Nuria: The Grinch

The Grinch is one of the most popular “Christmas characters”, mainly in the United States. Dr Seuss, who created this science fiction character in 1957, wrote the first book about the Grinch: How the Grinch stole Christmas.

The Grinch is known worldwide as an anti-Christmas figure. The impact of this book brought Dr Seuss into a new project and he directed a chapter for the ABC, which was called “Halloween is Grinch night”.

Dr Seuss describes him as a black, white and red giant who lives in an isolated cave near a village. But this image has changed throughout the years. Nowadays, young people will describe him as a green “monkey”, with extremely big eyes and a sinister smile. This change comes because of both the TV series and the movies.

Since Dr Seuss published the first literary work, many companies and enterprises have bought the image rights.  We can find comics, books and chapters in different series like The Simpsons or Family guy … and indeed films.

But, not only has the Grinch’s appearance been contaminated, but also the ideology underneath him has been forgotten too.

Originally, Dr Seuss wanted to portray the Grinch as a character against the extreme consumerism that Christmas brings, and also to show that the real meaning of Christmas, the spiritual meaning, has been killed.

But today’s youth don’t remember this lesson, only the 2000 film, “The Grinch”. In this movie, the namesake character (played by Jim Carrey) hates Christmas because of a childhood trauma … we can't see the criticism against society. So the most important lesson, “enjoy family and friends, not only presents”, is lost.

I find the film quite funny, but I prefer the book ☺


Thank you so  very much, Nuria, I was kind of sad because no-one was sending any stuff for the blog over Xmas and you sort of read my mind! I guess this is as suitable as a topic can be for the merry season.

I remember how much my kids and me loved the film when it was released in 2000. So, instead of the short film trailer you sent me, I've inserted below (hope you don't mind me doing so!) one of my favourite scenes, where we can also listen to the extraordinary voice of the narrator, the great Anthony Hopkins. Enjoy!

You know what ... I sometimes like to think of myself as a kind of Grinch, ha ha! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Film Corner: Sara Sáez - Date Night

The film is about a couple, Mr and Mrs Foster (Steve Carrell & Tina Fey), who are going through a minor crisis in their marriage, and apparently out for a quiet night. They go to a restaurant, but they haven’t reserved a table, so he comes up with taking the seats from a couple who haven’t arrived yet. Actually, the table has been reserved by Mr and Mrs Tripplehorn, two robbers who have been arrested by two corrupted policemen. 

Like the Tripplehorns, Foster gets into trouble and, unwittingly, the couple are involved in many adventures all night long, including persecutions by the police. The film ends with a romantic, passionate kiss, as most “rom coms” do.

Personally, I’m really into romance, so I really liked Date Night. Before watching it, I thought it’d be just another classic romantic film. However, it wasn’t because of the mixture of adventure and love. I strongly recommend it, especially if you are looking for a different romantic comedy. 

Thanks a lot, Sara! Honestly, I don't remember the film too well but I've always liked Steve Carrell's comic vein (The Office is brilliant!) and Tina Fey is a lovely comedy actress indeed. I really laughed my head off while watching her impersonations of Sara Palin on Saturday Night Live, simply hilarious! So perhaps I should watch Date Night again ...

The film corner: Leticia San Juan - "Love Actually"

When I came across Love Actually, I thought it wouldn’t be worth watching, as it is not the kind of films I usually go to and, after looking at the title, I supposed I wouldn’t like it. Finally, I decided to watch it and I don’t regret it. It was fantastic!

The film tells eight great love stories while it follows the lives of different couples in dealing with their love affairs in loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

The newly elected Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) falls in love with a woman who is a member of his Cabinet. A writer (Collin Firth) goes to the south of France to get over an unhappy relationship and he falls in love again. A happily married woman (Emma Thompson) suspects that her husband is dating another woman. A just married woman (Keira Knightley) is confused by the new attitude of her husband’s best friend, who has been distant around her up to that moment. An afflicted recent widower tries to help his teenage stepson, who wants to arouse the interest in the most sought-after girl in his school. A businesswoman makes her first move on a colleague she has been in love with for a long time. Finally, an ageing rock star makes a rather weird comeback by recording a Christmas hit. 

Love makes their lives difficult as their affairs get mixed up on Christmas Day, with funny, romantic, yet often bittersweet results for all of them, who have been lucky (or unlucky) enough to fall in love.

All the stories are told with a good sense of humour and it is very easy to switch from laughter to tears. In my opinion, the funniest story is the one of the old rock star and it was because of his really great personality that I watched the film till the end. 

Not only did I enjoy it a lot, but also its fantastic soundtrack. There are plenty of memorable songs so I can’t say which one I liked the most. Perhaps "Here with Me" or "Christmas is All Around".

I do recommend "Love Actually", especially now we are near Christmas. It’s great fun, so you will surely laugh a lot and enjoy its wonderful soundtrack as well.

Thanks Leticia, it's great to see you "back in action" after a pretty long while!