CATHOUC COURIER DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER. NY- THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23.2000 RAGE 9 i^m v Carrey outshines otlferi ill flawed 'Grinch' By Anne Navarro The pug-nosed, hair-lipped townsfolk dressed in dieir bright costumes and run Catholic News Service ning anxiously around Whoville fade into NEW YORK (CNS) - Director Ron the background, widi none of the film's Howard brings the classic tale "Dr. Seuss' odier stars making much of an impression. How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (Uni This includes Momsen, who shares no versal) to the big screen with mixed results. chemistry widi Carrey and offers a wince- The original Dr. Seuss book and later die worthy little ditty in which die 8-year-old 1966 Chuck Jones cartoon adaptation of laments die passing of her carefree days. "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" are so Carrey gets to dirow out numerous zip wonderful, one wonders why filmmakers py one-liners (many aimed at chaperoning would want to touch die tale even with a 39- parents) widi manic speed, but the film as and-a-half-foot pole. a whole plays like a series of stretched-out In the brightly decorated town of skits clumsily strung togedier. And die elab Whoville, the residents are busy with their orate and fanciful sets, widi colorful stores yuletide preparations, which consist main and homes teetering perilously forward, ap ly of buying, buying and more buying. The pear dinky, like a poor man's "Wizard of Whos have caught the commercialism bug, Oz." The result is diat Carrey takes in die all except for young Cindy Lou Who (Tay viewer, even if die rest of die film does not. lor Momsen), who dunks everyone is ker- Moviegoers can expect to see more of bobbled over the shopping and all die Dr. Seuss' books translated onto die big hoopla and wonders what die true mean screen, as it seems production for "The Cat ing of Christmas is. Univwsal/CNS in die Hat" is already under way. As far as Hoping to give die classic fable a more Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey star in a scene from "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch die Grinch goes, Carrey seems to have edgy feel, Howard went through eight Stole Christmas." The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-ll — adults stolen more dian just Christmas. scripts before Seuss' widow Audrey Geisel and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating Is PG — The humor in "Dr. Seuss' How The gave her approval. Seuss' original story is parental guidance suggested. Grinch Stole Christmas" is tame enough for retold in die last diird of die film, where pre-teens to enjoy as well. viewers hear die familiar rhymes and see counts is caring for family, friends and Nearly unrecognizable under a well- Because of some crass humor, including die mean-spirited Grinch disguise himself neighbors, not die gifts or die glitter asso crafted green mask and hand-dyed yak fur, mild sexual innuendo, the U.S. Catholic as Santa Claus, sneak into die town of ciated widi Christmas. (It is ironic, though, Carrey offers a surprisingly good rendition Conference classification is A-II — adults Whoville on Christmas Eve and steal all die diat a film that takes a swipe at commer of die Grinch, widi glimpses of die familiar and adolescents. The Motion Picture Asso residents' presents. cialism is offering so much tie-in merchan Carrey rubber face popping out every so ciation of America rating is PG — parental The first two-diirds of the film psycho dise, just in time for Christmas.) ' often. The gravely voice he has created for guidance suggested. analyze why die Grinch hates Christmas, Akhough die film's sentiment is certain die Grinch, a cross between a dopey Jimmy • •• coming up.widi a story of unrequited pup ly good, it is a secularized explanation diat Stewart and a wrathful Sean Connery, adds Navarro is on the staff of the U.S. Catholic py love on a fateful Christmas Eve diat sent omits die real importance of Christmas, a lively dimension to die character. Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting. die spurned Grinch to the top of Mount namely die commemoration of Christ's Crumpit to loadie die Whos and die yule- birth, which was stated more explicitly in tide holiday forevermore. die cartoon by die depiction of die East star We're With You Whether you're ready to simplify The film's message is that what really in die sky. your life, eliminate the demands, of Every Step of home ownership, or you require the Way assistance everyday, The Gables is Gracious Independent Living with you every step of the way. Refreshing Retirement BROOKDALE Lifestyle Choices THE GABLES •Located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Penfield f 7* at BRIGHTON
•Luxury apartments available this fall ' .--•... * ••• •Eliminate household work Exceptional Senior Living •No entrance fees For more information or to schedule a •Now Renting! personal visit, please call: Our retirement counselors can show you or I ..'•:'.. W a loved one how to improve your lifestyle 716-461-1880 with little or no change to your budget. 40 Willow Pond Way • Penfield, NY 14526 ' f: •' *m Z. 2001 Clinton Avenue www.independentliving.ee South Rochester, NY 14G*S www.rochesterindepehdentliving.com A NEW HOWIE FOR THE j^k [email protected] -'v»v.. 716-388-PQND (388-7663) HOLIDAYS, CALL NOW! InSSf The Gables provides equal housing opportunities to all | CC1100 individuals 62 years of afje or older.
We Gather Together
Apply now to save on your Hew York Slate prescription costs Sunday, November 26 EPIC, New York State's Prescription 7:00 p.m. Prescription Plan, has been improved so you WXXI-TV2I (cable II) Protection may now be eligible even if you for Seniors weren't before! Travel across Upstate New York and If you (or a friend or relative) are 65 or older and your income is under$35,000 a year if you're single or under $50,000 if you're married, find out how EPIC can help you'll find all faiths.housed in all shapes you cut your prescription costs. of architectural design. These structures For more information, call EPIC at 1-800-332-3742 or mail the coupon to EPIC, hold stories of faith and religiprv enriched with cultural and! visual Sfieasurgs, Yes, I'm interested in saving money on my prescription drugs. Please send me a free EPIC brochure. These are our HSOses'bfWdrs^."; v *"' Nanje ± ? ry? Address. 7:i7 .State. Zip. w^^xi.org •Statfof-New YorH* George E. Pataki, Governor fe EPIC • P.O. Box 15018 • Albany, NY 12212