With families getting together for Thanksgiving, there will be many movies available in theaters. However, for those families not interested in leaving their houses and watching a movie themed for the holidays or about family, these are a number of great options.

"August: Osage County": In 2013, the John Wells adaptation of the award-winning play was released and met with good reviews. The film subsequently went on to get nominated for two Academy Awards and was hailed for its marvelous cast. The film tells the story of a family that gets together after the death of the patriarch. While it isn't the happy family that most would want for a Thanksgiving, this film is an entertaining drama that is anchored by its incredible lead roles by Meryl Streep's drug addict mother and Julia Robert's explosive and neurotic daughter. The film also has its moments of levity, which makes for an overall entertaining if a bit heavy experience.

"Pieces of April": In 2003, director Peter Hedges assembled a cast for the ages in his micro-budget film that was not only a wonder but also went on to get Patricia Clarkson her first and only Oscar nomination. Starring Katie Holmes, in what may be a career highlight, the film tells the story of April, the black sheep of the family, who invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to the quirky tone and the naturalistic camera work, Hedges creates a touching movie that resonates with movie audiences.

"The New World": For audiences feeling a bit historical and looking back at the beginnings of America, Terrence Malick's "The New World" is an elegiac tale of John Smith and Pocahontas. The movie explores the settlement and the English exploration of Virginia in Malick's transfixing narrative style. While not for the mainstream and a bit challenging due to its free form, the film's cinematography by Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki gorgeously depicts nature and each of its characters. Colin Farrell and newcomer Q'orianka Kilcher give marvelous performances in what may be Malick's most underappreciated film to date.

"Still Alice": While this 2014 film is a complete tragedy, the movie by couple Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland reminds viewers of the importance of family unity. In this harrowing tale about a women's health slowly deteriorating from Alzheimer's, Julianne Moore gives an Oscar-winning performance. Moore subtly captivates the audience as Alice, a devoted mother, wife and college professor, whose life slowly disappears and who takes consolation in her family. Both Glatzer and Westmoreland subtly convey the disease and its effects without embellishing or manipulating the audience. The movie may be a tragedy, but it is a must-watch.


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