Bah, Humbug

By Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel

There's a simple explanation for the traditionally high suicide rate at holiday time: Christmas movies. Just when we need a little seasonal perk-up--some of the cheerful idiocy that Hollywood is happy to market 11 months a year--the studios send us films about depression, corruption and grim death (this year, including Mr. Death). Santa's smile gives way to the rattling of Marley's Ghost. And all because Dec. 31 is the deadline for Oscar nominations.

So wise up, Academy. Move the deadline to February, when we're all miserable anyway. And let Christmas films be merry and bright.