I agree with Connie Willis that this is a great Christmas movie (for the many reasons she enumerates.) I used to think the remake was pretty good, but watching them back to back, it does suffer. As Willis points out, almost everyone in the original (except Santa) makes decisions based on self-interest, and that's where much of the humour lies. The new version introduces more charitableness--sappiness, and is therefore not as clever.
Now I'm watching Clash of the Titans. I loved this movie so much as a child, it's what started my interest in Greek mythology (everyone goes through that phase, non?) and Andromeda and Cassiopea became my favourite names. I loved Medusa, she was like a feminist anti-hero. One of the coolest chick-baddies I'd ever seen.
Here is the Calibos action figure my brother had.
Here is Medusa, created by master special effects dude of the time (my brother worshipped him) Ray Harryhausen.
