Intermission: Hollywood offers escape from holiday hubbub

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I'm not a Scrooge or a Grinch but I must admit I suffer from what's known as seasonal affective disorder. The hectic nature of the holidays tends to worsen the effect, which is triggered by so few hours of daylight.|ret||ret||tab|

Eight years ago, I went to the old Wehrenberg theater at the Battleeld Mall to see a lm called "Big Night." For two hours I was transported to a calmer, more relaxed state of mind. I forgot about the chaos around me. |ret||ret||tab|

It should not have come as a surprise, because, after all, movies are the ultimate form of escapism. If the people behind you aren't kicking your seat or jabbering away, you can lose yourself in another world.|ret||ret||tab|

Following is a short list of lms that will take the viewer away, however briey, from the holiday hubbub. Even if you enjoy the hectic goings on this month, these lms are still worthwhile.|ret||ret||tab|

"Big Night" (1996) The lm is set in the 1950s. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub play a pair of brothers who open an Italian restaurant. Tucci is the people person, and Shalhoub is the rather eccentric chef. The two are banking their success on a dinner party being hosted by bandleader Louis Prima. The preparations for the big night comprise the body of this endearing lm directed by Tucci and Campbell Scott. There are other great "food" lms that, like good food itself, provide much comfort. "Tampopo," "Babette's Feast," "Like Water for Chocolate" and "Chocolat" are at the top of the genre.|ret||ret||tab|

"Return to Me" (2000) Minnie Driver and David "The X-Files" Duchovny star in this romantic comedy/drama. The setup, wherein Duchovny's wife is killed in an auto accident and Driver's life is saved because of it, seems implausible at rst. Under the gentle direction of Bonnie Hunt, who co-wrote the screenplay, it works. Driver has never been better, and this lm ranks with modern romantic pieces such as "Sleepless in Seattle," "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "When Harry Met Sally."|ret||ret||tab|

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (1941) It's hard to believe master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock directed this classic screwball comedy starring Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard. Hitchcock himself later admitted he had no idea what he was doing and was completely out of his element. This is not apparent in viewing the lm. Montgomery and Lombard play the Smiths, a married couple who nd out their marriage due to a technicality isn't legal. The rest of the lm nds them debating whether they should marry again. It's a hoot. Lombard is a fantastic comedienne and a luminous screen presence.|ret||ret||tab|

"The Purple Rose of Cairo" (1985) Woody Allen crafts one of the ultimate movies-as-escapism lms with this one. Mia Farrow, in the lead role, is a woman who escapes her unhappy life and marriage by going to the movies. One night, the hero in the lm she's watching walks off of the screen and into "real" life because he is smitten with her. The producers of the lm want him back on screen and Farrow's husband wants him out of their lives. Along with "Zelig," this is one of Allen's most original ideas for a movie. Farrow is heartbreakingly sweet.|ret||ret||tab|

"Household Saints" (1993) I rst saw Lili Taylor in "Mystic Pizza" and predicted she was an actress to be reckoned with. Her co-star, another newcomer named Julia Roberts, proved to be the superstar-waiting-to-happen. But Taylor has done some incredible work over the years. She recently was a recurring character on HBO's "Six Feet Under." Her best role is in "Household Saints" where she plays a young woman who wants to become a Carmelite nun, much to her parents' dismay. One day, while ironing, she is visited by Jesus. The lm unfolds somewhat like a retelling of Joan of Arc. It's a bittersweet story that will make you think about matters of faith and fortune.|ret||ret||tab|

"Next Stop Wonderland" (1998) The soothing sounds of Brazilian sambas permeate this romantic lm starring Hope Davis, a great and much-underutilized actress. She's just come to the end of a love affair and decides she's happy alone. Her mother has other notions: "If you're not going to help yourself, I feel it is my duty as your mother to help you." She then places an ad for her daughter in the personals column. After seeing the lm for the rst time, I drove directly to the CD store and bought the soundtrack. It's so soothing, especially when it's cold outside.|ret||ret||tab|

"A Little Romance" (1979) Two lovers are star-crossed in the beautiful city of love, Venice. What makes this lm so endearing is the fact that the two lovers are 13 years old. Diane Lane still a beauty and a great actress made her debut in this lm and Laurence Olivier does his usual, impeccable, work. Lane and her young beau, played by Thelonius Bernard, are trying to fulll an old Italian legend that states when two lovers kiss under Venice's Bridge of Sighs at sunset as the church bells are ringing, they will love each other forever. Have tissues at hand.|ret||ret||tab|

None of these lms are "Christmas movies" per se. But what do I know? At our house we have a tradition of watching "The Godfather."|ret||ret||tab|

There are a lot of decent "holiday" lms around. "It's a Wonderful Life" never gets old. "A Christmas Story" is a baby boomer's walk down memory lane. Last year's "Elf" has just been released on DVD. Then there's my personal favorite, "Bad Santa." It's probably not for the overly sentimental but it does have its dark charms.|ret||ret||tab|

Happy holidays.|ret||ret||tab|

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Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springeld free-lance writer and musician.|ret||ret||tab|

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