Do It. 'Elf' and 'Bad Santa' at the Aero.

I feel Jon Favreau's Elf went a little underrated when it was first released. Sure, it simply features Will Ferrell (most overpaid actor) jumping around in an elf suit, and it's your general feel-good story of the season, but the film does it all quite well, in my opinion. The jokes are good-hearted and not overly cheesy, and the acting/characters aren't trying too hard and are surprisingly believable. Plus, Zooey Deschanel (a blonde!) sings! The film's definitely become one of my holiday classics.

If you need a refresher on the greatness of the film, head on over to the Aero tonight. It'll be featured in a double feature with Bad Santa (the director's cut), the naughty adaptation of Miracle of 34th Street starring Billy Bob Thorton. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea when I watched it in theaters, but I can definitely understand how the dark humor works alongside the usual merry seasonal stuff. Whichever way you feel like celebrating the holidays -- cheery or dark -- this double feature is a great way to start.

Elf and Bad Santa screen beginning at 7:30 tonight at the Aero, located at 1328 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. She & Him on Conan [The Monday Download].

Although She & Him is one of those bands that's widely accepted as an exception to the actor-shouldn't-be-a-musician rule, I believe they're still pretty underrated for the most part. Yes, they do make great cute pop songs with a touch of vintage soul, but M. Ward does happen to be quite the amazing guitarist, and holy cow, Zooey Deschanel has an incredible voice that definitely doesn't get shown off enough, even in She & Him's music.

Need proof? The twosome's simple performance of Screamin Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You" on Conan last week is just breathtaking. Do yourself a favor and witness it below:

Told you.

And for some holiday fun, check out this behind-the-scenes video of She & Him playing with Conan himself.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Aimee Mann's Christmas Show.

Aimee Mann's annual Christmas show, now in its fifth year, is happening this weekend.

It's at Largo--a favorite venue for L.A.-based Mann--and is already completely sold out. I recommend checking out Craigslist for tickets, because it's a really good show. She always has great special guests. This year they include Michael Penn, Zooey Deschanel, and Ben Gibbard, as well as Paul F. Tompkins (pictured above with Mann) and others. Aimee Mann herself is one of my favorite musicians and always puts on a great show, but the Christmas show is quite special--something all Angelinos should experience at least once.

December 9, 10, 11 & 12 at 8:00 p.m. Info: (310) 855-0350, largo-la.com, tickets $40

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: New York Times

Check It. (500) Days of Summer.

Well BEATs, this quite possibly is it--my favorite movie of 2009. Now, I'm indecisive enough to say that I'll probably want to back out of this tomorrow (wasn't Fantastic Mr. Fox just totally awesome?), but there's no doubt this film had a huge effect on me. I knew it the second Joseph Gordon-Levitt started that karaoke cover of "Here Comes Your Man." Or that split-screen moment at Zooey Deschanel's party. Or Autumn. Forget 500 days of Summer. This was 500 moments when everything in this movie just felt so painstakingly right, and all 500 moments are now finally available on DVD. Time to put JGL (and Hall and Oates) on repeat.

**Bonus track!


-- Chau Tu

Photo & video credit: Fox Searchlight

Advance Notice. She & Him.

Indie darlings She & Him are playing the El Rey on March 25, and if you want to go, you may as well be prepared and buy presale. The password is VOLUMETWO, and it starts at 10:00 a.m. Friday (tomorrow) at goldenvoice.com.

Zooey Deschanel is best known for her acting (Elf, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 500 Days of Summer) but her band is definitely a worthwhile venture too. With M. Ward in the mix it's hard to go too wrong, but L.A. native Deschanel holds her own. Their music is quite delightful.

Some trivia for the music fans who didn't already know: Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie married in September.

Tickets on sale at: www.goldenvoice.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Goldenvoice