‘Where The Wild Things Are’ Premieres In NYC
Last night writer Maurice Sendak was on hand for the NYC premiere of the big screen adaption, helmed by visionary director Spike Jonze, of his beloved classic children’s book Where the Wild Things Are. Fans of the book, me included, have been waiting anxiously to see this story come to life in theaters … and we are only days away from the film’s release. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals at last night’s premiere event for Wild Things:
He created a vast wilderness inhabited by scary creatures in Where the Wild Things Are, but Maurice Sendak still seemed overwhelmed by the line of media and photographers that assembled in the urban jungle for the premiere of the big-screen adaptation of his classic book. “Oh, look at this. A real red carpet,” marveled the 81-year-old author as Wild Things director Spike Jonze led him by the hand into New York City’s Alice Tully Hall at the film’s premiere. Jonze did not re-emerge, but Lauren Ambrose and Forrest Whitaker remained outside to brave the October chill and talk about voicing the Wild Things that inhabit the imagination of the story’s central character. “I was so excited to be playing the one I feel I look like, with the long, red hair,” said the flame-tressed Ambrose as she checked out a movie poster featuring an image of her character, a free-spirited monster named KW. “It was very freeing … and I didn’t have to worry about what I looked like.” For Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O, composing the film’s soundtrack was a task that began when she discovered the book as a child. “I remember sitting down at the piano and trying to write a song for it when I was very young,” she said. “I even wrote a poem called Land of the Wild Things. It was longer than the book.” Producer Tom Hanks mused on the dark themes of the story, which have some wondering if kids are indeed the movie’s target audience. “Children are very complex beings. They’re not all fun and games and volleyballs and Nerf guns,” he explained. “They kind of experience bigger mood swings than adults do because they haven’t had any experience yet with loneliness or bitterness or confusion.” Still, 12-year-old Max Records, who makes his feature film debut as Max, insisted there were plenty of PG-13 antics on set. “We hoisted [Spike's] Vespa to the ceiling then covered him with yogurt and rice,” Records remembered. “That was fun.”
As I’ve mentioned many times before on the blog, I am REALLY excited to see this film. I had to stop watching movie trailers back in the Spring for fear of seeing too much of the movie too soon. Where the Wild Things Are is seriously one of my fave books ever (I used to sleep with my copy of the book when I was little) so I really hope the movie version doesn’t destroy my childhood. My hope is that the film will be able to capture the spirit of the book and build on the imaginative magic that Sendak created all those years ago. I deffo plan to see this movie when it opens this weekend. Wee :)
Tags: 'Where The Wild Things Are', Blake Lively, Catherine Keener, Maurice Sendak, Max Records, Spike Jonze
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October 14th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I am really excited for this movie too! I had never heard of it until you started to talk about it here. I might have to check the book out.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I’m really excited to see this movie too, something about it just pulls me in. I think it may be because the director of the movie actually sat down and talked to the author of the book.
I hope it stays close to the feeling the book brought, the author did say he liked how the director was taking it and that it didn’t lose that ‘feel’ the book held.
Also, the boy who plays the child in the movie is really adorable XD N’ they did a good job on the creatures.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Went to an advanced screening last night and it was GREAT. Visuals were fantastic.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Trent, you should totally check out Harry’s review of the movie from aintitcoolnews.com. It made me even more excited to see this movie. According to Harry, who’s opinion I highly value, the movie is flawless is comparison to the book. Yay!
October 14th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I love Blake’s dress here is who made it http://outfitidentifier.com/?p=17535
October 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Did I miss something? Did Penn and Blake break-up, cause his movie premiere was yesterday (or we saw the pictures) but she wasn’t at his movie premiere but all the other Gossip Girls people were there but she was at this premiere. I hadn’t heard they were donzo but…….
October 14th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
@mudarling — Blake was at the afterparty, she didn’t walk the red carpet so that Penn could walk it with his co-star Amber Heard.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
awww @Mr Gyllenhaal – I feel so bad for you, you missed an awesome part of childhood! : ( Where the Wild Things Are, has been fave in my family now for 2 generations! I just wanna give you some milk & cookies & read you a story! : )
October 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Trent, I checked the book out from my library this morning….The Wild Things by Dave Eggers – based on the movie screenplay. It’s amazing! SO dying to see this movie! Love your site!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Yeah, I guess I’m the 2nd person ever who hasn’t read this book- I don’t even remember hearing of it until a few years ago! All of my 30-something friends love it.
October 15th, 2009 at 2:55 am
I’ve heard bad reviews so far… Visually it’s amazing but apparently the writing and story was terrible. I’m sure fans of the book will still love it (myself included) but dont get too excited!
October 15th, 2009 at 11:13 am
yea!!! can’t wait to take my girls to this movie. i don’t care what the ‘critics’ say — they aren’t always right!