'Tis The Season For...

‘Tis the season for…Holiday Movies!!

For some, Thanksgiving and Christmas are times to celebrate much that is sacred about our lives and culture. For some it’s a time that shows more than others that our culture is splitting apart in terms of what we believe about faith and its role in our society. For some it’s just about shopping. And for some (I say this empathetically), it’s a lonely time.

One thing that most of can agree on, though, is that this season is truly The Most Wonderful Time of the Year when it comes to movies. From holiday flicks to Oscar contenders to star vehicles to merchandising marvels, there is just a dang lot of choices!

This week alone, there are 15 new motion picture releases around the country. “Eleven Men Out,” “Love in the Time of Cholera,” “Beowulf,” “Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium,” “Looking for Cheyenne,” “Margot at the Wedding” and “Redacted” are all out today. On Wednesday, more are on the way with “Enchanted, “ “This Christmas,” “The Mist,” “Hitman,” “August Rush,” “I'm Not There, “Christmas in Wonderland” and “Nina's Heavenly Delights.”

Add these to what’s just came out (Vince Vaughn’s “Fred Claus,” Tommy Lee Jones in “No Country For Old Men” and “Lions for Lambs” with Redford/Streep/Cruise) and you’ve really got a veritable cornucopia to choose from.

Come December, highlights will include “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” “Juno,” “The Golden Compass,” “Atonement,” “Grace is Gone,” “I Am Legend,” “The Kite Runner,” “Youth Without Youth,” “National Treasure II,” and then the Christmas tripleheader: "Charlie Wilson’s War" (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts), "The Bucket List" (Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson) and "The Great Debaters" (Denzel Washington and some inspiring kids!) You can get release dates and more info from places like Moviephone and Premiere and you can always learn about faith-related films at Beliefnet's weekly listing.

I encourage everyone to make time to do movies with those we love, especially if sharing the common experience helps us through a difficult time in a marriage, relationship or friendship. Whatever our faith tradition—or however our current circumstances are difficult—a good movie creates a moment to share and a conversation piece to talk about…and there’s enough choices to last throughout the holiday season!