Released: 12/23/05

Viewed: 1:20pm 12/25/05

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams

Directed by: Thomas Bezucha

Twentieth Century Fox - Official Site of the movie

So The Family Stone is a pretty good representation of most of the families in the world. They fight, they curse, they're dysfunctional on a whole new level, but underneath it all they really love each other. They're able to argue and disagree freely because at the end of the day, they're blood. They're family.

But things are shaken up when prodigal son Dermot Mulroney returns with someone ( Sarah Jessica Parker in her big return to movie stardom) the entire family can agree to hate. Even though this is a tired old sitcom set up, they certainly have a great time making you feel very uncomfortable, and very sorry for this poor outcast. It's the perfect feeling for the holidays!

So overall the movie is fine. It's charming and cute and inoffensive for the most part. A great ensemble cast has been brought together, and everyone has scenes that allow them to cut loose and have fun, as well as knuckle down and show how good they are at their craft.

It is the return of Sarah Jessica Parker who received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in this movie. She's not bad in Stone, but part of me feels like this nomination is more of a "We loved you in Sex and the City and we still love you now" sort of thing. But I have to give credit where credit is due; she's put on the spot and ridiculed over and over again. A scene involving homosexuality where she asks a completely legitimate question about the challenges of being a homosexual in this society is completely blown out of proportion as the family attacks her. It speaks more for the families distaste towards her that they're unwilling to look at the situation objectively. It's an uncomfortable scene, but is handled well.

I enjoyed the rest of the family including some touching performances from it's leaders Craig T. Nelson and Diane Keaton . Mulroney returns as another fianc? destine to lose the girl. I like him as an actor, I think he's had some triumphs in this same role in other films, but he's uneasy here. Comic relief is ably provided by Luke Wilson who gives us another reason to wish we were him.

One of the characters is deaf and the entire family does use sign language. It was awesome because even if they weren't talking to the deaf character, they would still sign. That speaks volumes to the connection of the family. It's part of who they all are. It connects them on a whole new level. I thought it was an amazing note to add to the film. And it does look hella cool.

The film takes a wicked turn as relationships become undefined, and hot sisters show up. I don't care how long they take to explain the series of events that occur, it's still freakin' creepy. Walking out of the theater I felt dirty because of how neatly things had wrapped up. Everything works out fine in the end, but they shouldn't have. It's just? creepy. Watch the movie and you'll come to a moment where one characters supposed to get on a bus. Will they stay or go? You're supposed to want them to stay, but you so don't, because it's just to weird.

It's nice to see a real family depicted with as much fury in their lives as there is love. It's comforting to know that the rest of the world is a little bit crazy too, and that they don't have to sabotage a wedding or win a three-legged race to legitimize family life for Hollywood. 6 out of 10. It gains points because of some of the more tender hearted moments. Two years form now the things you'll remember will be Rachel McAdams starring at a photograph of her mother, not Parker get high in a townie bar.

DVD worthy?: Pass. I have my own dysfunctional family to spend time with. And none of them have hot friends like Claire Danes.

If you liked this movie check out: My Best Friends Wedding

How could I NOT pick another movie where Mulroney was proposing to someone? I'm not a huge fan of My Best Friends Wedding, but it's cute, and effective in its way. I asked Yeo though, and she thinks it's too frustrating. She said it's frustrating "because Julia Roberts goes there with the intention of breaking him up and she just comes of as a bad person. But you're supposed to like her and not Cameron Diaz, but you just end up hating everybody. Except the gay guy, he's cool"

Huh ? Well said.

Trailer Hitch: Catch and Release

Oh what a treat it was to sit through the previews and see a two-minute movie. The complete beginning middle and end are revealed in the trailer for Catch and Release so if you're really into Jennifer Gardner, or intense weird tear jerkers ? avoid the trailer at all costs.

The movie doesn't look appealing to me at all, but I will most likely see it because I'm a Kevin Smith fan and he has a costarring role where he actually seems to do a lot of talking. That appeals to the comic geek in me. Also I'm a fan of Alias, and pre-Affleck Jennifer Gardner so I want to relive better days with her. This movie was probably made when she was in the clutches of the beast, but it's before the pregnancy so I can pretend Scott Foley's still in the picture. Is that creepy? I actually like Affleck, just not when he's "with" people. That sounds bad. I certainly don't wish him unhappiness?

Let me explain it like this. Tom Green circa 1998. Pretty cool. A little over the top, but I was laughing. Drew Barrymore circa Wedding Singer. Smokin' hot, AND safe to take home to mom. When they got married? less hot. It's a similar situation with Bennifer 2.

Today's vote incentive has Irv questioning my recent burst in romantic comedies. I think I put him in his place.

Hey you guys were so good with downloading of the Ipod strips that I decided to put up the comic for Hostel. The review to go with it will be up on Thursday after I put Syrianas out. Thanks again for the support, keep checking back here for fresh stuff.