'Avatar' and 'Nine' Open in Theaters this Weekend

Nothing says Merry Christmas like explosions and popcorn.

It's the week before Christmas and, if you live in a neighborhood like mine, folks are running around like headless chickens, clamoring for last-minute gifts. Well maybe it's time to break away from the shopping hoardes and relax with a trip to the movie theaters. With films like Avatar, Did You Hear About the Morgans? and Nine making their debuts, how could you not?

With the release of Avatar, audiences are going to witness one of the biggest cinematic spectacles in history. The film reportedly cost $300 million to produce, and director James Cameron has been stewing over its perfection for two decades.

The film follows a paralyzed ex-Marine, played by Aussie Sam Worthington, who travels to a faraway planet with his mind in the body of an alien. The movie's special effects are rumored to be other-worldly, and both sci-fi geeks and regular movie-goers are itching to see Cameron's dazzling world.

Also out this week is the romantic comedy Did You Hear About the Morgans? starring rom-com veterans Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. The two play a New York City couple whose marriage is on the rocks yet regains some spark after they are moved to rural Wyoming in a witness protection program.

In the musical Nine, an all-star cast of Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Sophia Loren join forces in this take on Frederico Fellini's 1963 masterpiece 8 1/2.

Folks looking to see what's in store for Oscar season should check out Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges is already gaining rave reviews for his performance as a down-trodden, has-been country music singer.