The original Horton Hears a Who! Enough already! We just don't get Hollywood's obsession with blowing up (in every sense) beloved books from our childhood and morphing them into big screen spectacles. Of all children's authors, probably no one has suffered worse than Dr. Seuss. The good doctor has had a lot of his stories made into films -- going back as far as 1931 -- but most of those were short films, which fit the style and sensibilities of the originals. The notable exception of those movies was The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, for which Seuss wrote his only live-action script, and whose story of a young boy at war with his piano teacher couldn't have come from anyone else. But starting with 2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, producers got the "brilliant" idea of taking charming picture books with small stories and turning them into 100-minute blockbusters with unnecessary backstories and character development. Combine that with actors like Jim Carrey and Mike Myers (who have ruined more film than a bright light in a darkroom), and you've got a formula for cinematic disaster. Now don't get us wrong; we love Dr. Seuss (the animated Grinch never fails to bring a smile); it's what Hollywood's done to him that we can't stand. So this weekend, if you hear a tiny voice in your ear, it's probably not the Mayor of Whoville asking for help, but your good taste telling you to avoid the movie theatre. Suggested Sites... Seussville - official site for Theodore Seuss Geisel. Horton Hears a Who - the latest Seusstravaganza. The Worst 13 Movies Made From Children's Books - Dr. Seuss isn't alone. Dr. Seuss National Memorial - go to Massachusetts and look at the statues; they'll be more entertaining. Wikipedia: Dr. Seuss - biography of the writer and artist.

Directory categories: Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who, Animated Movies, Children's Authors, Children's Books

Archived under: Animation, Authors, Books, Cartoons, Children´s Literature, Dr. Seuss, Entertainment, Flops, Movies

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