November and December are typically wonderful months for movie-watching, because producers try very hard to get out as many family-friendly films and award contenders as possible before the end of the year. They know that kids are home from school, weary shoppers need a few hours of rest, and everyone is looking for a few hours of something to help them feel good.

Last month saw the release of The Christmas Candle, rated PG. This movie, based on a Max Lucado book, is about a small village with a legend of an angel who visits to touch a candle, granting the candle-lighter a Christmas miracle.

Disney’s Frozen, PG, tells the story of an enchanted kingdom trapped in eternal winter.

Black Nativity, PG, is cast with heavy-hitters Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige, and newcomer Jacob Latimore. It’s about a youth dealing with difficult family dynamics in the holidays.

December 13 will bring Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas as well as Saving Mr. Banks, both rated PG-13. While Madea is just what Tyler Perry fan’s expect, Mr. Banks is based on the true story of Walt Disney’s own quest to attain the film rights to P. L. Travers’ novel, Mary Poppins. It stars Tom Hanks as Disney and Emma Thompson as Travers. Though not specifically a holiday movie, it should be a good film for movie-lovers.

Other films that will certainly make the family wish list are The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, PG-13, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, PG.

Smaug is the second installment of the Hobbit serial, and promises to set records with fan-girl fav Benedict Cumberbatch’s larger role as both Smaug and the Soothsayer.

Mitty is a remake of the 1947 film of the same name starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo. I suppose we shall see if Ben Stiller can live up to Kaye’s standard.

Still haven’t found the Christmas flick for you? Don’t worry, there are hundreds of cable channels filled with seasonal adventures.

That’s a wrap for this Toast to Cinema. Thanks for reading.