A guide to new releases from Thanksgiving to Christmas

FILM | Chuck Koplinski

If you follow movies at all you know that the Hollywood studios release what they perceive to be their best films between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. They know that they need to keep their movies in the forefront of the minds of the members of the various film organizations, chief among them the Oscars, so their offerings can wrack up enough kudos, nominations and awards as possible. This, of course, translates to more money at the box office and that’s what makes the movie machine work.

However, this is also a plus for film lovers as there’s the potential for a bounty of riches to choose from. For this holiday season, things look more promising than they have in years. A slate of films far more eclectic than ever will be hitting the area screens. A silent film, an adaptation of a lesser-known Shakespearean play, 3-D features from two directing legends and an Oscar contender with an NC-17 rating are among the offerings. Having seen at least 10 of the following films, I can say this is one of the most rewarding rosters in recent memory and will prove rewarding for the adventurous viewer.

What follows is a rundown of the movies that will hit area screens over the next six

weeks. Some need no extra publicity, while others from smaller studios need to be put on your radar, as these films tend to be of higher quality. Those with firm release dates are listed first in the order in which they’ll play, while others are arranged according to the month they’ll hit area screens.

1. Arthur Christmas The big-screen offerings from Aardman

Animation (Wallace and Grommet, Flushed Away) have only had lackluster showings at the box office and this feature may be the boutique studio’s last stand. (See full review, page 28.) The premise is intriguing. Something goes haywire at the North Pole and Santa may not be able to deliver all of the presents in his workshop in time. Enter his son, Arthur, who insists he can save the day, though his dad has his doubts. Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, James McAvoy and Hugh Laurie lend their voice talents to a predominantly English cast. (Nov. 23)

2. The Descendants Oscar buzz is strong for this George Clooney

dramedy and it’s deserved. Starring as a Hawaiian real estate magnate, his world is turned upside down when his wife goes into a coma after a boating accident and he finds out she’s been cheating on him. He attempts to reunite with his two estranged daughters by dragging them along to confront their mother’s lover (Matthew Lillard). Razorsharp humor and cutting human insights pepper Alexander Payne’s script throughout. A real winner. (Nov. 23)