'The Snowman'

The Snowman is a heart warming holiday movie that you will be able to enjoy for years to come.

It was adapted from the book by the British writer Raymond Briggs. The short but sweet film is about a young boy who builds a snowman one wintry morning and when night falls, has a magical adventure with his frosty friend.

Guess what?

There is no dialogue in this movie.

But don't worry, it has a great musical score that conveys the mood and emotions as well as any words could. The animation is very genuine -- it looks as if the characters jump right off the pages of the book.

The story is light and funny, but it has an unexpected twist at the end that will pull at your heartstrings. I have watched this movie every holiday season that I can remember, and it still hasn't lost its charm.

It is so timeless, in fact, that my parents still love it. It may sound like a rip-off the traditional Frosty the Snowman story, but this movie is not as cheesy and childish. It offers a deeper insight into the realm of childhood imagination than most of the other seasonal flicks, which is why it is appropriate for all ages.

The Snowman is an enchanting little tale that will turn your winter into a wonderland. It is the perfect movie to curl up with on a snowy day. P.S: Don't forget the hot cocoa!

--Reviewed by Erin McCracken

'Scrooged'

This Christmas, instead of taking in the usual 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story on TBS, go out and rent a holiday favorite from 1988 that's not as overplayed.

Now, I use favorite as a loose term, because Scrooged -- a black comedy take on the classic story of A Christmas Carol starring Bill Murray -- is not necessarily family-friendly in the traditional holiday sense.

In the end, like A Christmas Carol, the movie does have a positive message that is garnered specifically toward Scrooges, like Murray's malicious television executive, Frank Cross. But even so, director Richard Donner fully exploits his chance to add darkness to our most cheerful holiday.

The movie's concept, which at the time seemed very original, has now been as overplayed as A Christmas Story. But that does not mean the movie itself is tarnished; it's still the best of the bunch.

Murray -- only recently getting the respect that he has deserved his entire career -- is in full deadpan/insanity mode and he really owns every scene in what is an overall hilarious film.

The best thing about Murray's humor is that no matter how big of a bad guy he plays, he always has a soft spot lurking around the corner.

That characteristic makes him the perfect person to play a reformed Scrooge.

--Reviewed by Tim Wright

'200 Cigarettes'

What does a movie with the title 200 Cigarettes have to do with the holidays? More than you would think.

If you're feeling depressed about the imminent expectations of the holidays, then you'll relate to this film.

Directed by Risa Bramon Garcia and taking place in 1980s New York, 200 Cigarettes follows the interactions of 10 neurotically insane but endearing characters on New Year's Eve.

With a cast including Christina Ricci and Kate Hudson, it's worth seeing.

Not to mention, Dave Chapelle plays a pimped-out overly philosophic cab driver.

Then of course, there is Courtney Love, who plays a desperate drunk falling short of classy and looking for respect.

Sound familiar?

Well, so are the sentiments of loneliness during the holidays.

The film takes a look at the societal expectations placed on New Year's Eve. Of course, the implication is that the more hyped the holiday is, the more lonely it usually ends up.

This comedy deals with that issue in the only bearable way possible, by making light of it.

If you're still wondering why this movie is called "200 Cigarettes," so was I until the end when Kevin (Paul Rudd) says, "We use cigarettes as a shield against relating to each other."

OK, kind of lame, but it really seems to be just a necessary vice for all of the characters' anal personalities.

But, if you are down and out about the approaching holidays or about your lack of plans for New Year's Eve, you'll feel better about yourself after you watch this film.

--Reviewed by Paige Reddinger

'A Midnight Clear'

It's Christmas in France, but unfortunately it's 1944 and the country is host to the carnage of the Battle of the Bulge.

Enveloped in that carnage is a group of six American soldiers who are assigned the thankless task of holing up in an abandoned mansion in the area where the Germans are expected to soon attack.

Their mission is to send word if and when the Germans do attack and then to try and survive if they can somehow manage it.

The last thing these soldiers expected was to get into a snowball fight. But that's exactly what happens when they come upon a group of disaffected German soldiers who are through fighting Hitler's losing war. The two groups put their allegiances aside for one strange night and celebrate Christmas together.

We soon get the sinking feeling this peaceful haven can't last in the midst of a vicious war, but the juxtaposition of all that is holy with all that is horrific is a truly breathtaking one to behold.

The performances are all first-rate -- especially a troubled, war-weary Gary Sinise -- and the camera work is consistently stunning, but the true victory here is in the incredibly moving story.

--Reviewed by Nicholas Norcia