Film: “The Revenant” directed by Alexander Inaariitu

Want a cuddly, heartwarming movie for the holiday break? Don't go anywhere near "The Revenant."

Blood-and-guts gory (but brilliant), the film, based on the 2002 novel by Thomas Punke, has something for everyone--if your something includes murder by bow-and-arrow, mauling by grizzlies, and sleeping inside the carcass of a dead horse to keep warm.

On a positive note, Leonardo di Caprio turns in his best performance in years as the 1830s frontiersman who endures all the aforementioned tortures with near-bionic stoicness. (These torments include Tom Hardy, who is excellent as the requisite rat-fink.)

The film has some of the most breathtaking cinematography I've seen since "Days of Heaven"--the shots of wildlife, as well as Argentina and the Great Plains of Montana are stunning.

A propos of nothing, East Coasters who are missing snow this winter will get avalances of it in this film. Directed by Alexander Inarriitu ("Birdman") who is nothing if not ballsy. In general release on January 6. (Sunday)