno home, just north of downtown. It had brackets under the eaves, columns and narrow windows.
"It was a cool-looking house," says Goss, 52, a dance and aerobic instructor.
When the home became available about five years ago, Goss and his partner, Robert Allgeyer, bought it and have been slowly renovating the house.
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'Wild Things' a dazzling, magical gem
Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" is a literary diamond: simple in design, brilliant in presentation. The author uses a mere 338 words and masterful illustrations to tell the story of a young boy who escapes his real world to a land of warm and snugly creatures.
Director Spike Jonze has taken Sendak's diamond and put it in a cinematic setting that not only underscores the story's simplicity but also presents it in a way that's dazzling and magical.
Sendak's story tells of Max, a young boy -- dressed in a wolf costume -- who is sent to his room without supper after being rude to his mother. He travels mystically to a land of strange creatures only to long for the warmth of his own home.
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Swayze plays ‘Beast’ beautifully
“The Beast: The Complete First Season” Grade B: Patrick Swayze plays FBI veteran Charles Barker. His years of working undercover have blurred the lines of how far he can go to bring the bad guys down. How far he has gone is fodder for the series.
These grizzled law enforcement roles are not easy to play. Play the character as too much of a rogue, and the audience will never connect. Lean toward the more sympathetic version, and the viewer won’t care enough to go along for the ride.
Swayze’s performance is as strong as those done by the likes of Michael Chiklis on “The Shield” or Dennis Franz on “NYPD Blue.” The performance is even more remarkable considering Swayze’s battle with cancer during the filming.
New to the world of books this week in Fresno are the novel version of K. Raven Rozier’s screenplay about a child with multiple personalities and the re-release of a book about Corcoran State Prison’s most noted inmate, Charles Manson. Also, author Vincenza Scarpaci will be in town for a book signing.
“Last Door” (Lulu.com, $19.99) Fresno’s K. Raven Rozier’s new book looks at the true story of a young boy with more than 400 personalities and his family’s efforts to deal with the boy’s secrets.
The story was originally written as a screenplay to be shot in Fresno in 2007. The movie has been delayed but will be shot with Fresno’s Sid Haig as the director.
“We thought we would release the book to create some interest in the movie,” Rozier says. “A story of this magnitude does not come along often for a writer. After I had finished the screenplay, I realized the story was so rich I had to write a book.”
For more information go to lulu.com/lastdoor.
“Five to Die: The Book That Helped Convict Manson” (Thor Publishing, $14.95): Ivor Davis has released an updated version of his book to mark the 40th anniversary of the Sharon Tate murders.
“It has a lot of new startling information, particularly about how the Manson gang in jail are making money on the Internet selling everything from autographed photos, to erotic art, to religious sermons,” Ivor says.
The book first was released in January 1970, seven months before the trial of Charles Manson, Charles “Tex” Watson, Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel.
Ivor says the story is back in the news as Atkins will plead for “compassionate release” on Sept. 2 because she’s suffering from brain cancer.
Go to mansonbook.com for more information.
“The Journey of the Italians in America” (Pelican Pub Co., $40): Vincenza Scarpaci will speak and autograph her book at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Barnes & Noble, 7849 N. Blackstone.
Scarpaci uses photography to examine the history and legacy and presence of Italians in America. The more than 400 photographs look at Italians’ influence on the arts, agriculture, industry, religion, cuisine, sports, and politics.
For more information go to www.italian
americanjourney.org.
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@ fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
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