Heath Ledger starring in the holiday release of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. --Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics

Three Christmas Day releases of note include ‘The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,’ ‘It’s Complicated,’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ One of the stars of ‘Imaginarium,’ Heath Ledger, died from a drug overdose during the movie’s production. Read how director Terry Gilliam recovered the movie– also starring Johnnie Depp and Colin Farrell– from the loss of one of its stars.

Robert Downey Jr. plays the title role in ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ an updated version of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle sleuth. Some critics are predicting jammed theaters for the movie’s debut because Downey “does a great Brit.” But, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin get lukewarm reviews for ‘It’s Complicated,’ a romantic, bi-coastal comedy.

Opening on Wednesday, three days before Christmas, is ‘Alvin and the

Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. starring in the holiday release of Sherlock Holmes. --Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.’ Sequels are normally determined by their predecessors—meaning they made a lot of money and maybe the follow-ups will as well. Here’s a sampling of reviews of the latest movie starring the 1950s chippies.

Several early holiday season releases are still playing locally. The wildly hyped ‘Avatar,’ a 3-D sci-fi flick running more than two and a half hours, is playing at both the Imperial Valley Mall’s Cinemark and the Metropolitan Calexico 10.

For listings and ticket sales at IV Mall, click here; for listings and ticket sales at Calexico 10, click here; for listings and ticket sales at Motor Vu Drive-In, call (760)352-4385.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece premiered on Broadway in 1959 and has had many revivals over the years and was immortalized on screen in the film classic featuring Julie Andrews.  The Brawley concert will feature a medley of favorite tunes from the musical plus some “lively yodeling.”

The fall concert will also feature favorites from another popular Broadway composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber.  The Chorale will be performing highlights from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Aspects of Love,” and a medley from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with styles ranging from cowboy to calypso!

The Chorale is conducted by Denny Lang and accompanied by Donna Marlan.  Tickets for the event are $5, and children younger than 12 are admitted free.  Tickets are available from Choral Society Members, at Clark Baker Music and at the door.

Additional information is available by calling 760-344-3872.