Unlike 2003 which produced 'Elf' and 2004 which produced 'Christmas with the Kranks' and 'The Polar Express,' 2005 has not had any Holiday films that jump out at you and say 'SEE ME NOW!' The only three Holiday films that came out this year are "The Ice Harvest," "Just Friends," and now "The Family Stone." Even though advertising for this film was poor, the film can get you into the Christmas mood. However you won't necessarily leave the theater feeling good.

The Family Stone stars Diane Keaton (Something’s Gotta Give), Luke Wilson (Old School, Hoot), and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, Red Eye) who are all members of a large and slightly eccentric family. Christmas is off to a good start until Everett (Dermont Mulroney) brings home his girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker - Sex in the City).

The family is excited until they met her and find out she is an egocentric workaholic who has no regard for anyone else’s feelings. Just when the family decides they hate her, Everett decides to marry her. Though his mother promised to give him her mother’s engagement ring when he found the right woman, she refuses to give him the ring, and asks him to reconsider.

While Everett and his mother argue about this, his brother Ben (Wilson) finds out their mother has a terminal illness and will not live to see another Christmas. She was going to tell her family after Christmas, but Ben's father let it slip while he and Ben were on a walk. Luke's personality around his mother changes dramatically and the family becomes suspicious that something might be wrong. As if that weren't bad enough, Ben also falls in love with Meredith (Parker).

After a very tense discussion at dinner, regarding Keaton's deaf son's sexual preference, Keaton openly tells Meredith what she thinks of her. The good feeling of the Holiday takes a nose dive from here. Though much of the movie is still hysterical, you can't help feeling a little depressed.

Overall this film is a VERY funny holiday film that will have you laughing the entire way through. However afterwards you will need to go home and give your mom a hug. I did.

TRAILERS

I also saw a trailer before the movie for a film called "Catch and Release" starring Jennifer Garner and KEVIN SMITH!!! Kevin smith is my all time favorite director (next to Tim Burton) and I was psyched to see that he was one of the main characters in this film. It looks great and I will be first in line opening night (surprise, surprise).

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