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

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

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

Sometimes what you realize that you don’t know as much as you think you do. Proto-vampire Sadie (Lucy Liu) is killing those who turned her. She finds Eve (Carla Gugino) in a lounge and is about to stake her with a crossbow, when Eve tries to persuade and seduce her with information and misdirection. Sadie may be a novice and in need of some context for her future, but a silver tongue will only take you so far.

In a delightful skirmish of words we discover that Sadie’s saviour isn’t what he seems to be. Eve isn’t as charming as she thinks she is. And Sadie isn’t as gullible as Eve hopes.

Director:  Sebastian Gutierrez Writer:  Sebastian Gutierrez Cast:
Robert Forster -  Lloyd Cameron Richardson -  Collette Lucy Liu -  Sadie Blake Allan Rich -  Harrison Samantha Shelton -  LA Weekly Editor Kevin Wheatley -  Ethan Mills Margo Harshman -  Tricia Rawlins Cameron Goodman -  Kaitlin		Holt McCallany -  Rourke James D’Arcy -  Bishop Carla Gugino -  Eve Michael Chiklis -  Clyde Rawlins Paul Cassell -  Detective Easton Mako -  Poe Sam Cooper -  Coroner’s Assistant Natsuko Ohama -  Sadie’s Mother

The day-to-day drudgery of maintaining a home, the meeting and avoiding street people from musicians to street vendors and the startling impact of meeting someone who may be ‘the one’ are situations that always call for a method to handle them with grace and aplomb. My approach has always been to take the centre and try to avoid the pain of crushes (for that is what they usually are), the harangue of solicitation and the ennui of cleaning. But I hadn’t thought that breaking into song might solve the annoyance of having to be involved in these events. Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) makes it seems so worthwhile. I think I’ll give it a try.

Director:  Kevin Lima Writer:  Bill Kelly Cast:
Julie Andrews -  Narrator Amy Adams -  Giselle Patrick Dempsey -  Robert Philip James Marsden -  Prince Edward Susan Sarandon -  Queen Narissa Timothy Spall -  Nathaniel Idina Menzel -  Nancy Tremaine Rachel Covey -  Morgan Philip		Jeff Bennett -  Pip in Andalasia Kevin Lima -  Pip in New York Emma Rose Lima -  Bluebird / Fawn / Rapunzel Teala Dunn -  Bunny Fred Tatasciore -  Troll Courtney Williams -  Sunglass Street Vendor William Huntley -  Grumpy Samantha Ivers -  Angie

Grief can crush us like a stone. It can shut out all other voices trying to intrude into our consciousness. Other distraction pale in comparison. Such is the case for Linda Hanson (Sandra Bullock) who has lost her husband in a crash. She lies on the couch, holding a wedding photo, trying to curl up into something small. Nothing else matters.

Director:  Mennan Yapo Writer:  Bill Kelly Cast:
Sandra Bullock -  Linda Quinn Hanson Julian McMahon -  Jim Hanson Shyann McClure -  Megan Hanson Courtney Taylor Burness -  Bridgette Hanson Nia Long -  Annie Irene Ziegler -  Mrs. Quinn Kate Nelligan -  Joanne Marc Macaulay -  Sheriff Reilly		Amber Valletta -  Claire Peter Stormare -  Dr. Norman Roth Jude Ciccolella -  Father Kennedy E.J. Stapleton -  Model Home Salesman Mark Famiglietti -  Doug Caruthers Laurel Whitsett -  School Aide Kristin Ketterer -  Receptionist Marcus Lyle Brown -  Bob

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

Every so often you run across some bit/stunt in a movie that gets you chortling. In this one, it is Max Daniels as the hapless gardener who pops up from time to time dangling from a tree, stepping on a rake, hosing down a lawn from the waist, etc.

Director:  Christopher Duddy Writer:  Christopher Duddy; Glenn W. Garland; Cris Mancuso Cast:
Jason Jurman -  Spence Holmes Warren Kole -  Hogan Joe Mantegna -  Mr. Stack Izabella Scorupco -  Paige Stack Faye Dunaway -  Edith Birnbaum Carrie Fisher -  Gladys Goodbey Kaley Cuoco -  Amanda Chyna -  Teddy Archibald		Loretta Devine -  Dolly Jon Polito -  Mr. Archibald Machi Abe -  Core Cougar Kyle Adahl -  Police Officer Natalie Alexander -  Herself Joe Bucaro III -  BMW owner Scott Michael Campbell -  Mr. Conrad Mark Charran -  Club Member

Part of our rite of passage into adulthood is to get pearls of wisdom from a parent. Often we just let it slip away and it’ll resurface at some delicate moment as we get older. Sometimes the chat is about a topic that stays with us, usually because it is so unexpected. Michael Clayton (George Clooney) has just left his brother who pissed away the equity in their restaurant with booze and drugs. He turns to his son and lets him know that he has the stuff that won’t allow him to screw up his life. He sees it in the lad and he hasn’t the foggiest idea of where it came from.

Director:  Tony Gilroy Writer:  Tony Gilroy Cast:
Tom Wilkinson -  Arthur Edens Michael O’Keefe -  Barry Grissom Sydney Pollack -  Marty Bach Danielle Skraastad -  Bridget Klein Tilda Swinton -  Karen Crowder George Clooney -  Michael Clayton Wai Chan -  Chinese Dealer Alberto Vazquez -  Player #1		Brian Koppelman -  Player #2 Thomas McCarthy -  Walter Denis O’Hare -  Mr. Greer Julie White -  Mrs. Greer Austin Williams -  Henry Clayton Jennifer Van Dyck -  Ivy Frank Wood -  Gerald Richard Hecht -  Auctioneer

What would you sacrifice to save the life of a loved one? An arm? Your house? A neighbour? Yourself? That is the choice Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) feels he must make to save his brother Jake (Mark Rendall) and his wife Stella (Melissa George) and two friends from a marauding band of vampires that move around like they’re on meth. The band appears to be intent on wiping out the town and they are not fussy about how they rip and tear folks to pieces. Any survivors are holed up in buildings hoping to eke out their lives until the 30 days pass and sunrise comes again to their Alaskan town. When the vamps fire up the town, Eben knows he has only one choice to provide the others with a chance to tell those returning from the south that it wasn’t an accident or natural disaster that burned the town to the snowline. But it isn’t a choice that has an upside. I don’t know if I’d have that kind of courage. I’d like to think I do but I wouldn’t want to test my mettle until faced with having to actually do it.

Director:  David Slade Writer:  Steve Niles; Stuart Beattie; Brian Nelson; Ben Templesmith Cast:
Josh Hartnett -  Sheriff Eben Oleson Melissa George -  Stella Oleson Danny Huston -  Marlow Ben Foster -  The Stranger Mark Boone Junior -  Beau Brower Mark Rendall -  Jake Oleson Amber Sainsbury -  Denise Manu Bennett -  Deputy Billy Kitka		Megan Franich -  Iris Joel Tobeck -  Doug Hertz Elizabeth Hawthorne -  Lucy Ikos Nathaniel Lees -  Carter Davies Craig Hall -  Wilson Bulosan Chic Littlewood -  Issac Bulosan Peter Feeney -  John Riis Min Windle -  Ally Riis

It is always the little things that make us doubt how well we know someone who has been a part of our lives. We get confused when they react differently than we expect. We get concerned when they say something not in keeping with their character. Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) has many of these moments when he meets and talks to the people with whom his now murdered son Mike (Jonathan Tucker) has served in Iraq. It’s as if he doesn’t know this man who is his beloved son who gets wrecked on booze and drugs, pokes a prisoner’s open wound for fun, laughing at an amputee’s limb loss, tossing change at a stripper.

Director:  Paul Haggis Writer:  Paul Haggis; Mark Boal Cast:
Tommy Lee Jones -  Hank Deerfield Charlize Theron -  Det. Emily Sanders Jason Patric -  Lt. Kirklander Susan Sarandon -  Joan Deerfield James Franco -  Sgt. Dan Carnelli Barry Corbin -  Arnold Bickman Josh Brolin -  Chief Buchwald Frances Fisher -  Evie		Wes Chatham -  Corporal Steve Penning Jake McLaughlin -  Spc. Gordon Bonner Mehcad Brooks -  Spc. Ennis Long Jonathan Tucker -  Mike Deerfield Wayne Duvall -  Detective Nugent Victor Wolf -  Private Robert Ortiez Brent Briscoe -  Detective Hodge Greg Serano -  Detective Manny Nunez

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

How much can you miss somebody? If it is a day away, maybe some. If it is a week, maybe a bunch. If it is a month, maybe a boatload… Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is caring for her recently orphaned young niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin) when she discovers Zoe has been sneaking into the den to watch video of her mom and both realize how much of a loss it is for both of them.

Director:  Scott Hicks Writer:  Carol Fuchs; Sandra Nettelbeck Cast:
Catherine Zeta-Jones -  Kate Aaron Eckhart -  Nick Abigail Breslin -  Zoe Patricia Clarkson -  Paula Jenny Wade -  Leah Bob Balaban -  Therapist Brian F. O’Byrne -  Sean Lily Rabe -  Bernadette		Eric Silver -  John Arija Bareikis -  Christine John McMartin -  Mr. Peterson Celia Weston -  Mrs. Peterson Zöe Kravitz -  Charlotte Matthew Rauch -  Ken Dearbhla Molloy -  Anna Stephanie Berry -  School Principal Ellen Parker

It is my fervent hope that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker got paid an boatload to assuage the shame of having this on their resume. But Paris sure is alluring in the movie. And was that Roman Polanski doing the cavity search?

Director:  Brett Ratner Writer:  Jeff Nathanson; Ross LaManna Cast:
Chris Tucker -  Detective James Carter Jackie Chan -  Chief Inspector Lee Max von Sydow -  Varden Reynard Hiroyuki Sanada -  Kenji Yvan Attal -  George Youki Kudoh -  Dragon Lady Noémie Lenoir -  Genevieve Jingchu Zhang -  Soo Yung		Tzi Ma -  Ambassador Han Dana Ivey -  Sister Agnes Henry O -  Master Yu Mia Tyler -  Marsha Michael Chow -  Chinese Foreign Minister David Niven Jr. -  British Foreign Minister Oanh Nguyen -  Mi Andrew Quang -  Kung Fu Kid

Everyone has a regret or two. There are some that can nibble away at your conscience and surface when you are alone and in the dark. Often they tend to be those where you had a choice of which path to take. You look back at them and argue with yourself over the choice made, that you could have stopped yourself from taking a decision. They are ones where, in a split second, you tell yourself not to do it. But you go ahead anyway. Leeann Lewis (Rebecca Pidgeon) is plagued by many such regrets. She is taking care of her invalid mother, Mary Lewis (Jean Morpurgo), instead of living her life selling homes in sunny LA. She is trying to romance Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) but she has a leash about her ankle and can’t travel too far from mum and home. She is wishing her missing sister hadn’t been murdered in a bank holdup some years earlier. And there are others.

Director:  Robert Harmon Writer:  Ronni Kern; Robert B. Parker Cast:
Tom Selleck -  Chief Jesse Stone Kathy Baker -  Rose Gammon Kohl Sudduth -  Luthor ‘Suitcase’ Simpson Sean Young -  Sybil Martin Rebecca Pidgeon -  Leeann Lewis Mika Boorem -  Cathleen Holton Viola Davis -  Molly Crane Stephen McHattie -  Captain Healy		William Devane -  Dr. Dix William Sadler -  Gino Fish Saul Rubinek -  Hasty Hathaway James Gammon -  Bob Nigel Bennett -  Harrison Pendelton Philip Dinn -  Cab Driver Joe the Dog -  Reggie John Beale -  Dr. Perkins

When I was but a wee lad, I remember being made a promise by my best friend. I don’t recollect the context nor the pledge itself but I do recall being excited that it was important to the two of us. Time passed. The promise went unfulfilled. I made up lots of excuses why it had yet to happen. Finally, I asked about it and my chum had no idea of what I was asking. Crestfallen, I explained and all I received was a smirk for my story and a brain flash that I needed a new best friend. This memory returned when Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) promised that she would come and get Roger (Ben Walker) for their evening adventure. Unfortunately for Roger, he’s kidnapped, imprisoned and about to be brainwashed. But he’s elated when Lyra wanders through the door of his prison classroom and knows she’s there to get him. And he knows he’ll never leave her.

Director:  Chris Weitz Writer:  Chris Weitz; Philip Pullman Cast:
Nicole Kidman -  Marisa Coulter Daniel Craig -  Lord Asriel Dakota Blue Richards -  Lyra Belacqua Ben Walker -  Roger Freddie Highmore -  Pantalaimon Ian McKellen -  Iorek Byrnison Eva Green -  Serafina Pekkala Jim Carter -  Lord John Faa		Tom Courtenay -  Farder Coram Ian McShane -  Ragnar Sturlusson Sam Elliott -  Lee Scoresby Christopher Lee -  First High Councilor Kristin Scott Thomas -  Stelmaria Edward de Souza -  Second High Councilor Kathy Bates -  Hester Simon McBurney -  Fra Pavel

After Smith (Clive Owen) and Donna Quintano (Monica Bellucci) elude their pursuers for the umpteenth time, they find themselves drawn to one another. In the throes of erotic ecstasy, their door flies open and a gun starts blazing. The two of them remained joined at the hip, rolling off the bed with Smith firing away. Another bursts through the window, and they spin across the floor. The gunmen continue alternately coming in through the window and door and the lovers keep spinning while wrapped around one another until the last one enters the room and the lovers bump into the wall for the climax.

Director:  Michael Davis Writer:  Michael Davis Cast:
Clive Owen -  Smith Paul Giamatti -  Hertz Monica Bellucci -  Donna Quintano Stephen McHattie -  Hammerson Greg Bryk -  Lone Man Daniel Pilon -  Senator Rutledge Sidney Mende-Gibson -  Baby Oliver Lucas Mende-Gibson -  Baby Oliver		Kaylyn Yellowlees -  Baby Oliver Ramona Pringle -  Baby’s Mother Julian Richings -  Hertz’s Driver Tony Munch -  Man Who Rides Shotgun Scott McCord -  Killer Shot in Behind Wiley M. Pickett -  1st Killer Stephen R. Hart -  Club Bouncer David Ury -  Diner Holdup Leader

Regardless of how it is presented, the classic argument of fate versus free will will always have adherents. Some sway from one side to the other, some will never switch and some don’t much care. You can tart it up with some lipstick and call it destiny, but fate always looms large over how people view what is happening to them and their society. But that pesky free will will constantly seek to undermine any belief in the credibility that events are ordained and there is nothing to be done to change them. Which side do you figure is the proper one? Well, Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) is square on the side of fate. He gets a list of the women he’ll bed during his lifetime and spends his time figuring out how to meet them. But the last one is a serial killer known as ‘Death Nell’ (Winona Ryder). Maybe it’s time to take another look at free will.

Director:  Daniel Waters Writer:  Daniel Waters Cast:
Robert Wisdom -  Alpha Tanc Sade -  Beta Patton Oswalt -  Fred Simon Baker -  Roderick Blank Mindy Cohn -  Trixie Winona Ryder -  Death Nell / Gillian De Raisx Keram Malicki-Sánchez -  Master Bitchslap Julie Bowen -  Fiona Wormwood		Neil Flynn -  Zack Corinne Reilly -  Lizzie Cindy Pickett -  Roderick’s Mother Dash Mihok -  Lester Bryan Fuller -  Buzzkilling Bodyguard Jessica Kiper -  Precious / Carlotta Valdes Bryan Ross -  Bachelor Party Buddy Greg Travis -  Vulgar Newsstand Vendor

Memory is a tricky thing. I find as I age, the ability to pluck info is different from what it used to be. I joke that my brian is full and missing details have been overwritten by newer material. I hope that isn’t the case since the newer stuff may not be as profound as what was lost And even then, I don’t know that it has been lost. Maybe it is there but disconnected from its primary link. Odd thoughts tend to surface at the most inappropriate times and I wonder why. Maybe someday I’ll figure it out or someone else will find a solution. But I don’t face the memory problems that Reese Gilmore (Heather Locklear) does. Either the past treatment in a psych ward has scrambled something or a murderer is trying to drive her bonkers. Finding your clothing in the fridge, food in the closet, packed baggage when you awake and day-glo wall scribblings will give you pause that your synapses have misfired rather than think that a killer is toying with you.

Director:  Ralph Hemecker Writer:  Janet Brownell; Nora Roberts Cast:
Heather Locklear -  Reese Gilmore Johnathon Schaech -  Brody Gary Hudson -  Rick Marsden Derek Hamilton -  Lo Linda Darlow -  Joanie Lisa Marie Caruk -  Linda Gail Len Crowther -  Doc Pete Seadon -  Mac Drubber		Chezlene Kocian -  Marlie Shannon Tuer -  Denna James Jemma Blackwell -  Debbie Marsden Christy Greene -  Ginny Lori Ravensborg -  Jeweler Aedan Tomney -  Pete Guillermo Ura -  Sege Tamara Werden -  Woman in Orange Hat

There are many types of family. Each type are subject to the strains of daily life. They may come from within as people struggle to assert their independence or dominance. They may come from outside as intruders seek to dissemble the links that hold it together or seek to shear off someone to persuade them to join another family. Each are mutable as new members join because they want its safety or security and others leave to start their own or are torn apart because of death. And sometimes all of these forces combine along with others to scare all members into realizing how fragile a family can be. FBI Special Agent Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) know all about it. He has lost all of his families but his blue one following the murder of his partner Tom Lone (Terry Chen), his wife and child. And now the one whom everyone believes began this disaster is back. He is a former CIA assassin now working for the Japanese Yakuza named Rogue (Jet Li) who seems also to be in cahoots with the triad families and appears to be playing one off against the other. Crawford hopes they kill themselves but he wants to save Rogue for himself but he has a few surprises for him.

Director:  Philip G. Atwell Writer:  Lee Anthony Smith; Gregory J. Bradley Cast:
Jet Li -  Rogue Jason Statham -  Special Agent Jack Crawford John Lone -  Li Chang Devon Aoki -  Kira Yanagawa Luis Guzmán -  Benny Saul Rubinek -  Dr. Sherman Ryo Ishibashi -  Shiro Yanagawa Sung Kang -  Special Agent Goi		Mathew St. Patrick -  Special Agent Wick Nadine Velazquez -  Maria Andrea Roth -  Jenny Crawford Kenneth Choi -  Takada Mark Cheng -  Wu Ti Kane Kosugi -  Temple Garden Warrior Kennedy Montano -  Ana Chang Terry Chen -  Special Agent Tom Lone

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

Isn’t life grand? Sometimes you meet to person of your dreams in the most unlikely places. Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys) disguises herself as a working girl in order to complete a hit. Her partner is ensconced in a hotel room down the street looking down the scope of a massive rifle that fires bullets the size of Cuban cigars. It all goes awry and she gets shot while trying to clip her mark. In a frantic attempt to escape for the others trying to complete the same murder, she is aided by a disgraced bodyguard who ends up carrying her in his arms down the hotel stairwell, all the while making goo-goo eyes at one another.

Director:  Joe Carnahan Writer:  Joe Carnahan Cast:
Ben Affleck -  Jack Dupree Zach Cumer -  Warren Jason Bateman -  Rip Reed Common -  Sir Ivy Joseph Ruskin -  Primo Sparazza Andy Garcia -  Stanley Locke Alex Rocco -  Serna Alicia Keys -  Georgia Sykes		Wayne Newton -  Himself Ray Liotta -  Donald Carruthers Jeremy Piven -  Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel Peter Berg -  “Pistol” Pete Deeks Ryan Reynolds -  Richard Messner Martin Henderson -  Hollis Elmore Christopher Michael Holley -  Bernard “Beanie” Alfonso Mike Falkow -  Freeman Heller

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

There have been some actions I’ve taken that I have come to regret. The consequences of what resulted have come to cause me embarrassment, sadness, joy… But none of them have caused any physical harm to innocent people I didn’t know. Anna (Naomi Watts) comes by a Russian restaurant in London looking for the relatives of a mother who died in childbirth. She asks Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl) if he know her or her family. She mentions a diary and the world as she knows it changes. The Russians have brought their society to London and Anna, brought up in a London suburb as a second generation Russian emigrée, doesn’t realize the rules and customs they live by will apply to her.

Director:  David Cronenberg Writer:  Steven Knight Cast:
Viggo Mortensen -  Nikolai Naomi Watts -  Anna Armin Mueller-Stahl -  Semyon Vincent Cassel -  Kirill Josef Altin -  Ekrem Mina E. Mina -  Azim Aleksandar Mikic -  Soyka Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse -  Tatiana		Lalita Ahmed -  Customer Badi Uzzaman -  Chemist Doña Croll -  Nurse Raza Jaffrey -  Doctor Aziz Sinéad Cusack -  Helen Jerzy Skolimowski -  Stepan Tatiana Maslany -  Tatiana’s Voice Shannon-Fleur Roux -  Maria

How are you supposed to grow into a decent human being when you’re raised by strangers? Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) tries to ameliorate the situation by being the sort of nanny for Grayer X (Nicholas Art) that will provide the positive influences in his life that his parent are too busy to undertake. She makes events into adventures in exploration, song and positive reinforcement that go unnoticed by the kid’s parents.

Director:  Shari Springer Berman; Robert Pulcini Writer:  Shari Springer Berman; Robert Pulcini; Emma McLaughlin; Nicola Kraus Cast:
Scarlett Johansson -  Annie Braddock Donna Murphy -  Judy Braddock John Henry Cox -  Dean Alicia Keys -  Lynette Lewis Payton Jr. -  Bike Messenger Sonnie Brown -  Human Resources Director Georgina Chapman -  TriBeCa Fashionista Nicholas Art -  Grayer		Jodi Michelle Pynn -  Screeching Lady Mike Rad -  Dude Laura Linney -  Mrs. X Joanna Heimbold -  Glamour Mom Marla Sucharetza -  Charity Mom Phoebe Jonas -  Xanax Mom Allison Sarofim -  Eating Disorder Mom Tina Benko -  Shopaholic Mom

Master Wong (James Hong) has an enduring love for the game of ping-pong as he describes the game and his dedication to it like a fine, well-aged prostitute, taking years to learn her tricks, being cruel to her partners, laughing at you when you are naked but still enticing you to come back for more as she is the only one you can afford. How can you give it up?

Director:  Robert Ben Garant Writer:  Thomas Lennon; Robert Ben Garant Cast:
Dan Fogler -  Randy Daytona Christopher Walken -  Feng George Lopez -  Agent Ernie Rodriquez Maggie Q -  Maggie Wong James Hong -  Master Wong Terry Crews -  Freddy Robert Patrick -  Sgt. Pete Daytona Diedrich Bader -  Gary		Aisha Tyler -  Mahogany Thomas Lennon -  Karl Wolfschtagg Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa -  Mysterious Asian Man Brett DelBuono -  Young Randy Daytona, 12 Yrs. Old Jason Scott Lee -  Siu-Foo Toby Huss -  Groundskeeper David Holmes -  TV Producer Heather DeLoach -  Teenage Fan

What would you do for love? Now suppose that the love is unrequited? Admiral James Norrington (Jack Davenport) is helping Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and others escape from the cursed pirate ship. When she asks why, after all that has passed between them in the past, he tells her that he truly loves her.

Norrington lets them loose from the ship’s brig and watches as they scramble across a tow line back to their captured ship. Elizabeth is the last to leave, and asks Norrington why he’s setting them free. He replies that he has now chosen his side, though he knows this does not absolve him of his other sins including his betrayal. He knows that he’s not going to win her heart but he’s driven to show her that he is willing to be a good man despite the fact that it may cost him his life.

Director:  Gore Verbinski Writer:  Ted Elliott; Terry Rossio; Stuart Beattie; Jay Wolpert Cast:
Johnny Depp -  Captain Jack Sparrow Geoffrey Rush -  Captain Barbossa Orlando Bloom -  Will Turner Keira Knightley -  Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport -  Admiral James Norrington Bill Nighy -  Davy Jones Jonathan Pryce -  Governor Weatherby Swann Mackenzie Crook -  Ragetti		Lee Arenberg -  Pintel Kevin McNally -  Gibbs Stellan Skarsgård -  ‘Bootstrap’ Bill Turner Tom Hollander -  Lord Cutler Beckett Naomie Harris -  Tia Dalma David Schofield -  Mercer Lauren Maher -  Scarlett Clive Ashborn -  Koleniko / Dutchman

Betrayal by what we thought was a friend is always soul-searing. How can they do that? What did I do to cause this? Can it be fixed? Sometimes it can’t. Debra (Penelope Ann Miller) befriends Katie (Jessica Simpson) by offering to do her fake resume, stealing her ideas, demeaning her to colleagues and torpedoing her self-esteem. But karma is always in the wings and it is toting up the score.

Director:  Scott Marshall Writer:  John Cohen; Matthew Flanagan; David McHugh; Jessica O’Toole; Amy Rardin Cast:
Jessica Simpson -  Katie Luke Wilson -  Ben Rachael Leigh Cook -  Haley Penelope Ann Miller -  Debra Andy Dick -  Freddy Drew Fuller -  Billy Larry Miller -  Ronald Connelly Willie Nelson -  Pap Paw		Piper Mackenzie Harris -  Amber Perry Ritchie Montgomery -  Mr. Carruthers Niki Spiridakos -  Nikolina Karen McClain -  Betty Bill Jenkins -  Mr. Perry Paul Vogt -  Floyd Drew Waters -  Stripper Cop #1 Edrick Browne -  Stripper Cop #2

Bad guys always seem to figure that their plans will work out the way they want them to. You’d expect they would realize that not everything is within their control. When escaped murderer Thorton Meeks (Matt Schulze) grabs Detective Tracy Arnold (Demi Moore) off the street and wheels away in the panel truck driven by his girlfriend, he expects he can subdue her and gloats that he is going to hang her like his other victims. It soon becomes apparent to him that Tracy is not going gently as she struggles against his attempt to handcuff her, his attempts to pummel her while she is hanging onto the hair of the van’s driver, while the vehicle careens through the street, clipping other cars, disrupting traffic and maneuvering out of control. Meeks’s final embarrassment pops up when the truck twists into stopped autos and Tracy is launched out the door to land on the windshield of a parked car. He has to scamper away to dispose of the van before the police recapture him. He isn’t a happy killer.

Director:  Bruce A. Evans Writer:  Bruce A. Evans; Raynold Gideon Cast:
Kevin Costner -  Mr. Earl Brooks Demi Moore -  Detective Tracy Atwood Dane Cook -  Mr. Smith William Hurt -  Marshall Marg Helgenberger -  Emma Brooks Ruben Santiago-Hudson -  Hawkins Danielle Panabaker -  Jane Brooks Aisha Hinds -  Nancy Hart		Lindsay Crouse -  Captain Lister Jason Lewis -  Jesse Vialo Reiko Aylesworth -  Sheila Matt Schulze -  Thorton Meeks Yasmine Delawari -  Sunday Michael Cole -  Atwood’s Lawyer Jim Farnum -  Master of Ceremonies Megan Brown -  Dance Couple

Plausibility isn’t often found in some movies. One place I found it was in the characterization of a ‘fire sale.’ Matthew Farrell (Justin Long) uses this term to describe the plan by Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) to systematically shut down the United States infrastructure. It consists of (1) disable all traffic and transportation hubs/systems; (2) disrupt financial sectors and telecommunications and (3) disable water/electric utilities, nuclear systems, and anything else tied into computers. The term comes from the phrase where ‘everything must go.’

Director:  Len Wiseman Writer:  Mark Bomback; David Marconi; John Carlin; Roderick Thorp Cast:
Bruce Willis -  Det. John McClane Timothy Olyphant -  Thomas Gabriel Justin Long -  Matthew Farrell Maggie Q -  Mai Lihn Cliff Curtis -  Deputy Director Miguel Bowman Jonathan Sadowski -  Trey Andrew Friedman -  Casper Kevin Smith -  Frederick Kaludis – ‘Warlock’		Yorgo Constantine -  Robert Russo Cyril Raffaelli -  Rand Chris Palermo -  Del Mary Elizabeth Winstead -  Lucy McClane Sung Kang -  Raj Zeljko Ivanek -  Molina Christina Chang -  Taylor Jake McDorman -  Jim

Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) is slated to marry Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and she wants to be wed in the family church, St. Augustine’s, which is run by Reverend Frank (Robin Williams). He’ll do it if they pass his patented “marriage preparation” course which involves a number of trials to determine whether the pair are suitable for one another. One involves Sadie driving blindfolded down a street while following Ben’s instructions in order to see how well they trust one another. Does anyone beside me see the foolishness in thinking this is about trust?

Director:  Ken Kwapis Writer:  Kim Barker; Tim Rasmussen; Vince Di Meglio; Wayne Lloyd Cast:
Robin Williams -  Reverend Frank Mandy Moore -  Sadie Jones John Krasinski -  Ben Murphy Eric Christian Olsen -  Carlisle Christine Taylor -  Lindsey Jones Josh Flitter -  Choir Boy DeRay Davis -  Joel Peter Strauss -  Mr. Jones		Grace Zabriskie -  Grandma Jones Roxanne Hart -  Mrs. Jones Mindy Kaling -  Shelley Angela Kinsey -  Judith the Jewelry Clerk Rachael Harris -  Janine Brian Baumgartner -  Jim Jess Rosenthal -  Jewelry Clerk Val Almendarez -  Jewelry Store Customer

Most crimes that police investigate involve ones against other persons or ones involving property. Property can be replaced or repaired. But what about people? How can they be fixed? Civilized society prescribes that incarceration is about the best they can do. But is that enough? Sometimes healing requires other avenues. Alice (Gillian Anderson) has let society try but it has given her no satisfaction. She decided the perps need a remedial less in what revenge can mean. Notwithstanding their excuses for their crimes, some folks have trouble in understand what goes around comes around. But they will.

Director:  Dan Reed Writer:  Dan Reed Cast:
Danny Dyer -  Adam Gillian Anderson -  Alice Adam Rayner -  Jago Antony Byrne -  Misha Anthony Calf -  Heffer		Ralph Brown -  Jamie Steven Robertson -  Bill Gugu Mbatha-Raw -  Young PA Neil Finnighan -  Man On Horse Francesca Fowler -  Sophie

What would you do for a friend? Just about anything? Even thought it might cost you all that you value? Your friends? Your social status? Your lifestyle? Perhaps even your freedom? Carter Page III (Woody Harrelson) is willing to give it all up to protect his friend Lynn Lockner (Kristin Scott Thomas), a US senator’s wife. He claims to have found the body of a mutual friend (even though she did) murdered at home and, as his lie spirals out of control, he refuses to recant and implicate his friend. Meanwhile all about him, politics and the police try to protect themselves and accuse others in the culture of revenge, as Carter brands it, swirling around Washington.

Director:  Paul Schrader Writer:  Paul Schrader Cast:
Woody Harrelson -  Carter Page III Kristin Scott Thomas -  Lynn Lockner Lauren Bacall -  Natalie Van Miter Ned Beatty -  Jack Delorean Moritz Bleibtreu -  Emek Yoglu Mary Beth Hurt -  Chrissie Morgan Lily Tomlin -  Abigail Delorean Willem Dafoe -  Senator Larry Lockner		William Hope -  Mungo Tenant Geff Francis -  Detective Dixon Steven Hartley -  Robbie Kononsberg Garrick Hagon -  John Krebs Michael J. Reynolds -  Ethan Withal Allen Lidkey -  Andrew Salesperson Stewart Alexander -  Edgar Andres Williams -  Radley

Sometimes docs forget the first rule of medicine—protect yourself at all costs. That way you know you’re going to survive all sorts of attacks including zombies which seem to be happening with a greater frequency in the recent past. It may mean that you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Other people’s sacrifices, that is. Dr. William Block (Josh Brolin) doesn’t always keep this in mind when he decides to squeeze the abscess on Joe’s (Nicky Katz) tongue. True to form, it bursts all over the doctor’s face. But no worries, his wife, that cheating bitch, Dr. Dakota Block (Marley Shelton) is nearby and can save the day. She has her trusty yellow, blue and red hypos of anesthetic in her breast pocket. A routine injection and it’ll knock him on his butt and the other doctors can proceed.

Director:  Robert Rodriguez Writer:  Robert Rodriguez Cast:
Rose McGowan -  Cherry Darling Freddy Rodríguez -  El Wray Josh Brolin -  Dr. William Block Marley Shelton -  Dr. Dakota Block Jeff Fahey -  J.T. Hague Michael Biehn -  Sheriff Hague Rebel Rodriguez -  Tony Block Bruce Willis -  Lt. Muldoon		Naveen Andrews -  Abby Julio Oscar Mechoso -  Romey Stacy Ferguson -  Tammy Nicky Katt -  Joe Hung Nguyen -  Dr. Crane Cecilia Conti -  Paramedic #1 Tommy Nix -  Paramedic #2 Tom Savini -  Deputy Tolo