After 1966’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and 2000’s “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” we now have 2018’s “The Grinch” (I assume the next reboot will be titled “Gri”). Illumination Studios continues being the C grade Disney Strudios, adapting the Dr. Seuss tale if, for no other reason, than to have their own holiday title out for the market and appeal to a younger audience. There’s not a lot of reason for this adaptation, as Illumination doesn’t offer a new twist on The Grinch. Except for obviously omitting “Christmas” from the title, “The Grinch” is an amalgam of Ron Howard’s live action movie, and the original Chuck Jones short movie–except bland.
Tag Archives: Animation
Cinema Crazed’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time of year already, where the holidays have finally crept up on us; it seems like time just flies and we’re back to trying to figure out what to get the movie lover in our life, or what to treat ourselves with. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or just love the deals, this is our annual holiday gift guide with some suggestions for the respective movie lover, and pop culture fanatic.
Included in the guide are links to the products, and always remember, if you’re interested in helping us out, buy directly through us, and earn our eternal admiration.
Interview with Mike Mort, Director of “Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires”
Director Michael Mort has been working in stop motion animation for most of his cinematic career, working with studios such as Aardman Animations and his own studio Animortal Productions, and is a clear fan of old school action films and their over-the-top styles.
Teen Titans Go! to the Movies (2018) [Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital]
I’ve come to terms with “Teen Titans Go!” and I’ve especially come to accept it thanks to the shockingly good feature film. If there was ever a time where the superhero movie genre was ripe for parody and satire it’s 2018, and “Teen Titans Go! to the Movies” manages to do it better than anyone else. For everyone that’s come before, attempting to mock the whole appeal of the sub-genre, “Teen Titans Go!” captures the whole appeal and absurdity of the superhero movie and the superhero mythology as a whole. It also manages to cater to the hardcore comic book buffs in the audience, inspiring some great laughs from obscure references.
Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires (2018) [Screamfest LA 2018]
In 1986, detective Chuck Steel is on the case to find what is making people disappear when an old, sage man comes assist him. As they battle all kinds of beings, Chuck discovers truths about himself and his long gone wife.
Scooby Doo and the Goblin King (2008)
Not since “The Witch’s Ghost” has there been a “Scooby Doo” adventure so deeply rooted in Halloween that it qualifies as automatic viewing for the holiday. While it is a change in pace for the Mystery Inc. crew, it’s a fun adventure in to the magic and supernatural element, along with some pretty stellar animation, and a pretty awesome surprise ending that I admittedly didn’t see coming.
The Bootleg Files: The Hangman
BOOTLEG FILES 659: “The Hangman” (1964 animated short).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: No release to date.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It fell through the cracks.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: It would be nice.
With Halloween a few days away, I was wondering if it would be too corny to stick a horror movie into this week’s column. But rather than go the traditional route of horror movies featuring ghouls, ghosts and God-knows-what the FX people conjure up, I am opting for an intellectual horror story where the real evil does not require the presence of the supernatural or the paranormal – but, instead, comes from the quotidian.
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