“Yes, I really am working here. I’m serious: watching this movie is research.” I have uttered these lines more than once, and certain family members have laughed at me more than once for saying them (special thanks goes out to the husband here). But those of you who are film teachers know I speak the truth.

When I pay my $10.50 to watch The Hangover, Inglourious Basterds, or Up, I am reading and analyzing a text that I will eventually and inevitably cite in my classroom as an example of a certain kind of storytelling, animation, characterization, etc. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago, my students and I considered two films currently playing at the box office, The Blind Side and Precious, asking ourselves how each perpetuates onscreen stereotypes of African Americans and reinforces Hollywood’s “invisible class norm” (e.g., black characters are “saved” by a white family, excel in little else but sports, endure economic hardships, survive abusive relationships, etc.). Likewise, at the start of the semester, I talked with several students about the opening of Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, which I claimed was one of the most perfectly shot sequences I’d seen onscreen in a long time. See, in order to crank out references like these, I must go to the movies, right?

Well, since I won’t be heading down South to visit the family for Christmas this year, I’ll have plenty of time to make my (movie) list and check it twice. Here’s a rundown of what I plan to see and why:

A Single Man

I’ll admit it here and now: Colin Firth is perhaps the only actor currently working (or alive) who can make me swoon. Yeah, that’s right: swoon. I’m not a fan of Renee Zellwegger or her pursed lips and squishy eyes, but I will gladly suffer through Bridget Jones’s Diary–both of them–for Mr. Firth. As such, I’m looking forward to spending time with him in A Single Man and am betting that even as a gay widower contemplating suicide, he will still summons butterflies to my stomach. (That’s probably inappropriate, isn’t it?) (limited release, Dec. 11, 2009)

The Princess and the Frog

I’ve never had much interest in Disney princesses, but I’d like to see this movie so I can determine for myself whether it confirms or defies some of the problems it ostensibly presents. (in theatres now)

Up in the Air

Everybody’s talking about it, so I guess I’d better go. (wide release, Dec. 25, 2009)

Me and Orson Welles

Other than his role in the High School Musical movies, I don’t know much about Zac Efron; and I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Christian McKay, the actor playing Welles (who also slightly resembles a younger James Spader). I do, however, know all sorts of things about Orson Welles as well as his radio, stage, and screen careers. Consequently, I’m anxious to see this film. Also, it should be a nice accompaniment to the book I’m currently reading, In My Father’s Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles. (wide release, ??)

The Young Victoria

As someone who studies Shakespeare and the early modern period for a living, I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth (1998) as well as Elizabeth I (2005). I’m hoping that Emily Blunt’s portrayal of the longest-reigning queen of England will follow along the lines of those two films. (limited release, Dec. 18, 2009)

It’s Complicated

Yes, I’m looking forward to this one; and yes, you are certainly allowed to make fun of me. My only wish is that It’s Complicated comes closer to resembling Meyers’s Something’s Gotta Give rather than The Holiday or (the god-awful) What Women Want. (In related news, I just came across this thorough piece on Meyers and her films in the NY Times.)

Sidenote: I’m fascinated with onscreen representations of mature characters/couples and the complexities that they (usually) offer (e.g., On Golden Pond, Terms of Endearment, Space Cowboys, As Good As It Gets, Calendar Girls, Something’s Gotta Give). (Dec. 25, 2009)

And then here are a few movies I’m on the fence about but will probably see anyway:

Nine

Although it looks WAY too flashy, I feel that I must see it since one of my research areas is the film musical. (Dec. 25, 2009)

Crazy Heart

It’s getting rave reviews, and unlike my brother I have no problems with Jeff Bridges (my brother reaches for that remote control the minute he hears Bridges’s voice). However, I’ll admit that I’m not thrilled about the romantic pairing of Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the latter of whom could (should?) play Bridges’s daughter, not lover. (limited release, Dec. 18, 2009)

Sherlock Holmes

Like Nine, it looks as though it’s trying too hard; but ever since I screened Chaplin, I vowed that I’d see Robert Downey, Jr. in anything. (Dec. 25, 2009)

What about you? Aside from family and friends, with whom will you be spending the holidays, and why?