'Tis the season to be entertained

'Tis the season to be jolly and busy with the commotions of the holiday season. Between travel, shopping, friends and family, there will be plenty of movies coming to theaters allowing some needed down time.

This Friday, the highly anticipated "Oceans 11" opens nationwide, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. The film is a remake of a '60s gangster flick that featured Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack.

A spoof on the teen film genre, "Not Another Teen Movie," hits theaters Dec. 14. It parodies the classic clichés and characters of popular high school flicks such as "The Breakfast Club," "American Pie" and "She's All That."

For a different flavor, "Vanilla Sky" also opens that weekend. Tom Cruise plays a womanizer who falls in love with his best friend's girlfriend (Penelope Cruz). His entire world changes after a car accident kills his jealous lover and leaves him horrendously disfigured.

Wednesday, Dec. 19 brings the much awaited film "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" based on the J.R.R. Tolkien novel. "The Fellowship of the Ring" may be the only movie this holiday season that rivals the fan base and pre-hysteria that "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" achieved. Advance ticket sales for the film have outsold those of "Harry Potter."

"Ring" is the story of nine companions who work together to destroy an evil ring. Expect an all-star ensemble cast including Ian Mckellen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett and Liv Tyler.

Dec. 21 is perhaps the biggest day for the holiday film season. Seven movie releases are scheduled, including the second heavyweight to be released on Dec. 21, Jim Carrey's "The Majestic." The movie is a drama set in 1951 that is more similar to the serious undertones of "The Truman Show" as opposed to one of his comedies. Carrey plays a man who loses his memory and ends up in a small town where he is mistaken as a World War II soldier.

Offering up some alternative comedy that weekend is "The Royal Tenenbaums." The flick presents an all-star cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Angelica Houston and Gene Hackman. The group portrays a once-flourishing family that has deteriorated and fallen apart over the years.

Tim Allen returns to the big screen with "Joe Somebody" for the first time since the 1999 film "Galaxy Quest." Allen plays a divorced corporate drone who snaps and decides it's time to fight back.

"Kate and Leopold" reveals a time-traveling Hugh Jackman who is sent 100 years into the future to present day. Jackman falls in love with Meg Ryan, and the movie hinges on whether or not he will decide to return to his own time.
Will Smith stars in "Ali," opening Christmas Day. The film looks at the life of Cassius Clay's transformation into the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Smith is joined by his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaime Foxx and Jon Voight.

The other big Christmas Day release is "Impostor" starring Gary Sinise. Sinise plays the inventor of the ultimate weapon in a war against aliens, but whose side he is on is unclear.

"Jay and Silent Bob" is showing on campus at Grafton-Stovall Theater this weekend. This mindless comedy offers a break from studying for finals on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For a late night study break, there are midnight showings of "Chasing Amy" on Friday and "Dogma" on Saturday.