Richard Matheson’s novel, I Am Legend, would be in my Top 10 Novels if I kept such a list. I thought The Omega Man (1971) was a terrific movie when I saw it at the drive-in on a triple bill with two other fine representatives of the post-apocalyptic style of film making. I don’t remember whether the others were zombie fare, atomic blast survival types or some other class of movie. I didn’t think the Heston film did the novel justice but it caught the flavour of the book. So this new third version of the novel had to go some ways to impress. About 30 minutes in, I decided to ignore my memories of the other versions and just enjoy the movie as it stands. Forget comparisons. There are too many differences.

Robert Neville (Will Smith) is immune to the virus. So he spends his days roaming the city, hoping to find other survivors, and his nights trying to find something that will let him reverse the disease. After almost three years, he is getting a little loopy, taking needless chances, talking to clothing dummies and wondering whether he should continue. But he has nothing else to do other than destroy things with his cars, his guns, his traps. He’s a guy on edge. He could really use a weekend at the beach but instead he decides to figure out why one of his dummies has been moved. And all it take is one stupid misstep and his world starts to crack.

Director:  Francis Lawrence Writer:  Mark Protosevich; Akiva Goldsman; Richard Matheson; John William Corrington; Joyce Hooper Corrington Cast:
Will Smith -  Robert Neville Alice Braga -  Anna Charlie Tahan -  Ethan Salli Richardson -  Zoe Neville Willow Smith -  Marley Neville Darrell Foster -  Mike – Military Escort April Grace -  TV Personality Dash Mihok -  Alpha Male		Joanna Numata -  Alpha Female Abby -  Sam Kona -  Sam Samuel Glen -  Military Driver – Jay James Michael McCauley -  Male Evacuee Marin Ireland -  Woman Evacuee Pedro Mojica -  Sergeant Anthony C. Mazza -  Evacuation Cop

It is hard to deny what you are. At the same time, it is nobody’s business but your own. How do you cope with events when someone finally says something that most folks have been thinking but are too polite to voice? That is the conundrum facing Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline). He doesn’t think he is but he hasn’t thought much about it while he hasn’t been able to evade all of the stereotypes that most people associate with being gay—his love of show tunes, his theatrical mannerisms and his waiting until his wedding to sleep with his fiancee. And then there is his attempt to absorb the rules on a motivational tape, “Be a Man,” while compulsively and frantically cleaning house to the music of ABBA.

Director:  Frank Oz Writer:  Paul Rudnick Cast:
Kevin Kline -  Howard Brackett Joan Cusack -  Emily Montgomery Matt Dillon -  Cameron Drake Debbie Reynolds -  Berniece Brackett Wilford Brimley -  Frank Brackett Bob Newhart -  Tom Halliwell Tom Selleck -  Peter Malloy Deborah Rush -  Ava Blazer		Lewis J. Stadlen -  Ed Kenrow Gregory Jbara -  Walter Brackett Shalom Harlow -  Sonya J. Smith-Cameron -  Trina Paxton Kate McGregor-Stewart -  Aunt Becky Shawn Hatosy -  Jack Zak Orth -  Mike Lauren Ambrose -  Vicky

There are times when I figure I’ve been possessed. I know it wasn’t me that bought that CD and I know I’d never by something in that colour. Anton Tobias (Devon Sawa) is in the same boat since the Dark Lord Himself has taken possession of his right hand causing him to drive a broken bottle into Mick’s (Seth Green) face and take a radial saw blade to slice off Pnub’s (Elden Henson) head. And then things really get weird. On the plus side, Mick and Pnub do reappear (as zombies though) after they duct tape his head back on.

Director:  Rodman Flender Writer:  Terri Hughes; Ron Milbauer; Terry Hughes Cast:
Devon Sawa -  Anton Tobias Seth Green -  Mick Elden Henson -  Pnub Jessica Alba -  Molly Vivica A. Fox -  Debi LeCure Christopher Hart -  The Hand Jack Noseworthy -  Randy Katie Wright -  Tanya		Sean Whalen -  McMacy Nick Sadler -  Ruck Fred Willard -  Dad Tobias Connie Ray -  Mom Tobias Steve Van Wormer -  Curtis Kelly Monaco -  Tiffany Timothy Stack -  Principal Tidwell Joey Slotnick -  Burger Jungle Manager

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

Denial in the face of overwhelming evidence is not a smart position to take, particularly when it could affect whether you die. Barry Cox (Ryan Phillippe) gets run down by a Beamer late one night and a guy wearing a sou’wester with a hook pops out and stands over him with murderous intent in his demeanour. The next day in hospital with his co-conspirators Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Barry is still denying that someone or something is out for revenge. He may want to rethink that position.

Director:  Jim Gillespie Writer:  Lois Duncan; Kevin Williamson Cast:
Jennifer Love Hewitt -  Julie James Sarah Michelle Gellar -  Helen Shivers Ryan Phillippe -  Barry William Cox Freddie Prinze Jr. -  Ray Bronson Bridgette Wilson -  Elsa Shivers Anne Heche -  Melissa ‘Missy’ Egan Johnny Galecki -  Max Neurick Muse Watson -  Benjamin Willis		Stuart Greer -  Officer David Caporizo J. Don Ferguson -  Emcee Deborah Hobart -  Mrs. James Mary McMillan -  Mrs. Cox Rasool J’Han -  Deb Dan Albright -  Sheriff Lynda Clark -  Pageant Official Shea Broom -  Contestant #1