THE SCREENING ROOM

By Kelley Lyne

Ho, Ho, Ho…it’s that time of year again, time to get ready for another season of fine holiday viewing!

Elf - Rated PG***1/2
Former Saturday Night Live cast member Will Ferrell surprises us all with this sure to be instant holiday classic, Elf. You just gotta love it!

Ferrell, stars as Buddy, a human who has been raised at the North Pole as an elf, by an elf after he accidentally crawls into Santa’s sack as an orphaned baby. Years later, Buddy finds out the horrible truth about his heritage - he’s way taller than the other elves and is too big to be good at making toys.

With Santa’s blessing and an old photo, Buddy sets out for New York to find his biological father. The supporting cast here is superb to say the least. Bob Newhart plays Buddy’s adopted dad and James Caan is his cynical biological father. There are too many funny scenes to mention here, but the cameo from actor Peter Dinklage who played the dwarf in The Station Agent is worth the price of admission. Trust me.

Elf is directed, devoid of syrupy sentimentality, by Jon Favreau, better known for writing the cult-fave Swingers and co-starring in the Rocky redux Rudy. Looks like he also has a bright career in directing ahead of him also.

Love Actually - Rated R***
Brought to you via London by director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones’ Diary), Love Actually is actually a filmic love letter for anyone who ever has been, is, or will be in love. Set with the impending Christmas holidays as a backdrop, the film revolves around a dozen plus characters that are all in various stages of love. Hugh Grant is great as the Prime Minister who falls for his assistant and Billy Bob Thornton has a scary cameo as the President of the United States. The common thread woven throughout the proceedings is the story of a has-been rocker named Billy Mack who is releasing a stinky holiday remake of one of his earlier hits. Bill Nighy has great fun with a character who’s like Keith Richards on happy pills. Bottom Line: Love Actually is a pleasant holiday date-night diversion that will educate many to the Brits sense of humor.

Studios are bringing out the big guns this holiday season with these must-see flicks:
12/5 The Last Samurai - Period epic starring Tom Cruise as a civil war hero who learns the way of the Samurai. Blatant attempt by Cruise to finally nab that little gold man named Oscar.
12/12 Something’s Got To Give- Comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Their screen chemistry alone is enough to make you giggle. 12/19 Mona Lisa Smile - Julia Roberts plays a forward thinking art professor at women’s college in the ’50s. A who’s who of young co-stars rounds out the cast.
12/25 House Of Sand And Fog - Another Oscar perhaps for Jennifer Connelly who stars in this uber-drama about a woman who loses her family home?
12/25 Cheaper By The Dozen - This remake of the ’60s original stars the always likeable Bonnie Hunt and the always funny Steve Martin. Good, clean family fun.
12/25 Cold Mountain - Civil war epic love story starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.

New Holiday Video Releases:
Christmas With The Simpsons - A compilation of Holiday themed Simpson’s episodes including “Simpson’s Roasting on an Open Fire ,” “Mr. Plow,” “Miracle on Evergreen Terrace” and “She of Little Faith.”
The Santa Clause 2 - The 2002 sequel of 1994’s runaway Christmas hit starring Tim Allen. This time around if Santa doesn’t find a wife before Christmas, he’ll lose all of his Santa privileges.

Happy Holidays from the Screening Room!

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