Movies to See Over the Holidays

So much for jolly. Most of the movies this holiday season are anything but.

Of course this is the time when Hollywood rolls out its serious stuff. But this year's offerings seem particularly dark, with titles like "Melacholia," "In the Land of Blood and Honey" and "The Darkest Hour," which arrives in theaters Christmas Day.

If the holidays already provide enough drama and escape is more your speed, Hollywood has that covered too.

Tom Cruise is back with another installment of "Mission Impossible." The team of Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are returning Dec. 16 with a sequel to their hit "Sherlock Holmes." And Garry Marshall is hoping to do for "New Years Eve," which opens Dec. 9, what he did for "Valentine's Day." He has enlisted heavyweights Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank and Halle Berry to help him.

Then there's the usual family fare, including "The Muppets" and "Happy Feet," which opens Friday. And don't miss offerings by two of Hollywood's elite directors. Martin Scorcese makes his first foray into 3D with "Hugo," the story of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station, which debuts Nov. 23. And Steven Spielberg makes his animation debut with "The Adventures of TinTin."