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 :)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

It looks as if Michelle Williams and director/producer Spike Jonze are ready to take their semi-private relationship sorta-public. The pair attended the NY premiere of her new movie Synecdoche, New York (she stars, he produced) earlier this week and they were seen acting very amorously towards one another without care of who was watching. Now, we all know that Michelle Williams is a very private person — when it comes to her personal life, she always has been — so it really says something that she is willing to show public displays of affection for the special man in her life in plain view of the public’s watchful eye. Here is a pic of Michelle and Spike at the premiere of her movie this week and a couple pics of Michelle with her daughter Matilda (with the late Heath Ledger) out and about in NYC the day after her premiere:

After months of low-key dating, it seems Michelle Williams and Spike Jonze are finally ready to take their romance public. After attending a Cinema Society screening of their new film, Synecdoche, New York in Manhattan Wednesday night, the couple walked out of the auditorium with Jonze caressing Williams’ back and wrapping his arm around her waist. The pair held hands as they walked through the lobby, where they met up with Synecdoche costar Catherine Keener. While the two women chatted and munched on popcorn, Jonze snaked his arm around Williams’ waist again. “He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her,” said an onlooker. “It was very cute.” But the sparks really started to fly later that night, when they headed to the Gramercy Hotel’s rooftop club for the Mulberry-sponsored afterparty. While the two – who have been romantically linked since this summer – talked with friends, they stood so close they were “practically spooning,” said one fellow guest. And later, when they decided to leave the bash at around 1 a.m., Williams and Jonze shared a mini makeout session – on their way to the elevator.

I am thrilled that Michelle Williams appears to have found a new person to get romantical with. Whether it’s fair or not, I tend to consider Michelle a very sad person … I’m glad to know that she’s getting some nookie at least. Hopefully it’ll help her demeanor. The pics of Michelle with Matilda are just too cute. That little girl’s adorableness just kills me. It looks like she is getting the start on the Halloween fun with that purple princess/fairy dress. It looks like life is very good for the Williams women these days.

[Photo credit: INFdaily, Splash News; Source]