It’s time for this week’s Sympatico/MSN DVD column, which looks at “Juno”, “Lars and the Real Girl”, “The Savages” and “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”.

All four films played the Toronto festival, all four films were positioned as Oscar contenders last fall, and all four films are, ultimately, about the importance of strong family ties.

Because when you’re a pregnant teen / telling people you’re engaged to a sex doll / caring for your aging, slightly demented father / planning to rob your parents’ jewelery store to keep feeding your drug habit, you’re going to need all the support you can get.

Well, maybe not the fourth one. But a case could be made.