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

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

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

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

Why do adults think that kids don’t know what they are doing? After getting the cryptic letter codes from the Silence Dogood letters needed to locate the next clue in their scavenger hunt for the legendary Knights Templar treasure, Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) wonders aloud whether the copied results are correct. The young lad next to him gives him the hairy eyeball implying that is question he may regret asking.

Director:  Jon Turteltaub Writer:  Jim Kouf; Oren Aviv; Charles Segars; Cormac Wibberley; Marianne Wibberley Cast:
Nicolas Cage -  Ben Gates Diane Kruger -  Abigail Chase Justin Bartha -  Riley Poole Sean Bean -  Ian Howe Jon Voight -  Patrick Gates Harvey Keitel -  Sadusky Christopher Plummer -  John Adams Gates David Dayan Fisher -  Shaw		Stewart Finlay-McLennan -  Powell Oleg Taktarov -  Shippen Stephen Pope -  Phil Annie Parisse -  Agent Dawes Mark Pellegrino -  Agent Johnson Armando Riesco -  Agent Hendricks Erik King -  Agent Colfax Don McManus -  Dr. Stan Herbert

Coolest escape ever? It could be when Alice (Milla Jovovich) is chased by Nemesis (Matthew Taylor) and she barrels through a window, slips into the offices and finds herself stranded in a blind hallway. Without hesitating, she bullets a hole in the wall, slides onto her back with guns blazing backwards over her head to slow down Nemesis, hurtles into an air shaft, slides down into a basement, tips over a dumpster just before an explosive round detonates in the shaft.

Director:  Alexander Witt   Cast:
Milla Jovovich -  Alice Sienna Guillory -  Jill Valentine Oded Fehr -  Carlos Oliviera Thomas Kretschmann -  Major Cain Sophie Vavasseur -  Angie Ashford Razaaq Adoti -  Sgt. Peyton Wells Jared Harris -  Dr. Charles Ashford Mike Epps -  L.J.		Sandrine Holt -  Terri Morales Matthew Taylor -  Nemesis Malcolm Xerxes -  Featured City Hall Undead #1 Deborah Valente -  Tech Natalie Charles -  Refugee #2 Tom Gerhardt -  Zombie Dad Michy Gustavia -  Featured City Hall Undead #2 Shane Mackinnon -  Featured City Hall Undead #3

Often it is the simplest thing that let’s you know that things are developing as they should. When Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) takes up the mantle as leader of Dumbledore’s Army to practice their defensive magic in preparation for battle with Lord Voldemort, it is Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) who shows it can be done by succeeding where he failed in past attempts and who shows what motivates them when seeing the picture of his parents.

Director:  David Yates Writer:  Michael Goldenberg; J.K. Rowling Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Miles Jupp -  TV Weatherman Fiona Shaw -  Petunia Dursley Richard Griffiths -  Vernon Dursley Geraldine Somerville -  Lily Potter		Ralph Fiennes -  Lord Voldemort Natalia Tena -  Nymphadora Tonks Brendan Gleeson -  Alastor ‘Mad-­Eye’ Moody George Harris -  Kingsley Shacklebolt Bridgette Millar -  Emmeline Vance Gary Oldman -  Sirius Black Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley David Thewlis -  Remus Lupin

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

Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is a brilliant scientist and Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finds him to be a kindred spirit after meeting with him to get some background for a school report. He may be the mentor for which Peter has been searching as he has time for both romance and science much like Peter would like to have with Mary Jane Parker (Kirsten Dunst). But Peter’s view of him is sadly torn asunder when he discovers that this kind and gentle soul has morphed into Doc Ock following the laboratory accident which has fused mechanical arms to his body and killed his beloved.

Director:  Sam Raimi Writer:  Stan Lee; Steve Ditko; Alfred Gough; Miles Millar; Michael Chabon; Alvin Sargent Cast:
Tobey Maguire -  Spider-Man/Peter Parker Kirsten Dunst -  Mary Jane Watson James Franco -  Harry Osborn Alfred Molina -  Doc Ock/Dr. Otto Octavius Rosemary Harris -  May Parker J.K. Simmons -  J. Jonah Jameson Donna Murphy -  Rosalie Octavius Daniel Gillies -  John Jameson		Dylan Baker -  Dr. Curt Connors Bill Nunn -  Joseph ‘Robbie’ Robertson Vanessa Ferlito -  Louise Aasif Mandvi -  Mr. Aziz Willem Dafoe -  Green Goblin/Norman Osborn Cliff Robertson -  Ben Parker Ted Raimi -  Hoffman Elizabeth Banks -  Miss Brant

I’ve lost a few friends for what I consider viable reasons. I can always trace back why it happened and what part I played in its happening. I feel no pride in losing a friend and its sadness haunts me to this day. But my conscience is clear. That wasn’t always the case. When I was young and stupid, I tossed away some relationships that filled me with regret upon recollection. Some I was able to repair. Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) probably felt that way when he told Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to piss off in a fit of pique and jealousy. But he is young, he’ll learn. Just because you know someone who can do stuff better than you can, may get a few more breaks and has an easy manner about them, it is no reason to slag them off. There are always more that they can’t do or don’t have than that which cause you to do something stupid.

Director:  Mike Newell Writer:  Steven Kloves; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley James Phelps -  Fred Weasley Oliver Phelps -  George Weasley Bonnie Wright -  Ginny Weasley Jeff Rawle -  Amos Diggory		Robert Pattinson -  Cedric Diggory Jason Isaacs -  Lucius Malfoy Tom Felton -  Draco Malfoy Stanislav Ianevski -  Viktor Krum Michael Gambon -  Albus Dumbledore Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid Robert Hardy -  Cornelius Fudge Eric Sykes -  Frank Bryce

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

Betrayal. It is always a shock to find out that our trust has been breached and it makes you tentative in who you will vest an interest. Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) attends an auction to meet an old family friend and runs into a rival, Alex West (Daniel Craig) who swiped a prayer wheel or two out from under her. He’s still upset and doesn’t know how to reconcile the situation (I suppose they could start by swapping tips on how to do accents). She follows Wilson (Leslie Phillips) to his office, explaining how the clockwork device came into her possession, what she has found so far and asking how she can learn more. It is apparent to anyone watching that he is lying when he tells her that he knows nothing about the mechanism. Later, he calls Lara with a tip on who might know more as a slight attempt to salvage the shame he feels for deceiving her.

Director:  Simon West Writer:  Sara B. Cooper; Mike Werb; Michael Colleary; Simon West; Patrick Massett; John Zinman Cast:
Angelina Jolie -  Lara Croft Jon Voight -  Lord Richard Croft Iain Glen -  Manfred Powell Noah Taylor -  Bryce Daniel Craig -  Alex West Richard Johnson -  Distinguished Gentleman Christopher Barrie -  Hillary Julian Rhind-Tutt -  Mr. Pimms		Leslie Phillips -  Wilson Robert Phillips -  Julius, Assault Team Leader Rachel Appleton -  Young Lara Henry Wyndham -  Boothby’s Auctioneer David Y. Cheung -  Head Laborer David K.S. Tse -  Head Laborer Ozzie Yue -  Aged Buddhist Monk Wai-Keat Lau -  Young Buddhist Monk

William Stryker (Brian Cox) has a duplicitous nature. He’ll show one side of his personality to one group and another to the a second one. Unfortunately, for the good guys, he has the ear of the President (Cotter Smith) after an astonishing attempt on his life by the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming). And the Prez is ready to sign off on a special operation to round up what some term a terrorist training camp and others see as a school in upstate New York. With it approved, Stryker can now continue his war on all mutants despite Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) being in his employ. Past animosities between Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellan) ar suspended when they realize there is a new kid in the sandbox and he has got bigger toys.

Director:  Bryan Singer Writer:  Zak Penn; David Hayter; Bryan Singer; Michael Dougherty; Dan Harris Cast:
Patrick Stewart -  Professor Charles Xavier Hugh Jackman -  Logan/Wolverine Ian McKellen -  Eric Lensherr/Magneto Halle Berry -  Storm/Ororo Munroe Famke Janssen -  Jean Grey James Marsden -  Scott Summers/Cyclops Anna Paquin -  Rogue Rebecca Romijn-Stamos -  Mystique		Brian Cox -  William Stryker Alan Cumming -  Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler Bruce Davison -  Senator Kelly Aaron Stanford -  John Allerdyce/Pyro Shawn Ashmore -  Bobby Drake/Iceman Kelly Hu -  Yuriko Oyama Katie Stuart -  Kitty Pryde Kea Wong -  Jubilee

It’s hard to grieve the loss of someone you love. About all you have is your memories and perhaps somewhere which marks their life. Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) lost his girl Abby Taylor (Polly Shannon) in an earlier movie, Stone Cold (2005). He visits her grave, kneels, chokes up, squeezes out a tear at the memory of her death.

Director:  Robert Harmon Writer:  J.T. Allen; Tom Selleck; Michael Brandman; Robert B. Parker Cast:
Tom Selleck -  Chief Jesse Stone Edward Edwards -  Bishop Matt Barr -  Hooker Royce Gary Basaraba -  Norman Shaw Orla Brady -  Lilly Summers Debra Christofferson -  Mrs. Snyder Viola Davis -  Molly Crane John Diehl -  Jerry Snyder		Joe the Dog -  Reggie Brendan Kelly -  Lovey Norris John MacLaren -  ER Doctor Stephen McHattie -  Captain Healy Liisa Repo-Martell -  Carole Genest Vito Rezza -  Anthony D’Angelo Kerri Smith -  Sister Mary John Kohl Sudduth -  Luther ‘Suitcase’ Simpson

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

Sneaky, creepy guys bluster and chatter like squirrels and they have a predilection for going after the girls. Harvey Morris (A.J. Buckley) and his two buddies arrive at Crystal Martin’s (Jennifer Sipes) trailer eager to punish her for talking to the good guys about a secret council meeting. They try intimidation and move on to rape to show how manly they are.

Director:  Tripp Reed; Earl Bellamy Writer:  Joe Halpin; Brian Strasmann; Howard B. Kreitsek Cast:
Kevin Sorbo -  Nick Prescott Yvette Nipar -  Agent Kate Jensen A.J. Buckley -  Harvey Morris Gail Cronauer -  Emma Prescott Bentley Mitchum -  Walter Morris Haley Ramm -  Samantha Jensen Jennifer Sipes -  Crystal Martin Robert Paschall Jr. -  Doyle Reed		Charles Baker -  Nate Ron Bath -  Restaurant Patron Riley Chambers -  Juror Steve M. Clark -  Police/Deputy Sheriff Jerry Cotton -  Traxell Byrne John S. Davies -  Det. Pete Michaels Vince Davis -  Dan Moses J.D. Fryberger -  Howie

Wasn’t it one of the Wolfe boys who said that you can’t go home again? I suppose it is true in an abstract sense since all places and those returning are not the same as time passes. You can go back but you shouldn’t expect things to be the same as when you left. Tory Bodeen (Claire Forlani) is back to stay in her small home town but she’s not expecting much to be different when she left. Via a psychic vision, she knew where to find the body of her best friend Hope who had been murdered, the first of a string that continues every year on the same day. Her father had been the principal suspect when he was paid off to skip town. Folks are not too welcoming when she begins to open up her small shop on main street. But a few are able to move beyond the gossip. Cade Lavelle (Oliver Hudson) is still goofy over her and his sister Faith (Josie Davis) proves to be a fountain of support that Tory (and Faith) finds surprising.

Director:  Stephen Tolkin Writer:  Stephen Tolkin; Nora Roberts Cast:
Claire Forlani -  Victoria ‘Tory’ Bodeen Oliver Hudson -  Cade Lavelle Josie Davis -  Faith Lavelle Jonathan Scarfe -  Dwight Collier Chad Willett -  Wade Mooney Jacqueline Bisset -  Margaret Lavelle Shaun Johnston -  Han Bodeen Greg Lawson -  Police Chief Carl Russ		Maureen Rooney -  Sari Bodeen Kailin See -  Sherry Bellows Shae Keebler -  Young Hope Lavelle / Young Faith Lavelle Gabrielle Casha -  Young Tory Bodeen Brieanna Moench -  Lissy Kade Phillips -  Young Cade Connor Robinson -  Young Wade Taison Gelinas -  Young Dwight

I remember meeting a fellow who seemed to be a about a mile wide and an inch deep. He knew a little about a lot of things but not very much about any one topic. I thought he’d last about 10 minutes in his job and flit off to something else in the blink of an eye. But he seemed to careen from place to another, starting with working for me to being my boss’s boss in less time than it takes to get a legislative change made. It made me wonder at the purpose of management and whether I wanted to join their ranks. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) shows many of the same skills. Displaying a capacity to absorb information and knowledge not expected of someone with her demeanour, she accomplishes her goals with the skills of a veteran and still looks good with her French manicure. I guess it pays never to underestimate someone with a law degree from Harvard no matter how blonde she may be.

Director:  Charles Herman-Wurmfeld; Charles Herman-Wurmfield Writer:  Kate Kondell Cast:
Reese Witherspoon -  Elle Woods Sally Field -  Congresswoman Rudd Regina King -  Grace Stoteraux Jennifer Coolidge -  Paulette Parcelle Bruce McGill -  Stanford Marks Dana Ivey -  Libby Hauser Mary Lynn Rajskub -  Reena Giuliani Jessica Cauffiel -  Margot		Alanna Ubach -  Serena McGuire J. Barton -  Timothy McGinn Bob Newhart -  Sidney Post Luke Wilson -  Emmett Richmond Matthew Price -  Cole’s Aide Juliet Pinto -  Intern Dancer Robert Peters -  Guard Caroline A. Rice -  Intern Dancer

Candace Pennington (Alexis Dziena) has been raped. Her parents Margaret (Victoria Snow) and Chuck (Ralph Small) drag her down to the police chief, Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck), and demand to know what he is going to do about it. But Candace’s mother has washed her, redressed her and won’t take her to the hospital for fear of scandal. Mom swats her when she won’t talk about what happened but mom doesn’t want the story to get around. How do you think such a situation will get resolved? Yeah, I think so too.

Director:  Robert Harmon Writer:  Robert B. Parker; John Fasano; Michael Brandman Cast:
Tom Selleck -  Chief Jesse Stone Mimi Rogers -  Rita Fiore Jane Adams -  Brianna Lincoln Reg Rogers -  Andrew Lincoln Viola Davis -  Molly Crane Alexis Dziena -  Candace Pennington Kohl Sudduth -  Luther ‘Suitcase’ Simpson Polly Shannon -  Abby Taylor		Stephen McHattie -  Captain Healy Vito Rezza -  Anthony D’Angelo Shawn Roberts -  Bo Marino Victoria Snow -  Margaret Pennington Ralph Small -  Chuck Pennington Thomas Gibson -  Troy Drake Tony De Santis -  Joe Marino Sylvia Villagran -  Jenn

What sort of sign do you need to tell you that you’ve met your intended? How can you tell if it is true or just a quirk of circumstance? Captain James Norrington (Jack Davenport) of the Royal Navy is being promoted to Commodore. During the ceremony, he proposes to Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Before answering, she faints and tumbles into the bay not because she is swooning with delight but rather the corset she was wearing was so tight that she had trouble breathing.

Director:  Gore Verbinski; Hamilton Luske Writer:  Ted Elliott; Terry Rossio; Stuart Beattie; Jay Wolpert; Ted Elliot Cast:
Johnny Depp -  Jack Sparrow Geoffrey Rush -  Barbossa Orlando Bloom -  Will Turner Keira Knightley -  Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport -  Norrington Jonathan Pryce -  Governor Weatherby Swann Lee Arenberg -  Pintel Mackenzie Crook -  Ragetti		Damian O’Hare -  Lt. Gillette Giles New -  Murtogg Angus Barnett -  Mullroy David Bailie -  Cotton Michael Berry Jr. -  Twigg Isaac C. Singleton Jr. -  Bo’sun Kevin R. McNally -  Joshamee Gibbs Treva Etienne -  Koehler

You work hard to get to the point in your career where you think you have finally made it. Work is going well, you feel you have begun to accomplish all you set out to do. Mary Jane Parker (Kirsten Dunst) is in just such a position. She’s featured in a musical and hopes it will be the springboard for her life as a singer. She knows it went well and Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finally came to watch one of her shows. Life is good. Then the devastating reviews come in and she’s replaced with nary a word form the producers. And Peter doesn’t fulfill his boyfriend-end of the bargain.

Director:  Sam Raimi Writer:  Sam Raimi; Ivan Raimi; Alvin Sargent; Stan Lee; Steve Ditko Cast:
Tobey Maguire -  Spider-Man / Peter Parker Kirsten Dunst -  Mary Jane Watson James Franco -  New Goblin / Harry Osborn Thomas Haden Church -  Sandman / Flint Marko Topher Grace -  Venom / Edward ‘Eddie’ Brock Bryce Dallas Howard -  Gwen Stacy Rosemary Harris -  May Parker J.K. Simmons -  J. Jonah Jameson		James Cromwell -  Captain Stacy Theresa Russell -  Emma Marko Dylan Baker -  Dr. Curt Connors Bill Nunn -  Joseph ‘Robbie’ Robertson Bruce Campbell -  Maître d? Elizabeth Banks -  Betty Brant Ted Raimi -  Hoffman Willem Dafoe -  Norman Osborn

It is always a struggle to convince other people that there is more to you than just what they see on the surface. How you dress, how you groom, who you hang out with only reflect what you want others to see. It may bear no connection to what you think, what you believe and where your life is going. Think of it as a disguise to distract people from finding out who the real you is or trying to become. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) may be a Miss Hawaiian Tropic, a calendar girl and a sorority president. But she is bright enough to figure out how to get into Harvard Law, how to intern at a good firm and how to defend a client in a court case. Rather than worry about what she can’t do, Elle spends her time figuring out how she can successfully accomplish what she knows needs to be done and to continue to look good doing it.

Director:  Robert Luketic Writer:  Amanda Brown; Karen McCullah Lutz; Kirsten Smith Cast:
Reese Witherspoon -  Elle Woods Luke Wilson -  Emmett Richmond Selma Blair -  Vivian Kensington Matthew Davis -  Warner Huntington III Victor Garber -  Professor Callahan Jennifer Coolidge -  Paulette Bonafonté Holland Taylor -  Professor Stromwell Ali Larter -  Brooke Taylor Windham		Jessica Cauffiel -  Margot Alanna Ubach -  Serena Oz Perkins -  ‘Dorky’ David Kidney Linda Cardellini -  Chutney Windham Bruce Thomas -  UPS Guy Meredith Scott Lynn -  Enid Wexler Raquel Welch -  Mrs. Windham Vandermark Samantha Lemole -  Claire

Meeting a new sweetie is always a caution. Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) gentlemanly opens a door for Abby Taylor (Polly Shannon) who barrels through without so much as a thanks. She comes in ranting about Jesse’s assault on Joe Genest (Stephen Baldwin) who chose to ignore a restraining order. She wonders about how dangerous Joe is when Jesse tell her they keep guys like him as pets in south-central LA. She’s smitten and he’s interested.

Director:  Robert Harmon Writer:  Tom Epperson; Robert B. Parker Cast:
Tom Selleck -  Chief Jesse Stone Stephanie March -  Cissy Hathaway Stephen Baldwin -  Joe Genest Polly Shannon -  Abby Taylor Saul Rubinek -  Hastings Hathaway Viola Davis -  Molly Crane Vito Rezza -  Anthony D’Angelo Kohl Sudduth -  Luther ‘Suitcase’ Simpson		John Beale -  Dr. Perkins Maria Brooks -  Sandy Brian Jamieson -  Truck Driver Christie MacFadyen -  Veterinarian Stephen McHattie -  Captain Healy Agumeuay Nakanakas -  Native Man #2 Liisa Repo-Martell -  Carole Genest Brittany Robertson -  Michelle Genest

Clones here, clones there. You can move without stumbling over one somewhere. But now that Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) is back after having himself cryogenically frozen and sent into space, his associates figure he needs a family and they have artificially created his son, Scott (Seth Green), using his frozen semen. But Scott resents his father’s absence forcing the two of them to attend a Jerry Springeresque ‘fathers and sons’ group therapy session.

Director:  Jay Roach Writer:  Mike Myers Cast:
Mike Myers -  Austin Powers/Dr. Evil Elizabeth Hurley -  Vanessa Kensington Michael York -  Basil Exposition Mimi Rogers -  Mrs. Kensington Robert Wagner -  Number Two Seth Green -  Scott Evil Fabiana Udenio -  Alotta Fagina Mindy Sterling -  Frau Farbissina		Paul Dillon -  Patty O’Brien Charles Napier -  Commander Gilmour Will Ferrell -  Mustafa Joann Richter -  ’60s Model Anastasia Sakelaris -  ’60s Model Afifi Alaouie -  ’60s Model Monet Mazur -  Mod girl Mark Bringleson -  Andy Warhol

After the terror of IKWYDLS, Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) stiffens her resolve and isn’t going to be a victim anymore. As usual, nobody believes her story, there is storm on the horizon, the holiday resort is emptying faster than fish catch from a seine and bodies are starting to pile up. But help is on the way through rough seas in the from of Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) who doesn’t plan to take any prisoners. When she’s a captive and Ray finds them in the grave yard, there is a moment when you’re wondering whether the producers can wring another movie out of this. But that seems unlikely when Ben Willis (Muse Watson) drives a hook into his son’s chest and Julie decides to step up and finish off Ben with Ray’s pistol.

Director:  Danny Cannon Writer:  Lois Duncan; Trey Callaway Cast:
Jennifer Love Hewitt -  Julie James Freddie Prinze Jr. -  Ray Bronson Brandy -  Karla Wilson Mekhi Phifer -  Tyrell Muse Watson -  Ben Willis Bill Cobbs -  Estes Matthew Settle -  Will Benson Jeffrey Combs -  Mr. Brooks		Jennifer Esposito -  Nancy John Hawkes -  Dave Ellerine! -  Olga Benjamin Brown -  Darick The Dockhand Red West -  Paulsen Michael P. Byrne -  Thurston Michael Bryan French -  Doctor Dee Ann Helsel -  Nurse

Doberman Pinschers get little respect. They’re test animals who fall infected by the virus let loose in the Umbrella Corporation testing lab. Escaping from their pens, they go looking for prey. Unfortunately for them, they find Alice (Milla Jovovich). At least they’re not American Staffordshire Terriers.

Director:  Paul W.S. Anderson Writer:  Paul W.S. Anderson Cast:
Milla Jovovich -  Alice Michelle Rodriguez -  Rain Ocampo Eric Mabius -  Matt Addison James Purefoy -  Spence Parks Martin Crewes -  Chad Kaplan Colin Salmon -  One Ryan McCluskey -  Mr. Grey Oscar Pearce -  Mr. Red		Indra Ové -  Ms. Black Anna Bolt -  Dr. Green Joseph May -  Dr. Blue Robert Tannion -  Dr. Brown Heike Makatsch -  Dr. Lisa Addison Jaymes Butler -  Clarence the Security Guard Stephen Billington -  Mr. White Fiona Glascott -  Ms. Gold

I’m a consumer. I like shopping for stuff. I like reading about stuff that’s coming (and wish it were here now for me to buy). I like to follow the evolution of stuff as it comes to market and see how the roll out of new stuff is accepted. I’ve got lots of stuff that never got that public acceptance it should have received. It sits right next to the stuff that did that is often replaced by the next gen stuff. I guess I’m the poster boy for consumerism. So this movie was a blow to my mad subconscious that regulates my buy, buy, buy fever. It shows a world where there won’t be any new books, movies, CDs and all manner of other toys that keeps me distracted from the real problems our world faces. And then Selena (Naomie Harris) has the gall to tell Jim (Cillian Murphy) essentially the same thing. I was bummed for a time until a buddy called to tell me what he discovered in his latest foray into the shops and I remembered this is just a movie.

Director:  Danny Boyle; Toby James Writer:  Alex Garland Cast:
Alex Palmer -  Activist Bindu De Stoppani -  Activist Jukka Hiltunen -  Activist David Schneider -  Scientist Cillian Murphy -  Jim Toby Sedgwick -  Infected Priest Naomie Harris -  Selena Noah Huntley -  Mark		Christopher Dunne -  Jim’s Father Emma Hitching -  Jim’s Mother Alexander Delamere -  Mr. Bridges Kim McGarrity -  Mr. Bridges’ Daughter Brendan Gleeson -  Frank Megan Burns -  Hannah Justin Hackney -  Infected Kid Luke Mably -  Private Clifton

How does one decide when your time is over? Do you follow your heart or your head?

In Rivendell, Arwen (Liv Tyler) knows her heart belongs to Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen). She also knows she will live on as he ages, grows old and dies. Should she give up her immortality and be with the man she loves or follow her family into exile? She is convinced by Elrond (Hugo Weaving) that the age of Elves is ending and leaves for the West.

Director:  Peter Jackson Writer:  J.R.R. Tolkien; Frances Walsh; Philippa Boyens; Stephen Sinclair; Peter Jackson Cast:
Elijah Wood -  Frodo Baggins Ian McKellen -  Gandalf the Grey/Gandalf the White Liv Tyler -  Arwen Viggo Mortensen -  Aragorn Sean Astin -  Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee Cate Blanchett -  Galadriel John Rhys-Davies -  Gimli/Voice of Treebeard Bernard Hill -  Theoden		Christopher Lee -  Saruman the White Billy Boyd -  Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took Dominic Monaghan -  Meriadoc ‘Merry’ Brandybuck Orlando Bloom -  Legolas Greenleaf Hugo Weaving -  Elrond Miranda Otto -  Eowyn David Wenham -  Faramir Brad Dourif -  Grima Wormtongue

Senator Robert Kelly (Bruce Davison) has an agenda all of his own. He wants this mutant thing to be brought under control whereby all of them and their talents are known. On his way to Washington in Helicopter One for a vote, he extols the virtues of a war upon them and the need to exterminate them somewhat like his governmental predecessors did in another country a couple of generations ago. Unfortunately for him, his aide has been replaced some time ago by the shape-shifting Mystique (Rebecca Romjin-Stamos). A struggle ensues and the poor man has little recourse but to be paddy-whacked into unconsciousness by her feet. Such an ignominious defeat and beaten up by a girl too.

Director:  Bryan Singer Writer:  Tom DeSanto; Bryan Singer; David Hayter Cast:
Hugh Jackman -  Wolverine/Logan Patrick Stewart -  Professor Charles Xavier/Professor X Ian McKellen -  Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr Famke Janssen -  Dr. Jean Grey James Marsden -  Cyclops/Scott Summers Halle Berry -  Storm/Ororo Munroe Anna Paquin -  Rogue/Marie D’Ancanto Tyler Mane -  Sabretooth/Victor Creed		Ray Park -  Toad/Mortimer Toynbee Rebecca Romijn-Stamos -  Mystique Bruce Davison -  Senator Robert Kelly Matthew Sharp -  Henry Peter Gyrich Brett Morris -  Young Erik Lehnsherr Rhona Shekter -  Mrs. Lehnsherr Kenneth McGregor -  Mr. Lehnsherr Shawn Roberts -  Cody

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

Colour me impressed. Dylan (Drew Barrymore), Natalie (Cameron Diaz), and Alex (Lucy Liu) have swiped a truck. They’re hurtling over a bridge when a tank at one end fires a round their way while a soldier fires a hand-held rocket from the other. The truck swerves off the bridge to avoid the assault and Natalie scampers out of the truck to uncover a helicopter from the truck bed. The other two leap from the truck and freefall grabbing the copter’s struts. Natalie cranks up the bird and all three escape with nary a chipped nail.

Director:  McG; Joseph McGinty Nichol; Joseph McGinty Writer:  Ivan Goff; Ben Roberts; John August; Cormac Wibberley; Marianne Wibberley; Ivan Cast:
Cameron Diaz -  Natalie Cook Drew Barrymore -  Dylan Sanders Lucy Liu -  Alex Munday Bernie Mac -  Jimmy Bosley Crispin Glover -  Thin Man Justin Theroux -  Seamus O’Grady Robert Patrick -  Ray Carter Demi Moore -  Madison Lee		Rodrigo Santoro -  Randy Emmers Shia LaBeouf -  Max Matt LeBlanc -  Jason Luke Wilson -  Pete John Cleese -  Mr. Munday Ja’net DuBois -  Momma Bosley Cheung-Yan Yuen -  Deranged Mongol Daxing Zhang -  Demented Mongol

I don’t know how you felt watching this movie. Despite the thin plot, I found myself thinking these folks can’t get much cooler than this. Even when Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts) is cajoled into playing Julia Roberts to let the gang gain entrance to the museum. It all seems to be working until Bruce Willis (as himself) shows up and things begin to go awry. Then Isabel Lahiri (Catherine Zeta-Jones) reveals that she has been in contact with the real Julia Roberts who is running late for another appointment. Oops…

Director:  Steven Soderbergh Writer:  George Clayton Johnson; Jack Golden Russell; George Nolfi Cast:
Brad Pitt -  Rusty Ryan Catherine Zeta-Jones -  Isabel Lahiri George Clooney -  Danny Ocean Ed Kross -  Bank Officer Julia Roberts -  Tess Ocean Don Tiffany -  House Painter Anne Jacques -  Shop Owner David Sontag -  Plainclothes Goon #1		Larry Sontag -  Plainclothes Goon #2 Andy Garcia -  Terry Benedict Casey Affleck -  Virgil Malloy Dina Connolly -  Virgil’s Fiancée Scott Caan -  Turk Malloy Nelson Peltz -  Partygoer Mini Anden -  Supermodel Shaobo Qin -  Yen

I’ve been interviewed a number of times for newspapers and been peripheral to events in other stories. It is always a vague disappointment when they fail to get the details correct. Indeed, it got to the stage where I’d pass on chances to talk to the media for fear that they’d orient any commentary to their particular agency’s agenda. When that meanie TV reporter Heather Jasper-Howe (Alicia Silverstone) corners Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and twists his words around, I felt nothing but empathy for the poor sod. At least in my case, the reporter didn’t stick their mic in my face. I dread to think how they would have cut the video I did.

Director:  Raja Gosnell Writer:  James Gunn Cast:
Freddie Prinze, Jr. -  Fred Jones Sarah Michelle Gellar -  Daphne Blake Matthew Lillard -  Shaggy Linda Cardellini -  Velma Dinkley Seth Green -  Patrick Wisely Peter Boyle -  Old Man Wickles Tim Blake Nelson -  Dr. Jonathan Jacobo Alicia Silverstone -  Heather Jasper-Howe		Neil Fanning -  Scooby-Doo [Voice] Pat O’Brien -  Himself Ruben Studdard -  Himself Bill Meilen -  Chauffeur Zahf Paroo -  Ned J.P. Manoux -  Scooby Brainiac [Voice] [Voice] Hayley Oakes -  dancer Andrew McIlroy -  investor

One side of my family ancestors are Scots and Irish immigrant farmers who have been here for more than 200 years, settled in assorted parts of the country. The other side worked in stone in the north of England and answered the North American call for cannon fodder in WWI. Until about two years ago, I knew none of this. I knew my grandparents’s names and where one of them was born. So when Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) tells the US president (Bruce Greenwood), after he sorta kidnaps him, that everything he is is because of his ancestors, I can understand. Two years ago, I might have gone along with the astrology of my birthday since the description seems to hold. But now that I know some of my ancestry, I have a better grasp on why I am who I am. But I’m having trouble figuring out my sister. Maybe she was adopted.

Director:  Jon Turteltaub; Jon Turtletaub Writer:  Marianne Wibberley; Cormac Wibberley; Gregory Poirier; Ted Elliott; Terry Rossio; Jim Kouf; Oren Aviv; Charles Segars; Jerry Bruckheimer; The Wibberleys Cast:
Nicolas Cage -  Ben Gates Justin Bartha -  Riley Poole Diane Kruger -  Abigail Chase Jon Voight -  Patrick Gates Helen Mirren -  Prof. Emily Appleton Ed Harris -  Mitch Wilkinson Harvey Keitel -  Agent Sadusky Bruce Greenwood -  The President		Ty Burrell -  Connor Michael Maize -  Daniel Timothy V. Murphy -  Seth Alicia Coppola -  FBI Agent Spellman Albert Hall -  Dr. Nichols Armando Riesco -  FBI Agent Hendricks Joel Gretsch -  Thomas Gates Christian Camargo -  John Wilkes Booth

Why is it that those who run science think they can demand results? Simply making the demand cannot guarantee them. Then raising the threat of replacement by those who will compounds the stupidity. On the other hand, when it is Umbrella Corporation scientist Dr. Sam Isaacs (Iain Glen) there may be some merit in such a crackdown. He is cloning Alice (Milla Jovovich), running deadly rat maze tests on her and finally stuffing himself with what he thinks is a solution to the zombie virus based upon her blood. He needs somebody in control before he goes off the deep end. Oops, too late.

Director:  Russell Mulcahy Writer:  Paul W.S. Anderson Cast:
Milla Jovovich -  Alice Oded Fehr -  Carlos Olivera Ali Larter -  Claire Redfield Iain Glen -  Dr. Isaacs Ashanti -  Betty Christopher Egan -  Mikey Spencer Locke -  K-Mart Matthew Marsden -  Slater		Linden Ashby -  Chase Jason O’Mara -  Albert Wesker Mike Epps -  L.J. Joe Hursley -  Otto John Eric Bentley -  Umbrella Tech James Tumminia -  Lab Tech Kirk B.R. Woller -  Scientist Rick Cramer -  Ice Hockey / Corridor Guard