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

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