Christmas is Coming!

Yes, it's time for the onslaught of holiday movies both in theaters and on television. I've already seen Fred Claus, which I enjoyed very much. It is full of every holiday feel-good movie cliché a moviegoer can think of, but it's still fun. Vince Vaughn plays the type of character he's best known for- a fast-talking, lovable imp. He is Fred, never do well older brother to the saintly Nick (Paul Giamatti), also known as Santa Claus. Fred goes to work at the North Pole, and chaos reigns. Best scene in the movie: Fred is chased through the streets of Chicago by a dozen angry Salvation Army Santas, and eventually dog piled by them in a department store. The North Pole sets were suitable colorful and corny. And I was very amused to see the rapper Ludacris digitally shrunk down to elf size. Vaughn and Giamatti work well together- and it's fun to watch Fred and Nick argue. I think this will be a classic!

One thing I look forward to every year is the 24 hours of A Christmas Story that airs every Christmas Eve. That is one holiday movie I will never get sick of. "I triple-dog dare you!" The leg lamp, Ralphie's bunny suit, the flag pole...it never gets old.

Another favorite of mine is Elf. Will Ferrell is terrific in this sweet movie. Like Fred Claus, it's corny and clichéd, but enjoyable all the same.

A Muppet Christmas Carol is another one I try to watch every holiday season. You can't go wrong with the Muppets! Michael Caine is a great Scrooge. And the film is very true to Dickens- if you can get past Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit!

It wouldn't be Christmas without television repeats of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (not the overblown Jim Carrey feature) or A Charlie Brown Christmas. I look forward to watching them...and if I miss them, I know I can always find them at the library.

I may be one of the few people out there who really doesn't care all that much for Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life. They're all right, but I don't go out of my way to see them. And I liked Tim Allen's The Santa Claus, but it's not one I watch over and over.

Of course, these are all very secular films. Only The Nativity (which I have yet to see) seems to be about the real meaning of Christmas!