Holiday movies more serious than jolly
By Rosemary Jean-Louis
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- It appears the Grinch may have stolen some of the holiday movie joy. Several films this holiday season are exploring the darker themes.
Coming to a theater near you: A Greek tragedy, a tale from the dark side and a story of jaded love.
First up is Oliver Stone's epic drama, "Alexander." It concentrates on the life and loves of the legendary empire-builder, as well as his tortured relationship with his mother.
On the gloom and doom side, Wesley Snipes returns to tackle vampires in "Blade: Trinity."
And Julia Roberts and Jude Law tango with infidelity and intimacy issues in the movie "Closer."
Some films are planning on getting even more serious as the Christmas holiday approaches. "Hotel Rwanda" is scheduled to open just a few days before Christmas, but it will hardly offer much cheer. In it, actor Don Cheadle plays a hotel manager who risks his life to save Rwandan refugees from genocide.
In the meantime, "The Woodsman," a film about a child molester turning his life around is slated to open on Christmas Eve.
So why is Hollywood mining such somber territory at such during such a festive season? It may boil down to one word: Oscar.
Most Oscar nominees come from late-year releases because analysts say they are fresh on the minds of Academy voters. So that's why studios release their so-called "prestige" pictures during this time of year.
But we should also mention Hollywood still plans to keep some of its sense of humor this season. Robert De Niro will yuck it up with Barbra Streisand in the sequel to "Meet the Parents" -- "Meet the Fockers."
Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are rethinking their decision to skip Christmas with the new release "Christmas with the Kranks."
And the "Ocean's 11" crew will be just as cool when they return, in the sequel, "Ocean's Twelve."
