It’s that time of year again. No, not the days of cooler weather, holiday shopping, and rampant consumerism. It’s awards season. Studios like to save their most Oscar-worthy films for the end of the year so they remain freshly in the minds of academy voters when nominations are announced in January in the run-up to February’s big night. This season looks like a lot like those of awards seasons past: There’s a teary musical, a fantastical epic, a brutal war picture and a sentimental story of survival. But those looking for a lighthearted night out have plenty to choose from this year, too: Not every film released over the holidays is Oscar-worthy — though at least one lowbrow comedy is better than most of the movies rumored to be in contention for Best Picture.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”