Too much home for the holidays?

Ah, Christmas. A time to be with family, celebrating togetherness, caught up in the warmth and joy of the season.

And then when you're sick of all that togetherness, a time to retreat to the nearest movie theater. Here's a handy guide to some of the new or newish movies in theatrical release ready to help distract you from that argument over Aunt Sally's fruitcake recipe.

"TRON Legacy"

What It is: An update of the 1982 Disney movie, which was considered cutting-edge at the time, returns to cyberspace as a man ventures into the computer universe looking for his father (Jeff Bridges, reprising his role at his current age, and also digitally youthened) who disappeared decades earlier. But don't expect a somber, "Apocalypse Now"-like descent into the heart of darkness. Cyberspace is a massive neon-lit video game, where if you don't have lightning-fast reflexes, you're pixel dust.

Why You'd Care: It looks neat, has an interesting plot, and pays homage to a groundbreaking film in the history of special effects. And better yet, it's a videogame movie that's not based on a videogame, because we know how lousy those can be.

Why You Wouldn't: I lost you at the word "cyberspace."

"Yogi Bear"

What It is: Live actors interact with computer-animated critters in this remake of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, about a pair of slothful bears who hang out in a state park and try to steal pic-a-nic baskets. Yogi is voiced by Dan Aykroyd, with Justin Timberlake giving voice to his diminutive buddy Boo Boo.

Why You'd Care: You hope it'll keep the kids quiet for an hour and a half. Hey, if those chipmunks did the trick...

Why You Wouldn't: You were secretly hoping they'd cast The Situation and Snooki as the voices of Yogi and Boo Boo.

"How Do You Know"

What It is: How should I know? Actually, it's a romantic comedy about a 31-year-old (Reese Witherspoon) who feels past her prime and is caught in a romantic triangle with Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson.

Let's repeat that. A 31-year-old… who looks like Reese Witherspoon… and is being courted by dudes who look like Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson… feels past her prime . Is there hope for anyone else?

Why You'd Care: There's not a "Sex and the City 3" in theaters this season.

Why You Wouldn't: You're allergic to romantic comedies about cute romantic triangles.

"Little Fockers"

What It is: In this sequel to "Meet the Parents" and "Meet the Fockers," Ben Stiller makes a fool of himself while Robert De Niro scowls in disapproval. And this time there are adorable little moppets involved.

Why You'd Care: You love watching Ben Stiller make a fool of himself while Robert De Niro scowls in disapproval.

Why You Wouldn't: You avoid any comedy that can be described with the words "cringe-inducing."

"True Grit"

What It Is: Jeff Bridges, less computer-generated than in "TRON Legacy," plays Rooster Cogburn, the one-eyed bounty hunter played by John Wayne in the original movie. But directors Joel and Ethan Coen go back to the source material for "True Grit" rather than adapting the Wayne version, which veered off significantly from the original novel.

Why You'd Care: It's the Coen Brothers working with Jeff Bridges! He was The Dude, for crying out loud!

Why You Wouldn't: You're a John Wayne purist. He was The Duke, for crying out loud!

"Black Swan"

What It Is: Director Darren Aronofsky's latest film, which is playing at Aperture Cinema, looks at the rivalry between a veteran ballerina (Natalie Portman) and her younger rival (Mila Kunis) … maybe. This is an Aronofsky film; don't expect it to be straightforward.

Why You'd Care: Either, A) because you want to see a classy, dark and emotionally complex drama, or B) because you're hoping to see Natalie Portman making out with Mila Kunis.

Why You Wouldn't: You prefer your ballerinas more wholesome and dancing "The Nutcracker" (in which case, UNC-TV is showing the UNCSA production at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Christmas day).

"I Love You Phillip Morris"

What It Is: Also at Aperture, this comedy has Jim Carrey as a happily married con artist who gets thrown in the slammer and falls for a fellow inmate, played by Ewan McGregor.

Why You'd Care: Jim Carrey can be darned good at the quirky comedies.

Why You Wouldn't: Jim Carrey can also be darned insufferable.

"Gulliver's Travels"

What It Is: Jack Black plays the famous traveler in a new adaptation of Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical travelogue, where he travels to the land of the tiny Lilliputians and tries to convince them he's not like every character Jack Black has ever played. Wackiness ensues, and we're pretty sure there will be flatulence along the way.

Why You'd Care: Sure, it sounds irreverent, but it's not like Swift's original story was some work of class and dignity. (After all, Gulliver did put out a fire in Lilliput by, er, releasing water over it). And hey, the supporting cast includes Billy Connolly, the greatest Scottish comedian in the history of Scotland!

Why You Wouldn't: Special effects-laden comedies are often lacking in laughs (see: "Land of the Lost" or any Eddie Murphy movie with special effects, ever.)