My Merry Christmas

Christmas is very much an indoor sport -- and movies are a big part of it. Every year, we relive Christmas through classics that have been beloved for generations. In this merry section of My Merry Christmas, we review holiday movies old and new -- and tell you which one you'll want to see year after year.

Fred Claus :: Movie Review -- If Santa is good, jolly and kind his big brother, Fred, is anything but in this naughty, confusing tale posing as a Christmas comedy.

The Nativity Story :: Movie Review -- The classic Biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ is told with a focus on the very-human characters who played a part in it.

Santa Clause 3 :: Movie Review -- Spousal neglect, relationships with the in-laws, competitive workplace dynamics and the commercialization of the North Pole are dominant themes in Disney's 2006 release of The Santa Claus 3. Oh yeah, this movie is supposed to be for kids.

Jimmy Stewart Remembers 'It's a Wonderful Life' -- This memory of the making of "It's a Wonderful Life" was written in the late 1970s by Jimmy Stewart, forever frozen in time by Christmas purists as George Bailey. A terrific read!

Charlie Brown Christmas Turns 40 -- This made-for-television production has many reasons for failing. But like It's a Wonderful Life, it has survived the years and the critics.

The Polar Express -- A classic-but-brief children's book gets adapted for the big-screen in this overblown production.

A Miraculous Movie -- Background stories about Miracle on 34th Street.

It's a Wonderful Movie -- Background stories about It's a Wonderful Life.

The Bishop's Wife -- David Niven plays the Bishop, Cary Grant plays an angel and Loretta Young plays the Bishop's Wife. The angel comes as an answer to a prayer -- and ends up driving the Bishop nuts. A holiday treasure.

The Santa Clause -- Tim Allen plays busy business executive Scott Calvin who gets hoodwinked into becoming Santa, thus saving himself and the relationship with his son.

Mr. Krueger's Christmas -- Jimmy Stewart's other Christmas movie is a tear-jerker too.

The Muppet Christmas Carol -- "A Christmas Carol" as only the Muppets can do it. Michael Caine ably stars as Scrooge.

The Santa Clause 2 -- Tim Allen is back for more hijinks as Santa in this sequel to the 1994 classic.

It's A Wonderful Life -- The gold-standard of Christmas classics stars Jimmy Stewart as a down-on-his-luck family man at his wit's end. This film oozes Christmas throughout.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas -- Three words: stink, stank, stunk.

Home Alone -- Kevin McCallister is part of a very large family gathered for a Christmas vacation to Europe. Events transpire that keep Kevin home -- alone -- while the family mistakenly travels without him.

A Christmas Story -- Officially now a classic, this is the story of a child's Christmas in the 1940s.

Elf -- Will Ferrell brings his sometimes-charming brand of silliness as the world's tallest elf. Not picture of the year but worth a look-see.

Christmas Vacation -- This 1989 John Hughes comedy stars Chevy Chase in his most beloved on-screen role as the bumbling Clark Griswold. The Griswold's have an old fashioned family Christmas with Cousin Eddy, both sets of inlaws and plenty of stress. .

Miracle on 34th Street -- Whether you're talking the classic black & white version or the 1990s remake, this beloved tale of Santa defended puts you in the holiday mood every time.

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