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"Shut Up & Sing" takes us back to January 2003 when the Dixie Chicks (at the height of their popularity) sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Two months later, George W. Bush declares an illegal and immoral war on Iraq. The Dixie Chicks kick off their first world tour in the midst of the largest anti-war protests in world history.

Lead singer Natalie Maines tells the audience at their London concert that she is "with them" on their view of the war and that, "We're ashamed that the President if from Texas."

Once the right-wing political talk-show hosts in the U.S. get a hold of that comment, they immediately spread a campaign of hate towards the Dixie Chicks. Their lives, music, and fans are never the same.

"Shut Up & Sing" documents the anti-Dixie Chicks fury of 2003 (including the radio stations that ban their music and the death threat targeted at Maines herself), but it also shows their historic comeback, emerging from the ashes stronger than ever, and emerging as symbols of free speech and true patriotism.

The 1973 animated film "Charlotte's Web" was as much a part of my childhood as "The Care Bear Movie." As I remember (because I honestly haven't seen it over 15 years), the animated film was perfect the way it was. I can still hear the voices of the original Fern and Wilber.

So what do I think about the latest "Charlotte's Web?" It's all right. It doesn't bring anything new to light that the 1973 cartoon didn't already. Honestly, I don't know why they made it at all.

Though I have to admit, the casting of Steve Buscemi as the voice of Templeton the Rat was beyond perfect. My favorite lines of dialogue, however, came from Samuel the Sheep, voiced by the hilarious John Cleese. His sarcastic tone at meeting Wilber the Pig was wonderful ("What luck! We have an early riser, and there are things he has to say").

Skip the theater on this one and just buy the cartoon on DVD instead.

"The Holiday" is two movies in one. The forgettable part stars Cameron Diaz and Jude Law as two unrealistically attractive people who (surprise, surprise!) fall in love. The other part of "The Holiday," however, may be the greatest romantic comedy since "Love Actually."

Kate Winslet plays Iris, a hard-working, compassionate, and kind journalist who has spent the past three years in love with a selfish and manipulative co-worker who leads her on an uses her. When this horrible man announces that he's engaged, Iris packs up and flies to Los Angeles for Christmas. While in L.A., she meets and befriends a sweet old man who used to write movies in the golden age of Hollywood. He tells Iris, "In the movies we have the leading lady and the best friend. You're the leading lady, but you're acting like the best friend."

Iris is the greatest on-screen heroine since Bridget Jones. When she's on screen, you're either laughing or crying. And Jack Black is great, too! Honestly, you can't miss this one.