Never fear, there are still flicks for whole family
Don't worry, parents. Holiday films also include several family-friendly features involving fantasy, animation and fun.
"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" -- Dustin Hoffman plays the mysterious, wacky, 243-year-old proprietor of a magic toy shop. He taps an insecure manager (Natalie Portman) to be his successor, and she's not at all sure she's up to being in the same league with Willie Wonka. Directed by Zach Helm, from a screenplay he wrote, sold, then bought back. Nov. 16.
"Christmas in Wonderland" -- Dirty dancer Patrick Swayze plays a dad who takes his family from L.A. to Canada, where they get involved with counterfeit money, crooks and Santa Claus! Tim Curry, Carmen Electra and Chris Kattan co-star. Nov. 21.
"Enchanted" -- An animated evil queen banishes an animated princess to the very real world of modern New York City where the princess becomes Amy Adams. She falls in love with a single dad attorney (Patrick Dempsey). Happiness reigns until the evil queen morphs into Susan Sarandon and tracks down the poor princess. Nov. 21.
"This Christmas" -- An estranged family holds a get-together at the holidays, where old resentments and shattered dreams re-emerge as the relatives try to reconnect. With the great Delroy Lindo, Regina King and Idris Elba. Nov. 21.
"The Red Balloon" -- Albert Lamorisse's beloved children's movie about a boy and his magic red balloon gets a newly restored print. It won the Palme d'Or at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. Every child gets a red balloon at the end of the movie. Nov. 23.
"The Golden Compass" -- Is this the anti-God version of "Chronicles of Narnia" as some religious critics have charged? Or a simple tale of imagination for children? Dakota Blue Richards stars as a young girl who travels to a parallel universe to battle black magic, warring polar bear soldiers and shape-shifting creatures. With Daniel "James Bond" Craig, Nicole Kidman and Sam Elliott. Dec. 7.
"The Perfect Holiday" -- Santa Claus turns into Cupid in this romantic comedy about a little girl who seeks help from a dime-store St. Nick (Morris Chestnut) to put a new man under the tree for her deserving single mommy (Gabrielle Union). Dec. 12.
"Alvin and the Chipmunks" -- Jason Lee looks like a perfect Dave Seville, the manager of the singing trio of chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Am I the only person who thinks the computer-animated chipmunks look slightly homicidal? From the director of "Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties." Not a good indication of quality. Dec. 14.
"The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" -- Another fantasy in the spirit of "Harry and the Hendersons" and "E.T. -- The Extra-Terrestrial." A young Scottish lad (Angus MacMorrow) discovers an egg that hatches a mythic creature in Loch Ness. Lovable, yes, but very big! With Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and the original Hannibal Lecter, Brian Cox. Dec. 25.
-- Dann Gire