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

I’m the kind of guy that stores love to see stumbling through their doors. I have some trouble with impulse control. In recent years, this has manifested itself in the urge to buy whatever shiny catches my eye. I get home and shake my head and wonder what I was thinking when I pulled out my credit card. Mostly I’m able to control it but every so often, a friend will look around my place, see something new, shake their head and snort in annoyance. But I sure don’t have the troubles that Frances (Diane Lane) will have after buying a dilapidated old villa while on a two-week coach tour of the Tuscany region of Italy. But I have to admire her reasoning for making the purchase. If I thought I didn’t have the life I wanted and found myself afraid of its prospects, I’d pony up the bucks and buy that place.

Director:  Audrey Wells Writer:  Frances Mayes; Audrey Wells Cast:
Diane Lane -  Frances Sandra Oh -  Patti Lindsay Duncan -  Katherine Raoul Bova -  Marcello Vincent Riotta -  Martini Mario Monicelli -  Old Man with Flowers Roberto Nobile -  Placido Anita Zagaria -  Fiorella		Evelina Gori -  Nona Cardinale Giulia Steigerwalt -  Chiara Pawel Szajda -  Pawel Valentine Pelka -  Jerzy Sasa Vulicevic -  Zbignew Massimo Sarchielli -  Nino Claudia Gerini -  Signora Raguzzi Laura Pestellini -  Contessa

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

Shrinks can come up with some creepy ideas for therapy. Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) decides to bunk with Dave Buznick (Adam Sandler) to help him with his anger management. That is literally bunk with him since it isn’t considered unusual for 3 or 4 European men to share a bed. Dave, a proud American, finds this all a little too bizarre for him.

Director:  Peter Segal Writer:  David Dorfman Cast:
Adam Sandler -  Dave Buznik Jack Nicholson -  Dr. Buddy Rydell Marisa Tomei -  Linda Luis Guzmán -  Lou Jonathan Loughran -  Nate Kurt Fuller -  Frank Head Krista Allen -  Stacy January Jones -  Gina		John Turturro -  Chuck Lynne Thigpen -  Judge Brenda Daniels Nancy Walls -  Flight Attendant Woody Harrelson -  Galaxia/Garry the Guard Kevin Nealon -  Sam Allen Covert -  Andrew Adrian Ricard -  Rose Rydell Peter Spruyt -  Ricky

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

What is it about temptation that leads us so easily astray? We work hard, we lead a staid life and, all of a sudden, a chance to experience something new presents itself. We ignore our moral compass and begin to sway towards the dark side. Sometimes we realize what we could lose and sometimes we don’t. It’s all about the lure.

Harry (Alan Rickman) is teased in an ever-increasing fashion by Mia (Heike Makatsch), his assistant. She begins the spiral of seduction with first the alluring look, later the exotic move of spreading her legs, then the erotic whisper in his ear that she’s all his should he want it. He’s hooked and about to be reeled in when his wife Karen (Emma Thompson) discovers the expensive Christmas gift she thinks is for her. When she doesn’t get it, Harry has to decide between his wife and two children and the prospect of a passionate office affair.

Director:  Richard Curtis Writer:  Richard Curtis Cast:
Bill Nighy -  Billy Mack Colin Firth -  Jamie Bennett Liam Neeson -  Daniel Emma Thompson -  Karen Alan Rickman -  Harry Kris Marshall -  Colin Frissell Heike Makatsch -  Mia Martin Freeman -  John		Thomas Sangster -  Sam Joanna Page -  Just Judy Chiwetel Ejiofor -  Peter Andrew Lincoln -  Mark Keira Knightley -  Juliet Hugh Grant -  The Prime Minister Martine McCutcheon -  Natalie Laura Linney -  Sarah

Losing a spouse is an agony beyond words. Robert Burns (Steven Seagal) in on an archaeological dig when a drug smuggling ring plants a batch of drugs and calls the police. Trying to outrun them, they fire upon his car, killing his wife Maya (Kata Dobó) with slow motion bullets, prolonging the anguish for him. Vengeance will follow.

Director:  Michael Oblowitz Writer:  Danny Lerner; Dennis Dimster; Sam Hayes; Dennis Dimster-Denk Cast:
Steven Seagal -  Prof. Robert Burns Michelle Goh -  Tommie Ling Corey Johnson -  Ed Grey Eloise Anderson -  Tattoo Artist #2 Edward Cox -  D.E.A. Agent Kata Dobó -  Maya Burns Michael Junior Harvey -  King Chooi Kheng-Beh -  Wong Dai		Chris Pavlo -  Luc Breton Michael J. Reynolds -  Dean Elaine Tan -  Luo Yi Giselle Tcherniak -  Tattoo Artist Raicho Vasilev -  Bulgarian Thug Bruce Wang -  Tony Zhili Dave Wong -  Yin Vincent Wong -  Luo Dazkong

I’m a math guy. In point of fact, I’m a statistician by training and career. At one point in the movie, we discover that ten people get stranded in a remote motel and the all have the same birthday, May 10th. There is Ed (John Cusack), a former cop who is a driver for an actress, Caroline Suzanne (Rebecca De Mornay). He accidentally runs down a woman Alice York (Leila Kenzle), the mother of a 10-year-old self-imposed mute boy (Bret Loehr) and the wife of George (John C. McGinley), all of whom Ed transports along with his boss to the motel run by Larry (John Hawkes). Later, a hooker on her way to Florida named Paris (Amanda Peet) and a pair of newlyweds, Ginny (Clea DuVall) and Lou (William Lee Scott), are forced off the road and into the motel. And there is a cop Rhodes (Ray Liotta) who is holding in custody the loopy but dangerous Robert Maine (Jake Busey). They are scampering frantically to solve the mystery of who is in the process of murdering all of them and why.

Terrific movie… but let’s get back to the math. I went looking up details in my math stuff and figured out that the chances are one in eight that two people in a room of ten would have the same birthday. And if you had 23 in the same room, chances would be 50-50 that two people would have the same birthday. To have a 50 percent chance of ten people in the same room with the same birthday, you’d need approximately 1,181 people. If any of this is of interest, do a Google search on “birthday problem” or “birthday paradox.”

Director:  James Mangold Writer:  Michael Cooney Cast:
John Cusack -  Ed Ray Liotta -  Rhodes Amanda Peet -  Paris John Hawkes -  Larry Alfred Molina -  Dr. Malick Clea DuVall -  Ginny John C. McGinley -  George York William Lee Scott -  Lou		Jake Busey -  Robert Maine Pruitt Taylor Vince -  Malcolm Rivers Rebecca DeMornay -  Caroline Suzanne Carmen Argenziano -  Defense Lawyer Marshall Bell -  District Attorney Leila Kenzle -  Alice York Matt Letscher -  Assistant District Attorney Bret Loehr -  Timmy York

Every so often we meet someone who is so thoroughly reprehensible that we find it hard to understand how they can spend any time with them let alone get to know them. Sue (Lauren Graham), a rather dim bartender serves Willie (Billy Bob Thorton), a sloppy drunk who masquerades as a department store Santa and has a penchant for backdooring large women, which leads to them swapping shots. A quickie in his car is just the beginning of an affair that seems destined to fail.

Events intervene to show that Santa’s fall is more a case of self-disgust that it being one of a lack of morality. It only takes someone caring about another to make even a sodden thief think he has a future in which Sue can play a role. But their antics in a jacuzzi had me in stitches. For, as we discover, Sue has always had a thing for Santa.

Director:  Terry Zwigoff Writer:  Glenn Ficarra; John Requa Cast:
Billy Bob Thornton -  Willie Tony Cox -  Marcus Brett Kelly -  The Kid Lauren Graham -  Sue Lauren Tom -  Lois Bernie Mac -  Gin John Ritter -  Bob Chipeska Ajay Naidu -  Hindustani Troublemaker		Lorna Scott -  Milwaukee Mother Harrison Bieker -  Milwaukee Boy Alex Borstein -  Milwaukee Mom with Photo Dylan Charles -  Milwaukee Bratty Boy Billy Gardell -  Milwaukee Security Guard Lisa Ross -  Milwaukee Bartender Brian Callen -  Miami Bartender Tom McGowan -  Harrison

I was idling away an evening watching this movie again when the bad guys had forced the good guys to lead them to the Cradle of Life to find Pandora’s box. They were headed into the are of the shadows and we see a portion of the country that looks like it has been swept through by a forest fire when Cthulhu Mythos popped into my head. Geez, where did that come from? Then the bad guys get picked off one by one and thoughts of the minions of the Elder Gods surfaced. Then Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) drops the glowing bowling ball map down into what looks like a hole in a pinball table and I wondered whether we were in the middle of a H.P. Lovecraft shooter game. The unseen horror of Doom arises made me smirk.

Director:  Jan de Bont Writer:  Steven E. de Souza; James V. Hart; Dean Georgaris Cast:
Angelina Jolie -  Lara Croft Gerard Butler -  Terry Sheridan Ciarán Hinds -  Jonathan Reiss Christopher Barrie -  Hillary Noah Taylor -  Bryce Djimon Hounsou -  Kosa Til Schweiger -  Sean Simon Yam -  Chen Lo		Terence Yin -  Xien Daniel Caltagirone -  Nicholas Petraki Fabiano Martell -  Jimmy Petraki Jonathan Coyne -  Gus Petraki Robert Cavanah -  MI6 Agent Stevens Ronan Vibert -  MI6 Agent Calloway Lenny Juma -  Village Leader Raymond Offula -  Village Leader

How many times have you heard someone mutter about walking a mile in my/yours/their shoes? Or some chatter about walking in their footsteps? Or how about some other homily about reserving judgement until you’ve done what I do? There are a host of them and all merit consideration since it is easy to criticize until you’ve tried doing what’s being verbally poked at. Just ask Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and 15-year-old Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan), a bickering mother and daughter who can’t seem to see eye-to-eye on anything. While Tess is getting grief over her impending marriage to the very understanding and patient Ryan (Mark Harmon), Anna is frustrated that her mother doesn’t understand what is going on with her school life nor does she support her aspirations as a musician. During dinner at their favourite restaurant, their waitress (Lucille Soong) presses them to take two magical fortune cookies. Tess and Anna are horrified to wake up on Friday morning stuck in each other’s bodies with no idea how to reverse the spell. Both have no choice but to go through the day living the other person’s life.

Director:  Mark S. Waters Writer:  Mary Rodgers; Heather Hach; Leslie Dixon Cast:
Jamie Lee Curtis -  Tess Coleman Lindsay Lohan -  Anna Coleman Mark Harmon -  Ryan Harold Gould -  Grandpa Chad Michael Murray -  Jake Stephen Tobolowsky -  Mr. Bates Christina Vidal -  Maddie Ryan Malgarini -  Harry Coleman		Haley Hudson -  Peg Rosalind Chao -  Pei-Pei Lucille Soong -  Pei-Pei’s Mom Willie Garson -  Evan Dina Waters -  Dottie Robertson Julie Gonzalo -  Stacey Hinkhouse Christina Marie Walter -  Same Shirt Girl Lu Elrod -  Detention Monitor

The relationship between fathers and daughters is complicated. How does a girl show her dad that she is ready to be an adult? How does a father transform that image of his little girl and replace it with one in whom he can be proud, ready to stand beside him to face the world?

King Théoden (Bernard Hill) has shaken off the effects of the mental and physical weakness placed upon him by enchantments of his steward, Gríma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif), a toady of Saruman. Théoden raises an army rides off to war with some 6,000 Riders of Rohan, unaware that Éowyn (Miranda Otto), along with Merry (Dominic Monaghan), as part of the army. She knows that this will be her one chance to prove that she is truly a heir to the throne of Rohan.

Director:  Peter Jackson; Bret Robbins; Chris Tremmel Writer:  Nuno Miranda; J.R.R. Tolkien; Michael Becker Cast:
Elijah Wood -  Frodo Baggins Ian McKellen -  Gandalf Viggo Mortensen -  Aragorn Sean Astin -  Samwise Gamgee John Rhys-Davies -  Gimli Miranda Otto -  Eowyn Orlando Bloom -  Legolas Greenleaf Liv Tyler -  Arwen		Andy Serkis -  Gollum / The Witch King of Angmar Billy Boyd -  Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took Dominic Monaghan -  Merry Christopher Lee -  Saruman Ian Holm -  Bilbo Baggins David Wenham -  Faramir Andrew Chaikin -  Shagrat Tom Chantler -  Rangers of Gondor

May-December romances have a lot to recommend them. It is often the simplicity of the relationship that makes it attractive. No complications, fun and amazing delights. But it does have its drawbacks. When Marin Barry (Amanda Peet) and Harry Langer (Jack Nicholson) decide to adjourn to the bedroom with Marvin Gaye booming on the stereo, he is about to pleasure her when his ticker misses a beat. Such events are so embarrassing…

Director:  Nancy Meyers Writer:  Nancy Meyers Cast:
Jack Nicholson -  Harry Sanborn Diane Keaton -  Erica Barry Keanu Reeves -  Julian Mercer Frances McDormand -  Zoe Barry Amanda Peet -  Marin Jon Favreau -  Leo Paul Michael Glaser -  Dave Rachel Ticotin -  Dr. Martinez		Paige Butcher -  Beauty Tanya Sweet -  Beauty Kristine Szabo -  Beauty Daniella Van Graas -  Beauty Tamara Spoelder -  Beauty Sonja Francis -  Beauty Vanessa Hayden -  Beauty Kathy Tong -  Beauty

Being the butt of jokes and pranks hurts emotionally despite keeping a brave public face. Ask just about anyone who attended high school in the last 50 years. Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is being needled by the other lads in the locker room when Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon) strides in wanting Cody for a job. Boys being boys they give her some lip and she decides that maybe a wet towel can show them that it isn’t nice to rag on others. Boy, those things sure do sting.

Director:  Harald Zwart Writer:  Jeffrey Jurgensen; Ashley Miller; Zack Stentz; Scott Alexander; Larry Karaszewski; Ashley Edward Miller Cast:
Frankie Muniz -  Cody Banks Hilary Duff -  Natalie Connors Angie Harmon -  Ronica Miles Keith David -  CIA Director Cynthia Stevenson -  Mrs. Banks Arnold Vosloo -  Francois Molay Daniel Roebuck -  Mr. Banks Ian McShane -  Brinkman		Darrell Hammond -  Earl Martin Donovan -  Dr. Connors Marc Shelton -  Surveillance Van Agent Chris Gauthier -  Surveillance Van Agent Harry Van Gorkum -  Double Agent Connor Widdows -  Alex Banks Eliza Norbury -  Mom Justin Kalvari -  Baby

What length will you go to achieve your goal? Nick Easter (John Cusack) is finding out. He and Marlee (Rachel Weisz) are meeting clandestinely in a church to plot their jury tampering plan but things are amiss. His apartment has been burned out; one juror, Eddie Weese (Guy Torry) is threatened with exposure to his church and family of his HIV status; Rikki Coleman (Rhoda Griffis) is suicidal over excepting that her family will be told of her abortion and the husband of Millie Dupree (Rusty Schwimmer) has been arrested for attempted bribery. Can their middle hold or will their plan cost more than they will gain?

Director:  Gary Fleder Writer:  John Grisham; Brian Koppelman; David Levien; Rick Cleveland; Matthew Chapman Cast:
John Cusack -  Nicholas Easter Gene Hackman -  Rankin Fitch Dustin Hoffman -  Wendell Rohr Rachel Weisz -  Marlee Bruce Davison -  Durwood Cable Bruce McGill -  Judge Harkin Jeremy Piven -  Lawrence Green Nick Searcy -  Doyle		Stanley Anderson -  Henry Jankle Cliff Curtis -  Frank Herrera Nestor Serrano -  Janovich Leland Orser -  Lamb Jennifer Beals -  Vanessa Lembeck Gerry Bamman -  Herman Grimes Joanna Going -  Celeste Wood Bill Nunn -  Lonnie Shaver

The father-son dynamic is a tricky one. Growing up, your dad was the incarnation of Superman. As time passes, that image tarnishes as you realize his superpowers aren’t quite what you thought them to be. Until you figure out he is just a guy trying to do his best by you. Through these years, dad wants you safe and not to suffer the vagaries of life that he did. Trying to find a balance between both of you is the toughest bit in order to end up with mutual respect and admiration. Often there is a hiccup or two along the way. Just ask Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) who grips the controls a smidge tightly until his son Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould) feels suffocated and starts to rebel and is caught up in the net of pet shop tropical fish collector. Marlin gird up his fishy loins and takes off into unknown waters to find his son.

Director:  Andrew Stanton; Lee Unkrich Writer:  Andrew Stanton; Bob Peterson; David Reynolds Cast:
Albert Brooks -  Marlin (voice) Ellen DeGeneres -  Dory (voice) Alexander Gould -  Nemo (voice) Willem Dafoe -  Gill (voice) Brad Garrett -  Bloat (voice) Allison Janney -  Peach (voice) Austin Pendleton -  Gurgle (voice) Stephen Root -  Bubbles (voice)		Vicki Lewis -  Deb/Flo (voice) Joe Ranft -  Jacques (voice) Geoffrey Rush -  Nigel (voice) Andrew Stanton -  Crush (voice) Elizabeth Perkins -  Coral (voice) Nicholas Bird -  Squirt (voice) Bob Peterson -  Mr. Ray (voice) Barry Humphries -  Bruce (voice)

Everybody needs a teacher. It can be for something as simple as tying your show laces or as complex as organizing a concert. It isn’t as if knowledge comes full blown into our heads. The old homily of giving somebody a fish versus teaching them how to catch their own applies. Modesty Blaise (Alexandra Staden), as a child, is on the run after escaping the camp with her companion, Professor Lob (Fred Pearson), an ex-college educator from Zagreb, questions the need for his books. She foolishly suggests that she knows everything she needs.

Director:  Scott Spiegel Writer:  Lee Batchler; Janet Scott Batchler Cast:
Alexandra Staden -  Modesty Blaise Nikolaj Coster-Waldau -  Miklos Raymond Cruz -  Garcia Fred Pearson -  Professor Lob Valentin Teodosiu -  Louche Eugenia Yuan -  Irina Ion Haiduc -  High Roller Bogdan Dumitrescu -  Boutellis		Marcello Cobzarju -  Charopos Dragos Bucur -  Janos Dan Astileanu -  Squad Leader Damian Oancea -  Sympathetic Man Mihai Bisericanu -  Stassi

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

Tom Stansfield (Ashton Kutcher) leaves his brain in the wash when he sees an opportunity to romance Lisa Taylor (Tara Reid), his boss’s daughter. In a foolish moment of weakness that he sees as a date and she sees as a favour, he agrees to house-sit overnight for her family. Both you and I know that a evening of chaos with strange visitors, wacky incidents, loss of control and near disasters will ensue.

Director:  David Zucker Writer:  David Dorfman Cast:
Ashton Kutcher -  Tom Stansfield Tara Reid -  Lisa Taylor Jeffrey Tambor -  Ken Andy Richter -  Red Taylor Michael Madsen -  T.J. Jon Abrahams -  Paul David Koechner -  Speed Carmen Electra -  Tina		Kenan Thompson -  Hans Patrick Cranshaw -  Old Man Terence Stamp -  Jack Taylor Molly Shannon -  Audrey Bennett Mark Aisbett -  Commuter Tyler Labine -  Spike Ryan Zwick -  Delivery Boy Angela Little -  Sheryl

What’s so great about being a grown-up? I’ve wondered about that for years. I imagine you have too. Aside from needing a stipend to live on, being an adult can be overrated. Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) seems to be doing fine, living off her inheritance. Sure, she hasn’t accomplished much, doesn’t have many real friends and can’t seem to cope with the day-to-day intricacies of city living. But she is having fun as long as her accountant Bob pays the bills. Now broke, homeless and in need of a job, she becomes a nanny for Ray Schliene (Dakota Fanning) and they have yet to connect. In a snit, Molly quits her job, walks out of the kitchen and slams the door. Unfortunately for her, it is a swinging door. Yeah, that sure does sting and likely will leave a scar.

Director:  Boaz Yakin Writer:  Allison Jacobs; Julia Dahl; Mo Ogrodnik; Lisa Davidowitz Cast:
Brittany Murphy -  Molly Gunn Dakota Fanning -  Lorraine “Ray” Schleine Marley Shelton -  Ingrid Donald Faison -  Huey Jesse Spencer -  Neal Austin Pendleton -  Mr. McConkey Heather Locklear -  Roma Schleine Will Toale -  Briefs Model		Marceline Hugot -  Nurse Pell James -  Julie Benjamin Quddus Philippe -  Party Guy Russell Steinberg -  Party Guy Susanna Frazer -  Ballet Teacher Wynter Kullman -  Holly Amy Korb -  Kelli Geraldine Bartlett -  Woman

How many of us are closet rockers? I know I am if only I could sing in tune. And so is Rosalie Mullins (Joan Cusack) who thinks she can be a cool as Stevie Nicks at least in her mind. Dewey Finn (Jack Black) takes her to lunch to exploit this whim and to con her into a field trip. A little smooth talk, a little juke box magic and a whole lot of misdirection soon has her moving to the dark side.

Director:  Richard Linklater Writer:  Mike White Cast:
Jack Black -  Dewey Finn Adam Pascal -  Theo Lucas Papaelias -  Neil Chris Stack -  Doug Sarah Silverman -  Patty Di Marco Mike White -  Ned Schneebly Lucas Babin -  Spider Joan Cusack -  Rosalie Mullins		Jordan-Claire Green -  Michelle Veronica Afflerbach -  Eleni Miranda Cosgrove -  Summer Hathaway Joey Gaydos Jr. -  Zack Robert Tsai -  Lawrence Angelo Massagli -  Frankie Kevin Clark -  Freddy Jones Maryam Hassan -  Tomika

Ahh… the joys of youth. You figure you know everything, you’re immortal and there is no point in listening to anyone older. Sam Decker (Dolph Lundgren) has taken the unenviable chore of monitoring detention class, handling a half dozen or so miscreants which is like herding cats. But it takes a band of armed Bosnian villains invading the school en route to their true goal to show the aimless youth that they don’t know much about anything, particularly survival.

Director:  Sidney J. Furie; Darryl Wharton Writer:  Paul Lynch; John Sheppard; D.J. Sheppard Cast:
Dolph Lundgren -  Sam Decker Alex Karzis -  Chester Lamb Kata Dobó -  Gloria Waylon Corey Sevier -  Mick Ashton Dov Tiefenbach -  Willy Lopez K.C. Collins -  Hogie Hogarth Mpho Koaho -  Jay Tee Barrow Larry Day -  Earl Hendorf		Jennifer Baxter -  Margo Conroy Danielle Hampton -  Alicia Roberts Nicole Dicker -  Charlee Turkle Joseph Scoren -  Viktor Mif -  Alek Roy Lewis -  Lyle Neeson Shawn Roberts -  Corey Washington Alan Catlin -  Milt Dover

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

Buddy (Will Ferrell) has the right attitude towards Christmas. He feels that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing carols aloud for all to hear. I’d have to agree. Most times when I break into a carol, those around look at me with wide eyes of joy and hold their hands in front of their mouths to test whether they know the words. Few join in because it seems to me that they don’t want to interrupt the sheer joy my vocals bring to those within earshot. But they do stand around and marvel at my willingness to share the joy of serenading others. Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) is skeptical about Buddy’s enthusiasm. If she heard me singing, she’d know.

Director:  Jon Favreau Writer:  David Berenbaum Cast:
Will Ferrell -  Buddy James Caan -  Walter Bob Newhart -  Papa Elf Edward Asner -  Santa Mary Steenburgen -  Emily Zooey Deschanel -  Jovie Daniel Tay -  Michael Faizon Love -  Gimbel’s Manager		Peter Dinklage -  Miles Finch Amy Sedaris -  Deb Michael Lerner -  Fulton Andy Richter -  Morris Kyle Gass -  Eugene Artie Lange -  Gimbel’s Santa Claire Lautier -  NY 1 Reporter Ted Friend -  NY 1 Anchor

I’ve has bosses who want results, no if, ands or buts. Just do it and don’t bother me with details. So I gave them results, albeit fabricated results but they never figured it out. Why would they? They didn’t care. They were pressured from above just like me. But mine didn’t have any impact on people’s lives, no losses for anyone came about. It was about filling out bureaucratic paperwork.

Andrew Osnard (Pierce Brosnan) is in the same boat as my boss. Except he’s a British spy in Panama and he picks Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush), an supercilious tailor serving the Panamanian elite. Harry claims to be a transplant from Britain’s renowned Saville Row, but he is really an ex-con who served five years in prison for an insurance scam and up to his nose in debt. Osnard will pay for information Harry has gathered from his upscale clientele. When he has run out of info, Harry starts concocting tidbits to keep the cash coming but makes the mistake of getting too grandiose in his lies which include his wife, Louisa (Jamie Lee Curtis), an aide to the Canal director. All of a sudden, London and Washington are interested and Harry is sweating.

Director:  John Boorman Writer:  John Le Carré; Andrew Davies; John Boorman Cast:
Pierce Brosnan -  Andrew ‘Andy’ Osnard Geoffrey Rush -  Harold ‘Harry’ Pendel Jamie Lee Curtis -  Louisa Pendel Leonor Varela -  Marta Brendan Gleeson -  Michelangelo ‘Mickie’ Abraxas Harold Pinter -  Uncle Benny Catherine McCormack -  Francesca Deane Daniel Radcliffe -  Mark Pendel		Lola Boorman -  Sarah Pendel David Hayman -  Luxmore Mark Margolis -  Rafi Domingo Martin Ferrero -  Teddy, A Reporter John Fortune -  Maltby Martin Savage -  Stormont Edgardo Molino -  Juan-David Jon Polito -  Ramón Rudd, The Banker