Major pleasure watching Elf with kids and grandkids last night.

If you are tired of Christmas Story and looking for a fun movie with good messages that somehow is not sappy, this is a clear winner.

Extra points for James Caan and his stoic but smart take as Buddy’s dad. And this is one of Will Farrell’s best acting jobs.

I would rave even more about Will’s work as being the best in this one but I keep getting an image from Old School when he gets back in the car naked after streaking and slurs “Honey, do you think Kentucky Fried Chicken is still open.”