Christmas is a time of tradition. What we did last year, we do this year. Or at least we do what we remember as being in the spirit of the season and not yucky (which is deep-sixed from memory). Try to stray from it and watch out. The noble season police pop out of woodwork and grind your guilt into a paste that absorbs any thought of changing family traditions. Just ask Luther Krank (Tim Allen) and his wife Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) who decide to skip Christmas and go on a cruise since their daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) is heading off to Peru with the Peace Corps. Telling the neighbours proves to be a bit of a mistake. Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd), the neighbourhood’s self-elected Christmas conscience is irate and starts up a group to harass the Kranks for their lack of holiday spirit, causing Luther and Nora to take refuge behind their curtains and sofa.

Director:  Joe Roth Writer:  John Grisham; Chris Columbus Cast:
Tim Allen -  Luther Krank Jamie Lee Curtis -  Nora Krank Dan Aykroyd -  Vic Frohmeyer M. Emmet Walsh -  Walt Scheel Elizabeth Franz -  Bev Scheel Erik Per Sullivan -  Spike Frohmeyer Cheech Marin -  Officer Salino Jake Busey -  Officer Treen		Austin Pendleton -  Umbrella Santa/Marty Tom Poston -  Father Zabriskie Julie Gonzalo -  Blair Krank René Lavan -  Enrique DeCardenal Caroline Rhea -  Candi Felicity Huffman -  Merry Patrick Breen -  Aubie John Short -  Ned Becker

Conspiracies are almost the staff of life on the internet. They’re pervasive. We see them on many sites where someone thinks that one or more someone elses have done something, are covering up some event or are out to do something nefarious. Who is doing what to whom and why? Geez, no wonder there is so much paranoia and skepticism around. Now comes a new threat. Mattie Webber (Kristin Bell) gets a bunch of messages from her dead boyfriend, Josh Ockmann (Jonathan Tucker), via electronic means. It seems that the dead want to return to our world via the internet. They’re pissed and they’re not taking any prisoners. Lots of the usual horror tropes with some pretty good effects.

Director:  Jim Sonzero Writer:  Wes Craven; Ray Wright; Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast:
Kristen Bell -  Mattie Webber Ian Somerhalder -  Dexter McCarthy Christina Milian -  Isabell Fuentes Rick Gonzalez -  Stone Jonathan Tucker -  Josh Ockmann Samm Levine -  Tim Steinberg Octavia Spencer -  Landlady Jeremy Guskin -  R.A.		Ron Rifkin -  Dr. Waterson Joseph Gatt -  Dark Figure Kel O’Neill -  Douglas Zieglar Tate Hanyok -  Cafe Girl Amanda Tepe -  Grad Student/Margaret Zach Grenier -  Professor Cardiff Corryn Cummins -  Crying Girl Riki Lindhome -  Janelle

One of the many steps we take as we grow into an adult is consider how we fit into the culture in which we find ourselves. This is particularly the case when we move to another city, take on a new occupation and gather around us new friends and loved ones. When we’re faced with showing someone new where we come from, sometimes we slip back into our old life leaving our new acquaintance gobsmacked. It is as if they have been replaced by a not-to-bright alien.

George (Alessandro Nivola) has the demeanour of a cosmopolitan sophisticate and his new wife Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz), a chic art gallery owner from Chicago, is smitten. On a trip to corral a new artist who lives near George’s family, they stop by for a visit. Madeleine doesn’t know quite what to make of the George she sees and how he reacts to old family friends. From the gospel singing with his old church choir buddies to how he is greeted at a church supper, she is stunned by this man she hardly knows.

Director:  Phil Morrison Writer:  Angus MacLachlan Cast:
Amy Adams -  Ashley Embeth Davidtz -  Madeleine Alessandro Nivola -  George Frank Hoyt Taylor -  David Wark Celia Weston -  Peg Scott Wilson -  Eugene Ben McKenzie -  Johnny Amy Barefoot -  Kitty, friend at shower		Annette Beatty -  Dr. Beatty Matt Besser -  Scout who goes in Beth Bostic -  Lucille, the neighbor Jamie Castlebury -  Woman at Shower Carrie Daniel -  Bonnie, friend at shower Jeffrey Dean Foster -  Gallery Assistant Katherine Foster -  Pregnant Patient Teresa Fowler -  Nurse #1

What does it take to prove you’re human? Violet Song jat Shariff (Milla Jovovich), a courier, discovers it takes a battery of tests. She’s ushered into a sterile room where they immobilize her, stick probes into her bloodstream and eyes, her mouth and teeth to verify breathing after which she is scanned again for bone, blood and tissue irregularities just so she can pick up a package for delivery and it turns out she is a fraud anyway. Oh dear…

Director:  Kurt Wimmer; Joe Ahearne Writer:  Kurt Wimmer Cast:
Milla Jovovich -  Violet Song jat Shariff Cameron Bright -  Six Nick Chinlund -  Vicecardinum Ferdinand Daxus Sebastien Andrieu -  Nerva Ida Martin -  Young Violet William Fichtner -  Garth David Collier -  BF-1 Kieran O’Rorke -  Detective Cross		Digger Mesch -  Detective Endera Ryan Martin -  Detective Breeder Steven Calcote -  Young Daxus Ricardo Mamood -  Violet’s Husband Mike Smith -  Hospital Hemophage Clay Cullen -  Rebel Hemophage Jennifer Caputo -  Elizabeth P. Watkins Jack Murphy -  Chief of Staff

A promise is a promise. It is easy to make one but it can be difficult to follow through. But this doesn’t phase Frank Martin (Jason Statham). He doesn’t make promises he doesn’t intend to keep. Despite crazed Russian doctors like Dimitri (Jason Flemyng) trying to infect him with a lethal virus, psychotic barely clad gun molls like Lola (Kate Nauta) who like to splatter people with her auto-mags and cranky misinformed FBI agents Like Stappleton (Keith David) who doesn’t listen, the promise to the kidnapped Jack Billings (Hunter Clary) that no harm would come to him is one he’ll endeavour to keep.

Director:  Louis Leterrier Writer:  Luc Besson; Robert Mark Kamen Cast:
Jason Statham -  Frank Martin Alessandro Gassman -  Gianni Amber Valletta -  Audrey Billings Kate Nauta -  Lola Matthew Modine -  Mr. Billings Jason Flemyng -  Dimitri Keith David -  Stappleton Hunter Clary -  Jack Billings		Shannon Briggs -  Max François Berléand -  Tarconi Raymond Tong -  Rastaman George Kapetan -  Dr. Sonovitch Jeff Chase -  Vasily Gregg Weiner -  Tipov Gregg Davis -  Techie at Billings Marty Wright -  Commander

His preteen daughter (Dakota Fanning) is allergic to peanut butter. His teenage son (Justin Chatwin) has nothing to say to him. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a divorced father, is oblivious to the lives of his children. He doesn’t know who they are, what they like, how they cope with life. Yet, he has to care for them after the world is invaded. Mind you, they don’t know that yet. They don’t know much except that the electricity is gone (an EMT pulse), a giant machine has erupted from beneath the town’s roads and starts vapourizing people and buildings. His children expect him to lead them to safety and provide guidance and he is scared silly, flying by the seat of his pants, without a clue as to what to do next. How would you handle this?

Director:  Steven Spielberg Writer:  Josh Friedman; David Koepp; H.G. Wells Cast:
Tom Cruise -  Ray Ferrier Dakota Fanning -  Rachel Ferrier Justin Chatwin -  Robbie Ferrier Miranda Otto -  Mary Ann Tim Robbins -  Harlan Ogilvy Rick Gonzalez -  Vincent Yul Vazquez -  Julio Lenny Venito -  Manny the Mechanic		Lisa Ann Walter -  Sheryl Ann Robinson -  Grandmother Gene Barry -  Grandfather David Alan Basche -  Tim Roz Abrams -  Herself Michael Brownlee -  TV Reporter, Osaka Camillia Sanes -  News Producer Marlon Young -  News Cameraman

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

I’ve had bad days. You’ve had bad days. We’ve all had bad days. Some bad days are worse than others. We cope, we overcome, we endure. We get past the. We try to make the best of whatever circumstances in which we find ourselves. But few of us have the kind of day that Abe Klein (Andrew Lee Potts) is having. It starts when his girlfriend Mimi (Elena Anaya) tells him that she is pregnant, he isn’t ready for this and she is taking the train to visit her mum who’ll care for her. She borrows his phone to make a call but is assaulted by a snatch’n'grab causing Abe’s phone to be switched with that of a button man, Lynch (Gary Oldman). After a call and on a whim, Abe takes one of Lynch’s contracts. He finds himself with a safe full of cash, a baked-on-weed buddy holding the gun and a target who may have a better offer to make but then there is the client who’ll be cranky if the hit fails. Sadly, Lynch, who has fallen in lust with Mimi, has followed Abe home to retrieve his cell phone.

Director:  Charley Stadler Writer:  Thomas Geiger; Adam Kreutner; David Mitchell; Charley Stadler Cast:
Gary Oldman -  Lynch Robert Carlyle -  Danny Devine Elena Anaya -  Mimi Jimi Mistry -  Salvador E. Johnson Andrew Lee Potts -  Abe Klein Billy Zane -  Virgil Terence Stamp -  Samuel Fish Karel Roden -  Dragan		Susie Amy -  Hostess Frances Barber -  S & M Prostitute Cassandra Bell -  Sugar Waters Anouska Bolton Lee -  French Prostitute Trevor Cooper -  Charlie Verena Gato -  Sunshine Iddo Goldberg -  Thief Julie Healy -  Rainbow

Who says fashion doesn’t influence our day-to-day life? Not Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) who lectures her 2nd-assistant Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) on how she came to wear her blue sweater. Starting with an Oscar de la Renta show in 2002 who did a cerulean blue collection, through Yves Saint-Laurent and 8 other designers, into selected department stores and on down to the bargain bins, the blue in her sweater has been passed from one to another until it ended up on her back.

Director:  David Frankel Writer:  Aline Brosh McKenna; Lauren Weisberger Cast:
Meryl Streep -  Miranda Priestly Anne Hathaway -  Andy Sachs Emily Blunt -  Emily Stanley Tucci -  Nigel Simon Baker -  Christian Thompson Adrian Grenier -  Nate Tracie Thoms -  Lily Rich Sommer -  Doug		Daniel Sunjata -  James Holt David Marshall Grant -  Richard Sachs James Naughton -  Stephen Tibor Feldman -  Irv Ravitz Rebecca Mader -  Jocelyn Jimena Hoyos -  Lucia Gisele Bündchen -  Serena George C. Wolfe -  Paul

How culpable are you when circumstance paints you as some on you are not? It’s often harder to explain why/what/how something happened than it is to go along. Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) finds herself in these circumstances but she chooses not to explain because she figures she’ll not see Chris Matthew (Ralph Fiennes) again. But then the Cinderella effect kicks in and we all know how that’ll go.

Director:  Wayne Wang Writer:  John Hughes; Kevin Wade Cast:
Jennifer Lopez -  Marisa Ventura Ralph Fiennes -  Christopher ‘Chris’ Marshall, N.Y. Assemblyman Natasha Richardson -  Caroline Lane Stanley Tucci -  Jerry Siegel Tyler Garcia Posey -  Ty Ventura Frances Conroy -  Paula Burns Chris Eigeman -  John Bextrum, Personnel Manager Amy Sedaris -  Rachel Hoffberg		Marissa Matrone -  Stephanie Kehoe, Maid Priscilla Lopez -  Veronica Ventura Bob Hoskins -  Lionel Bloch, Beresford Butler Lisa Roberts Gillan -  Cora Maddie Corman -  Leezette Sharon Wilkins -  Clarice, Maid Jayne Houdyshell -  Carmen Marilyn Torres -  Barb, Maid

Sometimes what you think you should expect from someone can be antithetical to what they can exhibit. (i.e. people often have hidden depths). Del Blaine (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is a meek water scientist who wants to be a CSA field agent. Jimmy Tong (Jackie Chan) is a well-meaning but awkward New York City limo driver with a willingness to assume the role of his superspy boss. When the bad guys find them on the roof doing surveillance, Del takes out some of the bad guys while Jimmy shambles about pummeling them into next week.

Director:  Kevin Donovan Writer:  Phil Hay; Matt Manfredi; Michael J. Wilson; Michael Leeson Cast:
Jackie Chan -  Jimmy Tong Jennifer Love Hewitt -  Del Blaine Jason Isaacs -  Clark Devlin Debi Mazar -  Steena Ritchie Coster -  Dietrich Banning Peter Stormare -  Dr. Simms Mia Cottet -  Cheryl Romany Malco -  Mitch		Daniel Kash -  Rogers Jody Racicot -  Kells Boyd Banks -  Vic Scott Wickware -  CSA Agent Wallace Christian Potenza -  CSA Agent Joel Karen Glave -  CSA Agent Randa Scott Yaphe -  CSA Agent Gabe Paul Bates -  Lundeen

Bad guys always seem to figure that their plans will work out the way they want them to. You’d expect they would realize that not everything is within their control. When escaped murderer Thorton Meeks (Matt Schulze) grabs Detective Tracy Arnold (Demi Moore) off the street and wheels away in the panel truck driven by his girlfriend, he expects he can subdue her and gloats that he is going to hang her like his other victims. It soon becomes apparent to him that Tracy is not going gently as she struggles against his attempt to handcuff her, his attempts to pummel her while she is hanging onto the hair of the van’s driver, while the vehicle careens through the street, clipping other cars, disrupting traffic and maneuvering out of control. Meeks’s final embarrassment pops up when the truck twists into stopped autos and Tracy is launched out the door to land on the windshield of a parked car. He has to scamper away to dispose of the van before the police recapture him. He isn’t a happy killer.

Director:  Bruce A. Evans Writer:  Bruce A. Evans; Raynold Gideon Cast:
Kevin Costner -  Mr. Earl Brooks Demi Moore -  Detective Tracy Atwood Dane Cook -  Mr. Smith William Hurt -  Marshall Marg Helgenberger -  Emma Brooks Ruben Santiago-Hudson -  Hawkins Danielle Panabaker -  Jane Brooks Aisha Hinds -  Nancy Hart		Lindsay Crouse -  Captain Lister Jason Lewis -  Jesse Vialo Reiko Aylesworth -  Sheila Matt Schulze -  Thorton Meeks Yasmine Delawari -  Sunday Michael Cole -  Atwood’s Lawyer Jim Farnum -  Master of Ceremonies Megan Brown -  Dance Couple

Sometimes a villain is just a villain. Sometimes they’re a charmer and you wish they weren’t a villain. Sometimes they’re doing a villainous deed for what’s thought to be the right reason. Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) is all of theses and NYPD Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) can’t decide whether he wants his tactical unit to end the bank standoff. Each clue sways him further away from his jurisprudent choices. When it comes right down to it, which is better—justice or the law?

Director:  Spike Lee Writer:  Russell Gewirtz; Adam Erbacher Cast:
Denzel Washington -  Detective Keith Frazier Clive Owen -  Dalton Russell Jodie Foster -  Madeline White Christopher Plummer -  Arthur Case Willem Dafoe -  Captain John Darius Chiwetel Ejiofor -  Detective Bill Mitchell Carlos Andrés Gómez -  Steve Kim Director -  Stevie		James Ransone -  Steve-O Bernard Rachelle -  Chaim Peter Gerety -  Captain Coughlin Victor Colicchio -  Sergeant Collins Cassandra Freeman -  Sylvia Peter Frechette -  Peter Hammond Gerry Vichi -  Herman Gluck Waris Ahluwalia -  Vikram Walia

Most everyone over 18 has gotten drunk at least once and likely done things that they can’t remember the next morning. It is with a degree of chagrin that I must admit it has happened to me more than once. So when Amanda (Cameron Diaz) surfaces one morning after getting blotto, she is somewhat anxious to discover what she may have done, particularly when she finds her underwear strewn about the kitchen. Graham (Jude Law), her host’s brother is partway through some coffee when she shyly asks what happened and what did she do (with a tiny sliver of hope that it wasn’t what is swirling through her thoughts).

Director:  Nancy Meyers Writer:  Nancy Meyers Cast:
Cameron Diaz -  Amanda Kate Winslet -  Iris Jude Law -  Graham Jack Black -  Miles Eli Wallach -  Arthur Edward Burns -  Ethan Rufus Sewell -  Jasper Miffy Englefield -  Sophie		Emma Pritchard -  Olivia Sarah Parish -  Hannah Shannyn Sossamon -  Maggie Bill Macy -  Ernie Shelley Berman -  Norman Kathryn Hahn -  Bristol John Krasinski -  Ben Alex O’Loughlin -  Kissing Couple

If you’re fortunate, you’ll have someone in your life who accepts you as you are with all of your faults, doesn’t pass judgement on what you do and treats you as you deserve. If you are truly lucky that person isn’t even a family member. For Tanzie (Hilary Duff) and Ava Marchetta (Haylie Duff) that person is their housekeeper Inez (Maria Conchita Alonso) who takes them the sisters after the scandal of their family cosmetics company being accused of selling toxic products. She just wraps them in her arms and ushers them into her apartment as if they’d never been away.

Director:  Martha Coolidge Writer:  John Quaintance; Jessica O’Toole; Amy Rardin Cast:
Hilary Duff -  Tanzie Marchetta Haylie Duff -  Ava Marchetta Anjelica Huston -  Fabiella Alejandro Rose-Garcia -  Phone Repairman Maria Conchita Alonso -  Inez Brent Spiner -  Tommy Katzenbach Lukas Haas -  Henry Baines Ty Hodges -  Etienne		Marcus Coloma -  Rick Natalie Lander -  Actress/Model/Whatever Obba Babatundé -  Craig Reagan Dale Neis -  Jaden Henry Cho -  Ned Nakamori Misti Traya -  Martinique Christina R. Copeland -  Brigitta Brandon Beemer -  Mic Rionn

You’re too young. Mom and dad know best. Listen to your parents. You have no idea what you are doing. You’ll have to live with that if you keep it up. Parents are always to willing to offer advice. Even when you thought you didn’t need any. As I grew up, I found that sometimes they were right, sometimes not. Bit I also realized that they didn’t really know what they were talking about, it was just panic chatter. Most of it was guesswork. Some day, Caprice (Selma Blair), aka Ursula Udders, oft naked girl about town, will know that her parents Vaughn (Chris Isaak) and Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman) had only her best interests at heart when they trap and handcuff poor Caprice in a family intervention. But for now, they just want to keep her from throwing her life away. So pharma is their only alternative despite the humping squirrels.

Director:  John Waters Writer:  John Waters Cast:
Tracey Ullman -  Sylvia Stickles Johnny Knoxville -  Ray-Ray Perkins Selma Blair -  Caprice Stickles Chris Isaak -  Vaughn Stickles Suzanne Shepherd -  Big Ethel Mink Stole -  Marge the Neuter Patricia Hearst -  Paige Jackie Hoffman -  Dora		Nicholas E.I. Noble -  Weird Paperboy Lucy Newman-Williams -  Neuter Yuppie Woman Scott Morgan -  Neuter Yuppie Man Wes Johnson -  Fat Fuck Frank David A. Dunham -  Mama Bear Dave Moretti -  Papa Bear Jeffrey Auerbach -  Baby Bear Susan Allenbach -  Betty Doggett

Practically everyone has another that they imbue with the traits they admire and hope to emulate. Not all of them live up to the standards and some pass before their admirer expects. How do you cope with such a change? Most go on with a pall hanging over them.

Frodo (Elijah Wood) and the others are forced to travel through the Mines of Moria. They are attacked by Orcs and a Troll, and run into a Balrog, an ancient demon of shadow and fire, while attempting to cross the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) faces off against the Balrog on the bridge, letting the others escape, while he falls with the creature into the abyss below. What is Frodo to do?

Director:  Peter Jackson Writer:  J.R.R. Tolkien; Frances Walsh; Philippa Boyens; Peter Jackson Cast:
Elijah Wood -  Frodo Baggins Sean Astin -  Sam Gamgee Sean Bean -  Boromir Cate Blanchett -  Galadriel Orlando Bloom -  Legolas Greenleaf Ian Holm -  Bilbo Baggins Ian McKellen -  Gandalf Christopher Lee -  Saruman		Viggo Mortensen -  Aragorn Andy Serkis -  Gollum Billy Boyd -  Pippin Dominic Monaghan -  Merry John Rhys-Davies -  Gimli Liv Tyler -  Arwen Marton Csokas -  Celeborn Ian Mune -  Bounder

Plausibility isn’t often found in some movies. One place I found it was in the characterization of a ‘fire sale.’ Matthew Farrell (Justin Long) uses this term to describe the plan by Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) to systematically shut down the United States infrastructure. It consists of (1) disable all traffic and transportation hubs/systems; (2) disrupt financial sectors and telecommunications and (3) disable water/electric utilities, nuclear systems, and anything else tied into computers. The term comes from the phrase where ‘everything must go.’

Director:  Len Wiseman Writer:  Mark Bomback; David Marconi; John Carlin; Roderick Thorp Cast:
Bruce Willis -  Det. John McClane Timothy Olyphant -  Thomas Gabriel Justin Long -  Matthew Farrell Maggie Q -  Mai Lihn Cliff Curtis -  Deputy Director Miguel Bowman Jonathan Sadowski -  Trey Andrew Friedman -  Casper Kevin Smith -  Frederick Kaludis – ‘Warlock’		Yorgo Constantine -  Robert Russo Cyril Raffaelli -  Rand Chris Palermo -  Del Mary Elizabeth Winstead -  Lucy McClane Sung Kang -  Raj Zeljko Ivanek -  Molina Christina Chang -  Taylor Jake McDorman -  Jim

A friend of mine convinced me that we should attend our high school reunion. Although we went to the same high school and knew one another by name, we didn’t become chums until we were in university. We didn’t see anyone we knew from high school except maybe in passing. All our high school buds seemed to have drifted off to other parts of town, other jobs, other schools or other cities and contact with them waned. There was no email in those days and guys don’t write letters except under protest. So we thought it might be interesting to see how those we knew and those who ran the school had fared. One of us decided we needed some stuff not sold on street corners, at least in our neighbourhoods. So, slightly tight and somewhat buzzed, we strolled into high school and found out that reunions portrayed in movies did emulate life. Maybe it was not as bizzare as that of Martin Blank (John Cusack) but then I’ve never been a freelance hit man, yet. I did see my high school sweetie and she hadn’t fared as well as Debi Newberry ( Minnie Driver ), Martin’s girl. Mine seemed happy with her three kids, her louse of a husband so we got along that evening as best as possible. But then I didn’t stand her up on prom night like Martin did. Debi is not a happy camper but maybe if Martin can prevent her dad from being taken out by another button man, she’ll come around.

Director:  George Armitage Writer:  Tom Jankiewicz; D.V. DeVincentis; Steve Pink; John Cusack Cast:
John Cusack -  Martin Q. Blank Minnie Driver -  Debi Newberry Alan Arkin -  Dr. Oatman Dan Aykroyd -  Grocer Joan Cusack -  Marcella Hank Azaria -  Steven Lardner K. Todd Freeman -  Kenneth McCullers Jeremy Piven -  Paul Spericki		Mitchell Ryan -  Mr. Bart Newberry Michael Cudlitz -  Bob Destepello Benny Urquidez -  Felix La PuBelle Duffy Taylor -  Ultimart Carl Audrey Kissel -  Arlene Carlos Jacott -  Ken Brian Powell -  Husky Man Ann Cusack -  Amy

The new guy is always a target for fun and frolics. Sometimes the tormentors make a mistake. They pick on someone who is able to teach them a lesson in etiquette. Pete Nessip (Wesley Snipes) drops by a jumper bar and plops himself down at a vacant table. But it seems that table is the regular spot for a rowdy team who think they’ll teach him a lesson. Sadly for them, the fight is going badly until Jessie Crossman (Yancy Butler) intervenes to save them from having some appendage broken more than once.

Director:  John Badham Writer:  Tony Griffin; Guy Manos; Peter Barsocchini; John Bishop Cast:
Wesley Snipes -  Pete Nessip Gary Busey -  Ty Moncrief Yancy Butler -  Jessie Crossman Michael Jeter -  Earl Leedy Corin Nemec -  Selkirk Kyle Secor -  Swoop Luca Bercovici -  Jagger Malcolm-Jamal Warner -  Terry Nessip		Grace Zabriskie -  Winona Rex Linn -  Bobby Robert LaSardo -  Deputy Dog Sam Hennings -  Torski Claire Stansfield -  Kara Mickey Jones -  Deuce Andy Romano -  Tom McCracken Rick Zieff -  Mike Milton

Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) is slated to marry Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and she wants to be wed in the family church, St. Augustine’s, which is run by Reverend Frank (Robin Williams). He’ll do it if they pass his patented “marriage preparation” course which involves a number of trials to determine whether the pair are suitable for one another. One involves Sadie driving blindfolded down a street while following Ben’s instructions in order to see how well they trust one another. Does anyone beside me see the foolishness in thinking this is about trust?

Director:  Ken Kwapis Writer:  Kim Barker; Tim Rasmussen; Vince Di Meglio; Wayne Lloyd Cast:
Robin Williams -  Reverend Frank Mandy Moore -  Sadie Jones John Krasinski -  Ben Murphy Eric Christian Olsen -  Carlisle Christine Taylor -  Lindsey Jones Josh Flitter -  Choir Boy DeRay Davis -  Joel Peter Strauss -  Mr. Jones		Grace Zabriskie -  Grandma Jones Roxanne Hart -  Mrs. Jones Mindy Kaling -  Shelley Angela Kinsey -  Judith the Jewelry Clerk Rachael Harris -  Janine Brian Baumgartner -  Jim Jess Rosenthal -  Jewelry Clerk Val Almendarez -  Jewelry Store Customer

It is tough to be taken seriously when you’re blonde even in the IRA. Jude (Miranda Richardson) decides to be a brunette when she returns to enlist the aid of Fergus (Stephen Rea). He thought he’d shed all of the intrigue of the past. She brings it all back now that their cell has moved their activities to London. Fergus declines and Jude threatens his girlfriend Dil (Jaye Davidson), following them around town until he capitulates. As a result he is hustled into a car where Jude plans an assassination that has all the trappings of a suicide run for whomever is sent to lead the assault.

Director:  Neil Jordan Writer:  Neil Jordan Cast:
Forest Whitaker -  Jody Miranda Richardson -  Jude Stephen Rea -  Fergus Adrian Dunbar -  Maguire Breffini McKenna -  Tinker Joe Savino -  Eddie Birdie Sweeney -  Tommy Jaye Davidson -  Dil		Andree Bernard -  Jane Jim Broadbent -  Col Ralph Brown -  Dave Tony Slattery -  Deveroux Jack Carr -  Franknum Josephine White -  Bar Performer 1 Shar Campbell -  Bar Performer 2 Brian Coleman -  Judge

Have you ever met someone with whom you are certain that you’ll be with forever? Nope, neither have I. But watch Selene (Kate Beckinsale) step of that balcony in the rain, clad in that long leather coat and those thigh high buckle-up boots and land with such ease, walking away with grace and you’ll be sure she is the one. Mind you the vampire thing might be something of a problem.

Director:  Len Wiseman; Paul Anderson; David Grabias Writer:  Kevin Grevioux; Len Wiseman; Danny McBride Cast:
Kate Beckinsale -  Selene Scott Speedman -  Michael Corvin Michael Sheen -  Lucian Shane Brolly -  Kraven Bill Nighy -  Viktor Erwin Leder -  Singe Sophia Myles -  Erika Robby Gee -  Kahn		Wentworth Miller -  Dr. Adam Lockwood Kevin Grevioux -  Raze Zita Görög -  Amelia Dennis Kozeluh -  Dignitary Scott McElroy -  Soren Todd Schneider -  Trix Sándor Bolla -  Rigel Hank Amos -  Nathaniel

There comes a time in everyone’s life when you become the first in your lineage. Hellboy (Ron Perlman) learns of his pseudo-dad’s, Professor Broom (John Hurt), death and cradles him in his arms, watches from afar as his casket is carried through the rain and he is uncommunicative for three days until Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) steps up and tells him she is going after the bad guys with him. She’ll brook no argument. Touched, he realizes it is time to grow up, with adulthood yodelling down the canyons of life. He vows that he’ll never give up on her and that he’ll always look this good.

Director:  Guillermo del Toro Writer:  Mike Mignola; Guillermo del Toro; Peter Briggs Cast:
Ron Perlman -  Hellboy John Hurt -  Trevor ‘Broom’ Bruttenholm Selma Blair -  Liz Sherman Rupert Evans -  John Myers Karel Roden -  Grigori Jeffrey Tambor -  Tom Manning Doug Jones -  Abe Sapien Brian Steele -  Sammael		Ladislav Beran -  Kroenen Bridget Hodson -  Ilsa Corey Johnson -  Agent Clay Kevin Trainor -  Young ‘Broom’ Brian Caspe -  Agent Lime James Babson -  Agent Moss Stephen Fisher -  Agent Quarry Garth Cooper -  Agent Stone

Why do women go to the ladies room together? One answer is to fondle one another or, at least, that’s what two lads think as they spy upon Courtney Rockcliffe (Christina Applegate) squeezing her breasts, while another occupant wonders whether they are real, egged on by Christina (Cameron Diaz).

Director:  Roger Kumble Writer:  Nancy Pimental; Nancy M. Pimental Cast:
Lillian Adams -  Aunt Frida Herbert Ankrom -  Wedding Guest #3 Bryan Anthony -  Geeky Guy Christina Applegate -  Courtney Rockcliffe Linda Asuma -  Brawling Bridesmaid Jason Bateman -  Roger Donahue Vahe Bejan -  Taxi Driver Joe Bellan -  Mr. Martin		Selma Blair -  Jane Burns Chelsea Lee Bond -  Greta Alexander S. Chance -  Wedding Guest #1 Judith Chapman -  Judy’s Mother Charlie Dell -  Wedding Priest Richard Denni -  Gramps Cameron Diaz -  Christina Walters Timothy J. Dodge -  Bar Counter Guy

Memory is about all we have to distinguish us from everybody else. We could all look like an androgynous Arnold Schwarzenegger but it would be our memories which would forge us into the persons we are. So the implant of false memories even for something as trivial as a fake holiday like they do at Rekall can cause some consternation if it isn’t done properly. This happened to Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and it really plays havoc with his personality and his life. You see it was fake to begin with so that friends aren’t really and his wife Lori (Sharon Stone) isn’t. At least she is honest with him, explaining that what’s there now is only two months old after trying to kick him into next week.

Director:  Paul Verhoeven Writer:  Philip K. Dick; Ronald Shusett; Dan O’Bannon; Jon Povill; Gary Goldman Cast:
Arnold Schwarzenegger -  Douglas Quaid/Hauser Rachel Ticotin -  Melina Sharon Stone -  Lori Ronny Cox -  Vilos Cohaagen Michael Ironside -  Richter Marshall Bell -  George/Kuato Mel Johnson Jr. -  Benny Michael Champion -  Helm		Roy Brocksmith -  Dr. Edgemar Ray Baker -  Bob McClane Rosemary Dunsmore -  Dr. Lull David Knell -  Ernie Alexia Robinson -  Tiffany Dean Norris -  Tony Mark Carlton -  Bartender Debbie Lee Carrington -  Thumbelina

Most crimes that police investigate involve ones against other persons or ones involving property. Property can be replaced or repaired. But what about people? How can they be fixed? Civilized society prescribes that incarceration is about the best they can do. But is that enough? Sometimes healing requires other avenues. Alice (Gillian Anderson) has let society try but it has given her no satisfaction. She decided the perps need a remedial less in what revenge can mean. Notwithstanding their excuses for their crimes, some folks have trouble in understand what goes around comes around. But they will.

Director:  Dan Reed Writer:  Dan Reed Cast:
Danny Dyer -  Adam Gillian Anderson -  Alice Adam Rayner -  Jago Antony Byrne -  Misha Anthony Calf -  Heffer		Ralph Brown -  Jamie Steven Robertson -  Bill Gugu Mbatha-Raw -  Young PA Neil Finnighan -  Man On Horse Francesca Fowler -  Sophie

Do you ever wonder if some of these actors are as smart as they appear in the movies and on TV? Or are they as dumb as a bag of rocks? I’d imagine it is somewhere in between. However, when Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) is picking up a few bucks by tutoring some actors in the rules of poker, you hope that Barry Watson, Shane West, Holly Marie Combs, Topher Grace and Joshua Jackson are smarter than how they come across.

Director:  Steven Soderbergh Writer:  George Clayton Johnson; Jack Golden Russell; Harry Brown; Charles Lederer; Ted Griffin Cast:
George Clooney -  Danny Ocean Brad Pitt -  Rusty Ryan Bernie Mac -  Frank Catton Elliott Gould -  Reuben Tishkoff Casey Affleck -  Virgil Malloy Scott Caan -  Turk Malloy Eddie Jemison -  Livingston Dell Shaobo Qin -  Yen		Carl Reiner -  Saul Bloom Matt Damon -  Linus Caldwell Andy Garcia -  Terry Benedict Julia Roberts -  Tess Ocean Jerry Weintraub -  High Roller James Curatola -  Baccarat Dealer Henry Silva -  Himself Eydie Gorme -  Herself

He self-tans. He eats vitamins like they’re Viagra. He dates girls that were born the same day as they invented the cell phone. He is married to Laurel Hedare (Sharon Stone). George Hedare (Lambert Wilson) is losing it as he has discovered that his new product mains and disfigures the women who stop using it. His chief scientist has been murdered and his wife has turned literally to stone after years of using these cosmetics. No wonder he is panicked.

Director:  Pitof Writer:  Bob Kane; Theresa Rebeck; John D. Brancato; Michael Ferris; John Rogers Cast:
Halle Berry -  Patience Phillips/Catwoman Benjamin Bratt -  Tom Lone Sharon Stone -  Laurel Hedare Lambert Wilson -  George Hedare Frances Conroy -  Ophelia Alex Borstein -  Sally Michael Massee -  Armando Byron Mann -  Wesley		Kim Smith -  Drina Christopher Heyerdahl -  Rocker Peter Wingfield -  Dr. Ivan Slavicky Berend McKenzie -  Lance Chase Nelson-Murray -  Kid #1 Manny Petruzzelli -  Kid #2 Harley Reiner -  Kid #3 Ona Grauer -  Sandy

Peter Colt’s (Paul Bettany) agent Ron Roth (Jon Favreau) ducked and skipped his calls for the better part of a year. Now that Peter is in the limelight and Ron is back to slime his way into representing him for endorsements once again. Ron seems to everywhere disrupting people and events just to get his percentage. How much pond scum can one man spread before he clears a room?

Director:  Richard Loncraine Writer:  Adam Brooks; Jennifer Flackett; Mark Levin Cast:
Kirsten Dunst -  Lizzie Bradbury Paul Bettany -  Peter Colt Kyle Hyde -  Monte Carlo Opponent Robert Lindsay -  Ian Frazier Celia Imrie -  Mrs. Kenwood Penny Ryder -  Mrs. Littlejohn Annabel Leventon -  Mrs. Rossdale Amanda Walker -  Country Club Tennis Lady		James McAvoy -  Carl Colt Bernard Hill -  Edward Colt Eleanor Bron -  Augusta Colt Marina Morgan -  Hotel Receptionist Barry Jackson -  Danny Oldham Nikolaj Coster-Waldau -  Dieter Prohl Sam Neill -  Dennis Bradbury Beti Sekulovski -  Lizzie’s 1st Opponent

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

Sometimes you meet somebody who does you a good turn for no reason whatsoever. You’re puzzled by it but you’re grateful too. Especially if it doesn’t happen often. Marv (Mickey Rourke) is not a nice guy. He’s been to prison for despicable acts and doesn’t see much of a future for himself. When he finds himself trapped with Lucille (Carla Gugino), his lesbian parole officer who has done well by him, he decides that she needs rescuing. Trapped in a makeshift cell with her, after being mutilated by Kevin (Elijah Wood), the silent cannibal, Marv decides it is time for them to escape and wreak revenge. A little rubber tubing, some razor fencing, a hacksaw, an axe are all the tools he needs to show Kev that he shouldn’t play with his food.

Director:  Frank Miller; Robert Rodriguez; Quentin Tarantino Writer:  Frank Miller Cast:
Jessica Alba -  Nancy Callahan Devon Aoki -  Miho Alexis Bledel -  Becky Powers Boothe -  Senator Roark Rosario Dawson -  Gail Benicio Del Toro -  Jackie Boy Michael Clarke Duncan -  Manute Carla Gugino -  Lucille		Josh Hartnett -  The Man Rutger Hauer -  Cardinal Roark Jaime King -  Goldie / Wendy Michael Madsen -  Bob Brittany Murphy -  Shellie Clive Owen -  Dwight McCarthy Mickey Rourke -  Marv Nick Stahl -  Roark Jr. / Yellow Bastard

Tom Stansfield (Ashton Kutcher) leaves his brain in the wash when he sees an opportunity to romance Lisa Taylor (Tara Reid), his boss’s daughter. In a foolish moment of weakness that he sees as a date and she sees as a favour, he agrees to house-sit overnight for her family. Both you and I know that a evening of chaos with strange visitors, wacky incidents, loss of control and near disasters will ensue.

Director:  David Zucker Writer:  David Dorfman Cast:
Ashton Kutcher -  Tom Stansfield Tara Reid -  Lisa Taylor Jeffrey Tambor -  Ken Andy Richter -  Red Taylor Michael Madsen -  T.J. Jon Abrahams -  Paul David Koechner -  Speed Carmen Electra -  Tina		Kenan Thompson -  Hans Patrick Cranshaw -  Old Man Terence Stamp -  Jack Taylor Molly Shannon -  Audrey Bennett Mark Aisbett -  Commuter Tyler Labine -  Spike Ryan Zwick -  Delivery Boy Angela Little -  Sheryl

I suppose if I were ten, I’d think that this is one of the bestest movies ever made. Never mind that Ecuador could sub for southern California, that none of the characters seem to be able to find their asses with radar, that their actions seem to be the antithesis of their stated goals, that their moms would soap out their potty mouths and that they seem to score as much dope as they can consume. It is still the bestest.

Director:  Fred Wolf Writer:  Peter Gaulke; Fred Wolf Cast:
Steve Zahn -  Peter Gaulke Allen Covert -  Fred Wolf Jonah Hill -  Cooker Kevin Heffernan -  Whitaker Ashley Scott -  Cheryl Peter Dante -  Danny Guiterrez Harry Hamlin -  Sky Pierson Robert Patrick -  Gus Hayden		Joe Don Baker -  Bill Calhoun Blake Clark -  Dick Justin Long -  Junior Jeff Garlin -  Ed Lawson Ernest Borgnine -  Milas Jake Abel -  Conservationist Kevin Alejandro -  Hispanic Man #1 Rick Batalla -  Johnny B

Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) is the captain of the Flying Dutchman, a legendary ghost ship which haunts the seas in search of cursed souls to serve upon his vessel for a century. He was unable to bear the pain of losing his one true love so he carved out his heart and stored it in the Dead Man’s Chest. As time passes, he has evolved into a creature that is part octopus, part crab and part man. The first time you see him and his wiggly tentacles, you’ll think that Cthulhu spent a sweaty weekend away with one of his female acolytes.

Director:  Gore Verbinski Writer:  Ted Elliott; Terry Rossio; Stuart Beattie; Jay Wolpert Cast:
Johnny Depp -  Jack Sparrow Orlando Bloom -  Will Turner Keira Knightley -  Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport -  Norrington Bill Nighy -  Davy Jones Jonathan Pryce -  Governor Weatherby Swann Lee Arenberg -  Pintel Mackenzie Crook -  Ragetti		Kevin McNally -  Gibbs Tom Hollander -  Lord Cutler Beckett Stellan Skarsgård -  Bootstrap Bill David Bailie -  Cotton Naomie Harris -  Tia Dalma Martin Klebba -  Marty Alex Norton -  Captain Bellamy Lauren Maher -  Scarlett