Freeze Frame: “The Grinch” (PG), “Wildlife” (PG-13)

Shakespeare said it best. “Brevity is the soul of wit.” The classic 1966 animated TV version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Chuck Jones proves that Shakespeare was right. “The Grinch” was perfect at 26 touching minutes. While the new computer-generated adaptation is pleasant enough, at 86 minutes, it seems a bit padded.

Benedict Cumberbatch provides the voice of the Grinch and other voice talent includes Pharell Williams, Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury and Keenan Thompson. It comes from the filmmakers behind the “Despicable Me” franchise and they know how to do cute, attempting to flesh out the run time of the story with kid-friendly humor. The visuals are dynamic and its heart is in the right place…even if the heart of this Grinch is two sizes too small.

Actor Paul Dano makes his directorial debut in an austere adaptation of Richard Ford’s melancholy novel, “Wildlife.” It tells the sorrowful story of the deterioration of a marriage from the perspective of the couple’s 16-year-old boy son. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal are excellent as the bickering parents as is young Ed Oxenbould as the perplexed boy. Dano also adapted the screenplay along with his partner, Zoe Kazan. “Wildlife” is a very slow-moving but involving tale bolstered by the accomplished acting ensemble and sharp 1960s period details.

Also opening this week, “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” is a thriller that continues the story of Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo. Claire Foy stars. “Overlord” is a horror thriller about zombies set in Nazi occupied France. “Here and Now (Blue Night)” is a character study about a successful singer. Sarah Jessica Parker stars. “River Runs Red” is an action thriller starring Taye Diggs and John Cusack. “Welcome to Mercy” is a supernatural thriller set in Latvia.

Share This Episode