"Four Christmases" *1/2 (out of four): In spite of the great casting, this is one gift that you'll want to return.

Vince Vaughn is funny. Since taking Hollywood by storm in "Swingers" he has tinkered with slight variations on the same character (see "Old School" and "The Breakup") often enough that that he has found the right balance of charm, self-interest, and unapologetic childishness. Intellectually, you may not like what his characters stand for, but you can't help but smile as these boy-men skip through a steady stream of rapid-fire mini-monologues driven by satirical self-interest.

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On second thought, maybe this year I'll just eat a cupcake.

'Australia" *** (out of four): Baz Luhrmann's epic story of love and adventure isn't quite the classic it hopes to be, but it paints a vivid portrait of the titular continent on the brink of World War II.

Fans of Baz Luhrmann know what to expect from his movies. Playfully sweeping cameras, big, heartfelt emotions, and lots of spectacular spectacle. Subtlety, not so much. The multi-hyphenate director doesn't release a film often (his last was 2001's fab musical potpourri "Moulin Rouge!"), so when he does it's usually something to look out for. "Australia" is his first crack at a true epic - a film in the tradition of "Lawrence of Arabia", and a clear love story to his homeland, set against the backdrop of World War II. While it isn't quite the classic it hopes to be, "Australia" paints a vivid portrait of the titular continent during an important period of history, and it tells a good (if mostly familiar) story along the way.

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If you're like me, then Thanksgiving dinner is something you look forward to the whole year.

My problem is I don't have a huge appetite.

Normally, that is a good thing. On Thanksgiving Day this is a detriment.
There are so many foods I want to eat, but when you get full quickly, it's tough to consume like Mr. Creosote.

Not to worry, after years of trying different strategies, I've come up with one that works for me.
Perhaps it will work for you too.

If so, your preparation starts now.

20 years ago today (insert Beatles lyric) that fabulous bad-scifi movies as comedy show called Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) debuted on Public Access.

Hail Joel, Crow, Tom Servo, Gypsy and even you Cambot!