Let the cineplex rush begin. While the fall brings many Oscar buzz-worthy titles, it is also the second time of year that studios trot out big budget films with bug budget expectations. The holiday season is a time that brings families together, and what better way to have fun as a family? Go to the movies of course! This week brings up a lone title challenging the incumbents for your money. Will you cave and give them what they want? I have a feeling I will...

The Golden Compass. (2007, 114 minutes, PG-13, fantasy, trailer) New Line Cinema is banking on this $150 million dollar fantasy to be a hit, not only so they can make back their investment, but so they can move forward with the two planned sequels (based on the other two books in the trilogy). On the surface, this would seem to be an easy task, considering the cast led by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliot, and Eva Green combined with the lavish fantasy setting. It would seem to be a slam dunk. However, the film has raised the ire of Catholic groups who believe kids will give up on God, based on the novel's author's open atheism. It is also receiving criticism from lovers of the book for straying from the source. I think the trailers look good and, atheist basis or not, I think this could be a fun adventure. Quite frankly, I cannot see a movie moving me to the point of abandoning my beliefs.

Noelle. (2007, 90 minutes, PG, drama, trailer) Prior to seeing this on the list of releases for my local theater this week, I had never heard of Noelle. I believe I may give it a shot, but suspect that it may run a little too sentimental for my tastes. It is the story of Father Jonathan Keene (David Wall, who also writes and directs), a priest whose task it is to close down struggling parishes. He arrives in a small fishing village to do just that, but the townsfolk have other designs as their lives become entangled with the visiting priest.