• "The Aviator," starring Leonardo DiCaprio as playboy/director/aviator Howard Hughes. DiCaprio has garnered generally positive reviews for his portrayal; Cate Blanchett, as Katharine Hepburn, has received even warmer notices.

• "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," with Bill Murray in an offbeat sea adventure. Directed by Wes Anderson, of "The Royal Tenenbaums" fame, this film is showing up on some critics' 2004 top 10 lists, but it's also being torpedoed by others.

• "Fat Albert," based on Bill Cosby's 1970s TV cartoon, is a live-action tale starring Kenan Thompson.

• "Darkness," a horror thriller about a haunted house.

Also, "A Very Long Engagement," starring Audrey "Amelie" Tautou, opened this week. This French film, set in World War I, has appeared on some critics' top-10 lists, too.

Other movies most movie critics enjoyed include "Closer," "Finding Neverland," "The House of Flying Daggers," "Sideways" and "Spanglish."

On stage

"Stomp!," an acclaimed percussion show with music created from the oddest of common items, is on stage at the Hawai'i Theatre.

Still the season

A family of giant snowpersons greets folks outside Honolulu Hale. Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

Outside Honolulu Hale (City Hall), Santa and Tutu Mele welcome all to join in the merriment. Inside Honolulu Hale are Christmas tree displays and a wreath exhibit. There's music, too: Mrs. Santa is scheduled to play her harp at 5 p.m. today in the courtyard.

Bring a camera: Pose the family in front of the oversized elves, the snow family, the Mele Kalikimaka blocks or the new pop-up cards for next year's Christmas card.

Admission is free, and the Lights continue through Jan. 2.

Gotta shop

If the shopping bug still has you in its grip, head for Waikiki, where the stores are open on this holiday. The shopping malls, with the exception of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki, are closed.

On TV

Oh, all right, if you're inclined to recline in the living room, feast your eyes on the holiday programming that runs the gamut:

• Sports fans, there's a full day of viewing just for you. On the basketball front, Miami plays Los Angeles, 10:15 a.m. ABC. And there's football: Kansas City hosts Oakland, noon CBS; and Tennessee hosts Denver, 3:30 p.m. ESPN.

• "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade": After all the gifts have been opened, here's a program suitable for viewing for the whole family. 1 p.m. ABC.

• "Emme's Christmas Island Moments": Emme Tomimbang celebrates the season and 10 years of television specials. This show includes performances by Island favorites Willie K., Hapa, Pauline Wilson, Jordan Segundo, The Makaha Sons and Melveen Leed. There's also an appearance by the Voices of Praise gospel choir from the City of Refuge Christian Church in Waipahu. 4 p.m. KHON, 8 p.m. PBS.

• "The Sound of Music": The classic 1965 musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer is the tale of an unworldly governess who comes to care for a no-nonsense navy captain and his children in pre-World War II Austria. It's based on the story of the Trapp Family Singers. 7 p.m. ABC.