All day Movies

‘Tis the season for . . . downbeat movies? To be sure, it may be the holidays, but it’s also Oscar season, the time of year when the studios release their prestigious, often heavy movies. Opening Christmas Day: “Angela’s Ashes,” director Alan Parker’s adaptation of Frank McCourt’s heart-rending memoir about his poverty-stricken childhood in Limerick, Ireland; Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle head the cast. “Titus,” director Julie Taymor’s lavish take on one of Shakespeare’s most violent plays, “Titus Andronicus”; Anthony Hopkins stars as the title character with support from Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming and Angus Macfadyen. “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” director Anthony Minghella’s handsome version of the Patricia Highsmith thriller; Matt Damon plays the charming but dubious Ripley and Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett co-star.

* “Angela’s Ashes,” rated R for sexual content and some language, opens Saturday in selected theaters. “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” rated R for violence, language and brief nudity, opens Saturday in general release. “Titus,” rated R for strong violent and sexual images, opens Saturday at the NuWilshire, Santa Monica.

1pm

Movie/Music

Bob Mitchell and his Boys Choir will perform at the Silent Movie Theatre before the matinee screening of the holiday favorite “The Bishop’s Wife.” Mitchell, now 94 years old, and his original boys’ choir appeared in the 1947 film. Several of the members of the 1947 choir will join Mitchell and the boys during the performance. The film is a whimsical and urbane fantasy starring Cary Grant (as an angel), David Niven as the bishop and Loretta Young as the title character.

* Performance by Bob Mitchell and his Boys Choir and screening of “The Bishop’s Wife,” Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, 1 p.m. $7 to $8. (323) 655-2520.

1,3,5 & 7pm

Holiday

Spending Christmas alone is no laughing matter to Jamie Masada, who owns the Laugh Factory. That’s why for each of the last 20 years he’s been hosting a free Christmas dinner at the Sunset Boulevard comedy club. Turkey with all the trimmings, plus a side dish of stand-up comedy, will be served to anyone without a home to head to for the holiday. Last year volunteers served 1,800 meals.

* Christmas dinner at the Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Free. Call for reservations. (323) 656-1336.

1:30 pm

Movie

The Skirball Cultural Center will present a screening of the 1986 animated charmer “An American Tail,” which depicts the struggle of Fievel, a young Russian-Jewish immigrant (Fievel’s a mouse) who gets separated from his family on Ellis Island. The film spawned the hit song “Somewhere Out There.”

* “An American Tail,” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 1:30 p.m. Screening included with museum admission, which is $6 to $8, and free for children 11 years and younger. (310) 440-4500.

8pm

Pop Music

Let’s hope Santa isn’t too good to James Intveld in the morning--that way he can really dig into the heartbreak of “Blue Christmas,” should he include the Elvis staple in his holiday show at the Dixie Belle. The L.A. rockabilly mainstay is the chief attraction at the colorful club’s annual Christmas party.

* James Intveld, the Dixie Belle, 9559 E. Imperial Highway, Downey., 8 p.m. $8. (562) 803-4943).

8pm

Jazz

You know the face and you know the voice. Vocalist-actor Bill Henderson has been seen in movies (‘White Men Can’t Jump”) and television (everything from “Ironside” to “The Cosby Show”) as well as bandstands around the world. Here, he’ll put his rich, lusty tones to jazz tunes accompanied by pianist Mike Melvoin.

* Bill Henderson, the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City, 8 p.m. $18. (310) 271-9039.

FREEBIES: William Beck conducts St. Cyril’s Choir and Orchestra in Mozart’s “Coronation” Mass, noon at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 986-8234.

The 15th Traditional Toyon Trek is a six-mile loop through Stunt Ranch and Cold Creek Preserve. Bring lunch and water. Stunt Road at Mulholland Highway. Meet at Lower Stunt High Trailhead, 11 a.m. (818) 346-9675.