HTF REVIEW: How THE GRINCH Stole Christmas (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

How THE GRINCH Stole Christmas

I had to go back and read my http://www.hometheaterforum.com/sneak/thegrinch.html
Ronald Epstein (pronounced like the English "Ronald Epstein")
Circa 2000
Home Theater Forum Administrator
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[Sean-D]

Hey Ronald,
I think UNIVERSAL should hire you to promote all of their new releases! I never got around to seeing the movie in the theater, so I had to wait until it's release on dvd. Your description was very detailed (I love details!) on exactly what you get. I only wish these studios would make sure that every movie that they release is presented in it's best possible light. To release a big budget movie like THE GRINCH without the best possible picture and sound is a damn shame. If it's as good as you say it is, I'll probably end up buying it anyway. We need more reviews like this on the web. Mis-information on some of these online dvd retailers is very confusing to say the least. Ron, thanks for the heads up.
Does anyone think that the "suits" in the office care at all about the dvd authoring process for these discs? It seems as though some of the releases in the past few years were sourced from old VHS videos. Or my personal favorite, theSpecial Editions that cost more and only contain a trailer.

I wonder sometimes if they even know how their owned dvd's are made. Do you guy's just want a movie on dvd asap, or do you want the best dvd that technology can produce?(may cost more money)
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Sean-D.
"If at first you don't succeed,...remove all evidence that you ever tried."

 

[Bob Cashill]

I had the same problem with the theatrical presentation that you had with the DVD: The candy colors just didn't "pop" the way I thought they would. I think this may be the "fault" of the film more than the DVD, in quotes as this may have been what Howard had in mind to begin with.

 

[Brett Miles]

Carrey was born to do this role, and he literally
chews up the scenery . . .

Are you sure about this? I haven't seen the movie, but this seems like a pretty odd thing to do, even for him

.

 

[DanR]

Hey Ron,
Regarding your comments on the picture looking soft, I'm just wondering if that was the way the movie was filmed to give it a fanstasy/story-book type feel? What do you think?
Regards,
Dan

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Dan,
I don't have that answer, but I presume that
this is the way it was filmed.
It's sort of a shame. This is one of the most
colorful movies in recent memory, and it is really
hindered by the fact that the picture is too soft.
Colors look good, but they aren't vibrant.
Look in the Supplementals at video footage taken
on the set and you are amazed at how much bolder
and brighter the colors are.
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Ronald Epstein (pronounced like the English "Ronald Epstein")
Circa 2000
Home Theater Forum Administrator
All forum questions & to get on our private forum mailing list (new members)... Email: [email protected]
Problems with the webpage or site? Contact WEBMASTER
Email Packy [email protected]

 

[Tyler Ruggeri]

Ron,
I saw The Grinch in the theaters and I absolutely believe that the problems with the picture you describe were intentional. Everything you noted was the same as I experienced it, and Howard must have been going for that look all along. Plus, a major release of a recent film most likely wouldn't have such problems anyway.
Tyler Ruggeri

 

[Patrick Sun]

Yes, that's sort of the way the film looked in the theaters, a bit drab, dull, and nondescript. Didn't really like the film too much either though, but kids will eat it up.

 

[Wes]

Don't tell me they left off Faith Hills video????? Look a little harder Ron, its got to be there. And please tell me its in 5.1!
Wes

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Don't tell me they left off Faith Hills video?????

They didn't - it's in there...
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Colin Jacobson
DVD Movie Guide
www.dvdmg.com

 

[AaronJB]

While I enjoy Don Peterman's cinematography on other pictures such as Sonnenfeld's "Get Shorty" and "Men In Black", I don't see why he and Ron Howard made the choice to film this picture in such a soft manner.

 

[Karsten Serck]

I just finished watching the Region 2 release of The Grinch and agree with you that the picture looks a little soft and pale. This is something unusual for a new movie like The Grinch although I think that this is somewhat intentional. What annoyed me even more is the inproper adjustment of black level. Dark tones are much to bright and there is a scene in the beginning of chapter 5 where The Grinch enters his hole that is supposed to be black and looks rather grey-blue. Is black level a problem on the Region 1 release too?

 

[Scott Weinberg]

I also liked this movie quite a bit! In honor of Ron getting his beloved DVD, here's my all-poetry review:
It’s the month before Christmas when the big movies open
To snag all our money, the producers are hopin’
Ron Howard’s new comedy features the Grinch
With Jim Carrey on hand, it’s a blockbuster cinch.
The movie is fun although a little bit slight
Still, a perfect choice for Family Movie Night.
The effects are amazing and the costumes to boot
The makeup is stellar and the dog is real cute.
Inspired by Seuss and his classic cartoon,
Ron Howard’s ample budget began to balloon.
He made the right choice by casting Jim Carrey,
Although other cast choices do certainly vary.
As Cindy Lou Who, Taylor Momsen is sweet,
And Jeffrey (“Hey Now”) Tambor is always so neat.
As Cindy Lou’s Dad, Bill Irwin is wimpy,
And Christine Baranski’s wardrobe is too skimpy.
But why moan and complain about the supporting roles,
When the movie itself has its own set of holes.
The pacing is spotty and the screenplay erratic.
But when Carrey shows up, things truly get manic.
He enlivens the show, acting loony and crazy,
And improves any movie with a screenplay that’s lazy.
When the plot gets too draggy, and the script starts to slow,
Carrey’s on hand to simply steal the whole show.
His performance is stellar, fantastic, inspired
But the production designer is who should have been fired.
It’s based on a cartoon, so some license is given,
But this movie looks garish, yet can still be forgiven.
The plot line is everything you know from before,
With a whole bunch of new Whos introduced by the score.
We learn about why The Grinch is so stingy,
So smelly and nasty and all-around Grinchy.
As a whole, Howard’s vision is a whole lot of fun,
For parents and children or just anyone.
Yet again, we are treated to Carrey’s wild schtick,
But the movie’s not sappy and it won’t make you sick.
The flaws may be evident up there on the screen,
But I can’t see you hating it, unless you’re real mean.
Since Christmas-time movies are often so crass,
It’s nice to see one that doesn’t fall on its ass.
Once in a while, a true ‘high-concept’ movie
Turns out to be funny and all-around groovy.
Casting Jim as the Grinch was a brilliant conceit,
One that will surely expand the box office receipts.

Looking forward to this disc!!
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Scott Weinberg
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http://www.ofcs.org

 

[Henry Carmona]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrey was born to do this role, and he literally
chews up the scenery . . .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you sure about this? I haven't seen the movie, but this seems like a pretty odd thing to do, even for him

Colin, Yes, Carrey is remarkable in this role.
PS- Thank you Ron.
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"Charlie don't surf."

 

[Brett Miles]

Henry: Actually it was me that said that, not Colin, and you're not understanding my joke. I was referring to Ron's use of the word "literally." In order for Carrey to literally chew the scenery, he would have to open his mouth and bite down repeatedly on a set piece. He may have figuratively chewed the scenery, however. Sorry, the incorrect use of the word is just one of my pet peeves .

 

[Kevin. W]

Just watched the DVD and it was excellent. To bad I missed it in the theatres($50 for 3 people--seesh).
Kevin

 

[Henry Carmona]

Brett,
I feel stupid
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"Charlie don't surf."

 

[Brad_W]

Okay, so since my other How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD review was not read and forgoton here is the...
speilberg spoiler:
Spoiler:When you select DTS it takes you to the ET trailer for the re-release and it's in DTS!
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