Can children learn from the experience of thier parents or are they doomed to proceed on their own and repeat the mistakes of life? After a mediocre score, Page Conners (Jennifer Love Hewitt) threatens to go on the con alone, figuring she knows enough to go solo, and leave her mother and partner Max (Sigourney Weaver) behind. Mom tries to make Page understand how cold and uncaring the world can be but it doesn’t seem that Page is paying much attention. Her mind is made up. Oh dear…

Director:  David Mirkin Writer:  Robert Dunn; Paul Guay; Stephen Mazur Cast:
Sigourney Weaver -  Max Conners Jennifer Love Hewitt -  Page Conners Ray Liotta -  Dean Cumanno/Vinny Staggliano Jason Lee -  Jack Withrowe Anne Bancroft -  Gloria Vogal/Barbara Jeffrey Jones -  Mr. Appel Gene Hackman -  William B. Tensy Nora Dunn -  Miss Madress		Julio Oscar Mechoso -  Leo Ricky Jay -  Dawson’s Auctioneer Sarah Silverman -  Linda Zach Galifianakis -  Bill Michael Hitchcock -  Davis Pierre Gonneau -  Priest at First Wedding Shawn Colvin -  Minister at Second Wedding Michael Andrew -  Wedding Band Leader

I was watching my umpteenth Steven Seagal movie, cheering when the good guys triumphed, hissing when the bad guys did something nefarious and wondering once again whether they speed up the camera when he does those marital arts hand moves. All of a sudden, the bad guys dropped out the helicopter in the rain onto the prison roof. One of them sweeps around a long leather coat with the rain dripping off it in a broad spray and Nia Peeples takes centre stage. All I could do was gape at her presence in that leather outfit with the cropped top and blue eye makeup. I’m sure that guys watching this everywhere gave pause and realized that their hearts were going pitty-pat.

Director:  Don Michael Paul Writer:  Don Michael Paul Cast:
Steven Seagal -  Sasha Morris Chestnut -  49er One Ja Rule -  Nick Nia Peeples -  49er Six Tony Plana -  El Fuego Kurupt -  Twitch Michael ‘Bear’ Taliferro -  Little Joe Claudia Christian -  Williams		Linda Thorson -  Jane McPherson Bruce Weitz -  Lester Michael McGrady -  Bad Ass Guard Hannes Jaenicke -  Agent Hartmann Matt Battaglia -  49er Three Wiliam T. Bowers -  Alcatraz Guard Ross King -  FBI Agent Stephen J. Cannell -  Hubbard

In each life there are a number of rites of passage. Some are simple, some are strange and some are confusing. One I remember as a highlight was the first time I was allowed to go to the corner store by myself. I had no idea what I wanted to buy, it was being allowed out on my own to spend my pennies that filled my mind. I remember the journey but not the purchase. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), who is turning eleven, is ushered into Mr. Ollivander’s (John Hurt) shop by Rubeus Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ) to buy a wand. He’s breathless to see all of the choices available. He has some trouble in finding the right one but Mr. Ollivander is up to the challenge. Harry agrees and stumbles distractedly out of the shop. He bought something on his own.

Director:  Chris Columbus Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Richard Harris -  Albus Dumbledore Maggie Smith -  Professor Minerva McGonagall Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid Saunders Triplets -  Harry Potter (Age 1) Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia		Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Ian Hart -  Professor Quirrell Ben Borowiecki -  Diagon Alley Boy Warwick Davis -  Professor Flitwick/Goblin Bank Teller Vern Troyer -  Griphook the Goblin John Hurt -  Mr. Ollivander Matthew Lewis -  Neville Longbottom

How do you get your parents to listen to you? They’re too busy to take the time you need to explain why your life sucks. Some advice would help. So why not lock them in the basement. ‘Grover’ Beindorf (Kyle Howard) and his buddies stock the cellar and barricade the door after luring his parents, Janet (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Ned (Kevin Pollak) down there. It gives them time to realize why they together and why they want to stay that way.

Director:  Harry Winer Writer:  Michael Hitchcock Cast:
Kyle Howard -  Gregory Alan ‘Grover’ Beindorf Russel Harper -  T.J. Krupp Jamie Lee Curtis -  Janet Beindorf Kevin Pollak -  Ned Beindorf Amy Sakasitz -  Stacy Beindorf Mooky Arizona -  Matt Finley Caroline Aaron -  Louise Finley Alex Seitz -  Jimmy Finley		Josh Wolford -  Teddy Finley Wallace Shawn -  Victor ‘Vic’ Finley Jennifer Love Hewitt -  Brooke Figler Patrika Darbo -  Cafetaria Cashier Ray Walston -  Chief Rocco Christopher McDonald -  Donald Krupp Colleen Camp -  Mrs. Burtis Sheila McCarthy -  Gwenna Krupp

I’ve met and known a number of people for whom others line up and are entranced by. Some are bewildered by the process, others are just happy that somebody else is interested in what they do and a few bathe in the spotlight and figure they deserve the adulation. But I’d have to say that I only know a couple like Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), a chronic inept self-promoter. His act at the signing of his book, with the women swooning and the men rolling their eyes, is one I’ve seen but made me wish I were elsewhere. It isn’t much of a surprise to know that folks like him go on to bigger and better stunts but the number of repeat visitors seem to diminish with each audience.

Director:  Chris Columbus Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Toby Jones -  Dobby the House Elf (voice) Jim Norton -  Mr. Mason		Veronica Clifford -  Mrs. Mason James Phelps -  Fred Weasley Oliver Phelps -  George Weasley Julie Walters -  Molly Weasley Bonnie Wright -  Ginny Weasley Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley Chris Rankin -  Percy Weasley Tom Felton -  Draco Malfoy