On screen
Dr Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
America's number-one hit at the moment is as silly as it gets. Take an interesting
story like Dr Seuss's children's classic -- previously made into an animated
American Christmas-time TV special by Chuch Jones -- stuff it with every special
effect in the book, and create a spectacle that can keep the youngsters in awe
for a good 100 minutes. Jim Carrey plays the bilious furry green Grinch, who
envies the happiness of the people of Whoville every Christmas, and disguised
as Santa Claus attempts to steal all the presents. Anthony Hopkins narrates
almost the exact same lines as Boris Karloff's in the animated classic. Ron
Howard's heavy-handed direction simply blows it.
Small screen
One of last Ramadan's variety shows, the puppet series Elli Fat Sat returns
this year with a new look. Some songs have been retooled with the help of
several young musicians, and new characters have been added to the 40 from
last year's cast. A cynical take on modern Egyptian society, the show ridicules
stereotypes and common situations like beaurocratic bungling with a daring
and satirical style. Written by Feda'a El-Shandawili and directed by Adel
Makeen, the programme is shown daily on Channel 2 at 9.30pm.
Around the galleries
On display at the Egyptian Centre for International Cultural Cooperation are the
latest paintings of artist Atia Hussein. Perhaps inspired by the celebratory
spirit of the Holy Month, Hussein takes her characteristically Islamic style
a step or two further, mixing the modern figurative school of painting with
the Islamic tradition of non-figurative design in the framework of the cityscape.
And her predominently subdued colour schemes manage to evoke the spirit of the
city.
Reviewed by Nagwa El-Ashri
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