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

There is a bridge between the time you work at a job with no supervisory responsibilities and the time you are promoted to supervisor when you figure that someone will come along and point their finger at you and call you an imposter. You have no idea what you are doing and you’re terrified that someone will come along and strip you of all responsibility and kick you out the door. Making the transition to being able to fake what you’re doing until you learn the ropes and showing others you have a degree of control is a brief one. My time span was about a month and I clasped the mantra of doing the reverse of my previous boss’s behaviour to my heart. I survived. Ted Meyers (Breckin Meyer) struggles with the same panic when he is promoted to product manager. He confides in his wife Cassie (Laura Harris) of his reluctance and she understands the dilemma and suggests he has to decide what he wants for his future. She is ready to stand by him whatever the choice.

Director:  Daniel M. Cohen; Terence H. Winkless Writer:  Daniel M. Cohen Cast:
Breckin Meyer -  Ted Meyers Laura Harris -  Cassie Meyers Bess Armstrong -  Emily Adrian Martinez -  Gregg Mason George Coe -  George Adam Scott -  Jack Monica Keena -  Snowy Melinda Page Hamilton -  Chris		Dona Elena Hatcher -  Tough Girl Louise Hsu -  Tech #3 Ashley Hudson -  Call girl – Toy Benjamin Kanes -  Henry Brian L. King -  Dollar Sign #2 Michael Medeiros -  The Pimp Jo Mercer -  Dollar Sign #1 Tisha Tinsman -  Seductive Lady

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

Tristan (Charlie Cox) and Victoria (Sienna Miller) are star-crossed lovers. Well, at least Tristan is. He has promised Victoria that he will retrieve a fallen star to show his love. Her promise is to give him a week before she marries Humphrey (Henry Cavill) who is going to Ipswitch to buy her a ring. How about that for a deal? Ain’t true love grand?

Director:  Matthew Vaughn Writer:  Jane Goldman; Matthew Vaughn; Neil Gaiman Cast:
Charlie Cox -  Tristan Thorn Ian McKellen -  Narrator Bimbo Hart -  Young Scientist Alastair MacIntosh -  Victorian Academic David Kelly -  Guard Ben Barnes -  Young Dunstan Thorn Kate Magowan -  Slave Girl – Una Melanie Hill -  Ditchwater Sal		Sienna Miller -  Victoria Henry Cavill -  Humphrey Nathaniel Parker -  Dunstan Thorn Darby Hawker -  Grumpy Customer Frank Ellis -  Mr. Monday Peter O’Toole -  King Mark Strong -  Septimus Jason Flemyng -  Primus

Leaving home is a big deal. I still remember the day when I left home for the first time. I was moving about 1,500 miles west to take a summer job at the tender age of 17. Being a boy, I was full of bluff and bullshit but I was a cowering bunny inside. No parents to deflect the rest of local society, no friends to have my back and crack wise with, no idea of where and what anything was. Mind you at that age I thought I was immortal so I could do anything. It was only at night I found that I missed all of the elements with which I’d grown up. I imagine this was the case for Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) when she stands at the open door of the bus with her dad, Paul (John Schneider), saying good bye as she leaves home and extended family to head off to college.

Director:  Joe Nussbaum Writer:  Chad Gomez Creasey Cast:
Amanda Bynes -  Sydney White Sara Paxton -  Rachel Witchburn Matt Long -  Tyler Prince Jack Carpenter -  Lenny Jeremy Howard -  Terrence Lubinecki Crystal Hunt -  Demetria Rosemead ‘Dinky’ Hotchkiss Adam Hendershott -  Jeremy Danny Strong -  Gurkin		Samm Levine -  Spanky Libby Mintz -  Christy John Schneider -  Paul White Arnie Pantoja -  George Donté Bonner -  Embele Brian Patrick Clarke -  Professor Carleton Lauren Leech -  Katy Cree Ivey -  Young Sydney White

On occasion, it takes the arrival of a new face to shake the cobwebs out of our lives. Over time, we fall into patterns of convenience that let us cope with the travails of life. It isn’t intentional, it is convenient. Along comes Scot (Noah Bernett) who has a flamboyant streak. After his mother’s death, he comes to stay with partners Sam Miller (Ben Shenkman) and Eric McNally (Tom Cavanagh) whose gay life ends at the front door. Sam’s brother Billy (Colin Cunningham) is now Scot’s guardian (thanks to his mom) but he’s resisting the return home from Brazil. So Sam and Eric find themselves trying to figure out how to care for, raise and influence a boy who will be a target for every bully who ever strode a schoolyard. On Scot’s side is his near limitless capacity to forgive and his bright, shiny disposition. But none of this solves his problem of who will parent him for the next dozen years.

Director:  Laurie Lynd Writer:  Michael Downing; Sean Reycraft Cast:
Tom Cavanagh -  Eric McNally Ben Shenkman -  Sam Miller Noah Bernett -  Scot Colin Cunningham -  Billy Jeananne Goossen -  Nula Megan Follows -  Barbara Warren Sheila McCarthy -  Ms. Patterson Graham Greene -  Bud Wilson		Dylan Everett -  Ryan Burlington Benz Antoine -  Greg Graham Cameron Ansell -  Finn O’Brien Mark Forward -  Snickering Businessman Alexander Franks -  Joey Morita Kathryn Haggis -  Andrea Burlington Adam Korson -  Referee Shauna MacDonald -  Joan

What does it take to make some time for a loved one, given your busy day? Simon Ballester (Steven Seagal) is on the hunt for the killer of his cop son. He is wistful in his memories of his son’s funeral he tells Alice (Carmen Serano) that he begrudges his not finding the time to spend five minutes just to make a phone call to get caught up with what is going on in his son’s life.

Director:  Don E. FauntLeRoy Writer:  Gilmar Fortis II; Gil Fuentes Cast:
Steven Seagal -  Simon Eddie Griffin -  Armand Tucker Carmen Serano -  Alice Park Cory Hart -  Max Kirk B.R. Woller -  Frank Shaw Liezl Carstens -  Linda Mary Evans -  Irene Al Staggs -  Priest		Jermaine Washington -  Rasheed Brian Lucero -  Benny Danny Trejo -  El Chivo Diego Joaquin Lopez -  Winston Grady McCardell -  Dwight Morris Brett Brock -  Watch Sergeant Mike Seal -  Jack T.J. Jones -  Isaiah

I’ve been to many book store signings. Some are good and a lot of people turn out. They are appreciative of the commentary by the writer and go away feeling that the time was well spent. The author is pleased that it went so well and sometimes even looks forward to their next stop on the tour. But sometimes you get one like that experienced by Mike Enslin (John Cusack) who arrives for the signing, gets a cursory greeting by the store staff, has a handful of people asking the regular sickening questions and watches them drift off into the night, hoping they get lost in traffic. But authors look forward to those rare attendees like that of the young lady at the signing (Alexandra Silber) who found a copy of Mike’s first book on eBay, doesn’t buy his new book and tells him how much the novel meant to her. It may be poignant moment but it remains with the author to enjoy once again when that usual question repeats at his next tour stop.

Director:  Mikael Håfström Writer:  Matt Greenberg; Scott Alexander; Larry Karaszewski; Stephen King Cast:
John Cusack -  Mike Enslin Samuel L. Jackson -  Gerald Olin Mary McCormack -  Lily Enslin Tony Shalhoub -  Sam Farrell Jasmine Jessica Anthony -  Katie Len Cariou -  Father Isiah Whitlock Jr. -  Engineer Paul Birchard -  Mr. Innkeeper		Margot Leicester -  Mrs. Innkeeper Walter Lewis -  Cashier Eric Meyers -  Man One at Book Signing David Nicholson -  Man Two at Book Signing Holly Hayes -  Lady at Book Signing Alexandra Silber -  Young Woman at Book Signing Johann Urb -  Surfer Dude Andrew Lee Potts -  Mailbox Guy

Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russel) has developed what he considers a foolproof ritual to murder his victims. He doesn’t drink, he sweetalks his victims, he waits until they are inebriated and he follows them when they drive off to their next destination. He finds a deserted stretch of road, circles around and floors it when their car heads towards him. As his car has been death proofed to prevent serious injury, he can drive straight into them and usually walk away. He is able to kill all of the passengers including Shanna (Jordan Ladd), Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito), and Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier). He gets away with a broken nose and collar bone plus an index finger according to Dr. Dakota Block (Marley Shelton) when she’s questioned by Edgar McGraw (James Parks) and his son Earl (Michael Parks). She’s none too happy about it though as she struts her doctor catwalk stuff down the hall. I’ve never been treated by a doc as striking as her and I’d welcome having her makeup account.

Director:  Quentin Tarantino Writer:  Quentin Tarantino Cast:
Kurt Russell -  Stuntman Mike Zoe Bell -  Herself Rosario Dawson -  Abernathy Vanessa Ferlito -  Arlene Sydney Tamiia Poitier -  Jungle Julia Tracie Thoms -  Kim Rose McGowan -  Pam Jordan Ladd -  Shanna		Mary Elizabeth Winstead -  Lee Quentin Tarantino -  Warren Marcy Harriell -  Marcy Eli Roth -  Dov Omar Doom -  Nate Michael Bacall -  Omar Monica Staggs -  Lanna Frank Jonathan Loughran -  Jasper

Some guys just don’t listen. They’re so pumped with testosterone that they get stupid. It must be in the food they eat or the liquids they drink or their brains are just wired wrong. Ryder (Dolph Lundgren) asks the bunch looking for a witness to leave the property and they decline. He asks another time and they respond with fists and shotguns. Ryder takes away the sawed-off and, after making some holes in the lads’ trucks, forces them to scurry away like badgers with their pants around their knees.

Director:  Dolph Lundgren Writer:  Dolph Lundgren; Frank Valdez Cast:
Dolph Lundgren -  Ryder Kateri Walker -  Nancy Chelsea Ricketts -  Kiowa Matthew Tompkins -  John Reno John D. Montoya -  Junior James Chalke -  Sheriff Acoma John Enos III -  Jarfe Lawrence Varnado -  Gomez		Charles Solomon Jr. -  Murphy Jonny Cruz -  Billy August Schellenberg -  White Deer Brad Imes -  Hoss Morgana Shaw -  Tiger Julian Guevara -  Mexican Smuggler Andrew Stevens -  Smuggler Bryan Massey -  State Police Deputy

Let’s suppose you are a solider in the military like Doyle (Jeremy Renner). Let’s also suppose you set to guard a group of civilians from insurgents intent on killing them like those infected by the Rage Virus (i.e. zombies on steroids). It seems like a fairly straightforward activity. Let’s now suppose that your commanding officer tells you that the barrier has been breached and orders you to shoot those who have broken through like the virally infected have her in this movie. Given the proper circumstances, I’d level my rifle and pop them once I had them in my scope. I imagine most would follow that order. Now suppose, the order came through to kill anything on the ground whether infected or not. Here is where I pause and examine my commitment to the situation. Particularly if I see a kid like Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) or a doctor like Scarlet (Rose Byrne) through the rangefinder and I know neither one is infected. I might tap someone about to rip out their throat but Andy is just a kid who has been reunited with his dad after spending 28 weeks in a camp in Spain with his sister Tammy (Imogen Poots). Doyle feels much the same and decides that saving a life is better karma than taking one.

Director:  Juan Carlos Fresnadillo Writer:  Rowan Joffe; Juan Carlos Fresnadillo; Jesús Olmo; Enrique López Lavigne Cast:
Catherine McCormack -  Alice Robert Carlyle -  Don Amanda Walker -  Sally Shahid Ahmed -  Jacob Garfield Morgan -  Geoff Emily Beecham -  Karen Beans El-Balawi -  Boy in Cottage Jeremy Renner -  Doyle		Harold Perrineau -  Flynn Rose Byrne -  Scarlet Imogen Poots -  Tammy Mackintosh Muggleton -  Andy Meghan Popiel -  DLR Soldier Idris Elba -  Stone Stewart Alexander -  Military Officer Philip Bulcock -  Senior Medical Officer

Why is it that sometimes we can open up to a stranger rather than a friends or family? Maybe it is because we think that they don’t play a role in our lives and can’t use it against us when it may be appropriate.

Sarah Harwicke (Meg Ryan) is a desperately lonely stay-at-home mom. Her husband is having an affair, her older daughter, Page (Kristen Stewart), is angry with her for no reason she can fathom and she has discovered a lump in her breast. She can talk to her neighbour’s grandson, Carter (Adam Brody), on their daily walks and she decides to share a secret with him. She shows him her favourite place in the local woods and all she asks in return is to be held to allay her frights and feel safe and comfort for a moment.

Director:  Jon Kasdan Writer:  Jon Kasdan Cast:
Elena Anaya -  Sofia Buñuel Adam Brody -  Carter Webb Kelsey Keel -  Teenage Girl #1 Danielle Savre -  Teenage Girl #2 Gina Mantegna -  Teenage Girl #3 Rob Reinis -  Avi Rosenberg JoBeth Williams -  Agnes Webb Makenzie Vega -  Paige Hardwicke		Kristen Stewart -  Lucy Hardwicke Meg Ryan -  Sarah Hardwicke Olympia Dukakis -  Phyllis Dustin Milligan -  Eric Watts Graham Wardle -  Gabe Foley Elise Gatien -  Tiffany Christine Danielle -  Tanya Clark Gregg -  Nelson Hardwicke

When you have one of those jobs that creeps people out, it is hard to make friends and have an usual life. You can mask what you do with euphemisms, you can pretend that you do something else or you can lie. It can lead to all sorts of problems in life like substance abuse, no marital life and few friends you can trust. How do you handle any or all of the situations that come up? One way is to get out of that job. Another is to tell all and sundry what it is that you actually do. Take Frank Falenczyk (Ben Kingsley). He is an alcoholic hitman from Buffalo, New York who is sent to dry out in San Francisco. While working through his 12-step program, he meets and begins dating Laurel Pearson (Téa Leoni) in whom he finds someone who is understanding but ambivalently supportive of his desire to become a better person despite his chosen profession. While getting Frank back in the game, she decides she needs to learn the skills he uses such as target tracking, throat slitting and knife wielding.

Director:  John Dahl Writer:  Christopher Markus; Stephen McFeely Cast:
Ben Kingsley -  Frank Falenczyk Téa Leoni -  Laurel Pearson Cory Cassidy -  Restaurant Patron Luke Wilson -  Tom Jayne Eastwood -  Kathleen Fitzgerald Bill Pullman -  Dave Dennis Farina -  Edward O’Leary Philip Baker Hall -  Roman Krzeminski		Scott Heindl -  James Doyle Aaron Hughes -  Stanley Lorraine James -  Brenda Micheline Marchildon -  Emily Devin McCracken -  Henry Tracy McMahon -  Sales Clerk Katie Messina -  Becky Joanne Rodriguez -  Janet

A family funeral always brings out the best in people. A stranger who introduces himself as Peter (Peter Dinklage) shows up at the funeral of Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) and Robert’s (Rupert Graves) father with the intent of blackmail. He’s after a bundle not to show around pictures he has proving the affair he had with their father. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he finds himself tied up in curtain cord, tripping on acid that has another fellow naked on the roof admiring the birdies and learning why mum says not to jump on the furniture. After crashing his noggin on a table, his hosts figure him dead and spend a moment trying to think of where they can stash his body for the duration of his ex-lovers’ and their dad’s funeral. Yeah, it didn’t take me all that long to reach the same conclusion.

Director:  Frank Oz Writer:  Dean Craig Cast:
Matthew MacFadyen -  Daniel Keeley Hawes -  Jane Andy Nyman -  Howard Ewen Bremner -  Justin Daisy Donovan -  Martha Alan Tudyk -  Simon Smith Jane Asher -  Sandra Kris Marshall -  Troy		Rupert Graves -  Robert Peter Vaughan -  Uncle Alfie Thomas Wheatley -  Reverend Davis Peter Egan -  Victor Peter Dinklage -  Peter Brendan O’Hea -  Undertaker Jeremy Booth -  Mourner Angela Curran -  Sandra’s Friend

I’m a book guy, have been for many years. But it took a movie to remind me that you can take all of the novels in the world and not one of them will make me feel as good, as fast as hearing The Temptations singing Smokey’s song about having sunshine on a cloudy day and when it cold outside, I’ve got the month of May. Thanks, Smokey.

Director:  Marc Lawrence Writer:  Marc Lawrence Cast:
Hugh Grant -  Alex Fletcher Drew Barrymore -  Sophie Fisher Brad Garrett -  Chris Riley Kristen Johnston -  Rhonda Fisher Campbell Scott -  Sloan Cates Scott Porter -  Colin Thompson Nick Bacon -  Pop Bass Player Andrew Wyatt -  Pop Guitar Player		Dan McMillan -  Pop Drummer Tom Foligno -  Has-Beens Promo Announcer Zak Orth -  David Newbert – TV Executive #1 Brooke Tansley -  Janice Stern – TV Executive #2 Daniel Stewart Sherman -  Willy Aasif Mandvi -  Khan Haley Bennett -  Cora Corman Matthew Morrison -  Ray

Isn’t it annoying when someone drops one of those quotes in the middle of a conversation and you can’t confirm or deny it, there and then? Archie Knox (Alec Baldwin), a famous book editor, is trying to impress Brett Eisenberg (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a newly minted associate editor by quoting Date’s definition of hell (“Proximity without intimacy”). She tell him Dante never said that and he has to back down after looking it up and not finding it. It is a great definition though.

Director:  Marc Klein Writer:  Marc Klein; Melissa Bank Cast:
Jason Antoon -  Dean Alec Baldwin -  Archie Knox Stephanie Berry -  Nurse Ian Blackman -  Waiter Audra Blaser -  Petal Vanessa Branch -  Faye Faulkner Melissa Brown -  Jazmin Geoffrey Cantor -  Library Curator		Chris Carmack -  Jed Nathan Corddry -  Jason Jill Eikenberry -  Marlene Eisenberg Vincent De Paul -  Mrs. Paddleford’s Companion Daniel Hubbert -  Bartender Sarah Michelle Gellar -  Brett Eisenberg Vince Giantomasi -  Jack Maggie Grace -  Chloe

My home has been burglarized three times. None of the robberies netted the cowards more that ten grand and I was never at home when they happened. But the sense of violation when I returned home was a price almost to high to pay. I didn’t feel safe. I wanted to strike out at someone, something, somewhere. The embrace of revenge passed but the tickling of societal betrayal remains. Sarah Fenn (Kate Mara) hears the tinkling of cutlery and know someone is inside her house. As he attacks, she shotguns him all over the room. Sadly for her, he wasn’t alone. And this intruder decides he want to toy with her. But a little thought might have led him to wear a cup.

Director:  Antoine Fuqua Writer:  Jonathan Lemkin; Stephen Hunter Cast:
Mark Wahlberg -  Bob Lee Swagger Michael Peña -  Nick Memphis Danny Glover -  Colonel Isaac Johnson Kate Mara -  Sarah Fenn Elias Koteas -  Jack Payne Rhona Mitra -  Alourdes Galindo Ned Beatty -  Senator Charles F. Meachum Jonathan Walker -  Louis Dobbler		Justin Louis -  Howard Purnell Tate Donovan -  Russ Turner Rade Serbedzija -  Michael Sandor Alan C. Peterson -  Officer Stanley Timmons Lane Garrison -  Donnie Fenn Zak Santiago -  Senior Agent Michael-Ann Connor -  Junior Agent Shawn Reis -  Underling

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

I used to do quite a bit of traveling. It involved staying in all manner of hotel and motel. One I remember fondly had rooms the size of strip mall stores and all its furniture was arrayed along the wall. I could have held a floor hockey game in the middle. But at least it was clean. Not like the room that David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale) occupied when stranded along some forgotten rural route. At least they had some entertainment in the form of a VCR. Sadly, they were tapes of the murders of the previous room occupants.

Director:  Nimrod Antal Writer:  Mark L. Smith Cast:
Kate Beckinsale -  Amy Fox Luke Wilson -  David Fox Frank Whaley -  Mason Ethan Embry -  Mechanic Scott G. Anderson -  Killer Mark Casella -  Truck Driver David Doty -  Highway Patrol Norm Compton -  Snuff Victim		Caryn Mower -  Snuff Victim Meegan Godfrey -  Snuff Victim Kym Stys -  Snuff Victim Andrew Fiscella -  Snuff Victim Dale Waddington Horowitz -  Snuff Victim Ernest Misko -  Snuff Victim Bryan Ross -  Snuff Victim Chevon Hicks -  Snuff Victim

The difference between what you’ve seen and what you believe you’ve seen can be enormous. Ballard (Lena Headey) sees the surveillance footage of her father’s (Charles Dance) murder and believes that James Dial (Wesley Snipes) is the cause not knowing he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Director:  Josef Rusnak Writer:  Robert Foster; Joshua Michael Stern; Robert Katz; André Farwagi Cast:
Wesley Snipes -  James Dial Eliza Bennett -  Emily Velizar Binev -  Beloit Ralph Brown -  Collins Charles Dance -  Windsor S.J. Evans -  Man on Street Richard Harrington -  Terry Lena Headey -  Ballard		Gemma Jones -  Mrs. Day Ryan McCluskey -  Parcell Milos Miroslav -  Harris Sousila Pillay -  Woman on Street Bill Richards -  FBI Pilot Iain Robertson -  Cramston Nikolai Sotirov -  Jahar Stanimir Stamatov -  King

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

During my career, I changed job locations exactly twice. I had a number of other chances to take different jobs but the prospect of all the changes associated with new work was too daunting. A new job in a new location isn’t just a matter of getting in a car and turning left instead of right. There is the matter of friends from work and how to maintain the relationships, there is the matter of frequented shops for food and drink and minor purchases made every day, there is the matter of how to organize your day within your employer’s infrastructure. All this can lead to many awkward moments when you meet, by chance, someone from your old job after settling into the new one. Tom Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), an ex-cop who now cleans up bio waste, knows this well. He has moved on to establish a new career but the reception he gets from his old partner, Eddie Lorenzo (Ed Harris), makes him wonder whether any engendered loyalty remains or is he now just a citizen who should queue up like the rest. Or maybe Eddie just doesn’t understand why he had to move on.

Director:  Renny Harlin; Martin Troy Writer:  Matthew Aldrich; Jon Bonnell Cast:
Samuel L. Jackson -  Tom Cutler Ed Harris -  Eddie Lorenzo Eva Mendes -  Ann Norcut Luis Guzmán -  Det. Jim Vargas Keke Palmer -  Rose Cutler Maggie Lawson -  Cherie Jose Pablo Cantillo -  Miguel Robert Forster -  Arlo Grange		Edrick Browne -  Det. Darrin Harris Marc Macaulay -  Vic Rosalind Rubin -  Crying Woman Mike Guy -  Priest #1 Richard Folmer -  Priest #2 James Barnes -  Lawyer Linda Leonard -  Francine Mason Ritchie Montgomery -  George Walton

What price are you willing to pay when you do what you think is the right thing and everyone else thinks is the wrong thing? Would you take a little girl away from the people who will offer her a loving and loved life? Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) would. Would you tell the police about the child and take the chance that the love of your life will hate you forever? Patrick Kenzie would and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) does. Would you let your client skip payment to you if you send her husband to jail and return her niece to her drug mule party girl of a sister? Patrick Kenzie would. Would you babysit for the child while the newly reunited mom goes on a date with some guy who thought she was cute on TV while beseeching the kidnappers to return her daughter? Patrick Kenzie would rather than hide the truth from the world.

Director:  Ben Affleck Writer:  Ben Affleck; Aaron Stockard; Dennis Lehane Cast:
Casey Affleck -  Patrick Kenzie Michelle Monaghan -  Angie Gennaro Morgan Freeman -  Capt. Jack Doyle Ed Harris -  Det. Remy Bressant John Ashton -  Detective Nick Poole Amy Ryan -  Helene McCready Amy Madigan -  Bea McCready Titus Welliver -  Lionel McCready		Michael K. Williams -  Devin Edi Gathegi -  Cheese Mark Margolis -  Leon Trett Madeline O’Brien -  Amanda McCready Slaine -  Bubba Rogowski Trudi Goodman -  Roberta Trett Matthew Maher -  Corwin Earle Jill Quigg -  Dottie

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

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

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

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

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

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