It's a busy time at the movies these days. Studios are trying to get all their releases in before the December 31 Oscar deadline, and they're also vying for your precious holiday dollar. This week's offerings at our local Marcus Theatres include a few that came out on Christmas—Quentin Tarantino's latest, an adaptation of a much loved musical, a family comedy, and a documentary about the justice system—and the first collaboration between Matt Damon and Gus Van Sant since 'Good Will Hunting,' due out Friday.

'Django Unchained'

Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz star in Quentin Tarantino's tale of a bounty hunter and a former slave out to rescue Foxx's wife from a notorious plantation owner.

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo Dicaprio, Samuel L. Jackson


'Les Miserables'

In this adaptation of the enormously popular Broadway musical, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) seeks redemption following 19 years of imprisonment for stealing bread to feed his starving family.

Directed by Tom Hooper

Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried


'Parental Guidance'

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler babysit the grandkids, and their old-school methods clash with the kids' modern sensibilities.

Directed by Andy Fickman

Starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott


'West of Memphis'

This documentary examines the fallout of the erroneous convictions of three teenagers for the 1993 murders of three children in Arkansas.

Directed by Amy Berg

Starring Jason Baldwin, Damien Wayne Echols, Jessie Misskelley


'Promised Land'

Matt Damon plays a natural-gas salesman who comes to a small town in search of profits and finds his life turned upside-down.

Directed by Gus Van Sant

Starring Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, Hal Holbrook

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