James Caan

Elf tries so hard to be a holiday classic, to be a sweet-natured, charming little piece of holiday gloss, it's tempting to declare it so and simply go with it. But such calculation rarely translates into genuine sentiment, and while Elf succeeds at being a humorous little trifle - thanks largely to Will Ferrell's go-for-broke exuberance as the title character, a human raised as one of their own by Santa's elves - it doesn't capture the essential holiday...

Bambambambambambam. Ratatatatatatatatatatat. Blamblamblamblamblamblam. Ker-pow. Grrrrrr. Arghhhh. The End.There. Now that the plot's out of the way, let's get to the matter at hand: What about that new Schwarzenegger film?Suffice to say, "Eraser" is one heck of a ride. Ludicrous at times, obvious at times, very funny at times, the one thing it never is is boring.It should make Arnold's fans very happy.Schwarzenegger plays a U.S. marshal whose job is simple: Keep people alive. His person today is one Lee Cullen (Vanessa Williams)

If hostage drama is not your favorite theme, better avoid seeing ''Misery.'' If, however, you enjoy films in which one person is held captive by another, this should do it.Stephen King did the book on which the film is based. Rob Reiner directed, and William Goldman (''Butch Cassidy'') did the script. That gives the new horror film credentials, but when all is said and done, it's the same old horror business. Reiner does avoid most of the cliches of the genre, but some of them are in there, and the movie has more than its share of inconsistencies.

'The Program'Starring Craig Sheffer, James Caan and Omar EppsDirected by David S. WardReleased by TouchstoneRated R***"Amazing how potent cheap music can be," one of Noel Coward's characters once remarked. I think of that phrase every time I like something I know I'm not supposed to, for it's equally amazing how potent cheap melodrama can be. The case in point is "T Ward is the John Woo of the sports movie. This moribund genre has been sputtering along for dreary year after year, until he pretty much reinvigorated it with "Major League.

A wealth of worthwhile options are on tap tonight, including a few that stress the spooky: a biography of Vincent Price, a repeat of Disney's classic "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" cartoon, and the broadcast network premiere of "Misery."* "The John Larroquette Show" (9-9:30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Ted Shackelford, formerly of "Knots Landing," guest-stars as Jim, an old friend who visits John Hemingway (Larroquette) to reminisce about their drunken binges together -- one of which, according to Jim, ended with them having a sexual encounter together.

Nicolas Clermont, 59, who produced some of Canada's best-known films, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Montreal. Mr. Clermont produced the biography "Bethune: The Making of a Hero" in 1990, starring Donald Sutherland as pioneering doctor Norman Bethune. Mr. Clermont, born in Neuilly, France, also produced the Irish drama "This Is My Father" with Aidan Quinn, James Caan and Stephen Rea; "Free Money" with Marlon Brando and Mira Sorvino; and "Eye of the Beholder," a thriller starring Ewan McGregor and Ashley Judd.

On The Weekend Watch:THE MAGAZINE RACK -- In the mid-summer rerun desert, a trio of ABC news shows offer some interesting fresh fare. Tonight, for example, an hour-long "Peter Jennings Reporting" special (at 8, Channel 13) takes a look at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In addition to its focus on founder Arthur Mitchell, the show also addresses the broader question that can be applied to many fine arts organi-zations: How to get the money to survive? Also tonight (at 10), "Primetime Live" includes the nearby environs of Washington in a report on lead contamination of soil.

Can't get enough of those wacky Windsors? Think the current brood, Andrew and Fergie, Charles and Diana, et al., have a monopoly on the dysfunctional-royals franchise? Then check out public television tonight and be entertained, enlightened and informed."Ellen" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Ellen tries on her best friend's engagement ring, then can't get it off her finger. Hilarity ensues. ABC."Dateline NBC" (9 p.m.-10 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Correspondent Keith Morrison interviews Aaron Spelling, that paragon of television excellence responsible for "Charlie's Angels," "The Love Boat," "Melrose Place," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Fantasy Island" and "Savannah."

Oct. 2 A Serious Man: (Focus Features) A Midwestern college professor watches his life unravel because his inept brother won't move out of the house. With Adam Arkin and Michael Stuhlbarg. Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. Capitalism: A Love Story: (Overture Films) Director Michael Moore offers his take on the global financial crisis and the U.S. economy during the final months of 2008. The Invention of Lying: (Warner Bros.) In a world without lying, a writer starts fibbing for personal gain.

This year's Easter egg hunt is over, but not for the DVD fanatic. Here are a few Easter eggs hidden on your favorite DVDs. Remember, these have not been laboratory-tested - they are reports from the field by die-hard fans, and a few favorites from Netflix film critic James Rocchi. The Ring: To play an extended version of the videotape, highlight Play on the menu, hit the Up button on your remote, then Select. Memento: Special Limited Edition: To watch this movie-in-reverse in chronological order, select Special Features from the main menu of the second disc.