Elf

First off, I just have to say how much I loved the Rankin-Bass-type figures at the North Pole. (As Mike would repeat, "Not now, arctic puffin.") That and the seven layers of the candy cane forest pretty much sealed it for me right there.

Unabashedly corny and persistently innocent, Will Ferrell is highly likeable here. The love interest (name escapes me) is a great singer - at last, an end to all those wheezy scale-riding sopranos. Bob Newhart is Bob Newhart, and that's exactly what we want. Ed Asner is simultaneously crusty yet kind as he's never been before. James Caan is as downbeat as he needs to be. Mary Steenbergen needs to gain about 14-34 pounds, but is otherwise as generous with giving over the scenes as Caan.

Lots of little moments and lines, a great nod to Gimbel's (sniff), and tear-inspiring rendition of what is normally one of my most disliked Christmas carols at the end. It's silly, even cheesy, but it is fun. Not one to buy, but one to hope to see on December lineups every year.