Security versus social freedom. It is struggle as old as society. Do we forego freedoms in the name of security? It sure seems so these days. Or is it more important that we are free to do as we want to ourselves (but not others), thinks as we want (without controlling others), be as we want (without manipulating others)? This is what most democracies strive towards. Usually the two are found teetering on the ends of a fulcrum trying to find a balance whereby society can progress without feeling that their will has been thwarted by others. Æon Flux (Charlize Theron) is a renegade in a some say perfect society that has shifted almost all of the way toward security. She wants to bring down the regime of Trevor Goodchild (Martin Csokas) which rules a city called Bregna where the remaining five million survivors of a world-wide plague reside. She and her partner Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo) are tasked to assassinate Goodchild. But something is amiss and there are deep secrets to be uncovered and other conspiracies to be foiled. It isn’t as simple as she has been taught.

Director:  Karyn Kusama Writer:  Phil Hay; Matt Manfredi; Peter Chung Cast:
Charlize Theron -  Aeon Flux Marton Csokas -  Trevor Goodchild Jonny Lee Miller -  Oren Goodchild Sophie Okonedo -  Sithandra Frances McDormand -  Handler Pete Postlethwaite -  Keeper Amelia Warner -  Una Flux Caroline Chikezie -  Freya		Nikolai Kinski -  Claudius Paterson Joseph -  Giroux Yangzom Brauen -  Inari Aoibheann O’Hara -  Scientist Thomas Huber -  Scientist Weijian Liu -  Scientist Maverick Quek -  Chemist Ralph Herforth -  Gardener

Kids always seem to get the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of what they do, a parent always sides with the kids. You’ve got to really want to win them over, despite their tactics, if you want to become part of the family. Nick Persons (Ice Cube) suffers the indignities of puke, strip search, destruction of property, embarrassment and public humiliation, many misdemeanours and a few felonies, rude behaviour and so much more from Lindsey (Aleisha Allen) and Kevin Kingston (Philip Bolden) to get a chance to win over their mom, Suzanne (Nia Long). You gotta wonder whether it is worth it.

Director:  Brian Levant Writer:  Steven Gary Banks; Claudia Grazioso; J. David Stem; David N. Weiss Cast:
Ice Cube -  Nick Persons Nia Long -  Suzanne Kingston Aleisha Allen -  Lindsey Kingston Philip Daniel Bolden -  Kevin Kingston Jay Mohr -  Marty M.C. Gainey -  Big Al Tracy Morgan -  Satchel Paige (voice) Nichelle Nichols -  Miss Mable		Henry Simmons -  Carl Ray Galletti -  Car Dealer Viv Leacock -  Nick’s Pal on the Street Casey Dubois -  Shoplifter J.B. McEown -  Shoplifter Kenyan Lewis -  Basketball Player Daniel Cudmore -  Basketball Player Timothy Paul Perez -  Basketball Player

There are times when we see what we want to see rather than what is really there. We pluck images out of our brain and compare them to what we see and conclude that we know what is happening rather than trap details of the circumstances and organize them together into their proper perspective. We’re all quite lazy in that way. Usually, doing a haphazard job doesn’t affect us one way or the other but sometimes it can cause us no end of grief, cause a bucket of confusion and make us wonder what it was that we really did see. Such is the case for John Steed (Ralph Fiennes) who sees a sled pulled by dogs approaching during a freak summer snow storm. Riding the sled is Emma Peel (Uma Thurman) who stops a few feet away and pulls out a spear gun and whips off a shot that narrowly misses only due to Steed’s reflexes. So she pulls out a gun and plugs him in the chest. Needless to say, Steed is quite confused when he awakes to find Mrs. Peel taking care of him.

Director:  Jeremiah S. Chechik Writer:  Sydney Newman; Don MacPherson Cast:
Ralph Fiennes -  John Steed Uma Thurman -  Emma Peel Sean Connery -  Sir August de Wynter Patrick Macnee -  Invisible Jones (voice) Jim Broadbent -  Mother Fiona Shaw -  Father Eddie Izzard -  Bailey Eileen Atkins -  Alice		John Wood -  Trubshaw Carmen Ejogo -  Brenda Keeley Hawes -  Tamara Shaun Ryder -  Donavan Nicholas Woodeson -  Dr. Darling Michael Godley -  Butler Richard Lumsden -  Boodle’s Porter Daniel Crowder -  Messenger

Officer Philip Gammon (Casper Van Dien) is not a sociopath, he’s just a bit eager. He has killed a dozen or so by now. What started out a killing bad guys has branched out to include witnesses, medical examiners, cops and anyone else like Detective Kathryn Shaunessy (Sherilyn Fenn) whom he thinks will stand in the way of those who have appointed him to carry out the quest to purge the city of those who doesn’t share his views to redeem society. A loaded weapon is always dangerous whether it be a gun or a zealot.

Director:  Christopher Miller Writer:  Stephen Johnston Cast:
Sherilyn Fenn -  Kathryn Shaunessy Casper Van Dien -  Officer Philip Gammon Jerry Kroll -  Gary Hill Larry Drake -  Captain Taggert Ted Shackelford -  Donald Hallows Richard Gleason -  Mike Shaunessy Sam Scarber -  Williams Greg McDonald -  McCammon		Joe Ochman -  Bates Mario Soto -  Sideman Jordan Roberts -  Christine Gorman Tom Tarantini -  David Meed Fatal Instinct -  Johnny Wilson Jason Peirce -  Miller Brooke Baumer -  Assitant Coroner Solomon Loop -  Officer Morley

You’ve got to wonder why smart and sassy women have difficulties in finding the right man with which to spend their life. Maybe it is because they are smart and sassy. Toss in agile wit and good grooming and, sadly, it seems that their options decrease. I’ve known a few and their life seems to focus on their career and their personal life seems to lag. Not for lack of chances though. It seems that the sort of fellow who is in the frame for such a challenge seems to get distracted by short skirts and simpering demeanours. You can see that has been the history for Jane Rosenthal (Nadia Dajani) who has had a fling with both Dr. Troy Rollins (James Barbour) and Malcolm Downey (Tom Cavanaugh). Both let her slip through their fingers. But she may be lucky since Dr. Love is so self-absorbed, he didn’t see what was in front of him and Mal was so wrapped up in his research that he missed his chance. But he has another with Samantha Rose (Sarah Chalke) unless he forgets to look around and see what she is offering.

Director:  Evan Oppenheimer Writer:  Evan Oppenheimer Cast:
Thomas Cavanagh -  Mal Downey Sarah Chalke -  Samantha Rose James Barbour -  Troy Rollins Nadia Dajani -  Jane Anna Belknap -  Marissa Logan Marshall-Green -  Martin Illeana Douglas -  KJ Celeste Holm -  Iris		Erik Palladino -  Groom Ajay Naidu -  Best Man Bryan Ayres -  Angry College Student Tovah Feldshuh -  Associate Editor Daphne Rubin-Vega -  Editor Catherine Kellner -  Bride Marisa Ryan -  Bridesmaid Zack Abramowitz -  Restaurant Patron