It's that time of year again when good hearted and generous Hollywood executives bestow Christmas cheer to the needy cinemagoer.

After the barren autumn months of turgid political thrillers, disappointing animation (get a grip Mr. Lasseter) and forgettable ensemble pieces, the holiday season promises it's usual cornucopia of feel good movies for the whole family.

Who couldn't resist Vince Vaughn as Father Christmas's slacker brother in Fred Claus? Just watching the trailer in which our hapless hero re-discovers the joy of Christmas through dancing on the table, throwing snowballs and making jokes at the expense of short people was enough to make me smile for seconds.

Or if expensive franchises are more your thing, you can't go wrong with the Golden Compass. Don't worry about the atheistic theme and the storming of heaven (I'm sure Hollywood haven't) and just enjoy the CGI polar bears and arse-kicking witches. But be warned, you'll have to wait a year for part two. That is of course if they sell enough merchandise.

There's also the spectacle of watching Dustin Hoffman play the 243-year-old Mr. Magorium in Mr. Magoriums wonder emporium. The title alone must be worth the price of a ticket. As far as I can tell it's about re-discovering the joy of childhood by dancing on the table, throwing snowballs and making jokes about short people.

Of course if sentimentality and Christmas cracker philosophy isn't your thing, I'd suggest watching the apartment. It has everything you need for the perfect Christmas night in, adultery, loneliness and suicide - and as far as I can remember no jokes about short people.