I am a New Yorker. I am sunshine with a mix of dark. I’m a born curmudgeon but am often described as having a sunny personality. I don’t know how that happened. Nonetheless, I speak curmudgeon. I’m quite fluent in it. Thus, trust me when I tell you that the latest Grinch movie, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, is no grinch.

The grinch in this latest incarnation is a middle-aged slightly grumpy man. But he is mot really evil. He is not really grinchy. And, he is only a eeny bitty mean. He has a cute dog who seems to hold a warm place in his heart. He plays “All by Myself” on the organ. He lets his reindeer go off with his family. No grinch would do that. He is more of a sad, lonely guy who craves something more. Further, Benedict’s voice doesn’t really sound grumpy. It seems more neutered. His Sherlock character is more of a grinch.

As a New Yorker, I expect someone who is named the grinch to be one. However, despite all this, I liked the movie. I love Christmas. And, I love a movie where a child just wants for Christmas for their mommy to be happy and to work less. The scenes are bright and I love the village. I want to live there. I love Christmas and I got a warm feeling watching the movie.

It does seem that Christmas keeps coming earlier and earlier each year. Considering what a wacky year it has been, that can’t be a bad thing.