For this winter break movie preview, we decided not to mention any of those sure-to-be blockbusters that are coming out in the next several weeks. Yeah, some of them look pretty decent, but we feel that they have already gotten and will continue to get plenty of exposure from, say, every other media outlet in the world. So, here instead is a winter preview of some good-looking films, which won't appear on lunchboxes or happy meals and probably won't monopolize the airwaves with snazzy 30-second TV spots, but you should think about seeing them anyway.

Big Fish

Directed by Tim Burton

I know what you're thinking -- besides that, unlike the other films I am about to mention, Fish is a $70 million studio picture: "Yeah, it looks good, but Burton's last movie, Planet of the Apes, was unadulterated cinematic excrement."

You would be correct; however, consider the quirky director's filmography for a moment: The last time Burton made a crappy movie, Mars Attacks! in 1996, he followed it up with an awesome movie, Sleepy Hollow in 1999. In 1992, he made an even crappier movie, Batman Returns, and atoned for that in 1994 with the hilarious biopic Ed Wood, his best film to date. So if this scale is an accurate predictor, then Big Fish should be approximately the best movie ever made.

Cold Mountain

Directed by Anthony Minghella

This movie will get Oscar nominations. Lots of 'em. If you're sick of not recognizing a single nominee at the annual ceremony, watch this one, starring recent Oscar it-girls Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger and you'll be set. Plus, it's directed by Anthony Minghella, so it could be excellent -- he directed The Talented Mr. Ripley -- but, then again, it could be shiftless and empty -- he also directed The English Patient.

Either way it'll get tons of nominations, so you should watch it if you want to be in the loop.

Die, Mommie, Die

Directed by Mark Rucker

If you're a fan of Psycho Beach Party -- and who that's seen it isn't? -- then you're in luck, because another bizarre postmodern play by drag legend Charles Busch has been turned into a movie. And this time Busch is taking center stage, playing the lead role, murderous diva Angela Arden.

For those who missed out on Psycho Beach Party, what you can expect from Busch is an accurate-as-imaginable amalgam of awful genre films from decades past.

Think Far From Heaven, but far from the seriousness of that film.

The Triplets of Belleville

Directed by Sylvain Chromet

The French film blends traditional 1930's Betty Boop-style animation with intricate 21 century craftsmanship. I don't have the slightest idea what the story's about, but who cares? The music is deliciously engaging and the drawing looks fantastic. This is the film for the animation fan, who prefers seeing the animators' blood and sweat layered in with each frame to the fun, but homogenous graphics of Hollywood entertainment.

Modern Times

Directed by Charles Chaplin

And if you're really really hardcore, you might be able to figure out a way to see Modern Times, Chaplin's final Little Tramp masterpiece, on the big screen in a new digitally restored edition. Nobody could mix pathos, humor and social satire as effectively as Chaplin could, and to watch one of his best films on the big screen in a better print is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. Unfortunately, this Christmas gift is only playing in eight theaters, one evening per screen, so good luck.