"The Road" and "Four Christmases"

IN THEATERS

Out today is the thriller, “The Road.” Based upon the popular book by Cormac McCarthy, Viggo Mortensen stars as a father who, along with his young son, struggles to survive after a strange cataclysm has destroyed the Earth. Now they are on a mission toward the coast in search of food and shelter, hoping to avoid any survivors that might have other means of food on their minds.

Though not exactly your typical holiday feel-good film, it’s getting quite positive reviews from critics who claim it to be an intense journey of a father and son struggling to survive in a whole new world where no rules apply and all bets are off.

Already looking to be an Oscar contender early next year, this one might be one to check out. It looks to be a pretty heavy movie that probably won’t strike much of a happy tone in the least, but expect to be moved in the more dramatic sense because it looks to be two hours of just that — a moving drama.

With “New Moon” having just been out for a week, there’s little chance that anything is gonna top it for a while, but this one should at least crack the top three being so heavily hyped as an up-and-coming award nominee.

ON DVD

Out this week on DVD is last year’s holiday comedy, “Four Christmases.” Brad and Kate (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) are a long-time couple who ever since they met, have a holiday tradition in which they ditch their respective families and jet off to an exotic location for a fun-filled and relaxing vacation. This year however doesn’t go as planned. After their flight is cancelled and they get caught on the news, they are forced to head home and endure what they have been dodging for years: Family time.

With both of their parents divorced, the fun factor is doubled as it’s four houses they get to visit instead of just two. And so comes the fun as Brad’s parents (Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek) and his brothers (Tim McGraw and Jon Favreau) quickly remind him of the insanity that is his family. Then it’s on to Kate’s house as her parents (Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen) and sister (Kristen Chenoweth) take her down memory lane as well and also stir passions for starting a family with Brad.

So as thoughts and feelings are discussed, the couple gets a good reminder of where they came from and where they are going. And after spending all these years unmarried and with no kids, it strikes the big question if they ever plan for their relationship to be more.

Having been released last Thanksgiving in the theaters, most might have even forgotten about this one since the holiday films usually are held until the following year before being released on video. As far as holiday comedies go, this was a pretty fun one. Vaughn seems to enjoy playing the goofball role, and while Witherspoon doesn’t normally go for the wacky comedies, she came across as enjoyable enough here.
It’s no holiday classic, but strikes enough of a good note to be enjoyed this time of year when everyone can relate to the stress that the holidays and family are sometimes able to create.

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