I know a fellow who got himself a mail-order bride. He wasn’t having any success with local ladies and really wanted to have someone with whom he could share his life. One day, he asked me to take some photos of him and was purposefully vague as to the reason. Some time later, he brought her around to introduce me to her and to explain what was going on. I imagine John (Ben Chaplin) knows what my chum’s life was like. Instead of the Philippines, he contacts a marriage broker for women from Russia. His new fiancée Nadia (Nicole Kidman) is a quiet and attractive woman but she doesn’t speak any English. She is affectionate and affable, John is smitten. The sudden arrival of Nadia’s two gregarious cousins, Alexei (Vincent Cassel) and Yuri (Mathieu Kassovitz) put a real crimp in his life and spins his life out of control.

Director:  Jez Butterworth; Piers Thompson Writer:  Tom Butterworth; Jez Butterworth Cast:
Nicole Kidman -  Nadia Ben Chaplin -  John Vincent Cassel -  Alexei Mathieu Kassovitz -  Yuri Kate Evans -  Claire Jo McInnes -  Waitress Ben Miller -  Concierge Sue Maund -  Woman With Lost Hat		Reece Shearsmith -  Porter Alan Stocks -  Passport official Steve Pemberton -  Duty Sergeant Jack Pierce -  Bank Collegue Sally Phillips -  Karen J.J. Toba -  Policeman 2 Katya Barton-Chapple -  Young Sophia Rebecca Clarke -  Bank Collegue

Style over substance. A mile wide and an inch deep. Raji (Vince Vaughn) is a gangsta-rap wannabe manager but doesn’t know who the Cyprus Hill Gang is. Sin LaSalle (Cedric the Entertainer) quotes a Dylan tune but doesn’t know its origin from the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack. The Russian mob guys want to be taken seriously but use the N-word without realizing its repercussions. But it is Chili Palmer (John Travolta) who knows what he knows and doesn’t BS.

Director:  F. Gary Gray Writer:  Elmore Leonard; Peter Steinfeld Cast:
John Travolta -  Chili Palmer Uma Thurman -  Edie Athens Vince Vaughn -  Raji Cedric the Entertainer -  Sin LaSalle André Benjamin -  Dabu Steven Tyler -  Himself Robert Pastorelli -  Joe Loop Christina Milian -  Linda Moon		Paul Adelstein -  Hy Gordon Debi Mazar -  Marla GregAlan Williams -  Darryl Harvey Keitel -  Nick Carr The Rock -  Elliot Wilhelm Danny DeVito -  Martin Weir James Woods -  Tommy Athens Wyclef Jean -  Himself

There have been a number of times when, faced with a decision to make, I’ve chosen an alternative on nothing more than intuition. In retrospect, they have usually been the correct one to make (for me). After doing this a few times in my young and stupid days, I began to trust my subconscious. I thought about the process a lot but I was never able to figure out why it worked for me. Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) seems to have discovered his path to intuition as well. After discovering he sucked at boxing, he’s dared by a girl, Debbie Wilkinson (Nicola Blackwell), to try ballet. Boys never refuse a dare so he joins in and finds that he likes it and has potential, according to Debbie’s mum (Julie Walters), the teacher of the class. Now he has to figure out how to hide this girly activity from his coal miner dad who is near the centre of a 1984 UK miners’s strike.

Director:  Stephen Daldry; Billy Fane Writer:  Lee Hall Cast:
Jamie Bell -  Billy Elliot Jean Heywood -  Grandma Jamie Draven -  Tony Elliot Gary Lewis -  Dad (Jackie Elliot) Stuart Wells -  Michael Caffrey Mike Elliot -  George Watson Billy Fane -  Mr. Braithwaite Nicola Blackwell -  Debbie Wilkinson		Julie Walters -  Mrs. Wilkinson Carol McGuigan -  Librarian Joe Renton -  Gary Poulson Colin Maclachlan -  Mr. Tom Wilkinson Janine Birkett -  Billy’s Mum Trevor Fox -  PC Jeff Peverly Charlie Hardwick -  Sheila Briggs Denny Ferguson -  Miner

On occasion, it takes the arrival of a new face to shake the cobwebs out of our lives. Over time, we fall into patterns of convenience that let us cope with the travails of life. It isn’t intentional, it is convenient. Along comes Scot (Noah Bernett) who has a flamboyant streak. After his mother’s death, he comes to stay with partners Sam Miller (Ben Shenkman) and Eric McNally (Tom Cavanagh) whose gay life ends at the front door. Sam’s brother Billy (Colin Cunningham) is now Scot’s guardian (thanks to his mom) but he’s resisting the return home from Brazil. So Sam and Eric find themselves trying to figure out how to care for, raise and influence a boy who will be a target for every bully who ever strode a schoolyard. On Scot’s side is his near limitless capacity to forgive and his bright, shiny disposition. But none of this solves his problem of who will parent him for the next dozen years.

Director:  Laurie Lynd Writer:  Michael Downing; Sean Reycraft Cast:
Tom Cavanagh -  Eric McNally Ben Shenkman -  Sam Miller Noah Bernett -  Scot Colin Cunningham -  Billy Jeananne Goossen -  Nula Megan Follows -  Barbara Warren Sheila McCarthy -  Ms. Patterson Graham Greene -  Bud Wilson		Dylan Everett -  Ryan Burlington Benz Antoine -  Greg Graham Cameron Ansell -  Finn O’Brien Mark Forward -  Snickering Businessman Alexander Franks -  Joey Morita Kathryn Haggis -  Andrea Burlington Adam Korson -  Referee Shauna MacDonald -  Joan

What convinces you to help someone? A look? A word? A gesture?

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) discovers that a newspaperman’s source is the CIA’s Madrid station chief. He breaks into the office then the safe only to find a single photograph. A CIA team attempts to capture him when they enter the office but to no avail. Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) enters shortly thereafter and, after a momentary pause, decides to tell him that Daniels fled to Tangier and helps him to escape the CIA reinforcements.

Director:  Paul Greengrass Writer:  Tony Gilroy; Scott Z. Burns; George Nolfi; Robert Ludlum Cast:
Matt Damon -  Jason Bourne Julia Stiles -  Nicky Parsons David Strathairn -  CIA Deputy Director Noah Vosen Scott Glenn -  CIA Director Ezra Kramer Paddy Considine -  Simon Ross Edgar Ramirez -  Paz Albert Finney -  Dr. Albert Hirsch Joan Allen -  Pamela Landy		Tom Gallop -  Tom Cronin Corey Johnson -  Wills Daniel Brühl -  Martin Kreutz Joey Ansah -  Desh Bouksani Colin Stinton -  Neal Daniels Dan Fredenburgh -  Jimmy Lucy Liemann -  Lucy Bryan Reents -  Technician

Trying to save a kid from a group of terrorists led by Michael Kittredge (Vinnie Jones), former Navy Seal Lamont Dixon (Eddie Griffin) tries to swipe a drilling rig’s helicopter. Kittredge has other plans and has the copter swatted by the rig’s crane. All we see is the stark terror on Dixon’s face as the copter is plunging over the side and headed for the water. I still get chills thinking about it.

Director:  Anthony Hickox Writer:  Horst Freund; Steven E. de Souza Cast:
Eddie Griffin -  Lamont Dixon Vinnie Jones -  Michael Kittredge Breckin Meyer -  Jamal Soup -  Raj Shaggy -  Mace Nadine Velazquez -  Luna Hannes Jaenicke -  CEO Heller Tiny Lister -  Smiley		Warwick Grier -  Telford Vivica A. Fox -  Agent Reed Nicky Andrews -  Eric Paul Du Toit -  Smiley’s Goon Langley Kirkwood -  Agent Phillips Dean Slater -  Dean Brett Whitehead -  Uli Clyde Berning -  Clyde

Often it is something traumatic that leads one into a choice of what you’ll do for the rest of your life. You find yourself frozen in wonder at what is happening and it becomes a raison d’être in your life. For Reena Hale (Alicia Witt) it was the fire that burned down her family’s restaurant when she was 11. After the firemen put it out, she sees John Minger (Scott Bakula), an arson investigator, working the scene, trying to figure out whether the fire was an accident or intentional, and suddenly knows in her soul that this is what she wants to do and be.

Director:  David Carson Writer:  Ronni Kern; Nora Roberts Cast:
Alicia Witt -  Reena Hale Scott Bakula -  John Minger Matthew Settle -  Bo Goodnight Talia Shire -  Bianca Hale Eric Keenleyside -  Gib Hale John Reardon -  Josh Ben Ayres -  Hugh Chris Fassbender -  Joey Pastorelli Jr.		Taylor Dauphinais -  Young Reena David Brown -  Joe Pastorelli Sr. Liam Nelson -  Young Joey Pastorelli Jr. Rod Heatheringston -  Steve Chad Nobert -  Xander Hale Peter Skagen -  FBI Agent Daniela Vlaskalic -  Fran Hale Karen Johnson-Diamond -  Mrs. Pastorelli

Mysteries, whether they are in book form or on the big screen, all display similar characteristics. There are good guys who solve the crime, usually murder. There are the love interests, usually someone in a slinky dress and pumps willing to help the hero through any rough patches which arise. The suspects, usually those who have had a continuing or periodic contact with the victim, and may have crossed swords with them for some distracting but ultimately meaningless reason but for the killer. And the clues include events that might have caused the death, tangible items of interest used in the commission of the felony or the circumstances that put the suspects in the victim’s vicinity. All of this gets summarized a time or two during the mystery just so nobody gets lost and drifts away to the fridge. The Big Sleep does all of this and more. But it has one thing most mysteries don’t. No, I don’t mean the electricity between Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) and Vivian Sternwood Rutledge (Lauren Bacall). I mean the extra body. Watch it and keep track. You’ll see.

Director:  Howard Hawks Writer:  Raymond Chandler; William Faulkner; Leigh Brackett; Jules Furthman Cast:
Humphrey Bogart -  Philip Marlowe Lauren Bacall -  Vivian Sternwood Rutledge John Ridgely -  Eddie Mars Martha Vickers -  Carmen Sternwood Dorothy Malone -  Acme Bookstore proprietress Peggy Knudsen -  Mona Mars Regis Toomey -  Chief Insp. Bernie Ohls (District Attorney’s Office) Charles Waldron -  Gen. Sternwood		Charles D. Brown -  Norris (Sternwood’s butler) Bob Steele -  Canino (Mars’ henchman) Elisha Cook, Jr. -  Harry Jones Louis Jean Heydt -  Joe Brody

We are all plagued by guilt. Guilt over what we’ve done, what we could have done, what we haven’t done. How we handle it is often a measure of how we are able to cope every day. My guilt tends to be associational, that is, something triggers a memory and no matter how hard I try to assuage it, the circumstances I remember cause me to pause and wonder what can be done to eliminate it. But I’m relieved that mine is limited to stuff where I had an element of control over the situation. I wouldn’t want to be Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck), an ad executive anticipating a one-sight stand with fellow passenger Mimi Praeger (Natasha Henstridge). He gives his airplane ticket to Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn) who is anxious to get home to his wife Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow) and family. After the plane crashes, Buddy checks into rehab for his drinking. He goes in search of Abby and finds her now working as a struggling real estate agent. Buddy tries to buy some relief by having her as agent for his advertising agency’s new offices but he cannot bring himself to tell her the truth. Serindipitously, Mimi has a chance meeting with Abby, who discovers Buddy’s secret.

Director:  Don Roos Writer:  Don Roos Cast:
Ben Affleck -  Buddy Amaral Gwyneth Paltrow -  Abby Janello Natasha Henstridge -  Mimi Prager Edward Edwards -  Ron Wachter Jennifer Grey -  Janice Guerrero Tony Goldwyn -  Greg Janello Lisa Carpenter-Prewitt -  Carol Wilson Lisa Joyner -  T.V. Announcer		Richard Saxton -  CNN Reporter Caroline Aaron -  Donna David Dorfman -  Joey Janello Alex D. Linz -  Scott Janello Juan García -  Kevin Walters Mary Ellen Lyon -  Ellen Seitz Joe Morton -  Jim Willer Thea Mann -  Karen

After all of the good, the bad and the in-between things Dwight ‘Bucky’ Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) has done to protect the ones he loves, their secrets and those he protects, he finds solace in the arms of Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson). There he finds a place where he can feel safe and protected from the world. Isn’t that what all of us want after a long, hard day?

Director:  Brian De Palma Writer:  Josh Friedman; James Ellroy Cast:
Josh Hartnett -  Ofcr. Dwight ‘Bucky’ Bleichert Scarlett Johansson -  Kay Lake Aaron Eckhart -  Sgt. Leland ‘Lee’ Blanchard Hilary Swank -  Madeleine Linscott Mia Kirshner -  Elizabeth Short Mike Starr -  Russ Millard Fiona Shaw -  Ramona Linscott Patrick Fischler -  Ellis Loew		James Otis -  Dolph Bleichert John Kavanagh -  Emmet Linscott Troy Evans -  Chief T. Green Anthony Russell -  Morrie Friedman Pepe Serna -  Dos Santos Angus MacInnes -  Capt. John Tierney Rachel Miner -  Martha Linscott Victor McGuire -  Bill Koenig

You know, some days it just isn’t worth getting out of bed. Transaction Man (Paul Gleason) is the go-between to buy a quarter million dollars in counterfeit paper for $50,000 in real cash. But he gets are two blasts in the chest for his effort and then he’s run over. And to add to his misery, the $50,000 was phony too.

Director:  James B. Harris; Takeshi Kitano Writer:  Gerald Petievich; James B. Harris Cast:
Wesley Snipes -  Jimmy Mercer Dennis Hopper -  Red Diamond Lolita Davidovich -  Vikki Dunbar Viggo Mortensen -  Ronnie Seymour Cassel -  Virgil Leach Jonathan Banks -  Max Christine Elise -  Carol Tony Lo Bianco -  Tony Dio		Valerie Perrine -  Mona James Tolkan -  Levitt Paul Gleason -  Transaction Man Lorraine Evanoff -  Connie Stephanie Williams -  Sally Tobin Bell -  Roth Bobby Hosea -  Steve Dan Hedaya -  Brady

Eloise (Pamela Gidley) finds her true love in Lenny (Tom Sizemore). SHe has a good job as a personal assistant to an actress, a comfortable life but things seem to be slipping away from her when Lenny gets arrested, loses his job and starts to rough her up. But she defends him against one and all. What’s a girl to do when she can’t live with him nor without him?

Director:  Jill Goldman Writer:  George Gary Cast:
Tom Sizemore -  Lenny Pamela Gidley -  Eloise Jennifer O’Neill -  Ms. Alman Seymour Cassel -  Uncle Bud Margaux Hemingway -  Jackie Debi Mazar -  Delores Jordan Lund -  Mr. Cook Julie Strain -  Amber		Peter Spellos -  Mover Barbara Pilavin -  Waitress Joe E. Tata -  Norm Vyto Ruginis -  Evan Blair Tefkin -  Saleswoman Paul Bollen -  Paul Pat Crawford Brown -  Woman in Pink Don Bajema -  Bartender

The residents of many nursing homes are placed into a passive mode. They are subject to the whims and vagaries of services provided by others. When they decide to become active for some reason, it takes an enormous amount of convincing of those in control that something needs to change. That is the case for two denizens of a home in Mud Creek, Texas. Toss in the fact that Elvis ( Bruce Campbell) thinks he is The King who swapped his status for an impersonator to get away from the limelight and Jack (Ossie Davis) who claims to be John F. Kennedy and has had his skin dyed and the chance of anyone believing them that something evil is afoot is marginal at best. So the duo decide that it is up to them to tackle it themselves, Elvis with his walker and Jack in his wheelchair.

Director:  Don Coscarelli Writer:  Don Coscarelli Cast:
Bruce Campbell -  Elvis Presley Ossie Davis -  John “Jack” Fitzgerald Kennedy Ella Joyce -  Massaging Nurse Bob Ivy -  Bubba Ho-Tep Heidi Marnhout -  Callie		Daniel Roebuck -  Hearse Driver Daniel Schweiger -  Hearse Driver Harrison Young -  Bull Thomas Larry Pennell -  Kemosabe

How often do we succeed in avoiding death, not even knowing it may be upon us. It has happened to me a couple of times, mostly in cars. For Patrick “Kitten” Braden (Cillian Murphy) wanders into a walk occupied by two working girls, one of whom takes great offense that he’s competition and trespassing on her stroll. Kitten, instead of one of the girls, is picked up by a customer and in a lay-by is offered a silk rope token. Her thinks the driver is just being friendly, the customer wants a blow job. WIth the aid of a perfume atomizer, Kitten is able to flee the car and continue on in his mum search, not realizing that the driver (Bryan Ferry) was probably a serial killer.

Director:  Neil Jordan Writer:  Neil Jordan; Pat McCabe Cast:
Cillian Murphy -  Patrick (Patricia) ‘Kitten’ Braden Liam Neeson -  Father Bernard Ruth Negga -  Charlie Laurence Kinlan -  Irwin Stephen Rea -  Bertie Brendan Gleeson -  John-Joe Conor McEvoy -  Young Patrick Braden (10) Gavin Friday -  Billy Hatchet		Ian Hart -  PC Wallis Eva Birthistle -  Eily Bergin/Eily Lookalike Ruth McCabe -  Ma Braden Steven Waddington -  Insp. Routledge Mark Doherty -  Running Bear Sid Young -  Eily’s Boy Ciaran Nolan -  Horse Killane Eamonn Owens -  Jackie Timlin

How do you know you are human? Is it biology? Or perhaps chemistry? What sort of conditions, memories, examination (like the Turing test), knowledge, etc. would qualify you as human? Suppose you could duplicate somebody down to the last chromosome, last atom, identical DNA strands. Are you human? Who cares? It is humanity that has conjured up the definition and wants to maintain the purity of the species. Interlopers are to eradicated. Such is the case for Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) who is being hunted by Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford). Batty wants to be human in the eyes of those born of woman before he dies. Deckard wants to retire him.

Director:  Ridley Scott Writer:  Philip K. Dick; Hampton Fancher; David Webb Peoples; Roland Kibbee Cast:
Harrison Ford -  Rick Deckard Rutger Hauer -  Roy Batty Sean Young -  Rachael Edward James Olmos -  Gaff M. Emmet Walsh -  Bryant Daryl Hannah -  Pris William Sanderson -  J.F. Sebastian Brion James -  Leon Kowalski		Joe Turkel -  Eldon Tyrell Joanna Cassidy -  Zhora James Hong -  Hannibal Chew Morgan Paull -  Holden Kevin Thompson -  Bear John Edward Allen -  Kaiser Hy Pyke -  Taffey Lewis Kimiko Hiroshige -  Cambodian lady

You want the best for your children. You don’t want them to be caught up in the activities that can affect their lives regardless of how irresponsible you’ve been. Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) is trying to be just such a responsible adult when he questions the kids at his adopted (well… sorta) son Julian’s (Cole and Dylan Sprouse) school about drugs and alcohol. The worst he can find is one kid who has a belly button and that they like to drink Yoo Hoo.

Director:  Dennis Dugan Writer:  Steve Franks; Tim Herlihy; Adam Sandler Cast:
Adam Sandler -  Sonny Koufax Joey Lauren Adams -  Layla Maloney Jon Stewart -  Kevin Gerrity Cole Sprouse -  Julian ‘Frankenstien’ McGrath Dylan Sprouse -  Julian ‘Frankenstien’ McGrath Josh Mostel -  Arthur Brooks Leslie Mann -  Corinne Maloney Allen Covert -  Phil D’Amato		Rob Schneider -  Nazo Kristy Swanson -  Vanessa Joseph Bologna -  Lenny Koufax Peter Dante -  Tommy Grayton Jonathan Loughran -  Mike Steve Buscemi -  Homeless Guy Tim Herlihy -  Singing Kangaroo Edmund Lyndeck -  Mr. Herlihy

The poet and philosopher George Santayana once said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It is a lesson that Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff) has forgotten. He has decided that the old vampire guard, led by Dragonetti (Udo Kier), has passed its sell-by date. So he and his brood of goonish acolytes kidnap the elder and take him to the seaside to watch the sunrise. As the sun comes up over the horizon, Dragonetti pops, splatters, melt and finally explodes surrounded by the cavorting new kids drenched in SPF 60 lotion. Frost has so much to learn. You just want to slap him.

Director:  Stephen Norrington Writer:  David S. Goyer Cast:
Wesley Snipes -  Blade/Eric Brooks/’The Daywalker’ Stephen Dorff -  Deacon Frost Kris Kristofferson -  Abraham Whistler N’Bushe Wright -  Dr. Karen Jenson Donal Logue -  Quinn Udo Kier -  Vampire Elder Dragonetti Arly Jover -  Mercury Traci Lords -  Racquel		Kevin Patrick Walls -  Officer Krieger Tim Guinee -  Dr. Curtis Webb Sanaa Lathan -  Vanessa Brooks Eric Edwards -  Pearl Donna Wong -  Nurse Carmen Thomas -  Senior Resident Shannon Lee -  Resident Kenny Johnson -  Heatseeking Dennis

I’ve always been a fan of mushy moments in movies. Sometimes it seems forced, sometime contrived. However when Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston) gets pushed of the stage, her headdress taken and the beads ripped away and spilled all over, I was entranced. Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner) grabs a fire extinguisher, hoses down the audience and then elbows and pushes his way through the crowd to finally gather Rachel in his arms carrying her to the limousine leaving Sy Spector (Gary Kemp) and Tony Scipelli (Mike Starr) standing in the rain with the Metropolis stage setting in the background. Wow…

Director:  Mick Jackson Writer:  Lawrence Kasdan Cast:
Kevin Costner -  Frank Farmer Whitney Houston -  Rachel ‘Rach’ Marron Gary Kemp -  Sy Spector Bill Cobbs -  Bill Devaney Ralph Waite -  Herb Farmer Tomas Arana -  Greg Portman Michele Lamar Richards -  Nicki Marron Mike Starr -  Tony Scipelli		Christopher Birt -  Henry DeVaughn Nixon -  Fletcher ‘Fletch’ Marron Gerry Bamman -  Ray Court Joe Urla -  Minella Tony Pierce -  Dan Charles Keating -  Klingman Robert Wuhl -  Oscar Host Debbie Reynolds -  Herself

Go ahead, admit it. You’d like to wear one just to see what it is like. No? OK, I will. I’d love to try on of those fuzzy cartoon animal suits you see in theme parks. Okey-Dokey, a blue elephant, is the choice of Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) as he goes after the bad guys. But then the scene of the four other animals, playing poker and chewing stogies makes me uneasy.

Director:  John Landis Writer:  Danilo Bach; Daniel Petrie, Jr.; Steven E. de Souza Cast:
Eddie Murphy -  Det. Axel Foley Jon Tenney -  Levine Joey Travolta -  Giolito Eugene Collier -  Leppert Jimmy Ortega -  Rondell Ousaun Elam -  Pederson Ray Lykins -  Nixon Tim Gilbert -  McKee		Rick Avery -  Cline Gil Hill -  Insp. Douglas Todd Dick Purtan -  Detroit disc jockey Fred Asparagus -  Bobby Louis Lombardi -  Snake Lindsey Ginter -  Holloway Timothy Carhart -  Ellis De Wald Michael Bowen -  Fletch

Faith. It is hard to have faith in people, year over year, day after day. Jake Hayes (Chris Rock) runs away from Gaylord Oakes (Anthony Hopkins) and the CIA after someone tries to assassinate him while masquerading as his dead twin brother. He lands in the home of his foster mother who whacks him for surprising her in the dark and then ask him whether he needs money. She then expresses her faith in him. Unlike his foster siblings, Jake has yet to make something of himself like she knows he will.

Director:  Joel Schumacher Writer:  Gary M. Goodman; David Himmelstein; Jason Richman; Michael Browning Cast:
Anthony Hopkins -  Oakes Chris Rock -  Jake Hayes/Kevin Pope Peter Stormare -  Adrik Vas Gabriel Macht -  Seale Kerry Washington -  Julie Adoni Maropis -  Jarma/Dragan Henchman #1 Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon -  Nicole Matthew Marsh -  Dragan Adjanic		Dragan Micanovic -  Michelle Petrov John Slattery -  Roland Yates Brooke Smith -  Officer Swanson Daniel Sunjata -  Officer Carew DeVone Lawson Jr. -  Officer Parish Wills Robbins -  Officer McCain Marek Vasut -  Andre Majed Ibrahim -  Dragan Henchman #2

Sometimes an event is so preposterous, so peculiar, so strange or so downright gob-smacking weird, that all you can do is sit there with your eyes popping and your mouth agape. The sight of Maude Lebowski (Julianne Moore) swinging naked on a trapeze with a slight, clench-teethed English accent is just such an event.

Director:  Joel Coen Writer:  Ethan Coen; Joel Coen Cast:
Jeff Bridges -  The Dude John Goodman -  Walter Sobchak Julianne Moore -  Maude Lebowski Steve Buscemi -  Donny David Huddleston -  The Big Lebowski Philip Seymour Hoffman -  Brandt Tara Reid -  Bunny Lebowski Philip Moon -  Woo, Treehorn Thug		Mark Pellegrino -  Blond Treehorn Thug Peter Stormare -  Nihilist #1, Uli Kunkel/’Karl Hungus’ Flea -  Nihilist #2, Kieffer Torsten Voges -  Nihilist #3, Franz Jimmie Dale Gilmore -  Smokey Jack Kehler -  Marty, The Dude’s Landlord John Turturro -  Jesus Quintana James G. Hoosier -  Quintana’s Partner

Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) is a vixen of the first stripe. She’ll flirt with anything that walks, she doesn’t hesitate to do that which pleases her and she won’t take prisoners when confronted with anything she thinks is standing in her way. She makes my heart go pitty-pat. Especially after she agrees to go to police headquarters to be interviewed about the murder of Johnny Boz (Bill Cable). Her manner as well as her body language had me as anxious and uncomfortable as her interrogators.

Director:  Paul Verhoeven Writer:  Joe Eszterhas Cast:
Michael Douglas -  Det. Nick Curran, SFPD Homicide Sharon Stone -  Catherine Tramell George Dzundza -  Gus Moran Jeanne Tripplehorn -  Dr. Beth Garner Denis Arndt -  Lt. Philip Walker SFPD Leilani Sarelle -  Roxy Bruce A. Young -  Andrews Chelcie Ross -  Capt. Talcott		Dorothy Malone -  Hazel Dobkins, Catherine’s Friend Wayne Knight -  John Correli Daniel von Bargen -  Lt. Marty Nilsen Stephen Tobolowsky -  Dr. Lamott Benjamin Mouton -  Harrigan Jack McGee -  Sheriff Bill Cable -  Johnny Boz, Murder Victim Stephen Rowe -  Internal Affairs Investigator

What frightens you the most? For Hannibal King (Ryan Reynolds) it is being turned into a vampire a second time. Danica Talos (Parker Posey) offers to revamp a captive Hannibal but he demurs. Danica isn’t about to be denied. She suggest he could use more fish omega fatty acids in his diet. He is more concerned about the odd design she has chosen for her hair and his SBD garlic farts. That Hannibal is quite the card. She retorts that, despite his bodily gases, he is going to be turned, left alone for days and then she plans to let little Zoe (Haili Page), the eight-year-old daughter of his colleague, visit while the hunger is upon him.

Director:  David S. Goyer Writer:  Marv Wolfman; Gene Colan; David S. Goyer Cast:
Wesley Snipes -  Blade Kris Kristofferson -  Whistler Dominic Purcell -  Drake Jessica Biel -  Abigail Whistler Ryan Reynolds -  Hannibal King Parker Posey -  Danica Talos Mark Berry -  Chief Martin Vreede John Michael Higgins -  Dr. Edgar Vance		Callum Keith Rennie -  Asher Talos Triple H -  Jarko Grimwood Paul Anthony -  Wolfe Françoise Yip -  Virago Michael Anthony Rawlins -  Wilson Hale James Remar -  Ray Cumberland Natasha Lyonne -  Sommerfield Haili Page -  Zoe

Often the best plan is the simplest. Jonathan Cold (Steven Seagal) and Amanda (Tamara Davies) are being chased and need a car. Amanda picks a door lock and leans in for the ignition wire when Jonathan hands her the keys from the sun visor.

Director:  Alexander Gruszynski Writer:  Martin Wheeler Cast:
Steven Seagal -  Jonathan Cold Mike Baldridge -  Max Pierson Erik Betts -  Henchmen #3 Ryan Bollman -  Billy Raduziner Timothy Carhart -  Anthony Greer Norm Compton -  Henchmen #4 Nicholas Davidoff -  Nicholi Tamara Davies -  Agent Amanda		Warren Derosa -  Sergey Troy Gilbert -  Henchmen #2 Angela Gots -  Stazi John Gulino -  Jewelry Store Owner Joe Halpin -  Agent Thomas Noa Hegesh -  Julia Paul Lane -  Henchmen #1 Robert Marrs -  Holland

Six foot tall women are rare. There should be more of them. But they do fascinate all men in one way or another. Karla Fry (Brigitte Nielsen) is leaning over a shooting shelf at the Beverly Hills Gun Club emptying a clip or two when Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) wonders aloud about the length of time it would take to shave her legs. She’s not impressed and asks if this is him being charming. But Axel, ever the coolest guy in town, replies that he is just offering his grooming services.

Director:  Tony Scott Writer:  Eddie Murphy; Robert D. Wachs; Larry Ferguson; Warren Skaaren; David Giler; Dennis Klein; Daniel Petrie, Jr. Cast:
Eddie Murphy -  Det. Axel Foley Judge Reinhold -  Det. William ‘Billy’ Rosewood John Ashton -  Det. Sgt. John Taggart Jürgen Prochnow -  Maxwell Dent Ronny Cox -  Capt./Chief Andrew Bogomil Brigitte Nielsen -  Karla Fry Allen Garfield -  Police Chief Harold Lutz Dean Stockwell -  Charles ‘Chip’ Cain		Paul Reiser -  Det. Jeffrey Friedman Gil Hill -  Insp. Douglas Todd Paul Guilfoyle -  Nikos Thomopolis Robert Ridgely -  Mayor Ted Egan Brian O’Connor -  Biddle (Lutz’s aide) Alice Adair -  Jan Bogomil Eugene Butler -  May Glenn Withrow -  Willie

Every so often we meet someone who is so thoroughly reprehensible that we find it hard to understand how they can spend any time with them let alone get to know them. Sue (Lauren Graham), a rather dim bartender serves Willie (Billy Bob Thorton), a sloppy drunk who masquerades as a department store Santa and has a penchant for backdooring large women, which leads to them swapping shots. A quickie in his car is just the beginning of an affair that seems destined to fail.

Events intervene to show that Santa’s fall is more a case of self-disgust that it being one of a lack of morality. It only takes someone caring about another to make even a sodden thief think he has a future in which Sue can play a role. But their antics in a jacuzzi had me in stitches. For, as we discover, Sue has always had a thing for Santa.

Director:  Terry Zwigoff Writer:  Glenn Ficarra; John Requa Cast:
Billy Bob Thornton -  Willie Tony Cox -  Marcus Brett Kelly -  The Kid Lauren Graham -  Sue Lauren Tom -  Lois Bernie Mac -  Gin John Ritter -  Bob Chipeska Ajay Naidu -  Hindustani Troublemaker		Lorna Scott -  Milwaukee Mother Harrison Bieker -  Milwaukee Boy Alex Borstein -  Milwaukee Mom with Photo Dylan Charles -  Milwaukee Bratty Boy Billy Gardell -  Milwaukee Security Guard Lisa Ross -  Milwaukee Bartender Brian Callen -  Miami Bartender Tom McGowan -  Harrison