Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011

Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Kelly Reilly







Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Law) go up against Holmes' arch enemy, Professor Moriarty (Harris), trying to thwart an assassination attempt on an important head of state. I don't really want to say much about it because you've just got to see it, and there isn't a ton to say about it anyway, except that it's entertaining and has lots of action and Robert Downey Jr. What more do you require, really?

Stephen Fry was so wonderful as Mycroft Holmes! What a pleasant surprise!

If you're a Holmes fan, you won't be disappointed! The music is just as brilliant as in the first film. Hans Zimmer is definitely a genius.

The Muppets, 2011

Director: James Bobin
Stars: Amy Adams, Jason Segal, Chris Cooper, Peter Linz, Steve Whitmire, David Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Bill Barretta







Is it crazy that I did not expect this to be a musical? I guess it is! But when they started singing, I was honestly surprised.

It's very funny, and very amusing. The story is that they need to get The Muppets back together and put on a special of The Muppet Show in the old Muppet theater, or they will lose the theater forever to an evil oil tycoon!

They also make fun of Hollywood and silly movies, "travelling by map", at one point when they all have to travel to Paris to find Miss Piggy. Or suggesting they do a "montage" to save time when finding all the Muppets.

And, as in all Muppet movies, there are quite a few cameo appearances, including Mickey Rooney! Very good stuff!

I love Kermit!

Last Reviews of 2011

For my final two reviews of 2011, I will share my views on the two movies I have seen in theaters this December. I'm not a big movie-goer, obviously. I like to get movies cheap, not pay an arm and a leg to see them on the big screen. Well, usually. I still like going to see movies on the big screen! Who doesn't? I just save it for the movies I think will be totally amazing!

And these two were great!





The Muppets, 2011 (directed by James Bobin)











Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011 (directed by Guy Ritchie)

Grease, 1978

Director: Randal Kleiser

Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Jeff Conaway, Stockard Channing

'Grease' is the word, it's the word that you heard.....

I swear my sister and I have seen this movie 50 times! We used to watch it so much! I haven't seen it in years and didn't actually know how dirty it was until now. I never got those jokes/lines before! Oops.

Danny (Travolta) and Sandy (Newton-John) meet over the summer at the beach, and then say goodbye, thinking that they won't see each other again, since Sandy's family is going back to Australia. But Sandy ends up staying, and then they find out they attend the same school. But Danny has a reputation to protect, so he's a jerk to her at first. And everyone sings and dances and races cars. It's really great.

You have to see Grease at least once!

The Music Man, 1962

Director: Morton DaCosta (Auntie Mame, Island of Love)

Written by: Meredith Wilson

Stars: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Ron Howard (as "Ronny Howard")

"He's a music man!"

"He's a what--he's a what?"

"He's a music man! And he sells trombones and clarinets to the kids in the town...."

That's a wee bit of the first tune in the film. I love some of the sequences in this movie/story. The first scene takes place inside a train car, with several travelling salesmen talking- and singing, of course- about the legendary con-man "Professor" Harold Hill, who travels around selling instruments and band uniforms to the boys in town, and then skips out before teaching them how to play their instruments, since he "doesn't know one note from another", as one of the salesmen declaims.

I've seen it on the stage, and I have to say that that first scene is my favorite. It's amazing the way it comes to life, especially on stage. They're in a train car! Just watch the beginning, and you will see what I mean.

So that's basically the story. Harold Hill (Preston) was on that train in the beginning, and he hops off at the next stop- River City, to the surprise of the other salesmen, because they were declaring he was too smart to stop there, in that little conservative town.

But stop he does, and proceeds to convince the people of the good town that they need a boy's band to give their boys something to do besides playing pool. (Oh no! Not pool!) And, in the middle of all this, there's the single music teacher and librarian, Marion (Jones), who sees through him, but eventually, they like each other.

Songs include:

-"The Wells Fargo Wagon" (in which Ron Howard has quite a solo- he was so cute!!),

-"Til There Was You" (yes, that one- it came from here),

-"Trouble" (very funny- and very adaptable to real life. I quite often somebody or something is "trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool". All the time),

-"Shipoopi" (which makes me hate Buddy Hackett. I think you either like his voice or hate it- he plays the seagull in The Little Mermaid, among other roles. Anyway, I kinda hate it.)

-"Seventy-Six Trombones" (which very easily gets stuck in my head),

-"Marion" (which takes place in the library, where Hill is professing his love to Marion, who isn't convinced-- this one is my second favorite of all the sequences).

Note: I get so bored in this movie, though! I mean, it is so entertaining, but holy cow! It's so long! Two hours and 45 minutes! But if you like musicals, you must see it at least once.

NOTE: I checked out the director, and surprisingly he only directed 3 movies. Literally! This one and the ones I listed next to his name above. Considering how everyone knows The Music Man (at least has heard of it), that surprises me.

White Christmas, 1954

Director: Michael Curtiz (We're No Angels, Casablanca)
Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen




Bob (Crosby) and Phil (Kaye), a duo of famous entertainers who met and started their act during the war, follow their new friends Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) to Vermont for the holidays. "Vermont must be beautiful this time of year, all that snow..."

Except there's no snow, and no guests at the lovely Inn where the girls are booked to sing. Business is bad for the owner, whom the guys discover is their company's former general, General Waverly. To help out the General, Bob and Phil decide to bring their whole show up to Vermont and rehearse everything up there.

This is a wonderful movie! It's brilliant and heart-warming! I always cry at the end. Anything referring to war always makes me cry- especially World War 2.

You'll love it.

We're No Angels, 1955

Director: Michael Curtiz (White Christmas, Casablanca)
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Ray,






"We came here to rob them, and that's what we're going to do: beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, cut their throats....... as soon as we wash the dishes."


On Christmas Eve, three escaped convicts (Bogart, Ray, and Ustinov) come upon a store which they intend to rob, but soon find out how much financial trouble the store manager, Felix, is in. And then the store's owner, Cousin Andre, comes for a surprise Christmas visit to take inventory and check Felix's accounts. The convicts take it upon themselves to protect Felix, his wife, and daughter from this horrid cousin. But it turns out they don't have to do much....

This is a black comedy, but SOOOOOOO cute! If you haven't seen it, DO watch it. You are in for a treat. I especially love Peter Ustinov in it. Actually, I really can't pick a favorite!! They each have their moments.

A Christmas Story, 1983

Director: Bob Clark

Stars: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin

"Some men are Baptists, others Catholics. My father was an Oldsmobile man."

This one is a classic! And if you are one of those people who hasn't seen it, you are seriously missing out!

It's based on the novel In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, and the narration is actually done by Shepherd. He tells the story of one Christmastime of his childhood, and how he longed for a Red Rider BB gun. It's a little mix of stories during Christmas time, but they all come together just beautifully, and the narration is absolutely hysterical.

Holiday Affair, 1949

Director: Don Hartman
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey




Connie Ennis (Leigh) works as a competitive shopper to support herself and her son Timmy. While out doing some holiday shopping, Connie buys a train, and when she returns it the next day, the salesman Steve (Mitchum) doesn't turn her in for what he knows she is. He loses his job because of it, finds her leaving the store, and takes her out to lunch. They have a great time, and then he helps her shop, loses her in a crowd, and later finds her house and stops by to drop off her things. He walks in on her and her gentleman friend Carl (Corey), decorating the Christmas tree.

Suddenly, Connie has two men who want to marry her for Christmas! Who will she choose??

This is so sweet! I love Robert Mitchum in it. :)

The 10th Kingdom, 2000

Director: David Carson, Herbert Wise
Stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Scott Cohen, John Larroquette, Daniel Lapaine, Ann-Margaret, Ed O'Neil, Dianne West






Okay, so this isn't a Christmas movie. Not at all. In fact, it's technically a mini-series. But it IS a fairy tale. And it IS about 7 hours long, and what other day of the year do you have all that time to watch such a long movie? My sister and I spent a few Christmases this way.

How to describe this one without taking forever????? That is the question....

Prince Wendell (Lapaine) is forced by his step-mother the Evil Queen (West) to switch places with a golden retriever! He does escape from her, however, and accidentally falls through a travelling mirror into New York, a completely foreign and unknown Kingdom. The Queen sends 3 trolls and a half-wolf named Wolf (Cohen) after the dog. The dog runs into Virginia Lewis (Williams-Paisley), and that's how she and her father Tony (Larroquette) come into the story, taking the dog in and discovering he is not at all what he seems.

When they all get back into the other 9 Kingdoms, the mission is to get Wendell the dog back to his castle for his coronation, and somehow to turn him back into a human. But, naturally, there's much more to the story than that! Wolf's growing feelings for Virginia, Virginia's desperate search for the magic mirror to get them home, Tony's uncanny ability to get into lots of trouble make this quite an adventure!

It's really cheesy, so I'm not making any guarantees. But, personally, I love it!

The Velveteen Rabbit, 2009

Director: Michael Landon Jr
Stars: Matthew Harbour, Tom Skerrit, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Jubinville, Una Kay, Jane Seymour,







Toby (Harbour) is a lonely, neglected child. His workaholic father John (Jubinville) sends him to his grandmother Ellen's (Kay) home for the holidays. When Toby discovers his grandmother's attic is full of toys, he is delighted. And then he finds a box with his name on it and inside is gift from his long-dead mother- a stuffed Rabbit. This rabbit immediately becomes Toby's best friend, and then Toby makes a delightful discovery: his toys are real! They come to life when he plays with them!

As Toby enjoys his make-believe world (which is demonstrated in the movie by being animation, which I think is very neat!), his real world gets better as well, when his grandmother begins to truly love him. She tries to make Christmas a wonderful experience for him, but all Toby wants is his father at home with him on Christmas.

This movie makes me cry SO much! It's so beautiful! If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. And don't forget the tissues!

A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965

Director: Bill Melendez
Writer: Charles M. Shulz
Stars: Peter Robbins, Tracy Stratford, Christopher Shea, Bill Melendez, (all uncredited)





Christmas time is here. Happiness and Cheer!

Charlie Brown (Robbins) is depressed because it's Christmas time again, and he hasn't received any Christmas cards and he doesn't know what Christmas is all about. Oddly enough, it is Lucy (Stratford) who gives him a little bit of purpose by asking him to direct their Christmas program at school. Charlie Brown excitedly takes the job, but soon gets frustrated that it isn't going well, and has a little tantrum on stage, wondering if ANYBODY knows what Christmas is all about!!!!

That's when Linus (Shea) takes center stage and recites a bit of Luke 2, stating that Jesus' birth is what Christmas is really about. Obviously, that's wonderful! But it is one of those movies that otherwise doesn't have a point. It was a tv special, so it's short. I like it.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!!

Beauty and the Beast, 1991

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Stars: Page O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury,




The classic story of a girl who goes to live in an enchanted castle with a Beast, in order to save her father's life. And because it's Disney, it's got a bunch of songs that will get stuck in your head and heart.

(This one mostly takes place in winter so it has always sort of been a Christmas movie to me.)

Apparently, I saw this in theaters with my aunt (I was 4!), and I was so terrified of the Beast that I was on her lap, freaking out, blocking her view of the movie. Well, this January, I will get a second chance to see my favorite Disney film in theaters!! Beauty and the Beast is coming to theaters and it will be in 3D! (I'm so glad they are doing this with Disney movies now! SO cool!!) I don't like 3D, but I can't wait to see this anyway!! I will be taking my own niece and nephew. It should be a lovely time!

Is that enough exclamation points for you?

It's A Wonderful Life, 1946

Director: Frank Capra
Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore







George Bailey (Stewart) has grown up in Bedford Falls, NY, and despite his many tries to leave this small town and "make something of himself", something always changes his plans and holds him back.

Then on Christmas Eve, through someone else's mistake, and another's greed and dishonesty, it appears that George may be bankrupt and guilty of losing all the money from his father's Savings and Loan. With the police on his tail, and desperate, he's on a bridge, thinking about jumping and ending it all, when suddenly, he sees someone dive in before him and struggle in the water. He immediately jumps in and saves the drowning man. the man he saved, Clarence, is actually an angel trying to earn his wings. And he proves it to a disbelieving George by giving him the chance to see what it would be like if he had never been born.

So George and Clarence wander around a completely transformed Bedford Falls, George's horror mounting at every turn. How could one person have made such a difference in so many lives in that small town?

I always cry at the end of this movie. The toast at the end gets me every time: "To my big brother, George, the richest man in town!"

You can't not love it. James Stewart is wonderful, and I LOVE the story! And check out the names of the cop and cab driver: Bert and Ernie! According to Wikipedia, this is just a coincidence. ;)

The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992

Director: Brian Henson

Stars: Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, Rizzo the Rat, and Gonzo the Great as Charles Dickens (also David Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, and Frank Oz)

Yes, the Muppets take on the Dickens classic like you've never seen it before! Come to think of it, this has got to be one of the most used Christmas stories EVER! Everyone has a version of this!

Anyway, the Muppets version has always been my favorite, and soon it will be your favorite, as well. Ebenezer Scrooge (Caine) hates Christmas and everything to do with it, but after he is visited by 3 ghosts (actually 5 because there are two Marleys in this version, and they show up first to warn him about the other ghosts- and they are HILARIOUS), and is shown what Christmas is really about, he begins to rethink his ways. I guarantee it will warm your heart!

I love how the credits in the beginning don't mention the actors, but the Muppets. Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchett, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchett, Rizzo the Rat as Himself, etc. I love the Muppets!

Three Wishes for Cinderella, 1973

Director: Vaclav Vorlicek

Stars: Libuse Safrakova, Pavel Travnicek, Carola Braunbock

This is a classic Czech film. A friend from Norway told me about it last year, and I only now remembered it and finally looked it up.

It is a Cinderella story (but not the usual one) which takes place during winter, but according to my friend, it is a Christmas classic. I liked it. The version I watched was spoken in Czech but narrated in English, which I thought was a nice touch. You could still hear the actors speaking, and there were a few subtitles.

It's extremely cheesy and had a low budget. And I keep thinking everyone must be freezing to death. But it was cute! I'd definitely watch it again and let it become one of my Christmas regulars.

A Child's Christmas in Wales, 1987

Director: Don McBrearty

Stars: Denholm Elliot, Mathonwy Reeves, Glynis Davies, Jesse McBrearty,

An old man (Elliot) celebrating Christmas with his grandson Thomas (Reeves) tells him all about a certain Christmas from his childhood back in the early 1900's- I can't tell just when. But it is lovely, and very funny! It's a bit like A Christmas Story, only Welsh, of course! I love this one, and it's on my "to buy" list.

Borrowed Hearts, 1997

Director: Ted Kotcheff

Stars: Roma Downey, Eric McCormack, Hector Elizondo, Sarah Rosen Fruitman

Kathleen Russell (Downey), is a single mom who works at the factory owned by Sam Field (McCormack). While trying to sell his factory, Sam has the buyer, Del Campo (Elizondo) come to stay in his beautiful home. But before he arrives, Sam's assistant admits to having lied to Del Campo- he told him Sam had a wife and family.

So, Sam "rents" Kathleen and her daughter Zoe for the holidays! And they have to convince Del Campo that they are a family. Yes, it's really that good, folks!

I love this movie. It's completely cheesy, but very enjoyable!

Miracle on 34th Street, 1994

Director: Les Mayfield

Stars: Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson

A wonderful remake of the 1947 classic! And don't worry- it's really the exact same story. I like this one better, personally, since it goes into the romance between Dorey (Perkins) and Bryan (McDermott) a little deeper. Otherwise, same story; which is not a bad thing! You'll love it!

Miracle on 34th Street, 1947

Director: George Seaton

Stars: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn

Kris Kringle (Gwenn) gets a job at Macy's department store as their Santa Claus. The problem is: he thinks he's the real Santa Claus. And when he hits someone with his cane, he is taken to court, and soon the issue becomes whether or not there really is a Santa Claus.

It's absolutely charming. You'll love it!

Since You Went Away, 1944

Director: John Cromwell

Stars: Claudette Colbert, Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple

(This is a re-post from June 9, 2011. It's definitely a Christmas movie, so it has to go here as well!)

Anne Hilton (Colbert) tries to hold down the fort at home when her husband Tim goes off to war. She and her daughters try to continue with life as normal. Jane (Jones) finishes high school, becomes a nurse's aide for the army hospital in town, and falls in love with a soldier. Bridget (a teenage Shirley Temple) helps her mother at home and befriends the retired Colonel the family takes in as a boarder for the extra money. Anne and Tim's dear friend Tony (Cotten) comes to visit a couple times, cheering the family in this uncertain time; especially when a telegram comes informing the family that Tim is missing in action.

I really like old movies about World War II, the ones that focus on the home front and the wife and kids. When those telegrams come, I find myself about to cry, unsure what they will say! I get really emotional during war movies.

I loved this one!

Note: I really did love it, but Hitch almost ruined it for me! Two of the main guys, who are GREAT guys in this film, were the evil, crazy bad guys in 2 of Hitch's movies! Good thing they can act, so I soon forgot that I thought they were evil and about to strangle someone. Joseph Cotten was the murderer in Shadow of a Doubt, and Robert Walker was the insane Bruno in Strangers on a Train. And they were very convincing in those roles! But it was nice to see them in something else. Well done, boys!

Christmas in Connecticut, 1945

Director: Peter Godfrey

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet

Elizabeth Lane (Stanwyck), a single writer living in a crowded New York apartment, has created the perfect woman: Mrs. Lane, who lives on a farm in Connecticut, with a husband and baby; an exemplary mother, wife, cook-- everything! And Ms. Lane makes "Mrs. Lane" come to life in the articles she writes for a magazine.

But when the owner of the magazine, Mr. Yardely, decides to invite himself and war hero, Lieutenant Jones (Morgan), for a lovely Christmas in Connecticut, Ms. Lane is in trouble. It turns out Yardely doesn't like it when people lie in their articles. So if she wants a job, Ms. Lane must somehow come up with a husband, a farm, a baby, and the ability to flip a perfect flapjack!

Well, luckily, she's got a friend, Mr. Sloan, who keeps proposing to her, who has a farm in Connecticut. And an uncle who's also a restaurant owner, Felix, whose recipes always find their way into "Mrs. Lane's" kitchen. And after agreeing to marry Mr. Sloan, she heads to Connecticut with the whole gang!

But it just sucks for her, when Lieutenant Jones walks into "her" farmhouse, and it's pretty much love at first sight.

NOTE: If you can look at it as a cute comedy and ignore the fact that they both want to commit adultery, even though it isn't really adultery (it isn't on her side since she knows she's not really married, but Jones doesn't), then this is a sweet movie. I have to say it like that; though it is a movie, it's still awful that Jones falls in love with someone he believes to be married. And otherwise, Jones is the cutest EVER! And a war hero, as well. Did I mention the uniform?

Swoon!

Little Women, 1994

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Stars: Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Mary Wickes

The story of the March sisters- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy- and how they grow up through the hard times of the Civil War. The story follows them for quite a few years, through the good and bad, weddings and funerals, many friends, and many adventures. It's based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, and it's one the most beautiful films EVER. Seriously, if you haven't seen it, you'll love it. And the music is SO wonderful! An all-star cast too!

It's not strictly Christmas, but it begins at Christmas time, and has that lovely Christmas feeling throughout. I have always thought of it as a Christmas/winter movie.

While You Were Sleeping, 1995

Director: Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, Cool Runnings)

Stars: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Jack Warden, Peter Boyle, Monica Keena

How did 1995 get to me 16 years ago? What happened?

Lucy (Bullock), single and without any family in the big city of Chicago, agrees to work Christmas day at the subway because everyone else has family obligations. But her Christmas suddenly changes when a handsome passenger whose eye she's been trying to catch is pushed onto the tracks-- and she saves his life.

At the hospital she meets his family, the Callahans, and by some crazy mistake, they are told that she is his- Peter's (Gallagher)- fiancee. He can't argue about it because he's in a coma, and because of Peter's grandmother's heart condition, Lucy is afraid to tell his family the truth. And when they invite her to Christmas dinner and she experiences being in a family again, she has another reason not to tell them. But things get complicated when she meets Peter's brother Jack (Pullman), and they end up liking each other.

Totally hilarious and sweet!

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 2006

Director: Michael Lembeck

Stars: Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd, Ann-Margaret, Alan Arkin, Liliana Mumy

Santa (Tim Allen) and Mrs. Clause (Mitchell) have been living at the North Pole for a while, and now Mrs. Clause is expecting, and she wants some human company. Scott decides that a visit from the in-laws (Alan Arkin and Ann-Margaret) are in order, so he and the elves disguise the North Pole as Canada and continue the lie that Scott is a Canadian toy-maker, to protect the "Secret of Santa".

In the meantime, more stress is added to everyone's lives when trouble-maker Jack Frost (Short) learns about the "escape clause", a way for Santa to escape from being Santa. It will make it as if Santa never became Santa at all.

And yes, that's exactly what happens. Now Scott must fight to become Santa in the first place! And also to save Christmas itself, which has lost all of its magic with Jack Frost in charge. This one very cleverly refers back to The Santa Clause, with a few scenes from that movie, when Scott first finds the Santa suit.

Very good stuff, though cheesy of course. Martin Short and Tim Allen are absolutely hilarious together. And, as you can see from above, an all-star cast joins them.

The Santa Clause 2, 2002

Director: Michael Lembeck

Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz, Spencer Breslin

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been enjoying being Santa Claus for almost 10 years now, but back home Charlie (Lloyd) is acting up in school, probably needing more attention from his dad. On top of that, Scott has a huge new problem: he has to get married! Apparently, the elves forgot about the "Mrs. Clause", and now Scott has only 28 days (until Christmas Eve) to get married or he will stop being Santa Claus.

In order to go back home and be there for Charlie (now on the naughty list) and also stay at the North Pole and get ready for Christmas, a toy Santa is developed and given Santa's memories, and elves Bernard (Krumholtz) and Curtis (Breslin) take over the job of teaching the new toy Santa how to be Santa.

So, it's back home he goes, to be there for Charlie and help deal with the problems that arise, especially with Charlie's school Principal, Carol Newman (Mitchell). Over the next few weeks, Scott decides that maybe Carol is the one, and starts to romance her. But Scott only has a certain amount of magic to use, and he uses it all to impress her.

Meanwhile, the Toy Santa has decided that everyone in the world is getting coal for Christmas, because they have all been naughty. Now, Scott must get back to the North Pole--- to save Christmas, of course!

Did I give too much away? I hope not. This one is very cute, though the first will alwyas be my favorite.

The Santa Clause, 1994

Director: John Pasquin (Home Improvement)

Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has partial custody of his son Charlie (Lloyd), who comes over for Christmas Eve, not looking forward to it very much. But after they startle Santa Claus and cause him to fall from the roof, Charlie starts to enjoy himself as he and his dad take over Santa's job for the night. Scott, of course, thinks he has gone crazy, especially after they reach the North Pole and he is told by the elves that he is the new Santa Claus.

The next morning, he wakes up in his home, thinking it was all a dream, until Charlie talks about it excitedly and tells everyone his father is Santa Claus. It takes Scott a while to realize it all really happened. He gains a lot of weight, his hair turns white, he gets a beard he cannot get rid of no matter how much he shaves, and children begin to follow him in the street and tell him what they want for Christmas.

All this begins to scare his ex-wife and her psychologist husband Neil (Reinhold), and she wonders if seeing Scott is the right thing for Charlie.

I love this movie. It is my favorite of all Santa Claus movies; Tim Allen definitely makes a great Santa, and the story is sweet. This one is a little cheesy, but you deal with it, because it's Christmas!

Elf, 2003

Director: Jon Favreau (Iron Man)

Stars: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen

Buddy (Ferrell), a human who was raised by an elves at the North Pole, finds out he is actually a human (he never knew). When his Papa (Newhart) tells him the truth, he sets out to find his father Walter (Caan) in the magical land of New York City.

Buddy explores New York, accidentally acquires a job at a department store, and finds Walter and his wife Emily (Steenburgen) and son Michael. Buddy's ways are unconventional, but everybody loves him. He even gets himself a girlfriend, (Deschanel), one of his coworkers.

Then, on Christmas Eve, Santa crashes in Central Park, because not enough people believe in Santa anymore! If Buddy and his friends don't find a way to get more people to believe in Santa, the sleigh will never get off the ground again.

A wonderful, hilarious Christmas adventure! I love it!

The Shop Around the Corner, 1940

Director: Ernst Lubitsch

Stars: James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Felix Bressart

If you recognize the name from You've Got Mail, and wonder if they're connected, the answer is yes! You've Got Mail is the modern remake of this one.

Klara (Sullavan) walks into Matuchek's shop, desperate for a job, and proving herself an able salesperson, lands one. In doing so, she gets on Alfred's (Stewart) bad side. The two bicker and compete at work, and Klara struggles with the fact that Alfred is her boss.

But they also each have an anonymous pen pal with whom they are corresponding about anything and everything. And what they don't know is that they are writing to each other!!

Finally, Alfred decides he must meet his pen pal friend, as he is falling in love with her. He and his coworker Pirovitch (Bressart) go to the restaurant where they are scheduled to meet. And behold, it's Klara!!

It's so sweet! And not nearly as long as You've Got Mail, though I do like You've Got Mail even more. But Pirovitch has a wonderful character and lots of lines that will just crack you up. :)

The Cutting Edge, 1992

Director: Paul Michael Glaser

Stars: D.B Sweeney, Moira Kelly, Terry O'Quinn

When hockey player Doug Dorsey (Sweeney), gets hit in the head one too many times, his hopes of going pro are over. Meanwhile, figure skater Kate Moseley (Kelly) falls while skating at the Olympics and is now looking for a new partner for the next winter Olympics. Her coach finds Dorsey, a wonderful skater, and brings him in to audition for the part.

Doug and Kate clash instantly, but he's her last hope for a partner. She's run out of time. They begin to skate together, and Doug struggles through the transition from hockey skating to figure skating. And Kate doesn't make it easier for him. They make through Nationals and then onto France for the winter Olympics. And somewhere along the way, they fall in love.

I LOVE this one. Here's a crazy thing about it: whenever I watch it, I never think of Sweeney and Kelly having stunt doubles. I don't think you can tell, they made it so well!

It's not the cleanest movie, but not dirty. There's no sex, just implied sex. It's not exactly a Christmas movie, but most of it takes place in winter, and there's ice, of course.

25 Christmas Movies!

For December, I am doing what everybody does, really. I am havign a marathon of Christmas movies! Hopefully, you will come across a "new" gem you've never seen before and add it to their Christmas collection!

Starts today! And ends the 25th, of course. And after that, musicals will take up the rest of the year. Bet you can't wait!