Thanksgiving Movie Releases

The Road
“The Road” is going to be one of the best movies of the fall. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, it tells the story of a father and son fighting to stay alive after an unspecified apocalypse. The pair faces extraordinary hardships that test their humanity and their ability to hang on to the meager shreds of life left in the world. Though the film contains some scenes of intense emotional suspense — the father protects his son from a roving band of cannibals on many occasions — “The Road” delves into something deeper than simple survival. McCarthy layers his novel with haunting glimpses of the human spirit and strives to relay to his readers how hope and salvation can persevere. His literary achievement is not lost in the movie; “The Road” translates much of the delicate emotional intricacies of the novel to the big screen. This is the movie to see over break — by yourself, with your best friends or with your family. It won’t disappoint.

The Twilight Saga’s New Moon
If you’re brave enough to see “New Moon” on opening night, arm yourself with fluffy pillows and a football helmet to ward off the shrieking preteen girls. The newest installment in the Twilight Saga hits theaters right before Thanksgiving break and is sure to incite hysteria in all Edward-obsessed adolescents. “New Moon” differs from its predecessor “Twilight,” in that it shows what happens to Bella when her quasi-dangerous vampire boyfriend decides to leave her. After months of excruciating heartbreak, a depressed Bella finds solace in her friendship with yet another half-human hottie, her werewolf pal Jacob. As luck would have it, werewolves turn out to be the mortal enemies of vampires, and as Bella slowly discovers that Edward never really left her, this little twist creates a not-so-little emotional dilemma for poor Bella. The action scenes in “New Moon” promise to make the film more entertaining for those of us that don’t harbor pre-pubescent love fantasies about gorgeous vampires. But for those of us that do — well, we’ll just have to be satisfied with some half-naked vampire on werewolf action.

The Blind Side
Get ready for this year’s epic tear-jerker—one you won’t want to miss. Based on a true story, “The Blind Side” tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless Memphis teenager who has neither a penny nor a GPA to his name. On a freezing winter night, he’s spotted alone on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy, an affluent mother who quickly learns that Michael attends school with her daughter. She invites him to stay at their home for the night, but the invitation turns into the permanent adoption of Michael into her family. As Michael’s grades and football skills improve, all members of the Tuohy family discover new truths about themselves and the world they live in. Sandra Bullock deviates from her normal role as the self-deprecating funny girl, and in “The Blind Side” her efforts are a complete success. The movie premiered Thursday at Prytania Theatre, with appearances from the cast and several New Orleans Saints players.

Old Dogs
Are you fearing a Thanksgiving spent trapped in the basement with your oh-so-obnoxious younger cousins? Impress the pants off your relatives by taking one for the team and chaperoning the kids at the theaters. With an all-star cast and two loveable, albeit aging, funny leading men, the appropriate-for-all-ages family flick is full of good-natured jokes that poke fun at the difficulties of raising children. John Travolta and Robin Williams are two successful businessmen who wind up as the primary caretakers of Williams’ long lost twin children. The bachelors stumble through some genuinely funny mishaps in their adventures with the twins, all the while learning valuable life lessons that may end up changing their playboy ways. Look for some hilarious supporting performances from Justin Long, Dax Sheppard and Seth Green — all of whom add some kick to the otherwise average “Old Dogs.” And remember, your pesky twerps of cousins may make you want to pull your hair out, but its Thanksgiving — be patient.