Movie Reviews: Santa Baby, the Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause

It's that time of year again, when studios churn out the "feel good" Santa-themed schlock in the hopes of plucking your heart-strings to get to your cash. Sadly, I've noticed that they almost always have a theme of: Santa can't/won't do his job this year and someone inexperienced or with a "better" idea or whatever is taking over with (theoretically) hilarious results. Not that I'm cynical.

Santa Baby stars Jenny McCarthy as Mary, a workaholic marketing executive who is called back to her small-town home ("Polaris") when her father, Santa (George Wendt), suffers a non-fatal heart attack. Mary is certain that she can improve the whole Christmas process, automating the toy building and letter processing, etc. With her equally cold, workaholic boyfriend back in the big city, Mary rekindles her romance with a high school sweetheart who never left the small town. The elves provide most of the comedy, played as sort of well-meaning idiot-children who bumble through tasks. Cute and predictable, you can watch this with your kids, grandma, whoever. It's not so cutesy or over-sweet that you'll gag, not so boring that you'll turn it off. I don't think I'd buy it, even on sale, but if it's on TV, I might watch.

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is the third installment of Tim Allen's Santa Clause movies. To be honest, I thought the first one was cute and the second was obnoxious, so I didn't have high hopes for this one. In this movie, Santa grows overwhelmed with family responsibilities and preparing for Christmas, as Jack Frost (Martin Short) sabotages all his endeavours because Frost desires to be a more important mythical figure. In a "Wonderful Life" way, Santa/Scott sees how miserable everyone would be if he'd never become Santa. With appearances by Aisha Tyler, Spencer and Abigail Breslin, Michael Dorn, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margaret, Kevin Pollack and Peter Boyle, the movie is watchable and enjoyable, if predictable. Better than the last movie, but not an instant holiday classic.

Both movies, 2 stars out of 5. I'd say, rent the Muppets Christmas Carol instead.