Hmm, I know there's a CSS way to do it, but it only works with anchors/links :T For other stuff, I think you're gonna need the JS tooltip thingie...
I've just remembered too- you could use the title attribute for the images! Just write the description for the image there, and whenever you hover over it, it'll appear!
YES!!! Thats one of my favorites. I do agree that those scenes are very….eughhhh..tho