I do not like this as a movie; I do not think it will be groovy. (1 Viewer)

[John Kilduff]

The release date is nigh
For "The Cat In The Hat"

SKG and Imagine
Hope they'll get fat

From the cash and promotions
Upon this film's release

No matter that Myers
Looks like a beast

Still, it looks like a lock
For the best make-up Oscar

(I'm stuck,
I know no words that rhyme with Oscar)

Although buzz isn't good
And I might be in traction

I'll be spending my cash
On "Looney Tunes: Back In Action"

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Is what I do say
Let's hope these bad film ideas just go away.

 

[Nathan V]

Scott, that's gotta be the most hilarious press release ever. The utter seriousness in which the subject matter is discussed had me falling out of my chair. Examples-

"Using their "Ring-Ring FunNumber Thing", the unique code found on each specially marked package, consumers call a toll-free number"

"MasterCard's Cat in the Hat program will be promoted via an integrated media strategy"

"-- The national promotion will be interactive and supported on specially marked jars of Smucker's(R) Fruit Spreads and Jif(R) Peanut Butter,"

And some of the concepts seem downright pathetic-

"a strong chance of winning free batteries or Cat in the Hat merchandise like sweatshirts or hats"

"-- Consumers can win one of the following prizes...a Cat in the Hat striped hat, or a Cat in
the Hat plush toy"

And of course, I can't wait for what the post office is gonna do.

 

[MartinTeller]

Even though I know most Hollywood movies are just made to pimp corporate products to the masses, reading press releases like that still depresses the hell out of me.

And oh yeah, this movie has "crap" written all over it.

 

[Alex Prosak]

This movie is gonna be freakin' awful! Although months late, Craig's poetic rag sounded like something Muhammed Ali would have said about the movie. LOL!!!

 

[Craig S]

Although months late, Craig's poetic rag sounded like something Muhammed Ali would have said about the movie.

Man, I can't believe it's been well over a year since I wrote that damn thing at 4 in the morning...
I still stand by every word!!

 

[David Brass]

Saw the theatrical trailer for this on Friday last.

As someone who grew up with The Cat in the Hat, frankly I felt violated.

 

[Scott Weinberg]

Yeah.

Except in jest, I really hate to bash a flick prior to its release...but this one looks like a pepperoni-induced nightmare of the highest order.

And this is coming from someone who LIKES the Grinch movie!

 

[Greg_S_H]

The smily links weren't working last night, so I couldn't use this to sum up my feelings about the trailer. The memory lingers, so:

There. Better.

 

[Nicholas Vargo]

My question is who gave the directing assignment to Bo Welch. That was just bad. Sure, I have a feeling I was in "Beetlejiuce" while watching the trailer, but "The Cat in the Hat" is no "Beetlejuice", and I hope it falls flat on its face. Bo Welch should continue to do what he is best at: production designing.

But guess what, guys?

People are going to see it, no matter how bad it might seem to us, because the American public in general (and not us up here) doesn't know a bad movie if it came up and bit them on the ass. It is the simple fact of this country, and if anyone is offended by that comment, I apologize, but it is true.

If it fails, I feel the blame shoudl be put on not only director Bo Welch, but Mike Myers as well.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me just say that this film could be a great surprise and end up being very good, but until the film comes out, we can't really make guesses just on the basis of a few stills (which to me, don't tell us anything), and a lackluster trailer (where the marketing department might be trying to make it look like a bad movie). When the movie comes out, we'll know the whole deal.

 

[Ricardo C]

Just watched the teaser and the trailer.

In a word? CREEPY. I wonder how many children will be dragged to this thing and end up with chronic nightmares.

 

[Michael Martin]

I have no doubt that if Howard had filmed the original 20 something minute cartoon with the original dialog, it would have been a masterpiece.

Agreed 100%. With the home video market as big as it is, the theaters could make more money AND create higher quality films if they weren't so obsessed with big box office. It would have been cool if Howard had done a 20-30 minute short with a big budget and released it directly to DVD in early November. Would have made a killing, and would have been a far better film.

 

[Magnus T]

Just saw the trailer... I'm speechless... And I think I've lost the will to live...

 

[MatthewLouwrens]

Wanna hear something scary?
According to the News Briefs onSciFi Wire

Brian Grazer, producer of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, told SCI FI Wire that the film brings a heightened reality to problems that will be accessible to kids. "Whereas The Grinch was an adventure in a fantasy world, The Cat in the Hat is sort of Edward Scissorhands meets Home Alone," Grazer said in an interview.
Grazer added, "It's sort of like that, because it's a relatable world. But it's a limited color palette, and the neighborhood is specific. Of course [director] Bo Welch did the first couple Batmans with Tim Burton and actually Edward Scissorhands as well," as a production designer.
In Cat in the Hat, two children find themselves home alone, but not allowed to go into certain rooms or to use their Game Boys or other high-tech gadgets, Grazer said. "So they're bored out of their minds," he added. "How are they going to have fun? They absolutely don't think it's possible. And the Cat comes in as a catalyst and changes their world." The Cat in the Hat opens Nov. 21

 

[Qui-Gon John]

I can never get that trailer link to work. Not from home and not at work. Anyone able to find it anywhere else, preferably as an .avi or an .mpg!

 

[MikeFR]

Yikes that is frightning.

Only thing that may save this movie is Dakota Fanning or hallucinagens.

 

[Scott Weinberg]

Well hmm. I guess everyone knows this will be a massive super-smash hit...so the following news (from ComingSoon.net ) should come as no surprise:
Personally, I wanna see "Woody Allen's Hop on Pop".

 

[Scott Weinberg]

And my pal Ed Havens over at www.Filmjerk.com just informed me that The Cat in the Hat runs 82 minutes...including credits.
Hell, I've already seen more than 82 minutes of Cat-related commercials!

 

[Brenton]

I wonder if they'll make Green Eggs and Ham...?

 

[Seth Paxton]

I guess I will stand alone saying that this looks to be a better adaptation than the Grinch was (which I rather enjoyed actually, though I prefer the animated version so much more).

It may be boring old formula to people (stick the comedian in the outfit and let him ham it up), but I don't think the film will be outright poor. I think the art direction looks inspired.

My doubts are fading a bit on this one, though it still sits far down my list of "to see" films at this point.

 

[Brian W.]

Personally, I wanna see "Woody Allen's Hop on Pop".