Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson in the John Pasquin movie ‘The Santa Clause’

The interesting and gentle play of language introduces itself with today’s look into another movie for the Christmas season. The jolly and benevolent secular belief in good cheer and companionship in the United States, offers the image of Santa Claus. In offering a unique means to explore the patron of Christmas sometimes called Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Père Noël and others, The Santa Clause (1994) introduces a clever contractual twist for a divorced father again believing in the spirit of Christmas by becoming Santa Claus.

(From left, Eric Lloyd as Charlie Calvin and Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

John Pasquin directed The Santa Clause, which stars Tim Allen as divorced father and businessman Scott Calvin. We meet Calvin as having led a toy company in what presumably had been another successful year, yet trouble is afoot in his relationship with his son, Charlie Calvin, and Charlie’s other parents. Eric Lloyd portrayed Charlie Calvin. Wendy Crewson portrayed Laura Miller, Charlie’s biological mother. Laura is married to Dr. Neal Miller, portrayed by Judge Reinhold.

(From left, Judge Reinhold as Dr. Neal Miller and Wendy Crewson as Laura Miller in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

A large degree of cuteness ensues from these fundamental relationships, including an accident that has provides the path that introduces the Santa clause. As this wrinkle is not enough, the clause coincides with Charlie’s enhanced belief in the spirit of Christmas as well as the magnanimous nature of his father, Scott Calvin. The belief in the spirit of the holiday, as well as each other, asks many questions geared at affirming beliefs in the people and other aspects of healthy belief.

(From left, David Krumholtz as Bernard the Head Elf and Paige Tamada as Judy the Elf in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

The sense of adventure through The Santa Clause strikes a pleasant feeling of cuteness. The path to believing in the notion of Scott Calvin having been and continuing to be Santa Claus is supported by Bernard the Head Elf, Judy the Elf and Comet the reindeer. David Krumholtz and Paige Tamada portrayed Bernard the Head Elf and Judy the Elf, respectively. Frank Welker and Kerrigan Mahan voiced the reindeer.

(From left, Peter Boyle as Mr. Whittle and Larry Brandenburg as Detective Nunzio in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

The storyline includes several redeeming messages intermingled among challenges. The Santa Clause feels family friendly and cute, in addition to including an original premise that sustains the storyline cutely. I grant The Santa Clause as directed by John Pasquin 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, December 18, 2021

Will Ferrell and the movie ‘Elf’

It was upon learning of the enjoyment Lynn found in the movie Elf (2003) that I decided to take a closer look into the film of a full grown man who mistakenly grew up in the North Pole. Being let loose in New York City as a physical adult during the holidays, we mean the main protagonist that shall be the focal point of the film carrying his name.

(From left, James Caan as Walter, Mary Steenburgen as Emily and Will Ferrell as Buddy in the movie Elf).

Buddy is the name of the elf portrayed by Will Ferrell that drives much of the story that we receive in the movie Elf. We first learn much of the confused backstory of Buddy through the vantage point of buddy’s human family of Walter as portrayed by James Caan, Emily as portrayed by Mary Steenburgen and Michael as portrayed by Daniel Tay. The formative period of Buddy’s life offering him the belief that he is in fact an elf launches the comedy informed by the consumer view of Christmas that Elf offers us throughout the film.

(From left, Daniel Tay as Michael and Will Ferrell as Buddy in the movie Elf).

As we are introduced to Buddy’s enjoyment of an odd concept of cuisine and manners, Buddy joins Walter at the department store where Buddy’s human father, Walter, works. The comedy here introduces us to the awkwardness of a father aiming to take his grown son with childlike tendencies to work. Buddy eventually is introduced to the department store’s presentation of Santa Claus with elves, including Jovie. Jovie, as portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, works an elf in the department store. Buddy and Jovie experience an awkward beginning yet begin to interact seriously as the story progresses.

(Zooey Deschanel as Jovie in the movie Elf).

As Buddy is pursuing the intricacies of dating, Walter experiences work pressure from his leadership team to deliver a profitable book for the department store. Morris and Eugene, as portrayed by Andy Richter and Kyle Gass, respectively, are struggling creatively to create a winning concept. The team brings in Miles Finch, as portrayed by Peter Dinklage, to possibly write a book for the department store. This storyline offers humor some will enjoy while others will not of the awkward variety that functions deliberately and clearly.

(Clockwise from left, Andy Richter as Morris, James Caan as Walter, Peter Dinklage as Miles Finch, Kyle Gass as Eugene and Amy Sedaris as Deb in the movie Elf).

The narrative of the movie Elf rounds together nicely by introducing Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and Ed Asner as Santa, both who offer a decidedly refreshing take on the tired adult feeling of tolerance that many parents and grandparents will readily understand and appreciate.

(From left, Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and Ed Asner as Santa in the movie Elf).

In bringing the story to an emotionally uplifting result, Elf delivers the proper recipe for a comedy that doubles as a Christmas movie with largely successful results. For delivering this, my rating of the film Elf is 3.75-stars  on a scale of 1-to-5 stars.

Matt – Wednesday, November 25, 2020