I saw The Family Stone last night. It was a really nice Christmas film (although the Christmas part wasn't necessary) that I recommend. Highlight: Claire Danes (as Julie, Sarah Jessica Parker's sister) and Rachel McAdams (as the mean sister-in-law to be) are excellent.

I have noticed that most reviews are bad, and although it takes an awful lot to make me dislike a movie, let me tell you the shortcomings. First, Sarah Jessica Parker's performance was really not very enjoyable. It felt a bit fake.

Also, one review I have read mentions a lot of moralizing, but I only noticed this during a single dinner scene where there is a commotion during a discussion about gays, the youngest son of the family being one. I know most people will cheer the scene because it attacks bigoted perspectives on homosexuality (which were expressed by Sarah Jessica's character), but you would think that the family would have just a little bit of understanding and patience for someone who obviously didn't understand any of the sensitivities around the issue and was making an honest attempt to discuss it. They didn't; they went on the attack. And although it might have served to demonstrate some unspoken tensions in the family, this must have been unintended since it reveals a sinister undercurrent that runs against the spirit of the film. Whichever way you look at it, it was, frankly, tasteless.

But this is only one scene and doesn't take away from the rest of what is, overall, a movie very much worth watching.