"8 Mile"

is a clever reworking of the perennial "underdog makes good" theme that gets trotted out for new actors looking to prove themselves, this time with rap superstar Eninem playing a role loosely based on himself during the time he was trying to break into the rap scene; fighting both his own insecurities, social circumstances, and the fact white rappers with credibility were rarer than Bush fans at the New York Times. It's hard to know whether Eninem is actually a good actor, or even wants to be an actor, but he does know how to hold the screen, and once the movie lets him get going in the rap battles at the end, you begin to see the talent at work that has sold thirty million records. It may wind up as no more than a curiosity, but at least it isn't the embarrassment of "I Spy" or its ilk.
Another curiosity is "The Santa Clause II", which is both very traditional and very weird for a Christmas story. I went into it blind, so to say, because I never saw the original and knew only Tim Allen played a guy who had become Santa Claus. Here, Allen is back as Santa but discovers that he's got to find a Mrs. Claus or he stops being Santa. Tim Allen looking for a wife is not something I thought would lead to loads o'laffs, but Allen's quirky courtship and gradual humanizing of a frosty school principal played by Elizabeth Mitche principal played by Elizabeth Mitchell grew on me. Back at the Pole, Allen also plays his rule-mad robot double, left behind to keep the elves from knowing he's gone, who turns into a leather clad dictator, complete with giant tin soldier enforcers, determined to punish everyone who's been naughty. This is one of those split-demographic movies with the kids enjoying the North Pole and the mad Santa while their baby boomer parents get to enjoy the romance and a gentle reminder that this is the time of year to lighten up a little. Not the worst way I've ever spent ninety minutes.

-Michael Stone