Holiday movies you won't want to miss

 

August: Osage County (opening Dec. 25) is the film adaptation of Tracy Letts' play of the same name, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama It features an ensemble cast of boldface names.

Why it sparkles: The plot centers on the decades-old simmering conflict between a mother and daughter. The tension (and humor) of the relationship gives stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts plenty of strong material.
Behind the scenes: Tracy Letts is also an accomplished actor – he won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, for the role of George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (in many theaters now) is based on the 1994 book by former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Why it sparkles: Idris Elba portrays the anti-apartheid activist in a film that concentrates on his early life and imprisonment. For those who know Mandela only as an elder statesman, Elba's performance is a revelation.
Behind the scenes: "I'm 41 years old," Elba said. "He was jailed at 43, so he'd lived a full life by the time he decided to struggle. That's something that a lot of people don't understand about him. "
Saving Mr. Banks (opening Dec.20) chronicles Walt Disney's efforts to persuade P.L. Travers, the creator of Mary Poppins to allow the Disney studio make a filmº adaptation of her books.
Why it sparkles: Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, as Disney and Travers, make fine foils for each other. The film also offers a lot of period detail and a close look at Disney's creative process.
Behind the scenes: Colin Farrell plays Travers' father in flashbacks; the to-be-released soundtrack features him performing Chim ChimCher-ee.
The Wolf of Wall Street (opening Dec. 25) is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort , a high-flying stockbroker who was exposed as a fraud.
Why it sparkles: Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Belfort is said to be Oscar-worthy; Martin Scorsese directs an impressive cast.
Behind the scenes: If you like the movie, you might love meeting the real Belfort. He's making a handsome living (though he still owes millions to the federal government) as a motivational speaker and consultant.
American Hustle (opening Dec. 18) has a similar theme and also tells the real-life tale of a con man. Based on files from the FBI's ABSCAM sting operation of the late 1970s, the film tells the story of a rogue agent (Bradley Cooper) and his unwilling operatives (Christian Bale and Amy Adams).
Why it sparkles: Seeing today's top actors decked out like the cast of Saturday Night Fever has it charms, but many filmgoers will want to see if Jennifer Lawrence hits another home run in a role written for her by director David O. Russell. Russell also directed Lawrence in her Oscar-winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Behind the scenes: Production was halted during the manhunt following the Boston Marathon bombing; Bradley Cooper went to the Boston Medical Center the following day to see Jeffrey Bauman Jr., who lost both of his legs in the attack.