This weekend is easily the busiest since the extended Thanksgiving weekend, for more reasons than one. There is the obvious last minute holiday shopping combined with those who choose to do their holiday shopping at the last minute, not out of necessity but tradition.

There is one reason that is more important than that — there are five new films hitting theaters nationwide, and one more expanding into my area. That translates to a lot of business at the cineplex, at least for me. I actually want to see all said films, and will do my best to squeeze in as many as possible. To help you plan out your weekend viewing, here are the choices:

Charlie Wilson's War. (2007, 97 minutes, R, drama, trailer) This could prove to be an interesting, if heavy, holiday offering. It is the story of a Texas Congressman who persuaded the CIA to aid Afghan rebels in a fight against the invading Soviet Union in the 1980s. It was an event that led to the fall of the Soviet Union and the empowerment of the Taliban regime. The trailers seem to play it up as a lighthearted dramedy, but there is some heavy lifting required when looking at this period. I do not claim any great knowledge, but I believe there is more here than meets the eye. Stars include Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets. (2007, 124 minutes, PG, action/adventure, trailer) Back in 2004, there was an attempt to deliver a new Indiana Jones-type adventure hero. The movie starred Nicolas Cage and proved to be a big hit. It was only a matter of time before a sequel was made. That time is now. Cage returns as Ben Gates. This time out there is a revelation that Gates' ancestors were involved in the Abraham Lincoln assassination plot. Gates sets out to clear his family name. Joining Cage for returning director Jon Turtletaub is an all star cast including Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Harvey Keitel, and Ed Harris.

P.S. I Love You. (2007, 126 minutes, PG-13, romance, trailer) Gerard Butler puts down his sword and shield long enough to romance Hilary Swank, set up an elaborate mail delivery system and die, leaving Swank to pick up the pieces and learn to live again, with the help of his letters. This would seem to be a perfect pre-holiday date movie — who doesn't need a little romantic sentimentality? Actually, I think it looks pretty good, if just a stretch on the believability scale. Richard Lagravanese (Freedom Writers) directs and co-wrote the script with Steve Rogers from a novel by Cecelia Ahern.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. (2007, 117 minutes, R, musical, trailer) I have been dying to see this. I truly hope that I am not setting myself up for a fall. This is a film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical brought to gothic and bloody heights by Tim Burton. It tells the story of Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) who is wrongfully imprisoned. Once released he vows revenge for his fate and that of his wife and daughter. To this end, he becomes Sweeney Todd and opens a murderous barbershop where he partners with a woman famous for her meat pies. Joining Depp are Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and Sacha Baron Cohen. I am so hoping this is a great film.