The wrapping paper has been

peeled off of the presents and swiftly discarded into a large trash bag.

Naps have been taken, either before or after a late Christmas lunch or

an early Christmas dinner. The question then presents itself: what now?

The answer, for lots of people,

is, "Let's go to the movies."

Hollywood has made Christmas

one of the biggest release dates of the year. One reason is because they

know that families are looking for something to do and another reason

is because it is one of the last days to qualify for the upcoming awards

season. This Christmas is no different, as there are lots of different

types of films out there for people to take in.

Five movies get a wide release

this Christmas:

- "Peter Pan and

"Cheaper By the Dozen," which are rated PG and are films aimed

at the whole family. The story of the boy who never grew up and his three

friends from London is familiar to most people. The story of "Cheaper

and furnished with a happy ending. It stars Steve Martin, Hilary Duff,

Ashton Kutcher and Bonnie Hunt.

- "Big Fish"

and "Paycheck" are PG-13 and aimed at older kids and adults.

Tim Burton directed "Big Fish," which is a story of father/son

reconciliation starring Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney. "Paycheck"

is a John Woo film starring Ben Affleck. This thriller is based on a story

- "Cold Mountain,"

which is rated R, is strictly for adults, mainly due to graphic war scenes.

It is based on a successful novel and stars Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and

Renee Zellweger.

"Cold Mountain" and

"Big Fish" have garnered several Golden Globe nominations, including

Best Drama and Best Comedy, and should also be strong Oscar contenders.

There are other movies in local

theaters and video stores that have snagged a few Golden Globe nominations

themselves. Other best drama nominees which are still in theaters are

"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," and "Master and

Commander: The Far Side of the World." "Seabiscuit" is

available on video and DVD and "Mystic River" might be found

in some smaller theaters in Atlanta. Best comedy nominees are "Bend

it Like Beckham" and "Finding Nemo," both of which are

on video and DVD, "Love Actually," which is still in a number

of theaters in metro Atlanta and "Lost in Translation," which

may be gone from the Atlanta area but will turn up at dollar theaters

and in video stores nationwide in 2004.

Audiences can also catch nominees

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in "Something's Gotta Give,"

Tom Cruise in "The Last Samurai" and "Billy Bob Thornton

in "Bad Santa" in main theaters or they can go to the dollar

theater to catch nominees Jack Black in "School of Rock," Johnny

Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean," and Jamie Lee Curtis in

"Freaky Friday," which, like "Pirates" is also on

video and DVD.

Of course, there is no law

that one must see award-nominated movies either. Kids will most likely

love movies like "Elf," "The Cat in the Hat," or "The

Haunted Mansion," while older audiences will likely enjoy films like

"Mona Lisa Smile," "Stuck On You," or "The Missing."

Check this paper for local

showtimes or visit www.fandango.com to find showtimes at a theater near

you.

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