How quickly things can change. Just a week ago, I was so desperate for a movie to review that I actually sat and watched “The Twilight Saga — Breaking Dawn: Part 1” for two hours. (I’ve broken bones, suffered through mono, gotten tattooed and had a wisdom tooth wrenched out of my head without Novocain, but honestly, all pale in comparison to the sheer unpleasantness of the “Twilight” experience.)

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m trying to brighten my attitude about life in general and the fall movie season in particular. After all, despite my bloviating, perhaps things aren’t so bad. It may not look like it judging by the current wide-release roster, but awards season is indeed upon us, and there’s actually quite a few promising titles to look forward to in the coming weeks  —  starting with “The Muppets” (admittedly not an awards contender, though I’m looking forward to it more than anything else this season), which opens Thursday. Nothing  —  I repeat, nothing  —  will brighten your holidays like the lovable antics of the Swedish Chef.

Timothy Beeson, of Yokosuka, Japan, and Joanna Dixon, of Leicester, England, were married in May.

1) Opening Sequence ("Gangs of New York," Dir. Martin Scorsese)

Sunlight peeks through the lush landscape at Wine and Roses Resort and Spa as hummingbirds dart between Deodar pine trees and macaws squawk in the distance.

Have you ever been on a Web site and thought to yourself, "You know, this site could use some rainbows and a little glitter?" If not, then you're normal. For the rest of us, though, there's a solution.

Over the past 10 years or so, I've made every effort to establish myself as "the Christmas guy." My friends and family may be annoyed that I start playing Christmas carols on my car stereo no later than Nov. 1, but one thing that everyone can seem to enjoy together is the tradition of trying to cram in as many Christmas movies and television specials as possible during the weeks heading up to the big day.

Overall rating: ***** (Out of five)

Recently, under the oaks at Jessie's Grove Winery, we were treated to a musical farce in the original intent of the phrase.