Get Smart ***
Cast: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp, James Caan, Ken Davatian, Dalip Singh
Director: Peter Segal
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

CONTROL is an American intelligence agency led by Te Chief (Arkin). Maxwell Smart (Carell) is their best analyst, but is not a field man. When arch-enemy KAOS attacks CONTROL headquarters and takes out the majority of the field agents, Max is elevated and given the designation “Agent 86.” He is partnered with Agent 99 (Hathaway) to stop whatever scheme KAOS is up to.

Steve Carell is the perfect choice for Maxwell Smart. He does not try to imitate Don Adams, and yet is reminiscent of him. Don Adams would be proud. Hathaway, Arkin, and Johnson are also good in their respective roles. There are plenty of laughs, and a surprising amount of action to be found too. One does not picture Carell as an action star, but with “Get Smart”, he is. Faithful to the television show, long time fans will not be disappointed. This is one TV to movie upgrade that works. I recommend this film for a good laugh.

Elf ***

Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay
Director: Jon Favreau

Buddy the elf finds out that he isn't really an elf. He was just raised by them at the North Pole after Santa mistakenly brought him back from the adoption home one Christmas Eve. Now, Buddy is determined to meet his real father, a grumpy children's book publisher who barely has time for his wife and other son. Of course this movie has a lot of "fish out of water" moments as Buddy gets acclimated to the real world, but Will Ferrell gives him the heart and innocence that makes you want to root for him. While watching this movie, I found myself thinking about how this will be one of those Christmas movies that you actually want to pull out and watch this time every year.