*Santa: I've been to New York thousands of times.

Buddy: Really?

Santa: Mm-hmm.

Buddy: What's it like?

Santa: Well, there are some things you should know. First off, you see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn't free candy.

Buddy: Oh.

Santa: Second, there are, like, thirty Ray's Pizzas. They all claim to be the original. But the real one's on 11th. And if you see a sign that says "Peep Show", that doesn't mean that they're letting you look at the new toys before Christmas.



Elf
Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel
Written by David Berenbaum and Directed by Jon Favreau


THE CASE: Will Ferrell stars as a man raised by elves in the North Pole who goes in search of his real father in the Big Apple.


THE GOOD: There are some great comedic minds at work here: Will Ferrell, Jon Favreau, and Bob Newhart. Surprisingly just as funny is James Caan’s portrayal of a father who discovers his love-child from his days in college is a giant elf. If you are a fan of fish-out-of-water films or just plain silly slapstick fun -- there is a lot of that kind of action in Elf. The film is silly, but unlike most silly films, Elf has some heart behind it (credit Jon Favreau for that). A new yule tide classic that is to be added to the television roster at Christmas time.


THE BAD: You will probably see this film on TV around Christmas time until the day you die. Some people may find Ferrell’s antics a little annoying after awhile (he is as much as an acquired taste as early Jim Carrey). Zooey Deschanel looks a little too retarded at times (what’s up with her eyes?) and would have been a better love interest had she not looked so retarded.


THE LAW: Only watch Elf around Christmas time, the film only works during that season. It could be because people are just a little bit more open minded around Christmas time or it could just be the alcohol in their egg nog.