Unlucky for some today, but not if you are planning a visit to the cinema over the next few days, you lucky, lucky things you!

Here are the main UK releases for this week:

The Christmas Candle

Santa Clause is a-coming and you can instantly tell by the titles of the festive season’s movie offerings. This fable sees Hans Matheson as a vicar who arrives in a village steeped in magic and miracles, but teetering on the edge of modernity thanks to his new fangled ideas. Sounds cute and loads of good online stuff: official website here, Facebook page here and full list of cinema’s screening it with booking info here.

Cinema Paradiso

A classic of world cinema; film-maker Philippe Noiret visits his home town and recalls how the local cinema’s projectionist fired his enthusiasm for making movies. Re-released as part of the film’s 25th anniversary; no details about screenings other than it will show in key cities only so keep ’em peeled on your local art-house or big multiplex screens.

Fill the Void

Life in an orthodox Jewish community as a young woman is pressurised by her family to marry the widower of her recently deceased sister. Official Artificial Eye pictures page is here; the film will show at key cities only.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Ridiculously titled second instalment in the forever-to-conclude Peter Jackson sextet of Tolkein epics. Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) continues his journey to reclaim the dwarf kingdom of Erebor. Ian McKellan co-stars as the wizard Gandalf. The immaculate official website is here and the film will be showing at just about every cinema up and down and across the land.

The Innocents

A chilling Christmas ghost story showing as part of the BFI’s ‘Gothic’ season. Deborah Kerr stars as the Victorian governess who becomes convinced her charges have been possessed following the death of her predecessor. Think The Others but minus Nicole Kidman’s ‘gerbil in the headlights’ ™ acting and buoyed up by the fantastical Kerr, almost possessed herself. The BFI site gives you screening locations here as this is will be at key cities only.

Tamla Rose

A Scouse Dreamgirls (2006) about a Motown-esque girl group pursuing stardom. The official Facebook page is here, official website is here and the film will show at key cities only.

And on Wednesday 18 December…

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Will Ferrel returns as news anchor Ron Burgundy as prepares to head up America’s first ever 24 hours news station. It won’t be easy when his old colleagues Steve Carrel (weatherman), Paul Rudd (the ‘man on the street’) and David Koechner (sports desk) also join him. The official site is here and the film will be playing all across the UK.