REEL CRITICS

Couple differs on ‘The Grinch’

“Poor Grinch. Nobody likes him because he’s different,” said Tabatha,

our 10-year-old granddaughter. “I feel sorry for him, even if he is

green, hairy, smelly and scary.”

Gay says: Jim Carrey (the Grinch) is brilliant with his own special

energy -- jumping, plummeting, twisting and turning, hissing and

grimacing as he explodes through tunnels, snow and garbage mountains

without recoiling! But he scares the 3- to 5-year-old crowd.

“Mom, I don’t like that monster,” said one child.

And away the parent cuddled the little one out of the theater.

We all know the story -- love it or hate it. Dr. Seuss and his

grotesque way of drawing characters has always warmed my heart.

Director Ron Howard put his soul into this film. He and Carrey

completely seduce the audience. “The Grinch” was one of Howard’s favorite

Seuss stories, and Howard’s mom was always first on the block to go out

on the roof and decorate for Christmas. We remember this because we lived

just blocks from their home in Toluca Lake.

“The Grinch” is a whimsical tale that probes deeply into the bitter

side of a recluse. But it has a happy ending.

Bill says: Carrey got in your face so much that you wanted to move to

the back of the theater. I found it hard to laugh or be happy, since the

movie lacked any cheer, even when little Cindy Lou-Who (Taylor Momsen)

came to redeem the Grinch. They made him too mean! I think kids are going

to be confused.

And too bad you couldn’t see one inch of Carrey. OK, we did see his

trademark mouth stuffed full of ugly teeth.

The townspeople in Whoville were so unattractive, you wondered if they

had all used the same Dr. Ghastly as the Grinch on their hog-nose jobs.

They sure spent enough money on this picture and will probably cash

in.

Gay says “The Grinch” is a classic. Go see it.

Bill says “The Grinch” is classless. Wait for a matinee or the video.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is rated PG for some crude humor.

* GAY WASSALL-KELLY, 60, is the editor of a Balboa newspaper and is

active in the community. BILL KELLY, 59, is an industrial engineer.

Twists in tried and true ‘Sixth Day’

With a frenetic plot, great special effects and relentless twists and

turns, “The Sixth Day” is a roller-coaster ride of a movie that will keep

your heart pounding.

Action veteran Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the same role twice, as two

different Adam Gibsons, a hotshot helicopter pilot who is cloned without

his knowledge.

This genetic tale of intrigue set in the near future demonstrates how

current DNA mapping technology might be brought into the political arena

as scientific advances run far ahead of ethical considerations.

The thought-provoking premise brings a cerebral element into an

otherwise tried and true big budget science fiction flick. Fans of

Arnold’s previous film, “Total Recall,” will recognize the plot

developments interspersed with whiz-bang computer graphics that keep you

on the edge of your seat.

A pleasant dose of humor and cultural satire adds to the entertaining

mix, along with top-notch cinematography, music and sound effects.

Robert Duvall plays the morally ambivalent doctor at the center of the

illegal cloning operation that keeps reincarnating the villains who

torment Gibson and his family.

Many interesting issues surrounding the possible cloning of humans are

momentarily raised throughout the movie, but without much depth. The

ending morphs into a predictable combo of “Die Hard” meets “Lethal

Weapon” as the bad guys go down, and the good guys are left to produce a

profitable sequel.

Still, this is a worthy effort within this genre, lots of fun and well

above average. An enjoyable diversion that will take your mind off the

2000 presidential election and give you something else to think about for

a couple of hours.

“The Sixth Day” is rated PG-13 for strong action violence, brief

strong language and some sensuality.

* JOHN DEPKO, 48, is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.