Apocalypto
Mel Gibson is undoubtedly an anti-semitic, drunk lunatic but the problem posed with this, as with The Passion, is that he isn’t a bad director. His work is overblown of course but his telling of the fall of the Aztecs is visually and narratively compelling. It will be interesting to see if the public are willing to forgive him his outbursts and give the film a chance.

The Holiday
Director and writer Nancy Meyers continues to plough the same dull, shallow field she covered in What Women Want and the execrable Something’s Gotta Give. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet star as two women who swap homes and countries in the hope of improving their respective romantic lots. Saccharine tripe.

Unaccompanied Minors
Paul Feig has a strong background in directing for television (The Office, Arrested Development) but this tale of a bunch of kids trapped in an airport over the holidays is weak at best. The wonderful Jessica Walter is wasted on this. Wilder Valderrama is in his element. Enough said.

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj
It remains a mystery why National Lampoon continues in the film business. It is more mysterious yet why they have seen fit to issue a sequel to the ghastly 2002 original. This time the film follows Wilder’s assistant Taj (Kal Penn) to Oxford where he brings the American college lifestyle to a load of stuffy Brits. There’s simply no excuse for this kind of film.

The Nativity Story
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is given a lush live-action treatment here by Catherine Hardwicke, more famous as both a production designer and the director of harsh teen-film Thirteen. Predictably perhaps, the settings are out of this world and Keisha Castle-Hughes (of Whale Rider fame) is an endearing Mary but the whole thing feels mysteriously limp and lacking in narrative tension.

Turistas
Jumping onto the gore bandwagon so successfully ridden by the Saw franchise and last year’s Hostel, comes this tale of backpackers adrift in the Brazilian jungle. Unsurprisingly they are not alone and a terrible fate begins to pick them off one by one. If you’re looking for a blood-splattered antidote to saccharine Christmas entertainments, this might just do the job.

Bobby
Emilio Estevez takes the helm for this star-studded biopic of Robert F. Kennedy. Like so many actors-turned-directors (see Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood), Estevez has a well-intentioned but heavy hand that makes the whole thing feel like an over-cooked school project. That said, the star spotting alone makes for an entertaining two hours.

Déjà Vu
After the flop that was Domino, it’s good to see Tony Scott back in fighting form with this futuristic action-adventure which sees an agent travel back in time to save a woman from murder, and falling in love in the process. The atmosphere is impeccably sleek and metallic while Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer provide sturdy leads.

Deck the Halls
Danny De Vito and Matthew Broderick star as neighbors at war when each tries to outdo the other with Christmas decorations. Given the rank confections that studios spew out during the festive season, this is pretty inoffensive and at times very entertaining. Arrested Development’s excellent Alia Shawkat provides great support.

Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny
Jack Black’s comedy rock band has its first headlining outing in this film from Liam Lynch, the director of the excellent Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic. Two goons unite to form a band and then go on a quest to steal a sacred guitar pick. If you’re a fan of Black’s comedy then this will be manna to you. If not, it’s just a fat guy wobbling his way through some cheap gags.

Casino Royale
There’s been widespread and cruel consternation over the casting of Daniel Craig as the classic British spy, so it’s pleasing to see him succeed spectacularly on his first outing. His is a grittier, but nonetheless glamorous James Bond, and the chases, the fights and the flirtations are very much on form. Eva Green (The Dreamers) makes a refreshingly bright love interest and Mads Mikkelsen (of the astonishing After the Wedding) is delightfully villainous.

For Your Consideration
Christopher Guest returns with another behind-the-scenes ensemble comedy, this time turning his attention to awards season in the film industry. This might not be quite as consistently sharp as Best in Show but there’s plenty to amuse here from a phenomenally diverse cast. Ricky Gervais and Catherine O’Hara stand out as does Jennifer Coolidge, an actress always at the top of her game.