Over the years, I’ve made (and lost) a number of friends. As I get older, I find it harder to make a new one. It seems easy to make an acquaintance but to have that relationship turn into a friendship is rare. So watching Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) get to know his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) prompts a number of pleasant memories of friends past and present. Despite Lupin’s shortcomings and his unfortunate lack of manners when transformed, he’s still someone that Harry can count on for sage advice and useful information.

Director:  Alfonso Cuarón Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Michael Gambon -  Albus Dumbledore Maggie Smith -  Professor Minerva McGonagall Alan Rickman -  Professor Severus Snape Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid		Matthew Lewis -  Neville Longbottom Pam Ferris -  Aunt Marge Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Adrian Rawlins -  James Potter Geraldine Somerville -  Lily Potter Lee Ingleby -  Stan Shunpike Lenny Henry -  Shrunken Head

There comes a time in a man’s life when he finds himself in need of some friends. Someone who will stand at your side, back you up, if necessary, and do what is needed to offer succor should the need arise. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) finds himself in just such a situation when three hard men out of Philly come around his cafe after a TV report on his actions to prevent a robbery. The lads think he is a guy they knew back in the day but the locals in this middle America town stand ready to defend him.

Director:  David Cronenberg Writer:  John Wagner; Vince Locke; Josh Olson Cast:
Viggo Mortensen -  Tom Stall Maria Bello -  Edie Stall Ed Harris -  Carl Fogarty William Hurt -  Richie Cusack Ashton Holmes -  Jack Stall Peter MacNeill -  Sheriff Sam Carney Stephen McHattie -  Leland Jones Greg Bryk -  William Orser		Sumela Kay -  Judy Danvers Kyle Schmid -  Bobby Jordan Deborah Drakeford -  Charlotte Gerry Quigley -  Mick Heidi Hayes -  Sarah Stall Aidan Devine -  Charlie Roarke Bill MacDonald -  Frank Mulligan Michelle McCree -  Jenny Wyeth

Babes with guns in skimpy frocks threatened by evil psychopaths in fast cars. Who wouldn’t be interested in this? I’m sure there are a few but I don’t number myself among them. So when Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) awakens to find herself in bed with not her boyfriend, I’m paying attention. And knowing that she is in jeopardy so she scampers into the motel bathroom in her undies after poking John Ryder (Sean Bean) with a lighted lamp bulb—that’d smart—and prevents him from forcing open the door by grabbing the revolver from the edge of the sink, I’m thinking she is a lot stronger than she looks. Now being in a locked room in your skivvies isn’t a place most folks feel comfortable, despite having a gun. So with grim determination and not a lot of clothes, she pulls on her boots, steps into her tiny skirt and top and goes in search of her boyfriend who is overdue in returning from looking for a pay phone. I’m sure she’s not going to give an inch if threatened. And once in the motel parking lot when she finds Jim (Zachary Knighton) chained between a truck and a trailer, I’m not cheering for the killer, given the look in her eye.

Director:  Dave Meyers Writer:  Eric Red; Jake Wade Wall; Eric Bernt Cast:
Sean Bean -  John Ryder Sophia Bush -  Grace Andrews Zachary Knighton -  Jim Halsey Neal McDonough -  Lt. Esteridge Kyle Davis -  Buford’s Store Clerk Skip O’Brien -  Sheriff Harlan Bremmer Sr. Travis Schuldt -  Deputy Harlan Bremmer Jr. Danny Bolero -  Officer Edwards		Jeffrey Hutchinson -  Young Father Yara Martinez -  Beth Lauren Cohn -  Marlene Michael J. Fisher -  Transport Guard #2 Joseph Michael Self -  Transport Guard #1 Brad Robinson -  Correctional Officer Kurt Grossi -  Officer Franklin Kurt Bryant -  Paramedic

How is a kid supposed to react when your mom wants you to be something that you have yet to gather the capacity to judge whether you want it? Sure, you figure it is what you want but how do you come to grips with it when you have known hardly much else? But your mom is in a position to make it happen. Velme von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) has rigged the Miss Hairspray contest so her daughter will win but when it is made public, she doesn’t want it. She would rather be her own person.

Director:  Adam Shankman; John Waters Writer:  Leslie Dixon; John Waters; Mark O’Donnell; Thomas Meehan Cast:
John Travolta -  Edna Turnblad Michelle Pfeiffer -  Velma von Tussle Christopher Walken -  Wilbur Turnblad Amanda Bynes -  Penny Pingleton James Marsden -  Corny Collins Queen Latifah -  Motormouth Maybelle Brittany Snow -  Amber von Tussle Zac Efron -  Link Larkin		Elijah Kelley -  Seaweed Allison Janney -  Prudy Pingleton Nikki Blonsky -  Tracy Turnblad Taylor Parks -  Little Inez Jayne Eastwood -  Miss Wimsey Paul Dooley -  Mr. Spritzer Jerry Stiller -  Mr. Pinky Darren Frost -  Cameraman

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