Menu of Reviews:
Classic Movies
Modern Movies
Romance Movies
Remake Movies

Menu of Reviews:
Classic Movies
Modern Movies
Romance Movies
Remake Movies

Elf
2003

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

Will Ferrell is Buddy, a human baby raised as an elf at the North Pole and now (grown) seeking his biological father in New York City. Buddy is over-sized at the North Pole but he grew up never questioning his differences from the elves around him. In New York, he also doesn't fit in. Children will enjoy seeing the adult-sized Buddy reacting to his new environment as a child might. He is ignorant in the ways of humans and has a lot to learn about cell phones, family, and even food.

BLU-RAY

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas
1977

Voices by Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, marilyn Sokol, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Eren Ozker

Introduced on HBO, this puppet show was created by Jim Henson and carries the muppet mark. But there have been several versions displayed through the years and so adults won't necessarily see everything they remember from their chilldhood (such as Kermit the Frog as narrator). Children may feel sad at the circumstances and dialog, and the musical score is often melancholy. Adults can ease the sadness by commenting that things will probably work out. (And they do, although in a quiet sort of way.)

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
1993

Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel, Bart Robinson Cook, Macualay Culkin, Narrator: Kevin Kline

As a Hollywood release, this film brings beautiful elements together but does not present the ballet in its best rendition. The film does introduce children to the classic story with little of the (scary) suspense of other productions. Older children, especially those interested in dance, should be introduced to stage productions or to the filmed versions starring Nureyev (left link) or Baryshnikov (right link).

Prancer
1989
Oscar-winner for Best Music (Original song: White Christmas)

Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Abe Vigoda, Michael Constantine, Rebecca Harrell

Finding an injured reindeer, a young girl becomes its caretaker with reluctant help from her brother and the local vet. There is much to admire in the child's dedication to her task, which includes earning money for feed and making trips through the cold to visit the animal. Children will relate to the school, sibling, and friendship scenes and perhaps not understand the back story of the father's money problems. The film moves slowly; very young children will not find the animal scenes engaging but school-aged chidren will.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
1993
Oscar-nominated for Best Visual Effects

Voices by Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara

Tim Burton's story is the basis for this stop-action animation film. Dark images and messages abound and the word "gruesome" comes to mind. Young children may genuinely fear what they see on screen and school-aged children are not immune. Still, the artwork is compelling and most people find the music habit-forming. To ease the tension for children, adults can stop the stop-action: literally stop or pause the DVD to analyze a graphic or an entire scene. Taking breaks from the action will help children process the meaning and close examination of the puppets will defuse the "dark and scary" feelings. Older children can be encouraged to make their own stop-action films with personal video equipment.

The Polar Express
2004
Oscar-nominated for Best Music (Original Song: Believe), Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing

Voices by Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari

Through Imagemotion technology, the Van Allsburg book is animated in a manner that is pleasing to some and disturbing to others. If children are familiar with the illustrated book, they may accept the film's look. The story is not as challenging: a boy hops a ride on the North Pole-bound train and, along with new friends, confirms that Santa is real. At 99 minutes, the film is long for young children; some sequences (such as the ticket taking flight) will tax children's patience. Adults will find entertainment in the animation of Tom Hanks.

The Santa Clause
1994

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

The greatest challenge to adults watching this film with children is how to explain that Santa was or was not killed near the start of the movie. That non-fact will recede in everyone's memory by the end of the movie, as we see a human dad take on all the traits of Santa and eventually accept the job full-time. Tim Allen portrays the often-absent divorced father to a boy who no longer believes in Santa. Older children may take note of the sub-theme of co-parenting; younger children will take the family composition at face value. The North Pole scenes neatly explain some of the mysteries of Santa and older children will find these amusing.

The Santa Clause 2
2002

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

In this Clause sequel, the importance of "fine print clauses" provides the plot: Santa must marry. Tim Allen's transformation to Santa is slowly reversed in this film, with waistline shrinking as he searches for a wife. Santa discovers his son has made the Naughtly List, which prompts a visit to school and conveniently puts the future Mrs. Claus in his sights (she is the principal disciplining the son). Children will follow the story line well enough but younger ones may not understand the "clone" Santa, who looks very plastic and serves as the villain of the piece.

The Santa Clause 3 - The Escape Clause
2006

Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Spencer Breslin

Martin Short chews scenery and appears to enjoy himself as a legendary figure without a holiday. As Jack Frost, he propels Santa to a time transformation, returing to home 12 years earlier—the date of the first Clause movie. Children may need help understanding these scenes as we see the characters as they "might have been." Critics do not agree as to whether the Clause movies have improved over the years but observant grandparent-aged viewers will enjoy the casting of older actors who are very familiar from films 30 and 40 years ago. Observant child viewers may spot Breslin siblings Spencer and Abigail as elves.