MoviesIn “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Button (Brad Pitt) starts life as an elderly man and ages backward. Which means he begins with Depends and works his way up to Pampers. Could this film be this year’s big Oscar winner? Some comparisons to “Forrest Gump” have been made, so perhaps. (Opens Dec. 25)
It’s incredibly hard to resist a cute dog, even when it’s misbehaving. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a couple who brings a pup into their lives in “Marley & Me.” And of course, this means it’s Aniston vs. ex-husband Pitt at the box office on Christmas Day. Time to prove which team you’re really on. (Opens Dec. 25)
Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio reunite for the first time since 1998’s “Titanic.” In “Revolutionary Road,” the duo plays a couple who are unhappy that they’ve bought into the suburban dream. If you’re expecting DiCaprio to proclaim he’s “king of the world,” think again. (Opens Dec. 25).
TV
It's Christmas week, and WGN is celebrating with nine hours of classic radio programs set to images of a crackling high-def Yule Log. No, really. Radio shows on TV. Titles include "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street," both from the Lux Radio Theater, and favorite series such as Fibber McGee & Molly and Burns & Allen. The nice thing about radio, of course, is that you can be wrapping gifts, popping popcorn or whatever and still keep up with the action. (WGN, from 9 p.m. Dec. 24 to 6 a.m. Dec. 25)
DVDMany critics made the comparison between Keira Knightley's character of Georgiana Cavendish in "The Duchess" and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Both were beautiful, royal, famous, married as teens to older, unfaithful men, and thousands lived vicariously through their deeds. One of the movie's taglines, "there were three people in her marriage," even directly rips off a quote from Diana. Rent or buy the DVD and see if the other comparisons hold up. (Out on DVD Dec. 23.)