Weekend Holiday Movie Guide: Watch This, Not That















12/08/2012 at 02:15 PM EST







Daniel Day-Lewis and Bill Murray


Twentieth Century FOX; Nicola Dove/Focus Features


The hectic holidays are almost upon us, which means it's the perfect time of year to head to the movies – provided you don't get stuck with the cinematic equivalent of a fruitcake.

So arm yourself with this handy watch this/skip that weekend movie guide before your Aunt Mildred suggests a Red Dawn/Killing Them Softly double feature. (Seriously, don't even entertain that idea.)

Watch This: Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis could win another Oscar playing Lincoln, so you might as well get in on the conversation – especially since his Great Emancipator is so shrewd and funny. (Even so, James Spader is even more hilarious as a presidential influence peddler.) For those looking to actually learn a little something, no worries, the whole movie is one awesome episode of The West Wing: Top Hats and Bonnets. Bonus: Your family will think you're all kinds of classy for suggesting it.

Skip That: Hyde Park on Hudson
You know it's rough when the main character is the dullest person in the movie. Laura Linney plays Daisy Suckley, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's (Bill Murray) cousin/girlfriend, but she's so boring it's impossible to tell why he's into her. Sure, there's a fun subplot about British royals coming to town, but it's not enough to overcome Daisy Downer and President HeyMyEyesAreUpHere.

Be Sure to Catch This Other Thing: Silver Linings Playbook
As funny as it is unhinged, Playbook is an easy winner for (adult) family viewing. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence could grab Oscar nods for playing unbalanced neighbors with kooky chemistry. Plus, it's great fun watching hilariously inappropriate people when you're not actually related to them.

And What Do You Mean You Still Haven't Seen: Skyfall
Let's make a rule right now that all movie villains have to be played by Oscar winners, preferably Javier Bardem. You think I jest, but you'll be with me once you see Bardem as the silky, sick Silva in one of the greatest spy thrillers ever made. He's got an eye for the ladies – and one on a certain secret agent man. No wonder, even as a creaky Bond, Daniel Craig fills out the suit beautifully and does a hell of an acting job to boot. (When Bardem is your nemesis and Judi Dench is your boss, you step it up.)

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