Leon Joosen, whose animation credits include The Little Mermaid, will direct. Production on Saving Santa is set to start this week and the film is expected to be released around Christmas 2012, although no official release date has been set.

Saving Santa Plot Outline:

In the vein of THE SANTA CLAUSE and MIRACLE ON 34th STREET comes SAVING SANTA, a tender-hearted Christmas story for the entire family.

When a wealthy, disgruntled politician, Senator “Max Schmucker”, leads a global campaign to ban the myth of Santa Claus, the world joins his movement, causing Santa Claus to lose his magical powers.

As Christmas approaches and “Santa” and his lead Elf, “Elliot”…, are making their final rounds around the world, they get stranded in a small farming community. They’re stuck and living in a barn on the Logan Family Ranch, where they are soon discovered by “Miley”, and her older brother, “Zach”.

The two children learn about Santa and Elliot’s predicament, and realize that Schmucker’s movement to ban the belief in Santa Claus is actually behind Santa losing his magical powers.

Miley and Zach go on a wild escapade to hide Santa and Elliot from their parents, “Joe” and “Renae”, while at the same time, attempt to help Santa Claus regain his magical powers before Christmas is lost.

SAVING SANTA is a sweet, funny, holiday story about the belief in love, goodness and the spirit of Christmas.

Sunday the movie’s star, Dean Cain, was spotted joking with the cast and crew while shooting a scene at the Ninth Bridge Market in Ada. Local resident Bruce Snider (who’s son plays Cain’s son in the movie) said Cain was being kind to everyone. “He’s just a really, really super guy, just very cordial.”

A Dog for Christmas is being shot primarily in Rockford through Feb. 6 and will air in November on a cable network like Lifetime or ABC Family. Sherman Hemsley and Dustin Diamond also star in the movie. The movie follows a 9-year-old girl who wants a dog for Christmas. ”It is essentially, though, just about extended family getting together in a house at Christmas, and all the hilarity and mayhem that can ensue,” Producer Joel Reisig said.

Their story says casting is now under way for the movie, which will be feature a teenage Ralphie “yearning for another special Christmas present, but this time it’s a 1938 Hupmobile Skyline convertible.” The filmmakers are looking for an 18-year-old actor to play a 16-year-old Ralphie. They are also looking to cast new Old Man, mom and brother, Randy, who’ll be a pre-teen in the new feature.

It’s too early in the game to know whether any of the film will be shot in Cleveland. The “A Christmas Story House” in Cleveland was promoting the casting call on its Facebook page with a link to the Hollywood casting site, Showfax.

There has already been one “A Christmas Story” sequel: 1994′s “It Runs in the Family,” starring Kieran Culkin as Ralphie, Charles Grodin as The Old Man and Mary Steenburge as Mrs. Parker. It was later released on DVD under the tile, “A Summer Story.”

The film’s producers are also looking to cast a new Old Man, mom and brother. The original “Christmas Story” was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio. No word yet on where the upcoming movie will be shot. We’ll keep you posted!

Source: cleveland.com

Then this year’s Target commercials couldn’t be funnier… We all have an aunt or sister who turns completely crazy at Christmas… or is it just me?

And of course Cats can’t ice skate…

Buy it on DVD – Elf on the Shelf DVD: An Elf’s Story

Nine-year-old Taylor McTuttle has reached a crossroads. Does he believe Santa Claus really knows who is naughty or nice? Does he even believe in Santa Claus anymore?

An Elf’s Story is the inspirational tale of Chippey, the young scout elf who is assigned by Santa to restore Taylor’s belief in Christmas magic. When the boy breaks the number one Elf on the Shelf rule, Chippey loses his Christmas magic; the entire McTuttle family loses its scout elf, and both Taylor and Chippey lose their self-respect. Through the power of love and forgiveness, both of them learn that true belief cannot be taught.

Destined to be a beloved family Christmas classic, An Elf’s Story is filled with fun, music and the timeless message that Christmas is something we carry in our hearts.

November 22, 2011

Becoming Santa

BECOMING SANTA is the story of one man entering the culture and character of Santa Claus for a single season. We follow Jack as he bleaches his hair, goes to Santa School and tries to do everything that Santa is asked to do. He works as a sidewalk Santa, does home visits, a Polar Express Train and a parade. Along the way, Jack collects children’s wishes, learns about the benefits of belief, the history and origin of Santa and the ordinary people keeping the Santa spirit alive. – Amazon

Prep and Landing

Disney presents Prep and Landing, a spirited comic adventure bound to become a holiday tradition at your home for years to come – complete with two bonus stocking stuffer shorts. – Amazon

A Madea Christmas:  The Play

When a wealthy family meets for Christmas at their posh Cape Cod estate, family arguments and secrets cause quite a stir. It will take the almighty Madea to save this Christmas and make it into a foot-stomping good time. Filled with great music and enough laughs to fill your holiday season with joy, A MADEA CHRISTMAS is a must-see. – Amazon

Beauty and the Beast:  The Enchanted Christmas

Celebrate the most magical time of the year with this Special Edition of the irresistible holiday classic inspired by Disney’s beloved classic — reuniting the original voice cast! Share the wonder as Mrs. Potts recounts another “tale as old as time” about a Christmas past that almost wasn’t — thanks to the scheming of former court composer Forte, who is determined to keep Belle and Beast apart forever. this enchanted adventure boasts exciting bonus features, delightful songs, spellbinding visuals and enduring themes of hope, friendship and love. Your family will enjoy the spirit of the season all year long with the timeless magic of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. – Amazon

November 26, 2011

Ice Age:  A Mammoth Christmas Special

November 29, 2011

The Stingiest Man in Town

December 6, 2011

A Christmas Wedding Tail

Jennie Garth of ”90210” stars as Susan, an unemployed Los Angeles museum curator and widowed single mom temporarily living in a small California town with her three sensitive sons. Jake (Brad Rowe of ”General Hospital”) is a single dad of two tomboys who owns a local winery. When Susan’s dog Rusty (voiced by Jay Mohr of ”Ghost Whisperer”) falls for Jake’s poodle Cheri (voiced by Nikki Cox of ”Las Vegas”), these canine matchmakers help their owners fall in love too. Now with a Christmas Day wedding to plan — and major complications threatening to unravel it all — can two mismatched broods find a way to make one happy family? Tom Arnold and Catherine Hicks (”Seventh Heaven”) co-star in this heartwarming holiday film from the producer/director of The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation and Your Love Never Fails. – Amazon

Christmas Spirit

A Christmas Wish

Single-mom Martha Evans is praying for a miracle to help her family this Christmas. Little does she know that her neighbors have been working behind the scenes to make her season bright. Starring Kristy Swanson, Edward Herrmann and Tess Harper. – Amazon

Saint Nick (Warning:  Horror/Comedy)

In “Lucky Christmas,” Holly Ceroni (Berkley) is a single mother who has been destitute when it comes to luck and love. No one can afford a personal chef, forcing Holly to go back to waitressing. She buys a lottery ticket, kissing it for good luck before she tosses it in the glove compartment of her car, hoping this Christmas things will get better. That night Holly’s car is stolen, adding to her streak of misfortune. The next morning Holly discovers her lotto numbers are in fact the million dollar winner, but the ticket is in her missing car. Mike Ronowski (Stanford) is one of the men behind Holly’s missing vehicle; he and his friend had inadvertently taken Holly’s car the night before. When Mike’s greedy friend finds the winning lottery ticket he suggests that Mike romance Holly in order to get a cut of the money to help save his family business. As Mike gets to know Holly, he unexpectedly falls in love with her and realizes there are more important things in life than money. Will Holly’s losing streak continue, or is fate finally on her side this Christmas?  - Hallmark

Christmas with the Celts

This program celebrates the holiday in a very unique way; by bringing Irish and Scottish music – which was the underpinning of today’s American Country music – full circle to the world famous home of country music, the historical Ryman Auditorium. We’ll hear Irish and Scottish carols, along with popular Christmas carols performed by The Celts and including specials guests Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh (Altan); Dublin uilleann piper Ivan Goff (Riverdance); The Gail String Orchestra, and The Nashville Irish Step Dancers. – KQED-TV

Dora Celebrates Three Pack

Christmas Goes Baroque

Holidays with SpongeBob

Babar and Father Christmas

In this delightful holiday tale, Babar’s children write a letter to Father Christmas to ask him to visit Celesteville at Christmas. Their letter, however, never arrives because it is stolen by Babar’s Arch-enemy, Rataxes the Rhinoceros, who wants all of Santa’s toys for himself! Can Babar find Father Christmas and save the day for Celesteville? – Amazon

Christmas Mail

In this holiday romantic comedy, a mysterious woman who works at the post office answering Santa’s mail captures the heart of a disillusioned postal carrier -IMDB

25 Days of Christmas: Advent Calendar DVD

Christmas – a time for family celebration and focusing on the gift of Christ Jesus. Mark the joyous season by observing the days approaching Jesus’ birth with 25 Days Until Christmas: A Family Advent Calendar.

Reintroduce the Bible into your family’s Christmas with daily scripture readings, beautiful HD winter scenes, devotions and inspirational music. View one day at a time, or “play all” for a longer, more worshipful experience. Features a Bible reading of The Christmas Story. – Amazon

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

‘Tis the season to celebrate with everyone’s favorite St. Bernard, Beethoven, in an all-new, heartwarming holiday adventure where the hilarious canine speaks for the first time! When Henry the elf (Kyle Massey, TV’s That’s So Raven) flees the North Pole with Santa’s sleigh and his magical bag of toys, he crash-lands the precious cargo in a suburban neighborhood tree. But when the bag ends up in the wrong hands, it’s up to heroic Beethoven and his teenage pal, Mason (Munro Chambers, TV’s Degrassi: The Next Generation), to rescue Henry, fetch Santa’s toys and save Christmas for children everywhere. Featuring an all-star cast, including Tom Arnold as the voice of Beethoven, it’s a barking good time for the whole family! – Amazon

Christmas Classics

Including Silent Night, Old Fashioned Christmas, Mary of Nazareth and Mystery of the Three Kings

Barbie: A Perfect Christmas

Join Barbie and her sisters Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea as their holiday vacation plans turn into a most unexpected adventure and heartwarming lesson. After a snowstorm diverts their plane, the girls find themselves far from their New York destination and their holiday dreams. Now stranded at a remote inn in the tiny town of Tannenbaum, the sisters are welcomed by new friends and magical experiences. In appreciation for the wonderful hospitality they receive, they use their musical talents to put on a performance for the whole town. BarbieTM and her sisters realize the joy of being together is what really makes A Perfect Christmas! – Amazon

Stagecoach Santa

John’s struggle to provide is bolstered by the childlike faith of his son who considers the meaning of Christmas. After a stagecoach rider visits Christmas eve, John must believe that troubles are temporary, and miracles can happen. – IMDB

Destined to become a family Christmas classic to be played year in and year out with kids and kin.   Yikes, strike that.  One thing for sure, this is NOT a family Christmas movie, unless your folks and kids reside in San Quentin.

With that said, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Yeah, I know, I slammed Bad Santa as the worst Christmas movie ever for being  crude, rude and plainly just hateful.  My views on Bad Santa have softened since the worst Christmas list was published.  However, Bad Santa committed the cardinal sin of comedies and that is not being funny.

I am pleased to say that A Very Harold and Kumar 3d Christmas is funny (at least mostly). And that mostly is based on what you find funny.  If you think raunch, drug addled tots, Claymation nudity and other wacked out stuff funny (much like the first two H and K movies, minus the Claymation nudity) then you’re in for one heck of a trip.  If you didn’t like the first two movies, then you certainly are not going to like this one.

It’s been six years since our heroic duo escaped Guantanamo Bay and piped a joint with George W.  Harold is now married to Maria and Kumar is still living the “high” life.  They’ve drifted apart to lead to totally different lives.

Fate and someone special have plans to reunite the Doobie Brothers and send them on their greatest adventure in search of the perfect Christmas tree.  Hilarity ensues with wild set pieces, including a huge stage number with NPH. For those of you who’re are not initiated in the H and K canon, that would be Neil Patrick Harris.  The search for the tree runs afoul of a Ukrainian mobster, the aforementioned NPH, old buddies and Santa.  That’s not all, we’re introduced to the Wafflebot, which is the new big thing this Christmas (at least in the movie).

So many things worked in the movie and very few didn’t.  The big plus is the use of 3D. It’s gimmick, we know it’s a gimmick and guess what the director knows it too.  He uses it greatly with great depth and everything from snowflakes to Christmas trees hurled toward the screen.  I’ll stop short of saying that they’re mocking the 3d gimmick, but it’s pretty close and they do it really well.  This is one that I would actually recommend seeing in 3d.

Without giving it all away, there you have it.  It’s a crude and raunchy movie, certainly not for kids or those who are easily offended.

However, I laughed and laughed and for me, that’s a good thing.

Harold and Kumar gives us great Christmas visuals as well (even though they mock some of them).  There’s no doubt it’s Christmas in the Harold and Kumar universe.

Did I mention Wafflebot, I really need one of those!