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If the festive period gets a little too much for you, and you need a break, here is a preview of the films you can catch at the cinema

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From Christmas Day
INTO THE WILD
Director: Sean Penn, genre: drama
Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, 22-year-old top student and athlete Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsh) abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and walked out of his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people?

Was Christopher McCandless a heroic adventurer or a naïve idealist? A rebellious 1990s Thoreau or another lost American son? A fearless risk-taker or a tragic figure who wrestled with the precarious balance between man and nature?

ST TRINIAN'S
Director: Oliver Parker, Barnaby Thompson, genre: comedy
The infamous school for "young ladies", St Trinian's, is once again facing dire financial crisis. While unorthodox headmistress Camilla Fritton struggles to deal with the new Education Minister Geoffrey Thwaites's tireless advances and his unyielding objective of transforming her chaotic environs into a "respectable" ladies' college, the responsibility for saving St Trinian's from its creditors falls to the anarchic pupils. The fearless girls gather together a motley crew of teachers, associates, and the rest of the school's ungovernable and uninhibited pranksters, who, using their wit, sass, determination and ingenuity, attempt to pull off the heist of the century and save the school from impending bankruptcy.

I AM A LEGEND
Director: Francis Lawrence, genre: action
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable... and man-made. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City... and maybe the world. But he is not alone. He is surrounded by "the Infected" - victims of the plague who have mutated into carnivorous beings who can only exist in the dark and who will devour or infect anyone or anything in their path.

For three years, Neville has spent his days scavenging for food and supplies and faithfully sending out radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. All the while, the Infected lurk in the shadows, watching Neville's every move, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But his blood is also what The Infected hunt, and Neville knows he is outnumbered and quickly running out of time.

AND WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER?
Director: Anand Tucker, genre: drama
This is an unflinching exploration of a father-son relationship. From scholarly Blake's fraught and sometimes humiliating teenage years growing up with a charismatic, overbearing and adulterous father, through to the ultimate grief of watching him die, as an adult and father himself. The story takes us on a heart-rending and often humorous journey in which Blake revisits his past, comes to terms with some difficult home truths and finally learns to accept that one's parents are not always accountable to their children.

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From January 2
ONCE
Director: John Carney, genre: drama
A Dublin street musician living with his father attracts the attention of a young Czech immigrant who encourages him to record his songs. Drawn to her, he falls literally under her charm and confides in her his ambition to produce a demo and take it to London. They write, rehearse and record songs during an eventful week that reveals their unique love story.

EASTERN PROMISES
Director: David Cronenberg, genre: thriller
The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is tied to one of London's most notorious organised crime families. His carefully maintained existence is jarred when he crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), an innocent midwife trying to right a wrong, who accidentally uncovers potential evidence against the family. Now Nikolai must put into motion a harrowing chain of murder, deceit and retribution.

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Christmas is the time when the family members spend time with each other. Enjoy the movies that are showing on TV during the festive season.
CHRISTMAS EVE

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Melita Movies, 11.15 a.m.

This is the story of Charlie Bucket, a little boy with no money and a good heart, who dreams wistfully of being able to buy the candy that other children enjoy. Charlie enters into a magical world when he wins one of five "golden tickets" to visit the mysterious chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka and run by his capable crew of Oompa-Loompas. Once behind the gates, a cast of characters join Charlie and Grandpa Joe on a journey to discover that a kind heart is a far finer possession than a sweet tooth.

Sons of Mistletoe
Canale 5, 9.30 p.m.

A man is horrified to learn the orphanage he manages is to be closed down just as the festive season gets under way, prompting him to pull out all the stops in an effort to melt the heart of the new owner and bring some Christmas sparkle back to the town.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christmas Card
Canale 5, 5.05 p.m.

In the midst of war in Afghanistan, Cody Cullen (John Newton) is touched by a lovely card sent by Faith Spelman (Alice Evans) from the small, picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As months pass, the card never leaves his side, giving him the strength to survive and setting him on a mission to find her.

The Incredibles
RaiUno, 9.10 p.m.

A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world. Mr Incredible is a superhero; or he used to be, until a surge of lawsuits against superheroes from the people they've saved forced the government to hide them in witness protection programmes so they could lead normal, anonymous lives. Now known exclusively by his secret identity, Bob Parr, he lives with his wife Helen, formerly Elastigirl, and their three children Violet, Dash, and Jack Jack. Fed up with his job as an insurance salesman and his pushy boss, Mr Incredible jumps at the chance to play the role of hero again when tempted by a mysterious informant. But it soon turns out to be a trap set by an old nemesis and the whole family must reveal themselves to save Mr Incredible and countless innocents.

BOXING DAY

Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties
Melita Movies, 7.05 p.m.

America's favourite feline, Garfield, follows his owner, Jon, to England. The UK may never recover, as Garfield is mistaken for a look-alike, regal cat who has inherited a castle. Garfield savours the royal treatment afforded by his loyal subjects, but his reign is in jeopardy. The nefarious Lord Dargis is determined to do away with Garfield, so he can turn the castle into a resort.

Polar Express
RaiTre, 9.05 p.m.

Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy, an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa's sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine's roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other payjama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.

Single Santa Seeks Mrs Claus
Canale 5, 5.05 p.m.

A single mother whose faith in love died with her former husband learns that Christmas miracles can still happen.

Beth Andrews (Crystal Bernard) is a devoted single mother and advertising executive whose current campaign could put her on the fast track to the big time. The holiday season is here, and in order to sell the latest in video game technology, Beth's campaign needs the perfect Santa Claus. As Beth burns the midnight oil night after night and attempts to convince her young son Jake (Dominic Scott Kay) never to have faith in fantasies, the wistful young man pens a letter to Santa asking for a new dad for the holidays.

It seems that up in the North Pole the time has come for St Nick to pass along the seasonal responsibilities to his son Nick (Steve Guttenberg), but in order to take the position, Nick must have a Mrs Claus before Christmas Eve. Upon receiving the Christmas request from young Jake, Nick sets his sights on Los Angeles, and Beth in particular. Despite his best intentions, it's going to take more than a Christmas miracle to convince the dejected widow that love can still conquer all.

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