Lest we forget, there are other movies around that aren't about wizards or hobbits. Top of the tree is glorious romantic comedy "Serendipity".

Why so great? Well, for a start it's so gorgeously uncynical, asking us to completely buy into the possibility of magic and fate. At Christmas, that's perfect. It's also got some great cameos from Hollywood's finest - Saturday Night Live's Molly Shannon, and the irrepressible Eugene Levy (Jim's geeky Dad in "American Pie"). But the best thing about "Serendipity" is its star. Join in me in cheering for the legendary John Cusack.

The strength of Sir Cusack is twofold: stress and charm. It's a bizarre combo but it works. Charm, you see, is a very versatile attribute, whilst that ever-present underlying stress is what makes him 'one of us'. Thus he's rarely out of work - charming the socks off us as a stressed puppeteer in the weirdly wonderful "Being John Malkovich", or in mainstream fodder such as "Con Air" (playing a charming, stressed US Marshall) and "America's Sweethearts" (as a charming, stressed Hollywood idol). In "Serendipity" he's a charming TV producer. Who's a bit stressed.

Having now met him, I realise that, actually, that's what he's really like. Over to promote his new film, here was no slick interviewee with media-friendly soundbites and witty anecdotes. Cusack was charming, yes - but twitchy, uncomfortable, and undoubtedly stressed with the whole promotional experience. And just like his movies, that made me love him all the more. As I said, he's one of us.

Next up for Johnny is indie film "Hoffman" about the friendship between an art teacher and his star pupil, Adolf Hitler. Cusack plays the teacher (not even his charm could stretch to the führer). Whatever it's like, you can guarantee the usual traits will be there. Bring it on, I say.

Tune into The Movie Lounge with James King on Radio 1 three times a week: Thursdays at 7.20pm on Dave Pearce, Tuesdays at 9:15pm on Steve Lamacq, and Saturdays at 2.10pm on Nemone.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.