Now what would the Holidays be without a good movie or two? I have a couple of good ideas for you; a couple of good movies I have recently seen.

The first one isn't really a Christmas movie, but what the heck...don't we all see enough Christmas movies this time of year? It is called "Is Anybody There?" and it stars Michael Caine as an aging magician who moves into an old people's home run by a man and wife who have a ten year old son. The boy, Edward, just hates living at the home because his bedroom is taken by the elderly tenants and he resents thier presence. Of course he eventually befriends the retired and curmudgeonly mannered magician, and the two of them discover that maybe life isn't so bad, even if it is sometimes filled with regrets and bad times. This is an unusual movie and very well done. It is an English film. I think it was perfectly cast and the acting is supperb all around. The story line keeps you glued and yes, you will probably love the ending, although you may shed a tear or two. All in all it is an unusual movie but very well worth the effort to watch. I recomend it.

The second movie I just saw at the theater last weekend and it should be in a theater near you now. It is "A Christmas Carol", the latest animated version by Disney. Jim Carrey does quite a few of the voices in this movie, including the lead character, Ebenezer Scrooge. This is probably one of the best animated movies I have seen in a very long time, which dosen't surprise me too much considering where it's source. However, this is no children's film. It is an excellent and quite accurate recreation of the origional classic novel by Charles Dickens and some of scenes could be fairly frightening for younger children. If your YF is 9 or older, then it is probably ok, but I would leave the younger ones home. However, this movie is a complete winner in my book and has become my favorite adaption of this Dickens classic. I intend to buy this one when it comes out on DVD and watch it every Christmas from now on. Go see it, you will not be disapointed.

Happy Holidays and happy movie enjoyment on into the New Year!