Took the boys (6 & to see it this weekend.
Tries to be witty, but sounds forced.
Turns very sappy at the end.
Has some funny scenes. The support group for the siblings of celebrities is very funny. It's been a running gag in "The Sport's Guy" columns, and it was executed pretty well here.
Two stars from me, three from the kids.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Bummer- I was planning on going tomorrow night- maybe I should see that American Gangster movie instead.....

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SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

Without little ones, "American Gangster" is the way to go HHJ.
That, or "No Country for Old Men" which is looking like the best reviewed movie in a very long time.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

So as I expected, Fred Claus is a less funny copycat of Will Ferrel's Elf? They even copied the sappy end of the movie huh?

next year it will come full circle - owen wilson is RUDOLPH in a live-action comedy with cameos by ben stiller, luke wilson, vince vaughn as the "crazy" uncle of rudolph...and janeane garofolo...for some reason.

No Country For Old Men was awesome. Lucky for us, Chicago is always going to be one of those places that gets the "limited release" movies. I caught it on Friday night. It was a pretty slow paced but it has a great story. Javier Bardem (the creepy looking guy with the bowl cut in the trailer) did an amazing job in this one. I highly recommend.

You also cannot go wrong with American Gangster either. Another very good movie.

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-Larry D.

Host of Chicago Bears Review
http://chicagobearsreview.mypodcast.com

but actually pretty sad because it's so true...

I imagine this was the studio pitch session:




SPOILER ALERT-READ AT YOUR OWN RISK



Vaughn "you know how it was really funny when a displaced Elf came to New York"

Studio guy" Yeah, you got something like that?"

Vaughn "Oh yeah, only better. How about a Chicagoan goes to the North Pole."

Studio guy "OK, I like it so far. But why would a Chicagoan go to the North Pole? It's just as cold in Chicago"

Vaughn " Well this is the kicker. He goes there cause He's Santa's brother, and he needs some cash. You followin me so far?"

Studio guy "Sounds great!!! Throw in a hot girlfriend, some orphans, and a disfunctional family angle and I smell a holiday season blockbuster"

Vaughn "Now you're talking my language. I'll play the guy I always play, A fast talking, leather jacket wearing, smart ass with a big heart, and this will be great"

Studio guy "Let's get it rolling, before Sandler steals it and spins the story to Santa's brother being adopted by a Jewish family"

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Saw American Gangster last night- Great movie- loooong movie but great all the same....

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SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

Wasn';t this Fred Claus movie supposed to come out last year and it got shelved for some reason? I swear I saw a preview before some movie last summer (maybe Star Wars)

It's a fine family holiday movie. Not as funny as Elf, but solid nonetheless.

Does Vince Vaughn work "....and let's make some bad decisions" into all his movies?