Between the Sony hack and cheesy award bait, movie magic seems harder to come by this holiday season. Fortunately, we have a great roundup of books on screen to keep you spellbound until the new year!

Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s powerful, searingly honest memoir, is in theaters now. Reese Witherspoon, back in Serious Actress mode, stars as Strayed in a performance that already has earned her a Golden Globe nod. If you like your protagonists (and plotlines) a little loopier, be sure to check out Inherent Vice, Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of the classic Thomas Pynchon novel. The movie --- a mindbending noir odyssey that has drug-addled private eye Doc Sportello navigating 1960s Los Angeles --- has been called both “hypnotic” and “infuriating,” sometimes even in the same sentence.

For more family-friendly fare, don’t miss the latest reboot of Annie, with 11-year-old Academy darling Quvenzhané Wallis as the ever-optimistic orphan girl. In inspired casting choices, the movie also stars Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks, a Daddy Warbucks for 2014, and Cameron Diaz as the scheming Miss Hannigan. A bit darker but equally uplifting is the Angelina Jolie-helmed adaptation of UNBROKEN, Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini’s moving memoir of how he survived World War II against the odds.

If you missed Lifetime’s two-part adaptation of Anita Diamant’s THE RED TENT, you can still watch it on demand. Frankly, I love everything Minnie Driver does blindly (although “Peter Pan Live” pushed me to my limits), so take my high marks for her portrayal as biblical matriarch Leah with a pillar of salt (Bible jokes!). Rebecca Ferguson, who also stars in Starz’s underwatched “The White Queen,” delivered a riveting performance as Dinah, the forsaken daughter who finds her own way in a male-dominated world. The Hallmark Channel aired their version of Debbie Macomber’s MR. MIRACLE, which is the story of an overwhelmed young woman and her earnest guardian angel. Hallmark will be showing it throughout the month, and you can check their site for upcoming air dates. And if you’re looking to escape all the holiday fluff, make sure to tune in as Showtime wraps up its stellar fourth season of “Homeland.”

There you have it! Let’s make like Scott Rudin this holiday season and shamelessly love entertainment with absolutely everything we have!
 

--- Written and compiled by Emily Hoenig

In Theaters: 

Wild
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern
Director: Jean-Marc Valee
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: December 5th
Based on: WILD: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed decides to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone, as a way to heal herself, following her divorce, the death of her mother, and years of reckless, destructive behavior.

Inherent Vice
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Josh Brolin, Martin Short, Benicio Del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Jena Malone and Timothy Simons
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: December 12th
Based On: INHERENT VICE by Thomas Pynchon

In a California beach community, private detective Larry "Doc" Sportello tends to work his cases through a smoky haze of marijuana. One day, Shasta, a former lover, arrives out of the blue to plead for Doc's help; it seems that Shasta's current beau, rich real-estate tycoon Mickey Wolfmann, has a wife who may be plotting to commit him to a mental hospital. When Mickey and Shasta both disappear, Doc navigates a psychedelic world of surfers, stoners and cops to solve the case.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom
Director: Peter Jackson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 17th
Based on: THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien

Having reclaimed Erebor and a vast treasure from the dragon Smaug, Thorin Oakenshield sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the Arkenstone, despite Smaug's fiery wrath and Bilbo's desperate attempts to make him see reason. Meanwhile, Sauron sends forth legions of Orcs in a sneak attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As the ultimate fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, the races of Men, Elves and Dwarves must decide whether to unite or die.

Annie
Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne
Director: Will Gluck
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: December 19th
Based on: The Little Orphan Annie comic series by Harold Gray

In modern-day New York City, Annie is an orphan/foster child living under the cruelty of Miss Hannigan. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since. But everything's about to change when hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks --- advised by his VP, Grace, and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy --- makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around.

American Sniper
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes
Director: Clint Eastwood
Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: December 25th
Based on: AMERICAN SNIPER by Chris Kyle

From director Clint Eastwood comes AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to this true American hero than his skill with a rifle.

Unbroken
Cast: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garret Hedlund
Director: Angelina Jolie
Distributor: Universal Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 25th
Based on: UNBROKEN: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

World War II hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini, a former Olympic track star, survives a plane crash in the Pacific, spends 47 days drifting on a raft, and then more than two and a half years living in several Japanese prisoner of warcamps.

On TV:

“Mr. Miracle”
Cast: Rob Morrow, Britt Irvin, Michelle Harrison
Network: Hallmark Channel
Air Date: Saturday, December 6th at 8pm ET; next air date Friday, December 12th at 2pm ET
Based On: MR. MIRACLE by Debbie Macomber

When guardian angel Harry Mills arrives on Earth for the first time, he’s got a lot to learn about life as a human. But this miracle worker-in-training ignores the advice of his seasoned heavenly mentor, Celeste, to eagerly take on his first assignment --- helping a young woman named Addie find the confidence to change her life. Now, after her father’s sudden passing, Addie is living with her mom Sharon, filled with regret and uncertainty while attempting to finish her degree, all while avoiding her childhood nemesis and neighbor, Erich. Enter Harry, posing as her fumbling, well-meaning new English teacher who takes on the task of guiding her to see the wonderful things she can’t see in herself. With a deadline of Christmas day to change Addie’s perspective, or else say goodbye to his own Earthly existence, Harry is clueless but endearing in his effort to make Addie open up to a life full of promise --- and even love --- while learning a few life lessons of his own 

“The Red Tent”
Cast: Minnie Driver, Moren Baccarin, Rebecca Ferguson, Iain Glen, Debra Winger
Network: Lifetime
Air Dates: Part 1: Sunday, December 7th at 9pm ET; Part 2: Monday, December 8th at 9pm ET
Based On: THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant

Lifetime’s miniseries “The Red Tent,” based on the bestselling novel by Anita Diamant, is a sweeping tale that takes place during the times of the Old Testament, told through the eyes of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob. The story begins with Dinah’s happy childhood spent inside the red tent where the women of her tribe gather and share the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood. The film recounts the story of Dinah’s mothers Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah, the four wives of Jacob. Dinah matures and experiences an intense love that subsequently leads to a devastating loss, and the fate of her family is forever changed.

"Homeland"
Cast: Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Rupert Friend
Network: Showtime
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET
Based On: SAUL'S GAME by Andrew Kaplan

“Homeland” is an edge-of-your-seat sensation. CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) is tops in her field despite being bipolar, which makes her volatile and unpredictable. With the help of her long-time mentor Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin), Carrie fearlessly risks everything, including her personal well-being and even sanity, at every turn. You won't be able to turn away from this gripping, emotional thriller in which nothing short of the fate of our nation is at stake.

“The Vampire Diaries”
Cast: Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham, Candice Accola
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Thursdays at 8pm ET; midseason finale December 11th
Based On: The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith

Months after this devastating tragedy, everyone is dealing with the loss of their loved ones in different ways, some more destructively than others. What happened to Bonnie and Damon, and if they can even be saved, remains a mystery. Meanwhile, their beloved hometown of Mystic Falls continues to be a magic-free zone, protected by a mysterious new community watch program. If there’s any hope of salvaging their former lives, our heroes must find a way to push through their grief and band together. This season will explore themes of loss, denial and what it means to move on in the face of immortality, ultimately begging the age-old question --- can you ever really go home again?

“The Flash”
Cast: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jessie L. Martin
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 8pm ET; midseason finale December 9th
Based On: The Flash: DC Comics character created by Robert Kanigher, John Broome and Carmine Infantino

“The Flash” follows the adventures of scientist Barry Allen, who is a superhero with incredible speed. challenging

“Arrow”
Cast: Stephen Amell, Colin Donnell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Wednesdays at 8pm ET; midseason finale December 10th
Based On: DC Comics character Green Arrow created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp

After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he's become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow --- a vigilante --- to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society and restore Starling City to its former glory.

“Constantine”
Cast: Harold Perrineau, Charles Halford
Network: NBC
Air Dates: Fridays at 10pm ET
Based On: The Hellblazer series from DC Comics

Based on the wildly popular comic book series Hellblazer from DC Comics, seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, "Criminal Minds") is armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and a wickedly naughty wit. He fights the good fight --- or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he's decided to abandon his campaign against evil until a series of events thrusts him back into the fray, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. With the balance of good and evil on the line,Constantine will use his skills to travel the country, find the supernatural terrors that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows...maybe there's hope for him and his soul after all.

On DVD:

The Hundred-Foot Journey
Cast: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal
Director: Lasse Halsstrom
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
MPAA Rating:PG
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Based on: THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY by Richard C. Morais

The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery. Drama, discovery, and delight ensue.

Guardians of the Galaxy
Cast: Christ Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace
Director: James Gunn
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Based on: The Marvel comic book series of the same name

After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill from Earth, is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team of space heroes known as the "Guardians of the Galaxy" to save the world.

When the Game Stands Tall
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Laura Dern, Michael Chiklis
Director: Thomas Carter
Distributor: Sony Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Based on: WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL by Neil Hayes

Based on a true story about the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.

This Is Where I Leave You
Cast: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne
Director: Shawn Levy
Distributor: Warner Bros
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Based On: THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU by Jonathan Tropper

When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.

The Maze Runner
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter
Director: Wes Ball
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 16, 2014 
Based On: THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose

A Good Marriage
Cast: Joan Allen, Anthonly LaPaglia, Kristen Connolly, Stephen Lang
Director: Peter Askin
Distributor: Screen Media Films
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Based On: A GOOD MARRIAGE, the novella by Stephen King included in FULL DARK, NO STARS

After 25 years of a good marriage, Darcy discovers her husband's sinister secret.