UNT professor talks about films released during the holidays

Films that capture the 1950s and earlier times in America have replaced epic films as the trend for holiday movies this year, according to Harry Benshoff, assistant professor of radio, television and film.

Benshoff says Alexander is the only film that will be released between the Friday before Thanksgiving and New Year's Day that can be described as an epic. Other releases include Beyond the Sea, a biopic of 1950s crooner Bobby Darin, and The Aviator, a biopic depicting the early career years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes.

The holiday season is traditionally the time of year when many studios unveil films they hope will be nominated for Academy Awards, and this year is no exception, Benshoff says.

He sees two other trends in this year's holiday releases — sequels, including Meet the Fockers, the follow-up to Meet the Parents; and comedies suitable for most family members, such as Christmas With the Kranks.

BY NANCY KOLSTI nkolsti@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Provost approves changes to Fall 2004 schedule of final exams
• UNT merchandising students determine hottest gifts of the 2004 holiday season
• TAMS students semifinalists in national competition
• UNT hosts seminar to address needs of lesbian, bisexual, transgender women
• Winter weather brings possibility for closures
• Eagle Partner Award nominations sought
• Operation Eagle to assist Florida children
• Staff Council to draft resolution supporting staff reclassification funds
• UNT Post Office hours change for holidays
• 2005 Honors Day nomination forms are due Dec. 17

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