Hey folks, Harry here. You may remember the two stories I wrote about my adventures on the set of the GRINCH movie. (Part 1,Part 2.) Well, in those descriptions I described the town square as best as I could, and Coming Attractions yesterday ran an image of the town square I described. (Click here for a looksee!) But, I do believe this is the first time since my reports from the set that I've seen someone who was equally infected by the vision of what is going on with this Grinch flick. Read this report... And cross your tails... I hope this movie is as good as it's parts...
Hey Harry,
I just got back from an event held by Universal to promote the GRINCH movie here in NYC during Toy Fair. Even though security was tight and invitations were hard to come by (PLUS you couldn't bring a guest), there were over a thousand people there, including a lot of press.
It was pretty fucking amazing on every level -- it was held in a military armory, but it was all decked out with sets from the movie (some really cool stuff), snow everywhere, a giant Christmas tree plus lots of costumes and props on display (in the goody bag they gave you on the way out, there was "genuine" Whoville money, which someone told me was leftover from being used in the film. The paper currency says "One Whomolian" on it, and the coins are very heavy and very detailed. You won't be finding this stuff on EBay unless I'm completely destitute.)
Anyway, they had a lot of food, drink and music, and then the show began. A Universal executive (I think the chairman of the studio) got up and welcomed everybody, then he introduced Dr. Seuss's real-life widow in the audience, then he introduced Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the producer and director. Brian and Ron were very funny and surprisingly charming, and they really seemed quite excited by the evening. Ron Howard then told us we would be seeing footage, which was a surprise to me. After pointing out that we would be seeing some scenes that had blue screen stuff and things that would have wired removed, the show began.
I have one word for what I saw: UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE. I really wasn't prepared for it. I'm sure you'll hear from other people, but its hard to describe how well they seem to have adapted the book plus added some new stuff in the same spirit...these people look just like the Who's from the book (in fact there were actors walking around the party in that incredible -- even up close -- makeup), plus its all brightly colored and shot from crazy angles.
Then there's Jim Carrey..I can't imagine how horrible it must have been to play in that make-up and that body suit, but the genius of the combo of Carrey and Rick Baker is phenomenal...He does a voice as the Grinch, which sounds sorta like Boris Karloff and sorta like Sean Connery.... You should see his belly and his fingers. Tne detail is amazing.
There wasn't much shown in terms of visual effects, except for the beginning of the scene where the sled takes off from the mountaintop for his grinchy mission to steal Christmas from the Whos.
There was a ton of applause after the footage. I think everyone was kinda stunned at how good it looked.
But then there was more: the screen went up, revealing a mist-enshrouded cave... Grazer and Howard emerged again and introduced the cast...the first actor I didn't know, he plays someone's dad, then there was Molly Shannon from Saturday Night Live, then Christine Baranski who was just in "Bowfinger," then the little girl who plays Cindy Lou Who (who is great in the footage). Then Grazer and Howard thanked everyone.
Then they realized they forgot someone..... out comes JIM CARREY, who proceeded to do one of the most incredible piece of acting I've ever seen..... In front of our eyes, without benefit of makeup or context, he screwed up his face, transforming in front of our eyes into the Grinch. Everyone went nuts. He talked awhile, did some jokes with the cast and the filmmakers, then he brought out... you guessed it...... MAX THE DOG. Yes, Max the dog, looking just like he does in the book and the cartoon, with a make-shift reindeer antler tied to his head. At Carrey's encouragement, the dog did some tricks.
Then it was over, or so we thought. The party went on for another hour at least, with a Whoville fashion show going on at one point.
I feel really really lucky to have been there.
Anyway, I really love reading stuff on your site and I can't believe that I've finally had the chance to write in aboiut something.
Thanks, Harry!!!
Mike
