You’re blissfully minding your own business, putting the finishing touches and waiting for the shellac to set on your stuffed blowfish, when there is a knock at the door. If you are Jack Starbright (Alicia Silverstone), you are gracious in answering but puzzled by the strange German woman who is asking all sorts of questions about the family in your care. When she refuses to answer, Nadia Vole (Missi Pyle) pulls a gun, cocks an eyebrow and half-winks. Combat starts as a half-marital arts skill fest since Jack knows none and Nadia has all of the moves. Hopping, skipping and jumping about the home, tossing dishes at one another until the regrettable blowfish incident.

Director:  Geoffrey Sax Writer:  Anthony Horowitz Cast:
Sarah Bolger -  Sabina Pleasure Robbie Coltrane -  Prime Minister Stephen Fry -  Smithers Damian Lewis -  Yassen Gregorovich Ewan McGregor -  Ian Rider Bill Nighy -  Alan Blunt Sophie Okonedo -  Mrs. Jones Alex Pettyfer -  Alex Rider		Missi Pyle -  Nadia Vole Mickey Rourke -  Darrius Sayle Andy Serkis -  Mr. Grin Alicia Silverstone -  Jack Starbright Ashley Walters -  Wolf Alex Barrett -  Gary Richard Huw -  Teacher Richard James -  Vicar

I’ve met a couple of people who think they are the centre of the universe and the rest of us are just keeping it clean. It only takes a moment to realize that they are self-absorbed with too little sense of how others interact in the surrounding world. But Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) may be the centre of her own solar system, at the very least. Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) has followed her to a seedy part of London, watches her pick up a rough rent-boy, sees her manhandled into a building and follows. He ends up on the roof, looking through a sky light. Below he sees Catherine engaged in carnal relations while she is relaxing to the bouncing rhythm of her enthusiastic partner and meeting the doctor’s gaze through the window.

Director:  Michael Caton-Jones Writer:  Leora Barish; Henry Bean; Joe Eszterhas Cast:
Sharon Stone -  Catherine Tramell David Morrissey -  Dr. Michael Glass Charlotte Rampling -  Dr. Milena Gardosh David Thewlis -  Det. Supt. Roy Washburn Hugh Dancy -  Adam Towers Stan Collymore -  Kevin Franks Neil Maskell -  Det. Ferguson Jan Chappell -  Solicitor		Terence Harvey -  Henry Rose Ellen Thomas -  Prosecutor Mark Sangster -  Court Reporter #1 Tim Berrington -  Court Reporter #2 Indira Varma -  Denise Glass Heathcote Williams -  Dr. Jakob Gerst Flora Montgomery -  Michelle Broadwin Kata Dobó -  Magda

Everybody has a friend who never quite got the hang of being an adult. It seems they got stuck somewhere in high school and can’t quite find the rhythm of being a grown-up. Randy Dupree (Owen Wilson) is just such a lad. He’s kind, gracious and fumbling. He has trouble distinguishing what’s privacy and what isn’t. He seems to find all of the push buttons to seem like a wounded bunny when hurt yet able to alienate his buddies by his obliviousness to the mores of relationships. Filling the crapper with noxious emissions isn’t going to help.

Director:  Anthony Russo; Joe Russo Writer:  Mike LeSieur Cast:
Owen Wilson -  Randy Dupree Kate Hudson -  Molly Peterson Matt Dillon -  Carl Peterson Michael Douglas -  Mr. Thompson Seth Rogen -  Neil Ralph Ting -  Toshi Keo Knight -  Carl’s Brother-In-Law Todd Stashwick -  Rod		Bill Hader -  Mark Lance Armstrong -  Himself Jason Winer -  Eddie Sidney S. Liufau -  Paco Billy Gardell -  Bartender Dave Eli Vargas -  Aaron Houston McCrillis -  Dougie Bob Larkin -  Army Veteran

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. All you want to do is your job, check out and go home. But sometimes you find yourself in a time and place that allows you to become more than you’ve become. Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) is a witness against some bad cops and his courthouse driver gets caught in traffic. Frank Nugent (David Morse) comes by the bar where they are recuperating after one attempt on Eddie’s life and starts in on persuading Frank to give up the witness. About to kill Eddie, Frank kneecaps the shooter and thereby declares which side he’s on.

Director:  Richard Donner Writer:  Richard Wenk Cast:
Bruce Willis -  Jack Mosley Mos Def -  Eddie Bunker David Morse -  Frank Nugent Jenna Stern -  Diane Mosley Casey Sander -  Captain Gruber Cylk Cozart -  Jimmy Mulvey David Zayas -  Robert Torres Robert Racki -  Jerry Shue		Patrick Garrow -  Touhey Steve Nuke -  FBI Agent Sasha Roiz -  Kaller Conrad Pla -  Ortiz Hechter Ubarry -  Maldonado Richard Fitzpatrick -  Deputy Commissioner Wagner Peter McRobbie -  Mike Sheehan Mike Keenan -  Ray Fitzpatrick

The attention paid to someone else is always an allure to those who are being paid less. Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) orders all of the menu specials prompting Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) to drop by her table to chat about cooking and ingredients. This makes the boss Matthew Kragen (Timothy Hutton) envious as he wants to impress his guests and associates—Senator Dillings (Giancarlo Esposito), Congressman Stewart (Michael Nouri)—with his capacity to demand respect and feels slighted when the chef doesn’t scamper like a puppy to his side to have his belly rubbed.

Director:  Wayne Wang Writer:  Jeffrey Price; Peter S. Seaman; J.B. Priestley Cast:
Queen Latifah -  Georgia Byrd LL Cool J -  Sean Matthews Timothy Hutton -  Matthew Kragen Giancarlo Esposito -  Senator Dillings Alicia Witt -  Ms. Burns Gérard Depardieu -  Chef Didier Jane Adams -  Rochelle Mike Estime -  Marlon		Susan Kellermann -  Gunther Jascha Washington -  Darius Matt Ross -  Adamian Ranjit Chowdhry -  Dr. Gupta Michael Nouri -  Congressman Stewart Jaqueline Fleming -  Tanya Kendall Mosby -  Anton Chloe Bailey -  Angie

If you’re going to kill someone, you really should make sure that your victim is a corpse when you call it in as an accident. It is so embarrassing when the police find them hale and hearty. Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman) takes Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) out for a pleasant afternoon excursion on his lake and, thinking her a non-swimmer, drops her in the drink and sets it up as if she went out alone. Distraught, he calls the local constabulary and tells them that she wanted some time away. Unfortunately for him, Sondra wanders in, soaked to the skin, adding that she feigned her inability to swim to meet Peter.

Director:  Woody Allen Writer:  Woody Allen Cast:
Hugh Jackman -  Peter Lyman Scarlett Johansson -  Sondra Pransky Ian McShane -  Joe Strombel Woody Allen -  Sid Waterman Romola Garai -  Vivian Anthony Head -  Detective Julian Glover -  Lord Lyman Geoff Bell -  Strombel’s Co-Worker #2		Christopher Fulford -  Strombel’s Co-Worker #3 Nigel Lindsay -  Strombel’s Co-Worker #4 Fenella Woolgar -  Jane Cook Doreen Mantle -  Joe’s Co-Passenger #1 David Schneider -  Joe’s Co-Passenger #2 Meera Syal -  Joe’s Co-Passenger #3 Kevin McNally -  Mike Tinsley Robyn Kerr -  Tinsley’s Fan #1

Why do some believe there is a nobility and graciousness to bad guys? Most are venal, unworthy of their reps. For example, we all hate Mystique (Rebecca Romijn), the toady of Magneto (Ian McKellen). But when she steps in front of him and takes a dart in the shoulder, we think what a nice thing to do. But then we see that she has been stripped of her shape-shifting ability and she ends up lying naked on the floor of the prison truck van. Most of us think, oh dear, what is going to happen to her now? Me, I’m thinking she’s naked. Magneto seems to be surprised at how vulnerable she appears. Then, in reaching out to him (after her most callous disregard for all things not Magneto), he turns away shunning her, leaving her discarded like any other piece of broken equipment.

Director:  Brett Ratner Writer:  Simon Kinberg; Zak Penn Cast:
Hugh Jackman -  Logan/Wolverine Halle Berry -  Ororo Munroe/Storm Ian McKellen -  Eric Lensherr/Magneto Famke Janssen -  Jean Grey/Phoenix Anna Paquin -  Marie/Rogue Kelsey Grammer -  Dr. Hank McCoy/The Beast Rebecca Romijn -  Raven Darkholme/Mystique James Marsden -  Scott Summers/Cyclops		Shawn Ashmore -  Bobby Drake/Iceman Aaron Stanford -  John Allerdyce/Pyro Vinnie Jones -  Cain Marko/Juggernaut Patrick Stewart -  Professor Charles Xavier Ben Foster -  Warren Worthington III/Angel Ellen Page -  Kitty Pryde Michael Murphy -  Warren Worthington II Josef Sommer -  President

Conspiracies are almost the staff of life on the internet. They’re pervasive. We see them on many sites where someone thinks that one or more someone elses have done something, are covering up some event or are out to do something nefarious. Who is doing what to whom and why? Geez, no wonder there is so much paranoia and skepticism around. Now comes a new threat. Mattie Webber (Kristin Bell) gets a bunch of messages from her dead boyfriend, Josh Ockmann (Jonathan Tucker), via electronic means. It seems that the dead want to return to our world via the internet. They’re pissed and they’re not taking any prisoners. Lots of the usual horror tropes with some pretty good effects.

Director:  Jim Sonzero Writer:  Wes Craven; Ray Wright; Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast:
Kristen Bell -  Mattie Webber Ian Somerhalder -  Dexter McCarthy Christina Milian -  Isabell Fuentes Rick Gonzalez -  Stone Jonathan Tucker -  Josh Ockmann Samm Levine -  Tim Steinberg Octavia Spencer -  Landlady Jeremy Guskin -  R.A.		Ron Rifkin -  Dr. Waterson Joseph Gatt -  Dark Figure Kel O’Neill -  Douglas Zieglar Tate Hanyok -  Cafe Girl Amanda Tepe -  Grad Student/Margaret Zach Grenier -  Professor Cardiff Corryn Cummins -  Crying Girl Riki Lindhome -  Janelle

What does it take to prove you’re human? Violet Song jat Shariff (Milla Jovovich), a courier, discovers it takes a battery of tests. She’s ushered into a sterile room where they immobilize her, stick probes into her bloodstream and eyes, her mouth and teeth to verify breathing after which she is scanned again for bone, blood and tissue irregularities just so she can pick up a package for delivery and it turns out she is a fraud anyway. Oh dear…

Director:  Kurt Wimmer; Joe Ahearne Writer:  Kurt Wimmer Cast:
Milla Jovovich -  Violet Song jat Shariff Cameron Bright -  Six Nick Chinlund -  Vicecardinum Ferdinand Daxus Sebastien Andrieu -  Nerva Ida Martin -  Young Violet William Fichtner -  Garth David Collier -  BF-1 Kieran O’Rorke -  Detective Cross		Digger Mesch -  Detective Endera Ryan Martin -  Detective Breeder Steven Calcote -  Young Daxus Ricardo Mamood -  Violet’s Husband Mike Smith -  Hospital Hemophage Clay Cullen -  Rebel Hemophage Jennifer Caputo -  Elizabeth P. Watkins Jack Murphy -  Chief of Staff

Who says fashion doesn’t influence our day-to-day life? Not Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) who lectures her 2nd-assistant Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) on how she came to wear her blue sweater. Starting with an Oscar de la Renta show in 2002 who did a cerulean blue collection, through Yves Saint-Laurent and 8 other designers, into selected department stores and on down to the bargain bins, the blue in her sweater has been passed from one to another until it ended up on her back.

Director:  David Frankel Writer:  Aline Brosh McKenna; Lauren Weisberger Cast:
Meryl Streep -  Miranda Priestly Anne Hathaway -  Andy Sachs Emily Blunt -  Emily Stanley Tucci -  Nigel Simon Baker -  Christian Thompson Adrian Grenier -  Nate Tracie Thoms -  Lily Rich Sommer -  Doug		Daniel Sunjata -  James Holt David Marshall Grant -  Richard Sachs James Naughton -  Stephen Tibor Feldman -  Irv Ravitz Rebecca Mader -  Jocelyn Jimena Hoyos -  Lucia Gisele Bündchen -  Serena George C. Wolfe -  Paul

Sometimes a villain is just a villain. Sometimes they’re a charmer and you wish they weren’t a villain. Sometimes they’re doing a villainous deed for what’s thought to be the right reason. Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) is all of theses and NYPD Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) can’t decide whether he wants his tactical unit to end the bank standoff. Each clue sways him further away from his jurisprudent choices. When it comes right down to it, which is better—justice or the law?

Director:  Spike Lee Writer:  Russell Gewirtz; Adam Erbacher Cast:
Denzel Washington -  Detective Keith Frazier Clive Owen -  Dalton Russell Jodie Foster -  Madeline White Christopher Plummer -  Arthur Case Willem Dafoe -  Captain John Darius Chiwetel Ejiofor -  Detective Bill Mitchell Carlos Andrés Gómez -  Steve Kim Director -  Stevie		James Ransone -  Steve-O Bernard Rachelle -  Chaim Peter Gerety -  Captain Coughlin Victor Colicchio -  Sergeant Collins Cassandra Freeman -  Sylvia Peter Frechette -  Peter Hammond Gerry Vichi -  Herman Gluck Waris Ahluwalia -  Vikram Walia

Most everyone over 18 has gotten drunk at least once and likely done things that they can’t remember the next morning. It is with a degree of chagrin that I must admit it has happened to me more than once. So when Amanda (Cameron Diaz) surfaces one morning after getting blotto, she is somewhat anxious to discover what she may have done, particularly when she finds her underwear strewn about the kitchen. Graham (Jude Law), her host’s brother is partway through some coffee when she shyly asks what happened and what did she do (with a tiny sliver of hope that it wasn’t what is swirling through her thoughts).

Director:  Nancy Meyers Writer:  Nancy Meyers Cast:
Cameron Diaz -  Amanda Kate Winslet -  Iris Jude Law -  Graham Jack Black -  Miles Eli Wallach -  Arthur Edward Burns -  Ethan Rufus Sewell -  Jasper Miffy Englefield -  Sophie		Emma Pritchard -  Olivia Sarah Parish -  Hannah Shannyn Sossamon -  Maggie Bill Macy -  Ernie Shelley Berman -  Norman Kathryn Hahn -  Bristol John Krasinski -  Ben Alex O’Loughlin -  Kissing Couple

If you’re fortunate, you’ll have someone in your life who accepts you as you are with all of your faults, doesn’t pass judgement on what you do and treats you as you deserve. If you are truly lucky that person isn’t even a family member. For Tanzie (Hilary Duff) and Ava Marchetta (Haylie Duff) that person is their housekeeper Inez (Maria Conchita Alonso) who takes them the sisters after the scandal of their family cosmetics company being accused of selling toxic products. She just wraps them in her arms and ushers them into her apartment as if they’d never been away.

Director:  Martha Coolidge Writer:  John Quaintance; Jessica O’Toole; Amy Rardin Cast:
Hilary Duff -  Tanzie Marchetta Haylie Duff -  Ava Marchetta Anjelica Huston -  Fabiella Alejandro Rose-Garcia -  Phone Repairman Maria Conchita Alonso -  Inez Brent Spiner -  Tommy Katzenbach Lukas Haas -  Henry Baines Ty Hodges -  Etienne		Marcus Coloma -  Rick Natalie Lander -  Actress/Model/Whatever Obba Babatundé -  Craig Reagan Dale Neis -  Jaden Henry Cho -  Ned Nakamori Misti Traya -  Martinique Christina R. Copeland -  Brigitta Brandon Beemer -  Mic Rionn

Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) is the captain of the Flying Dutchman, a legendary ghost ship which haunts the seas in search of cursed souls to serve upon his vessel for a century. He was unable to bear the pain of losing his one true love so he carved out his heart and stored it in the Dead Man’s Chest. As time passes, he has evolved into a creature that is part octopus, part crab and part man. The first time you see him and his wiggly tentacles, you’ll think that Cthulhu spent a sweaty weekend away with one of his female acolytes.

Director:  Gore Verbinski Writer:  Ted Elliott; Terry Rossio; Stuart Beattie; Jay Wolpert Cast:
Johnny Depp -  Jack Sparrow Orlando Bloom -  Will Turner Keira Knightley -  Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport -  Norrington Bill Nighy -  Davy Jones Jonathan Pryce -  Governor Weatherby Swann Lee Arenberg -  Pintel Mackenzie Crook -  Ragetti		Kevin McNally -  Gibbs Tom Hollander -  Lord Cutler Beckett Stellan Skarsgård -  Bootstrap Bill David Bailie -  Cotton Naomie Harris -  Tia Dalma Martin Klebba -  Marty Alex Norton -  Captain Bellamy Lauren Maher -  Scarlett

Sometimes a concept just beggars the imagination. Cybill Shepherd as a serial killer is one of them. She and her accomplice make a gallant effort to come across as killers but it’s hard to keep a straight face particularly when she is wearing bunny ears.

Director:  Mario Van Peebles Writer:  Larry Brand; Mario Van Peebles Cast:
Gavin J. Behrman -  Antonio Kevin Chapman -  Franklin Derrick Costa -  State Trooper Derek Cunningham -  Swedish Porn Star Elizabeth Dings -  Woman in diner Aubrey Dollar -  Rainn Luis Guzmán -  Mendez Tony Hua -  Detective Lee		Tom Kemp -  Gino Gambetti James Hiroyuki Liao -  Chang Mike Messier -  Eugene- Cass’s Son Bill Mootos -  National Guardsman Sayed Najem -  Front desk Manager Wendy Overly -  Waitress Jackie Quinones -  Angela Cybill Shepherd -  Cass

Sometimes your partner will surprise you with their understanding of your proclivities. Where your inclinations come from are buried in the morass of your subconscious. Something happened in your past that clicked on a switch that takes you in odd directions. You suppress it for awhile but it overwhelms you until you can no longer stand it until you have to act upon it. You aren’t proud of what’s going on but you have to continue. Hopefully it isn’t anything for which you can be convicted but it does provide you with a release. John (Andrew Ableson) tries to blackmail an alibi out of David (Mark Dymond) but instead he confesses to his fiancée Angela (Jules Leyser) that he wears her underwear while she’s out. She’s freaked into seeing hallucinations of John dressed up in her knickers. But others show her that there are worse things than stretched undies.

Director:  John Cosgrove Writer:  Dean Craig Cast:
Marsha Thomason -  Rachel Callum Blue -  Charlie Mena Suvari -  Vanessa Breckin Meyer -  Dylan Mike Vogel -  Danny Katherine Heigl -  Laura Sonya Walger -  Gloria Andrew Ableson -  John		Jules Leyser -  Angela Mark Dymond -  David Bridget Brno -  Naughty Nurse Luna Rocio Cantale -  Waitress Nikki Collins -  Tarty Girl #1 Teena Collins -  Tarty Girl #2 Daz Crawford -  Steve Walter Delmar -  Cafe Patron

When your life turns to poop and everyone wants a piece of you, what do you do? Cut and run? Fight back? Jack Giamoro (Ben Affleck) decides its time to get his life back but first he needs his stolen personal journal back from Barbi Ling (Bai Ling), a tabloid reporter. He lines up a meeting at what he called the worst Chinese restaurant in town. Unfortunately, it belongs to Barbi’s family and the discussion dissolves from there until the family is chasing him and his co-workers through the alleys of Chinatown.

Director:  Mike Binder Writer:  Mike Binder Cast:
Ben Affleck -  Jack Giamoro Rebecca Romijn -  Nina Giamoro John Cleese -  Dr. Primkin Samuel Ball -  Jimmy Dooley Mike Binder -  Morty Erica Cerra -  Sela Gina Gershon -  Arlene Kreiner Adam Goldberg -  Phil Balow		Howard Hesseman -  Ben Giamoro Ling Bai -  Barbi Ling Jerry O’Connell -  David Lilly Kal Penn -  Alan Fineberg Amber Valletta -  Brynn Lilly Damien Wayans -  Lucky Reynolds Laura Soltis -  Barbara Giamoro Spencer Forbes -  Anthony Giamoro

I had been given The Good German by Joseph Kanon as a gift. Now it isn’t the usual sort of book I read as my gifter knew but she thinks I should broaden my horizons. Being polite, I thought I’d give it 50 pages, work up a blurb for her so it would seem I’d finished it and toss it into the corner with other book gifts of dubious interest. Silly me. I got so hooked on it I didn’t put it down until I’d read it straight through. I was mesmerized and completely taken with the characters, setting and plot.

When I saw that it had been made into a movie, I wondered how much of the magic of the book could be transformed to the screen. Filmed in black and white using a 4×3 format, I thought that might work, sort of like the Pathé News reels I remember watching. George Clooney as Capt. Jake Geismer—sure, as long as he isn’t too much of a smarty-pants, Cate Blanchett as Lena Brandt—sure, she can do just about any role and as long as her German accent isn’t too odd and Tobey Maguire as Corporal Patrick Tully—maybe, maybe not but then I saw him in Sin City and thought he can handle the role of this two-faced sleaze.

Director:  Steven Soderbergh Writer:  Paul Attanasio; Joseph Kanon Cast:
Jack Thompson -  Congressman Breimer John Roeder -  General George Clooney -  Capt. Jacob ‘Jake’ Geismer Tobey Maguire -  Patrick Tully Cate Blanchett -  Lena Brandt Dominic Comperatore -  Levi Dave Power -  Lieutenant Schaeffer Tony Curran -  Danny		Ravil Isyanov -  General Sikorsky J. Paul Boehmer -  British Press Aide Igor Korosec -  Russian Soldier #1 Boris Kievsky -  Russian Soldier #2 Vladimir Kulikov -  Russian Soldier #3 Yevgeniy Narovlyanskiy -  Russian Soldier #4 Aleksandr Sountsov -  Russian Soldier #5 Beau Bridges -  Colonel Muller

Over the years, I have been poked, pricked and prodded by a variety of medical practitioners who have done any number of tests. The test that creeps me out the most is that done by my optometrist where he stuffs my head into that frame and proceeds to blast a puff of air into my eyes to open them up. Imagine instead that hypodermic needles are used instead of air are pushed into your eyeballs. That’s what Connors (Anthony Criss) faces. Even if I were blind like him and they promise to restore my sight, I can’t imagine agreeing to have thin steel pipes shoved into my eyeballs. Well, I’m not a tough as Connors so that when he lets Amanda (Nia Peeples) operate the machine to inject the cure, I’m cringing. And then he lets her do it a second time, now without anesthetic. I’m still trying to relax my sphincter.

Director:  Nick Castle Writer:  D. Kyle Johnson Cast:
Anthony ‘Treach’ Criss -  Connors Nia Peeples -  Amanda Blu Mankuma -  Brooks Tom Heaton -  Howard Garwin Sanford -  Darryl Greene Warren Derosa -  Barnes Bill Meilen -  Dr. Mackenzie P. Lynn Johnson -  First Lady		Robin Mossley -  Hotel Manager Elias Toufexis -  Captain Santo Lombardo -  Waiter Claude Knowlton -  Latino Man Richard Zeman -  Lead Gunman David Coles -  Gunman #2 Bobby L. Stewart -  G Section Guard Jano Frandsen -  Three Star General

How do you know that your boss is trying to steal your wife away from you? Sometimes it is in the subtle events you notice. Sometimes it isn’t so subtle. While wheelchair-bound Chip Saunders (Jason Bateman) is admiring a picture of Sofia Kowalski (Amanda Peet) and Tom Reilly (Zach Braff) on Tom’s desk, he licks his thumb and runs it over her face. Tom knows he’s in trouble and it going to take some clandestine moves to show her and her family what Chip is up to. Sadly, Tom is having some difficulty understanding the concept of clandestine.

Director:  Jesse Peretz Writer:  David Guion; Michael Handelman Cast:
Zach Braff -  Tom Reilly Amanda Peet -  Sofia Kowalski Jason Bateman -  Chip Sanders Charles Grodin -  Bob Kowalski Mia Farrow -  Amelia Kowalski Lucian Maisel -  Wesley Donal Logue -  Don Wollebin Amy Poehler -  Carol Lane		Fred Armisen -  Manny Bob Stephenson -  Doug Yaffit Hallely -  Woman Josh Charles -  Forrest Mead Marin Hinkle -  Karen Yul Vazquez -  Paco Michael Lawson -  Busboy Paul Rudd -  Leon

Most everyone has some sort of fetish. Many people have more than one. It is often at the most inappropriate times that we discover what it is. We wonder how much attention we have to expend in order to keep it under control. At times, we share what it is with others in hopes to find understanding, acceptance or, periodically, a like-minded devotee. Or we might find ourselves shunned by those who lack the understanding of how a fetish can influence what we do and how we live. If it is family, we can find a way to ignore it and get along with the day to day life and hope that they’ll get over it and not bring embarrassment to the household. Diane Arbus (Nicole Kidman) has found hers and it is tearing her family apart. She spends too much time in the company of Lionel Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.) and his coterie of unusual friends and her family doesn’t know what to do about it. She was urged to explore her artistic side by her husband Allan (Ty Burrell) and she embraced it to the exclusion of her familial responsibilities without a thought for them. She doesn’t appear to want to surface from the world in which she has immersed herself.

Director:  Steven Shainberg Writer:  Erin Cressida Wilson; Patricia Bosworth Cast:
Nicole Kidman -  Diane Arbus Robert Downey Jr. -  Lionel Sweeney Ty Burrell -  Allan Arbus Harris Yulin -  David Nemerov Jane Alexander -  Gertrude Nemerov Emmy Clarke -  Grace Arbus Genevieve McCarthy -  Sophie Arbus Boris McGiver -  Jack Henry		Marceline Hugot -  Tippa Henry Mary Duffy -  Althea Emily Bergl -  Alicia Lynne Marie Stetson -  Fiona Gwendolyn Bucci -  Dominatrix Christina Rouner -  Lois Matt Servitto -  Handsome Client David Green -  Another Client

If the chase through the Madagascar market by James Bond (Daniel Craig) in pursuit of the bomb maker as they go into and out of buildings, over scaffolding, up and down cranes, through packs of bad guys and local soldiers doesn’t get your heart racing, your blood steaming, your pulse pounding, your throat constricting and your eyeballs popping, then Bond movies just aren’t for you.

Director:  Martin Campbell Writer:  Ian Fleming; Neal Purvis Cast:
Daniel Craig -  James Bond Eva Green -  Vesper Lynd Mads Mikkelsen -  Le Chiffre Judi Dench -  M Jeffrey Wright -  Felix Leiter Giancarlo Giannini -  Mathis Caterina Murino -  Solange Simon Abkarian -  Alex Dimitrios		Isaach De Bankolé -  Steven Obanno Jesper Christensen -  Mr. White Ivana Milicevic -  Valenka Tobias Menzies -  Villiers Claudio Santamaria -  Carlos Sebastien Foucan -  Mollaka Malcolm Sinclair -  Dryden Richard Sammel -  Gettler

During my forays into warehouse stores, I’ve always wondered how quickly they go through those goods stacked on racks above my head. Well, now I know thanks to Zack Bradley (Dane Cook) and his buddies Lon (Andy Dick) and Russell (Harland Williams). The store’s recalcitrant employees have built play fort hidey holes which allow them to slack off and ignore customers like me who are looking for where they have now moved those packages holding 99 batteries.

Director:  Greg Coolidge Writer:  Don Calame; Chris Conroy; Greg Coolidge Cast:
Dane Cook -  Zack Jessica Simpson -  Amy Dax Shepard -  Vince Efren Ramirez -  Jorge Andy Dick -  Lon Tim Bagley -  Glen Gary Brian George -  Iqbal		Marcello Thedford -  Semi Danny Woodburn -  Glen Ross Harland Williams -  Russell Sean Whalen -  Dirk Barbara Dodd -  Granny Kathleen Arc -  Grumpy Lady John Hardman -  Balding Customer

There are times when we find ourselves acting like people with which we’d rather not associate. It happens in baby steps and inattention to what is going on around us and our actions towards others. Simple acts of arrogance, minor activities of excess, unexpected stages of ignorance all contribute to getting bigger than one’s britches. Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li) confronts his rival Chin at his birthday party after one of his students is beaten up by him. The fight costs Huo his oldest friend Nong Jinsun (Yong Dong) and Chin his life. In revenge, Chin’s godson massacres Hou’s household before he commits suicide.

Director:  Ronny Yu Writer:  Chris Chow; Christine To Cast:
Jet Li -  Huo Yuanjia Shido Nakamura -  Anno Tanaka Betty Sun -  Moon Yong Dong -  Nong Jinsun Hee Ching Paw -  Yuanjia’s Mother Yun Qu -  Grandma Nathan Jones -  Hercules O’Brien Brandon Rhea -  German Fighter		Anthony De Longis -  Spanish Fighter Jean Claude Leuyer -  English Boxer Mike Leeder -  Fight Referee Jon T. Benn -  American Businessman John Paisley -  English Businessman Collin Chou -  Yuanjia’s Father Masato Harada -  Mita Zhigang Zhao -  Zhou’s Father

Gay marriage may be legal in some countries but that doesn’t make it accepted by all of the citizens. In Canada, one of the churches is headed for a schism over it. In America, there are movements to amend the constitution to prohibit it. Along comes this little fable of a movie to show viewers that allowing it won’t end civilization as we know it. Shel Grandy (John Stamos) is hired by his brother Ben (Eric Dane) to plan his wedding to Maggie Welling (Bonnie Somerville), the daughter of Governor Conrad Weilling (James Brolin) who has come out publicly against gay marriage. Being gay, Shel decides to take a stand and goes on strike. Little does he know how far it will spread.

Director:  Jim Fall Writer:  Stephen Mazur Cast:
John Stamos -  Shel Grandy Eric Dane -  Ben Grandy Bonnie Somerville -  Maggie Welling Sean Maher -  Ted Moore Rosemary Dunsmore -  Claire Welling Jayne Eastwood -  Wanda Grandy Linda Kash -  Mrs. Fairfield Sean McCann -  Verne Grandy		James Brolin -  Governor Conrad Welling Lee Smart -  Casper Tisdale Doug Barron -  Matt Wildman Suzanne Hawkins -  Katie Gonzales Rejean Cournoyer -  Ken Caldwell John Beale -  News Show Host Matt Gordon -  Wayne Sergio Di Zio -  Ed Myerson

It is always a surprise when you find out that someone close is not the person you thought they were. You sorta know that they do something dangerous but it is all rather vague. Until the day comes when they tell you what it is they do and why they do it. Eve (Amy Smart) is freaked when she finds out what it is that her boyfriend, Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), does for a living and finds herself a target as the bad guys chase the two of them through a sweat shop factory, over a roof, down a fire escape and into a stoled car speeding away. Rather than being aghast at what is going on, she finds herself turned on as they race down the side streets. To satisfy her urges, she figures what Chev needs is a good wank but she refuses to finish him off for fear that he’ll roll over and fall asleep like he usually does.

Director:  Mark Neveldine; Brian Taylor Writer:  Mark Neveldine; Brian Taylor Cast:
Jason Statham -  Chev Amy Smart -  Eve Jose Pablo Cantillo -  Verona Efren Ramirez -  Kaylo Dwight Yoakam -  Doc Miles Carlos Sanz -  Carlito Reno Wilson -  Orlando Edi Gathegi -  Haitian Cabbie		Glenn Howerton -  Hospital Doctor Jay Xcala -  Alex Keone Young -  Don Kim Valarie Rae Miller -  Chocolate Yousuf Azami -  Arab Cabbie Laurent Schwaar -  Man in Garage David Brown -  Sin City Brother Dorian Kingi -  Convenience Store Clerk

Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) is so distraught at the death of her fiance that she flees to a bathroom to hide in the tub and mourn in peace. His best friend Fritz (Timothy Olyphant) needs some privacy as well. But his reason is more basic. He ends up in the bathroom too but his need is more carnal. He’s trying to find someplace so he and the caterer (Sonja Bennett) can have a quickie. Their passion is quickly interrupted but what else should she expect? He is a guy after all.

Director:  Susannah Grant Writer:  Susannah Grant Cast:
Jennifer Garner -  Gray Wheeler Timothy Olyphant -  Fritz Sam Jaeger -  Dennis Kevin Smith -  Sam Juliette Lewis -  Maureen Joshua Friesen -  Mattie Fiona Shaw -  Mrs. Douglas Tina Lifford -  Eve		Georgia Craig -  Persephone Christopher Redman -  Flower Delivery Guy Joyce Krenz -  Housekeeper Sonja Bennett -  Caterer Yorgo Constantine -  Co-Worker Daniel A. Parker -  Deadhead Singer Nancy Hower -  Deadhead Singer Jennifer Spence -  Comforting Friend

I must be patronizing the wrong hotel bars. Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney) sees George Reeves (Ben Affleck) being interviewed by Earl Wilson (Channing Mitchell) and, wiping a bit of drool off her lip, decides to interrupt the TV star of Superman and hones in on him like a predator fixed upon her next snack. A bit of snappy patter and some innuendo soon finds the Man of Steel enticed into bed and gasping for relief.

Director:  Allen Coulter Writer:  Paul Bernbaum Cast:
Adrien Brody -  Louis Simo Diane Lane -  Toni Mannix Ben Affleck -  George Reeves Bob Hoskins -  Eddie Mannix Lois Smith -  Helen Bessolo Robin Tunney -  Leonore Lemmon Larry Cedar -  Chester Jeffrey DeMunn -  Art Weissman		Brad William Henke -  Russ Taylor Dash Mihok -  Sergeant Jack Paterson Molly Parker -  Laurie Simo Caroline Dhavernas -  Kit Holliday Kathleen Robertson -  Carol Van Ronkel Joe Spano -  Howard Strickling Gareth Williams -  Del Zach Mills -  Evan Simo

For a lad who often has one eye cast over the American border this movie makes for illuminating viewing. Reading and hearing about freedom of speech in the land of the free and the home of the brave where one political slur results in a corporate ban from 270 radio stations, CD crushing, death threats and genuine vitriol causes some degree of confusion. How come so few came to their support?

Director:  Barbara Kopple; Cecilia Peck Cast:
Natalie Maines -  Herself Emily Robison -  Herself Martie Maguire -  Herself Rick Rubin -  Himself George W. Bush -  Himself		Simon Renshaw -  Himself Billy B. -  Himself Adrian Pasdar -  Himself Gareth Maguire -  Himself

I like a movie made on a shoestring when it can provide me with a reasonable plot, able acting, interesting locales, etc. But when the trade-off is continuity, it can be darn hard to stick with it to the end. Here, you’ll find the exteriors don’t match the scenery through the car windows, the chase cars get out of order, the camera speeds up to demonstrate stuff going fast and poor old Jack Foster (Steven Seagal) looks like he doesn’t know how to drive, sitting so close to the wheel. Sigh…

Director:  Michael Keusch Writer:  Steven Collins; Joe Halpin; Steven Seagal Cast:
Steven Seagal -  Jack Foster Vasile Albinet -  Russian Skye Bennett -  Amanda Foster Zoltan Butuc -  Detective Werner Daehn -  Cyrell Garrick Hagon -  Waters Eva Pope -  Taxidriver Imelda Staunton -  Ambassador Cochran

How much are you willing to compromise? After getting kicked out of his girl friend’s apartment, Mel (Matthew Modine) wants his back from a sub-let. Ginger (Gina Gershon), her of the spotty English accent, is now firmly ensconced in it. She’s willing to let him back in subject to some restrictions. Just to be fair, Mel has a few of his own. It’s awkward but at least he has a roof over his head.

Director:  Claudia Myers Writer:  Claudia Myers Cast:
Matthew Modine -  Mel Gina Gershon -  Ginger Christy Scott Cashman -  Diana Fisher Stevens -  Bruce Kevin J. O’Connor -  Harry Isiah Whitlock Jr. -  Freddie Krista Ayne -  Seductive Neighbor Samantha Buck -  Mother		Lois Chiles -  Jean Ranjit Chowdhry -  Doorman Ewa Da Cruz -  Inga Revina Delmars -  Isabelle Darrie Lawrence -  Resident Marc Lazard -  Best Man John Buffalo Mailer -  Logan Stephen Mailer -  Band Leader

Some times it doesn’t pay to threaten people particularly when they hold the keys to all of your secrets. Mr. Pettikreep (Vass Anderson) brings the surveyor’s report for the theme park planned by Lord Hailstock (Kevin McNally). Foolishly, he threatens his servant with taking away everything the old codger has and putting him on the street penniless. $10 says the lord will get his ass kicked down the road. Any takers?

Director:  John Eyres Writer:  John Eyres; Max Myers Cast:
Eddie Griffin -  Jimmy McDevitt Anna Friel -  Maureen Vass Anderson -  Mr. Pettikreep Roger Ashton-Griffiths -  Tom Flannery Angus Barnett -  Milos O Shea James Bradshaw -  Malachy McNulty Tallulah Pitt-Brown -  Kathleen Kevin McNally -  Lord Hailstock		Ray Callaghan -  Doc Murphy Christopher Dunne -  Michael O’Malley Nevan Finegan -  Sean McNulty Tom Georgeson -  Father Duffy Togo Igawa -  Mr. Suzuki Cathy Murphy -  Dora Marion O’Dwyer -  Donna Petey Pablo -  Jimmy’s Street Pot Customer

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

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

The Mormon (Sam Elliott) is having a bad day. The events that he has been orchestrating have blown to hell and gone. Walking down the hotel corridor he sees a chance to save himself when he pulls a gun on Detective Bryce (Debi Mazar), not knowing she’s a cop. Dragging her back to her hotel room as a hostage, he pushes in to the room only to find it full of cops with their guns drawn and pointed at him. Discretion being the better part of valour, he surrenders gracefully.

Director:  Matt Checkowski; Kurt Mattila Writer:  Noah Hawley Cast:
Jerry O’Connell -  Businessman Jon Polito -  Jimmy the Photographer Deborah Kara Unger -  Dorothy Steve Coogan -  Ray Elliot Rebecca Romijn -  Lola Henry Rollins -  Putty Selma Blair -  Adelle Jim Cody Williams -  BoBo		Sam Elliott -  The Mormon James Brolin -  Robert Hatch Sharon Lawrence -  Judith Hatch John Leguizamo -  Hannibal James Marsden -  Wendell Hatch Debi Mazar -  Detective Bryce Aimee Garcia -  Operator #1 Yasmine Delawari -  Operator #2

Do you want to see your kids squirm? Start talking about sex with your spouse in front of them. After meeting Abby Willoughby (Jennifer Westfeldt) earlier in the day and her proposing marriage, Ira Black (Chris Messina) introduces her to his parents Seymour (Robert Klein) and Arlene Black (Judith Light) who reveal that each one has cheated on the other during their 30+ years of marriage and yet they have a wonderful sex life. Ira just slides down in his seat in mortification. There are some things a child doesn’t need to know about his parents.

Director:  Robert Cary Writer:  Jennifer Westfeldt Cast:
Chris Messina -  Ira Black Jennifer Westfeldt -  Abby Willoughby Frances Conroy -  Lynne Willoughby Fred Willard -  Michael Willoughby Robert Klein -  Seymour Black Judith Light -  Arlene Black Hayden Adams -  Kissing Subway Guy Jason Alexander -  Dr. Morris Saperstein		Robert Bagnell -  Jimmy Ken Barnett -  Bobby Brad Bellamy -  Henry Mary Louise Burke -  Janice Maddie Corman -  Lea Matthew Del Negro -  Seth Jon Hamm -  Ronnie Darrell Hammond -  Dr. Rosenblum