If you’re looking for a way to spend time with family members without actually interacting with them, do as you did on those dates back in high school: go to a movie. There are plenty of feel-good flicks conveniently released for the holiday season; bond with your little brother while watching The Adventures of Tintin or fill out an entire row in front of Matt Damon and ScarJo in We Bought A Zoo. Too many opinions? Tickets to the movie with too many plot lines, please — New Year’s Eve!

Oh, you already saw all those movies? And there are still more estranged relatives to bond with?! Click through our holiday movie theater picks. Warning: they have absolute nothing to do with the holidays, and most of them will probably make you cry.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: December 21st

It’s the highly anticipated movie based on the best-selling book, and even if you didn’t read it, it’s still a solid mystery/thriller film. Directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network), starring Daniel Craig and introducing Rooney Mara, who just earned a Golden Globe nomination for this role.

The Flowers of War: December 21st (limited release)

Directed by Zhang Yomou (Hero, House of Flying Daggars), Christian Bale stars in China’s “non-foreign foreign film” about an American priest who helps save the lives of Chinese citizens during the Nanjing Massacre. And it better be good: The Flowers of War is the most expensive movie ever made in Chinese history.

In The Land Of Blood And Honey: December 23rd

Why the heck hasn’t Angelina Jolie come out with a third Tomb Raider movie yet? She’s been writing and directing (her directorial debut!) In The Land Of Blood And Honey, a romance between a Bosnian Muslim woman and a Serbian army officer during the Bosnian War. Croatian journalist James Braddock accused Jolie of stealing the plot from his book published in 2007, but she denies ever having seen the book. Ever. Even though the premises are incredibly similar.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: December 25th

The film based on the best-seller by Johnathan Safran Foer stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Warning: you will cry, since it’s about a boy who begins an amazing and unique search after his father dies in the 9/11 attacks, in the same way you were affected by the other movies that Stephen Daldry has directed (The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot).

The Iron Lady: December 30th

Meryl Streep has already collected nominations for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Judging from the trailer, it’s an ideal mixture between her roles and Julia Child in Julie & Julia and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, with just a hint of Donna’s self-doubt from Mamma Mia!.

What movie are you getting out of the house to watch before the year ends? Which of these five films is worth watching before 2012?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

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It’s January, so you know what that means in Hollywood – it’s awards season! Kicking off the big ones is the Golden Globes, airing THIS Sunday, Jan. 16, and I for one cannot WAIT!

The Golden Globes merge television and movie awards and are sure to bring out some truly fabulous celebs. It’s (almost) goes without saying that this is the best awards show out there.  But we all know what’s most important (besides the fashion) and that’s not who’s presenting: it’s who will be taking home the awards. Which movie will be crowned Best Drama or Best Comedy? Which actress impressed everyone the most? Who will make the drunkest acceptance speech?

So, with no further ado, here are my predictions on who will most likely win and who SHOULD win the biggest categories of the night:

Best Motion Picture – Drama:

Nominees: Black Swan; The Fighter; Inception; The King’s Specch; The Social Network

Who WILL Win: The King’s Speech

Who SHOULD Win: The Social Network or Black Swan

Black Swan is a huge favorite with everyone right now, so I honestly don’t see why it SHOULDN’T win. But who knows? The King’s Speech is getting a lot of good reviews, and really… it just seems like one of those movies that would win a Golden Globe.

Best Actress – Drama:

Nominees: Halle Berry for Frankie & Alice; Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole; Jennifer Lawrence for Winter’s Bone; Natalie Portman for Black Swan; Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine

Who WILL Win: Natalie Portman or Michelle Williams

Who SHOULD Win: Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman was awesome in Black Swan – most people are saying it’s been her best role yet, and I couldn’t agree more. She absolutely deserves the award, especially for what she went through in order to play the role (intense dance training and hardly eating – ouch). But Michelle Williams did a great job in Blue Valentine, and she’s always been a favorite, so… I feel like it could go either way.

Best Actor – Drama:

Nominees: Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network; Colin Firth for The King’s Speech; James Franco for 127 Hours; Ryan Gosling for Blue Valentine; Mark Wahlberg for The Fighter

Who WILL Win: Colin Firth

Who SHOULD Win: James Franco or Jesse Eisenberg

Let’s be clear: I really, really want James Franco to win. Not only because I think he’s gorgeous, but also because he really did do an amazing job in 127 Hours. Who else could make that so interesting? And Jesse Eisenberg played his character perfectly in The Social Network. But I’m hearing a lot of good things about Colin Firth, and like I said before, this just seems like one of those roles that would win.

Best Motion Picture – Comedy:

Nominees: Alice in Wonderland; Burlesque; The Kids Are All Right; Red; The Tourist

Who WILL Win: The Kids Are All Right

Who SHOULD Win: The Kids Are All Right

Okay, first of all, why was Burlesque even nominated? But seriously… The Kids Are All Right is a better movie than all of these noms put together.

Best Actress – Comedy:

Nominees: Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right; Anne Hatahway for Love and Other Drugs; Angelina Jolie for The Tourist; Julianne Moore for The Kids Are All Right; Emma Stone for Easy A

Who WILL Win: Annette Bening or Emma Stone

Who SHOULD Win: Emma Stone

I want Emma Stone to win because I will just be so happy for her. It’s possible, because Easy A did really well and I’ve pretty much only heard good things about Emma’s performance. But Annette Bening also did a really good job convincing me she was a lesbian. It’s kind of hard to say.

Best Actor – Comedy:

Nominees: Johnny Depp for Alice in Wonderland; Johnny Depp for The Tourist; Paul Giamatti for Barney’s Version; Jake Gyllenhaal for Love and Other Drugs; Kevin Spacey for Casino Jack

Who WILL Win: Johnny Depp for Alice in Wonderland

Who SHOULD Win: Jake Gyllenhaal

Okay, I know Jake Gyllenhaal probably doesn’t REALLY deserve this award. But, just look at him. Anyway, a lot of critics are confused as to why Johnny Depp was nominated twice in this category – it seems a bit excessive. That hints that he might win, and also, he’s Johnny Depp.

Best Supporting Actress:

Nominees: Amy Adams for The Fighter; Helena Bonham Carter for The King’s Speech; Mila Kunis for Black Swan; Melissa Leo for The Fighter; Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom

Who WILL Win: Helena Bonham Carter or Melissa Leo

Who SHOULD Win: Mila Kunis

Helena Bonham Carter always does a good job, and she’s a critic favorite, so it’s really possible she could win. However, Melissa Leo is getting tons of recognition for her role in The Fighter, and I’m hearing that she’s the favorite to win this.

Best Supporting Actor:

Nominees: Christian Bale for The Fighter; Michael Douglas for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps; Andrew Garfield for The Social Network; Jeremy Renner for The Town; Geoffrey Rush for The King’s Speech

Who WILL Win: Christian Bale

Who SHOULD Win: Andrew Garfield

It’s actually kind of a toss up between Christian Bale and Michael Douglas. Some feel Michael Douglas will take it because he was so sick this year – but that could be totally untrue. I have a feeling Christian Bale will win this one, although I do think Andrew Garfield did an excellent job and would deserve it just as much.

Best Animated Film:

Nominees: Despicable Me; How To Train Your Dragon; The Illusionist; Tangled; Toy Story 3

Who WILL Win: Toy Story 3

Who SHOULD Win: Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 should win hands down. No arguments. Try and tell me you didn’t cry during this movie. I dare you.

Best TV Show – Drama:

Nominees: Boardwalk Empire; Dexter; The Good Wife; Mad Men; The Walking Dead

Who WILL Win: Dexter or Boardwalk Empire

Who SHOULD Win: Dexter

I have probably never heard one bad thing about Dexter, which leads me to believe it should take the award. However, Boardwalk Empire has also gotten great reviews – I just feel like it may be a little early in the game for it to win.

Best Actress – TV Drama:

Nominees: Julianna Margulies for The Good Wife; Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men; Piper Perabo for Covert Affairs; Katey Sagal for Sons of Anarchy; Kyra Sedgwick for The Closer

Who WILL Win: Julianna Margulies

Who SHOULD Win: Elisabeth Moss

I’m sorry, I don’t even want to explain this one.

Best Actor – TV Drama:

Nominees: Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire; Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad; Michael C. Hall for Dexter; Jon Hamm for Mad Men; Hugh Laurie for House

Who WILL Win: Michael C. Hall or Steve Buscemi

Who SHOULD Win: Michael C. Hall

As I said before, Dexter is amazing. And Michael C. Hall does a great job as the lead character. He would definitely deserve the award, although it might be nice to see Steve Buscemi win after he’s finally the star in something so great.

Best TV Show – Comedy:

Nominees: 30 Rock; The Big Bang Theory; The Big C; Glee; Modern Family; Nurse Jackie

Who WILL Win: Nurse Jackie, Modern Family, or Glee

Who SHOULD Win: Glee or Modern Family

Obviously, it was difficult for me to make a decision here. Nurse Jackie won big at the Emmy’s which leads me to believe it might do the same here. But Modern Family and Glee will definitely be tough competition. They’re both huge fan and critic favorites.

Best Actress – TV Comedy:

Nominees: Toni Collette for United States of Tara; Edie Falco for Nurse Jackie; Tina Fey for 30 Rock; Laura Linney for The Big C; Lea Michele for Glee

Who WILL Win: Edie Falco

Who SHOULD Win: Tina Fey

Just like I said before, Nurse Jackie could be winning big during this show – and Edie Falco has always been a favorite choice. But so has Tina Fey! I’m so….torn!

Best Actor – TV Comedy:

Nominees: Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock; Steve Carell for The Office; Thomas Jane for Hung; Matthew Morrison for Glee; Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory

Who WILL Win: Steve Carell

Who SHOULD Win: Steve Carell

Steve Carell has won before, and for good reason. And while he’s got some stiff competition, this being his last season on The Office has most people thinking that he could take it one last time.

Best Supporting Actress – TV:

Nominees: Hope Davis for The Special Relationship; Jane Lynch for Glee; Kelly MacDonald for Boardwalk Empire; Julia Stiles for Dexter; Sofia Vergara for Modern Family

Who WILL Win: Jane Lynch

Who SHOULD Win: Jane Lynch or Sofia Vergara

Jane Lynch is SO GOOD as Sue! But Sofia Vergara is so good as Gloria! I need a brownie.

Best Supporting Actor – TV:

Nominees: Scott Caan for Hawaii Five-O; Chris Colfer for Glee; Chris Noth for The Good Wife; Eric Stonestreet for Modern Family; David Strathairn for Temple Grandin

Who WILL Win: Eric Stonestreet

Who SHOULD Win: Eric Stonestreet

Come on, this guy is the bomb.com. Yeah, I said it.

We’ll be live-blogging the Golden Globes this Sunday at 8p.m. EST. Grab your laptop (and wine), turn on your TV (and pour some wine) and watch it all unfold with us (while drinking wine).

Is this getting you crazy excited for the awards!?! Well then join CollegeCandy on Sunday when we live blog the whole thing! Because the only thing that will make you less jealous to see all the beautiful celebrities sitting around drinking together, is knowing that you’re not alone. And even though we don’t really know who will win (I mean, we’re not expert predictors like these guys), we do know how to get yourself in the running to be adopted by Brangelina. Seriously. We have blogger connections.

December is the month of holiday parties and family get-togethers. The people are cheerful, the cities are festive, and everyone is in a fabulous mood. But sometimes, sometimes, you just want to get away from all of that holiday cheer and see someone blow something up. And that’s why holiday movie releases exist. The perfect escape from reality, and the perfect excuse to sit in a dark room for hours and not talk to anyone. There’s something for everyone, and something to see with everyone.  Not sure what to see when? Check out our guide below.

See it With Your Younger Sibling/Cousin

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treaders. Starring Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes.  The third adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s series takes Lucy, Edmund, and all the rest on a voyage where they encounter dragons, dwarfs, and warriors. Out December 10. Watch the trailer here.

2. Yogi Bear. Starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. Everyone’s favorite picnic basket stealing bear and his sidekick Boo-Boo team up with Park Ranger Smith to save Jellystone Park from closing. Out December 17. Watch the trailer here.

See It With Your Girlfriends

1. How Do You Know. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, and Jack Nicholson. Lisa doesn’t know what she wants. Watch as she attempts to choose between her current boyfriend, and the old friend she just so happens to run into. A romcom at its finest. Out December 17.  Watch the trailer here.

2. Blue Valentine. Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Told through a series of flashbacks, viewers watch as Dean and Cindy relive the best moments in their relationship while trying to save their crumbling marriage. Out December 31. Watch the trailer here.

See It With Your Boyfriend

1. Little Fockers. Starring Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, and Blythe Danner. A follow up to Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. Laugh along as Greg, who has been married to Pam for ten years now, once again tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his father-in-law at his twins’ birthday party. Out December 22. Watch the trailer here.

2. The Fighter. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. A “docudrama” that tells the story of WBU Intercontinental Lightweight title winner Micky Ward, and his boxer-turned-trainer half- brother, Dicky. Out December 10. Watch the trailer here.

Just See It

1. The Tourist. Starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Joie.  A romance turned thriller. Depp plays Frank, an America tourist attempting to mend a broken heart when he meets Jolie. He thinks their acquaintance is an accident. It’s not. Out December 10.  Watch the trailer here.

2. Frankie & Alice. Starring Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsgard, Phylicia Rashad, and Chandra Wilson. The biographical drama tells the story of Frankie Murdoch, who suffered from multiple personality disorder in L.A. in the 1970s. Out December 10. Watch the trailer here.

Which holiday movie are you most excited see? Do you want some mushy gushy romance, some over the top drama, or would you prefer some blowing up and freaking out?

Sometimes, when I’m really bored and don’t feel like dealing with the pile of work on my desk, I look up recipes for chocolate cake.

In real life, I’m not much of a cook, but in my fantasy life (you know, where I’m married to Christian Bale and own a giant mansion and can ran a half-marathon in 4 inch heels?), I am a f&*cking fantastic baker.

And there really isn’t anything in this life that’s better than a bite of amazing chocolate goodness (except maybe sex. But I mean…the jury’s still out on that one).

It seems like today is one of those days where I am PMSing to the max refuse to be responsible and instead want to drown myself in whipped cream fantasy. The recipe I’m about to share with you I actually experienced, and let me just say, I almost had to excuse myself it was so good.

Plus, it’s easy. No Food Network experience required!

Easy Fudge Pudding Cake

Cake:
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 2 tablespoons cocoa
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup milk
* 2 tablespoons melted shortening
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sauce:
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/3 cup cocoa
* 1 cup hot water

Bake:

1. Sift flour with dry ingredients

2. Stir in milk and shortening. Then add pecans and vanilla.

3. Mix until well combined then pour into a generously greased 8 x 8-inch square pan.

4. Combine sauce ingredients; pour over cake batter.

5. Bake the cake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 40 minutes. Set on a rack to cool slightly (do not remove the cake from the pan). The fudgy, gooey, delicious sauce will end up on the bottom of the pan.

6. Cut (or just dig in with a fork) and serve hot or cold.

[Recipe courtesy of a long Saturday afternoon on About.com)

Since I tend to write (and speak) about controversial topics, I know what it’s like not to be universally liked.  I suppose that’s what will happen when you publicly hate on flip-flops.  However, I don’t think I could ever sink to the level it takes to be disliked in Hollywood.  I mean, they like everyone there (see: Perez Hilton).  Except, of course, those select few that are so hard to work with and so up their own butts that it’s impossible to like them.

Naturally, that’s what will concern us for this week’s edition of the showdown.

Everyone has heard Christian Bale’s ridiculous outburst on the set of Terminator.  As a  method actor, he can get pretty intense.  I actually respect the lengths he goes through to get into character.  However, I’m pretty sure other actors have managed to get into character without distancing themselves from the cast and crew and blowing up any time someone distracts them.  Except maybe Jeremy Piven.  He’s not exactly a method actor, but he is arrogant and well on his way to being that creepy older guy at Hollywood parties.  It’s hard to compare these two actors, seeing how they operate in two completely separate spheres, but their shared bad reputations require some comments.

Which one is more self-absorbed?  Who pisses off Hollywood the most?

Fame Whorishness
Christian Bale knows when to make himself visible in the media.  After his rage rant to the cinematographer on Terminator, he waited a good period of time before releasing an apology, thus securing him a place in the 24-hour news cycle for another week.  Thank goodness – if I didn’t have some Christian Bale gossip or picture to gawk over, I don’t know what I’d do with my time.

Jeremy Piven will do anything for exposure.  He’s even signed on to host an episode of WWE’s Monday Night Raw.  He’ll pose for whatever camera is pointed at him and gives major ‘tude at every possible opportunity.  But…why?  He’s not exceptionally talented, he hasn’t won piles of major awards, and he hasn’t been in anything particularly critically acclaimed (not that any of those things are an excuse for attitude or fame whorishness).  Btw, Entourage so doesn’t count.

Point:  Jeremy Piven. Unlike Mr. Bale, Jeremy Piven has nothing really impressive on which to build his arrogance.

Love Life
Christian Bale has been married for almost 10 years.  Surprised? Me too, but only because he’s so tight-lipped about his personal life.  Christian’s definitely got that mysterious vibe, so I always thought there was a lot more going on there than appeared on the surface.  Apparently there isn’t.  Laaaaaame.

Jeremy Piven is a veritable man whore.  He’s rumored to be dating several different women (depending on the website you read), the most recent being a college-dropout bottle waitress he met at Britney Spears’ birthday party.  His move to snag the pretty lady? Mass texts to all the numbers he gathered that night saying to come and get him.  Classy, my friend.

Point: Jeremy Piven. Gross, dude…just gross.

Diva Stock
Christian Bale is a method actor…and a really intense one, at that.  Therefore, he’s a man with high demands on and off the set.  We’ve all heard what happens when someone walks into his line of sight.  What about if someone gave him the wrong food or spoke to him in the wrong accent? Who knows how many audio recordings of diva-esque outbursts there are of Christian freaking out…

Jeremy Piven thinks he is God’s gift to acting.  And women.  But mostly acting.  Rumor has it that he shows up to magazine photo shoots and will throw around his celebrity status for a while before he gets down to anything close to modeling.  No, Jeremy Piven, you are not Brad Pitt.  Or anyone of A-list status.  Check yourself, homie.

Point: Christian Bale. Are you professional??

Talent/Career
Christian Bale has had a long career of successful movies.  He plays one of the most beloved comic book characters and conveys each character with the utmost authenticity.  However, he always seems a bit cold and disconnected from Hollywood.  That may be because of his posh English accent or his inability to prepare for a role without going completely psycho.  Either way, it might be better if he stays the hell away from those Hollywood brats.

Jeremy Piven stars in the douchiest show of the century (and plays the douchiest character).  There’s no doubt he works hard, having appeared in movies, TV shows, and plays.  However, how many movies of his can you name? That’s what I thought.  And his most recent theater stint was a complete flop because he dropped out after discovering he had mercury poisoning and had to convalesce in Bangkok.  Suuuure, Jeremy.

Point: Jeremy Piven. For as hard as he says he works, I’m not really seeing much of him anywhere…

Celebretard Prize Goes To: Jeremy Piven. Best stick with Entourage.  No one seems to  remember any of your other roles, anyway.

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Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Role: Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine
Why He’s Hot: Not only does he wear a tight-fitting wife beater throughout the film, accentuating his muscular physique and tough Wolverine persona, but he gets nekkid, too!

Chris Pine, Star Trek


Role: Captain James T. Kirk
Why He’s Hot: Do I even need to answer that question?! The man with the gorgeous baby blues plays a young Captain Kirk, a reckless and devilishly handsome miscreant who eventually comes into his own as the captain of the USS Enterprise. Oh, yeah – and he gets nekkid!

Christian Bale, Terminator Salvation and Public Enemies


Roles: John Connor (Terminator) and Melvin Purvis (Public Enemies)
Why He’s Hot: We lucky ladies get a twofer this summer! Bale stars as the good guy (relatively speaking) in both films, first as the leader of the human resistance against the machines in post-apocalyptic 2018, and later as a top FBI agent on the hunt for notorious criminals. He may be heaven-sent either way, but he’s going to burn up the screens this summer!

Johnny Depp, Public Enemies


Role: John Dillinger
Why He’s Hot: As we saw in Sweeney Todd two years ago, Depp has no problem playing the bad guy and looking sexy while doing it. As the Depression-era bank robber, he can hold us up any time he wants!

Shia LaBeouf, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Role: Sam Witwicky
Why He’s Hot: He won our hearts as the dorky yet loveable Sam in the first Transformers movie. After two long years of waiting, a second dose of Shia is the only prescription to cure our craving for more.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince


Roles: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Draco Malfoy
Why They’re Hot: We watched these boys grow into men over the past eight years, and now we can say that they are certified H-O-T (without looking like dirty old ladies). As the heroic Harry, his endearing friend Ron, and their adversary Draco, this trio will surely cause fans to swelter in theaters worldwide.

Brad Pitt, Inglorious Basterds


Role: Lt. Aldo Raine
Why He’s Hot: Not much is sexy about Jewish-American soldiers brutalizing and scalping Nazis during WWII, but Brad Pitt can take the role of a commander and make you wish he were your superior.

Bring on the summer blockbusters!