A Newbie's Take on HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (4K)

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS 25th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD)

2000 / 105 min

Universal

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Biscuit Maker😽

For me, the 1966 Chuck Jones-directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas has always been the greatest holiday TV special ever made. Charming, whimsical and, most importantly, succinct, it remains a Christmas staple in my house, even though my kids have long-since grown up. So naturally, the curmudgeonly boomer in me clutched his pearls at the thought of a live action feature-length remake. No way would this cynical cash grab ever play in my house!

Further fueling my ire…the 2000 remake features what might be the worst Christmas song not sung my Mariah Carey. I should know, because mere days after we’ve put away our Halloween decorations for the year, my daughters always manage to find a radio station playing holiday music. Year-in and year-out, “Where Are You Christmas?” is played incessantly. Where are you, Christmas? What the hell kind of question is that? Maybe the lyrics means something within the context of the film, but I wasn’t willing to endure it to find out. And even though Carey didn’t sing the song, I later learned she had a hand in writing it. I shoulda known.

But a funny thing happened over the last quarter-century. Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas became a holiday classic in its own right, and it’s this version of the story that’s earned an annual holiday viewing spot in many households, having been endlessly released & re-released in every home video format, including two previous 4K editions. I dunno…maybe it was time to set aside my presumptions and see what I’ve been missing (or more accurately, avoiding). So for what it’s worth, these are a few of my takeaways from watching it for the first time…

First and foremost, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a great looking film, bursting with color, vivid imagery and creative production design, especially its depiction of Whoville. Having never seen any previous home video format, I can’t say whether or not this new 4K edition is a significant improvement, but I was pretty impressed with the overall quality of the picture, which enhances the visuals. It also features a pretty solid Dolby Atmos audio track that nicely underscores its aesthetic. 

And if you have to make a live action version of the Grinch, I concede that they couldn’t have picked a more suitable actor than Jim Carrey. While I’m not necessarily a big Carrey fan, he’s demonstrated brilliance in certain roles, especially those that require him to be more than a living cartoon. As the title character, he’s no Boris Karloff (who voiced the Grinch in the original), but is pretty entertaining here, and even buried under all that make-up, he manages to deliver a stand-out performance, though he sometimes makes the Grinch more scary than funny.

"Pull my finger, kid."

In some ways, however, Carrey is the whole show. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is far less interesting whenever he’s not on-screen (as is usually the case with his films). This is where the movie inevitably feels padded out with superfluous new plot elements. The citizens of Whoville were the least interesting aspect of the cartoon, and despite a solid cast, expanding their roles merely exacerbates this. And while I still don’t think the Grinch himself needed a backstory, at least those sequences are somewhat engaging for those who go in for that sort of thing.

Ultimately, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was better than I initially expected, though I don’t think I’d ever be compelled to give it another spin during the holidays. Still, I can see why many people do (likely those who didn’t grow up on the Chuck Jones masterpiece). It’s obvious a lot of love was put into the film - especially on the technical side - and you sure can’t accuse Jim Carrey of phoning it in. At the very least, its heart is in the right place, making it a bit more than a cynical cash grab. That song still sucks, though.

Just in time for the holidays, here’s a new 25th Anniversary edition. For those who already own previous 4K versions, the only upgrade is an all new retrospective documentary, which is pretty good and features interviews with director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, make-up artist Rick Baker and actor Taylor Momsen. Speaking of Taylor, here’s a bit of interesting trivia: Once a child actor who played Cindy Lou Who, she has since become the lead singer of a hard rock band called The Pretty Reckless. Maybe they could’ve made “Where Are You Christmas” listenable.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

25 YEARS LATER: THE GIFT OF THE GRINCH is a brand new retrospective documentary that looks back at the film. Features interviews with director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, make-up artist Rick Baker and actor Taylor Momsen. Fans who’ve made this part of their holiday viewing tradition should enjoy it.

FEATURETTES - Several short featurettes (carried over from previous editions) focus on various aspects of the film, including make-up design, set design, visual effects and the design & creation of the people of Whoville.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Ron Howard.

DELETED SCENES

OUTTAKES

MUSIC VIDEO -  “Where Are You Christmas?,” by Faith Hill. Ugh.

Catnip Reviews: BUSTER KEATON, SMURFS & ULTRAMAN ARC

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

THE BUSTER KEATON SHOW (Blu-ray) - Until this 2-disc set arrived, I wasn’t aware Buster Keaton even had a TV show. Perhaps some of you were unaware, too, since it wasn’t particularly successful and many episodes have since been lost. However, this set has dug up and restored nine of them, which is kind of a bittersweet viewing experience. On one hand, here’s a silent movie legend decades removed from his glory days, and it shows. He never took to talkies too well, and some of these episodes see him sadly trying to erase the passage of time. On the other hand, some of his greatness still shines through on occasion…a reminder that, at one time, nobody was funnier. Also included are a couple of episodes not previously available, as well as Buster’s appearances in other shows, but the best bonus kibbles are two of his silent shorts from the early twenties. Far from Buster’s greatest work, but from a historical perspective, it’s well worth checking out. (1949-50/332 min/Liberation Hall). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

SMURFS (Blu-ray) - “Isn’t Rihanna in that?” asked my 21-year-old daughter, Lucy, as she passed through the room while I was watching this. “Yeah,” I ruefully replied before tapping the blurb on the box, “Rihanna is Smurfette.” That was the extent of Lucy’s interest, but she used to watch this stuff as a kid. A reboot I didn’t know anyone was asking for, Smurfs is yet-another cynically assembled, pop song-laden product with Rihanna and a huge cast of well-known actors lending their voices (and marquee value). Since the average five-year-old probably doesn’t give a damn who these people are, I’m not sure why they went to all the trouble. While there are a few interesting animated bits, this is one of those movies that you pop into your machine to keep the wee ones amused while you do something else.  (2025/90 min/Paramount). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺

ULTRAMAN ARC (Blu-ray) - And you thought Disney knew how to milk a franchise…Ultraman has been kicking around since 1966, when the first series aired in Japan. Since then, there have been dozens and dozens of TV shows, miniseries, movies, games, comics, manga and trading cards. And yours truly has never seen a single frame until now, with this 2024 series, Ultraman Arc. Since this type of science-fiction is not my bag, I’m kinda going-by-feel here when it comes to any recommendation. From the characters to the lore to the action itself, most of this was lost on me, like attending a party where you know none of the guests. But since it appears to be aesthetically identical to other recent series, I suspect it’ll please fans of the franchise. If you count yourself among them, dig in. This 4-disc set features 25 episodes, as well as a full length Ultraman Arc movie, The Clash of Light and Evil. Additionally, it comes with a card that can apparently be played with an Ultraman card game. (2024/700 min/Mill Creek). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

SINNERS: Blues, Booze & Bloodsuckers

SINNERS (Blu-ray)

2025 / 137 min

Warner Bros

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Normally, I don’t really care about how good or bad a movie does at the box office. However, I was truly rooting for Sinners to become a blockbuster. Now that it is one, maybe Hollywood will get the hint that not every big-budget film needs to have superheroes, be a remake or have a Roman numeral in the title. 

Better yet, it’s a horror film, one that breathes new life into a subgenre that ceased being scary a long time ago. Sinners may ostensibly be a vampire film, but there’s so much more going on - both visually and thematically - that it transcends such a label. Part horror, part musical, part historical drama, the movie is thrilling, sexy, bloody, atmospheric and sometimes surprisingly heart-rending. 

The premise is certainly original. Taking place in the deep south in 1932, the Smokestack Twins (both played by Michael B. Jordan) are a couple of enterprising gangsters who return home from Chicago to open a juke joint. What makes Sinners almost immediately engaging is the amount screen time spent establishing these two characters, as well as most of the supporting ones. The most significant of them is their impressionable cousin, Sammie, an budding blues guitarist they recruit to play that night. At the same time, the film immerses the viewer in the setting, culture and music of the era.

In fact, it’s a full 45 minutes before any actual horror creeps into the narrative, when a seemingly congenial Irishman, Remmick, turns out to be a vampire who attacks a couple of Klan members. By the time the joint opens for a raucous opening night party, we’re fully invested in all of these characters and their relationships. The juke joint sequences feature terrific musical numbers, highlighted by a surreal, visually jawdropping montage depicting the evolution of black music - from past to future - in a single extended shot. But because we’ve been made aware of Remmick’s presence, a growing sense of dread underscores the celebration.

Stack gets the cool hat.

The real horror begins when Remmick and recently-turned victims set their sights on those inside the joint, with a particular interest in Sammie (it’s suggested his music may have actually summoned Remmick). What I like about the film’s depiction of vampires is they aren’t complete monsters. Remmick’s Irish cultural leanings are almost as charming they are unnerving (presented through a musical number where his growing legion of bloodsuckers reveal a shared mind).

Jordan is outstanding in a dual role, giving each brother distinct personalities (yet both are tough and intimidating), while Wunmi Mosaku also stands out as Smoke’s love interest and voodoo expert. But really, the entire cast is great. Writer-director Ryan Coogler has put together an smart, tension-filled and emotionally resonant folk horror film that comes to an unexpected conclusion (with a wonderful post-credits scene). If not one of the best horror movies of the last ten years, it’s certainly the best vampire movie.

Though best experienced on the big screen, Sinners looks and sounds outstanding on Blu-ray. The transfer also includes sequences that are presented in a different aspect ratio than the theatrical version, which was apparently Coogler's intention all along for the home video release.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Dancing with the Devil: The Making of Sinners is an excellent 30-minute doc featuring writer-director Ryan Coogler and some of the cast; Blues in the Night: The Music of Sinners covers both the score and musical set-pieces; Thicker Than Blood: Becoming the Smokestack Twins shows how special effects and costuming allowed Jordan to play both roles; Wages of Sin: The Creature FX of Sinners goes into the vampire and gore effects; Spirits in the Deep South is a short doc about history of Hoodoo in the region where the movie is set..

DELETED SCENES - Almost 20 minutes’ worth.

DIGITAL COPY

Revisiting AMADEUS in 4K

AMADEUS (4K UHD)

1984 / 160 min

From Warner Bros #InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Mr. Paws😸

When this disc arrived for review, I set it on the kitchen counter while I went through the rest of our mail. A few minutes later, one of my daughters came in, took one look at the cover and immediately went:

“Amadeus, Amadeus…Amadeus;

Amadeus, Amadeus…Amadeus…”

She was, of course, recalling the chorus of that insanely catchy Falco song, “Rock Me Amadeus,” a massive hit a few decades before she was even born (and I’ll bet it’s stuck in your head right now). The song was initially inspired by this film, which sort of serves as a testament to the latter’s surprising influence on pop culture. It even sparked renewed interest in Mozart's music. Biographical period pieces, including those that nab fistfuls of Oscars, seldom become massively popular.

But Amadeus wasn’t Gandhi, or The Last Emperor, or Out of Africa…Oscar-winning artistic achievements from the same decade most of us felt obligated to check-off our watchlist to feel better about ourselves. Amadeus was (and still is) a completely captivating film in every aspect. Not only aesthetically gorgeous, its narrative is built on an irresistible premise, that of the alleged one-sided rivalry between respected-but-unremarkable composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) and the brilliant-but-irresponsible young genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Thomas Hulce).

Someone needs a Band-Aid.

I say ‘alleged’ because neither director Milos Foreman nor playwright/screenwriter Peter Shaffer ever made clams of historical accuracy, which seldom makes great drama (no matter what sticklers for such things might claim). Any actual acrimony between the two composers serves as a springboard for a compelling story full of deception, betrayal, jealously and a surprising amount of humor. Because of this, Amadeus remains massively entertaining, even when venturing into dark places.

Just missing its 40th Anniversary by a year, Amadeus is now on 4K Ultra HD. Perhaps more significantly, this edition contains the original theatrical cut, which has been unavailable on home video for years. For a movie that prominently features striking production design and gobs of Mozart’s timeless music, the disc serves up a fine transfer. The disc is fairly light on bonus material, but in addition to an excellent archival doc, there’s an all new retrospective featuring Abraham, Hulce and a few others, all of whom offer some entertaining insights about their experiences making the film. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

AMADEUS: THE MAKING OF A MASTERPIECE - This is an all new 23 minute retrospective look at Amadeus featuring actors F. Murray Abraham, Thomas Hulce & Christine Ebersole and production designer Patriza von Brandenstein. Done entirely through virtual interviews, it’s fairly interesting.

THE MAKING OF AMADEUS - An extensive hour-long archival making-of documentary.

DIGITAL COPY

MOVIES TURNING 50 IN 2025

This’ll make some of you feel ancient. The following is a list of noteworthy movies celebrating their Golden Anniversary this year. Some are now classics, others were blockbusters of their time, and a few still retain a certain amount of cultural relevance. To put the passage of time in perspective...back in 1975, 50-year-old movies were all silent. As for this crusty old cat, I remember seeing most of them for the first time like it was yesterday. How many have you seen?

JAWS - Once the highest grossing film of all time, it remains as thrilling as ever and a cultural milestone. Even today, you see the iconic logo and image everywhere.

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST - It swept the Academy Awards that year, winning Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Milos Foreman) and Best Screenplay (Lawrence Hudson & Bo Goldman).

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - The quintessential cult film, it’s been playing every weekend in my hometown for 50 years.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON - “Attica! Attica!”

ROLLERBALL - In the not-to-distant future (2018), wars will no longer exist. But there will be Rollerball. I still wish this was a real sport.

TOMMY - Actually, this one felt dated even back in 1975.

NASHVILLE - One of eclectic director Robert Altman’s greatest (and longest) films.

DEEP RED - The ultimate giallo film, and along with Suspiria, the high point of director Dario Argento’s career. 

DEATH RACE 2000 - Back when the year 2000 still seemed like the distant future. Kids don’t know how good they have it these days. Now they can mow down pedestrians themselves with their PS5.

THE STEPFORD WIVES - This one still gives off a creepy vibe.

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL - People quote this movie even today, including those who weren’t alive in the '70s.

FRENCH CONNECTION II - Never approaching the greatness of the original, it’s still a solid sequel.

THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR - One of the most paranoid movies ever made.

ROOSTER COGBURN - John Wayne’s penultimate film. 

BARRY LYNDON - This three-hour epic isn’t Stanley Kubrick’s best film, but it is arguably one of his prettiest. 

THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION - If you ever wondered what the Skipper was up to after being rescued from Gilligan’s Island, here you go. I actually paid to see this junk in a theater. On the plus side, it inspired one of Mystery Science Theater 3000’s best episodes.

SHELF LIFE: Paul Bartel's Last...at Last

SHELF LIFE (Blu-ray)

1993 / 81 min

From Liberation Hall

Review by Princess Pepper

Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, maybe you’ve seen Paul Bartel before. As an actor, he’s appeared in a lot of B-movies, mostly supporting roles. But for some, he’s the cult hero behind such quirky classics as Death Race 2000 and Eating Raoul. 

Shelf Life is the last film Bartel directed before passing away in 2000, not that anyone was aware of it at the time. Made in 1993, it sat unreleased for 30 years. Now it’s on Blu-ray and DVD from the boutique label, Liberation Hall, which is great news for Bartel's fans. Those not already in-tune with his eccentricities probably shouldn’t bother.

Even then, Shelf Life has the look and feel of an unfinished film, almost like a workprint. Nor does it appear that there was a very good original negative available this transfer. Or hell, maybe it’s supposed to look like its been playing too long at a second run theater.

It’s got a neat premise, though. Following the assassination of JFK, a family of five retreat to a bomb shelter. 30 years later, both parents have since died and the kids are now grown up…but only in the physical sense. Psychologically, they are still children. Isolated from the rest of the world, everything they know and feel comes from what they remember of their parents, a few books in the shelter and periodic TV signals.

Never play with your food.

However, there isn’t much in the way of a story. Nearly the entire running time consists of Tina (O-Lan Jones), Pam (Andrea Stein) and Scotty (Jim Turner) role playing what they see and hear on television, with a few brief moments of childlike conflict interspersed here and there.

Based on a play originally conceived by the three lead actors, Shelf Life is initially kind of interesting and occasionally funny. But once the novelty of the premise wears off, these characters are less endearing and the viewer might grow impatient waiting for some kind of significant plot development. After awhile, I found myself thinking this might have been more effective as a short subject.

Still, the performances are quite good, and considering the whole thing takes place in the dingy, cluttered confines of a bomb shelter, the production design reflects a lot of imagination. Ultimately though, historical curiosity is the film’s primary appeal. Shelf Life does not rank among Paul Bartel’s best work - not even close - but it’s nice to finally see what would be his last directorial effort. That alone makes it a must-see for some people.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - American Cinematheque Q&A - This is a Zoom conference featuring actors O-Lan Jones, Andrea Stein & Jim Turner and filmmaker Alex Mechanik; Q&A with Tina, Pam & Scotty is a faux Q&A session featuring the actors in-character…in someone’s backyard.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By actors O-Lan Jones, Andrea Stein & Jim Turner, production designer Philip Holahan and filmmaker Alex Mechanik.

TRAILERS & TEASER TRAILERS