Going to the movies with family can be fraught with disagreements and potential awkwardness. Photo / Getty
Going to the movies with family over Christmas weekend is a time-honoured tradition but one fraught with disagreements and potential awkwardness.
Is there a film appropriate for your parents, siblings and grandpa?
Your mum loves Tina Fey, but is it really a good idea to take her to see "Sisters"? Those "Joy" commercials look intriguing, but what is it actually about?
Here's a guide that covers all those possibilities and more.
Movies to see with kids:
In charge of herding your younger cousins to the theater? You can't go wrong with "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip," the fourth live-action installment that follows the famous critters on another grand adventure - this time to stop their beloved caretaker Dave (Jason Lee) from proposing to his girlfriend, Samantha (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). In addition to plenty of bodily-function humor to keep the kids howling, the movie sprinkles in grown-up jokes that fly right over the heads of the youngest audience members.
And even though "The Good Dinosaur" is a rare miss for Pixar, the gorgeous visuals and impressive dinos will still keep the kids entertained.
Movies that multiple generations can enjoy:
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has already raked in an absurd amount of cash at the box office ($765 million worldwide), but there's no better movie to see with people of all ages. The nostalgia factor is real for the adults, while the kids are introduced to the magical world of the "Star Wars" franchise -- even bored teens will be entertained. If you already saw it at midnight? Hey, you can join the people who say the flick is even better the second time around.
Speaking of classics, "The Peanuts Movie" is another one that appeals to viewers of all ages, whether you recall the classic comics or just enjoy a good animated movie.
Movies kids and parents won't want to see together:
Sure, your parents and aunts and uncles might be fans of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler from "Saturday Night Live," but that doesn't mean it will be any less uncomfortable to sit next to them when you watch the "Sisters." The R-rated comedy, starring Fey and Poehler as sisters who throw one epic last party in their childhood home, is quite funny -- and filled with expletives, dirty jokes and some, um, interesting sex scenes. This is a movie that only the adult siblings and cousins should probably go see together.
On that note, "The Hateful Eight," Quentin Tarantino's bloody, violent post-Civil War era drama about bounty hunters who become intertwined with a group of strangers one deadly night, isn't exactly a film the whole family can enjoy.
Movies that will inspire a lot of discussion:
Conventional wisdom says you shouldn't talk politics or religion or finances at the dinner table -- so if that's the case in your family, you should probably avoid these movies.
However, if you're not afraid of sparking some topical discussion, there are several flicks to help you out. "The Big Short," the drama that explores the mid-2000s housing bubble and financial crisis, has an A-list cast (Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Steve Carell); you'll leave the theater learning some new facts, along with being confused and possibly outraged.
Critical favorite "Spotlight" centers on the Boston Globe investigative reporters who broke the story of abuse within the Catholic Church that had been covered up for years.
And "Concussion" (controversial for the NFL and anyone who enjoys football) stars Will Smith as the Nigerian-born neuropathologist who linked a brain disease caused by head trauma to the reason former NFL players were committing suicide.
Movies that will inspire zero discussion:
If your family wants to kill a few hours with an entertaining -- but ultimately forgettable -- movie experience, your best bet is "Daddy's Home." Will Ferrell plays a nice guy trying to earn the respect of his new stepkids when their cool, macho dad (Mark Wahlberg) rolls into town. If you've seen a Ferrell comedy before, you know exactly what to expect.
Or, go the action route: "Point Break" (the remake of the 1991 cult favorite about Robin Hood-esque daredevil thieves) or the latest James Bond movie "Spectre" will fit the bill.
Movies you should see before award season:
If your only criteria is that someone wants to see movies that may help them in their Oscars pool at work, check out Leonardo DiCaprio's horrifying ordeal in the grisly "The Revenant." DiCaprio may finally win the best actor trophy for playing a frontiersman who survives a bear attack and seeks vengeance on the men who deserted him in the wilderness. (Note: This one is currently in limited release, so check to see whether it's playing in your area.)
Or, you could go with "Joy," David O. Russell's third collaboration with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. And, no, it's not a sequel to "Silver Linings Playbook." Though the trailers don't give it away, the movie is inspired by the life of Joy Mangano, the woman who invented the Miracle Mop. (Yes, the movie has to do with mops.)
Another option is "Creed," the well-reviewed "Rocky" movie starring Michael B. Jordan that nabbed Sylvester Stallone a Golden Globe nomination.
The Oscar-winning actor has been accused of snubbing staff.