Quote Originally Posted by fingers99
apt-get --purge remove xmovie

seems to have removed xmovie. I just couldn't find the syntax. But synaptic seemed to still be broken. Trying to upgrade anything (I've yet to try a straight install) I got:

Preconfiguring packages ...

Update finished - You can close the window now

Nothing was downloaded, nothing was changed.

apt-get upgrade synaptic seems to upgrade a pile of stuff but not synaptic. I'm puzzled.
The output of the commands would still be useful there is no way to tell what apt is trying to do without seeing it. Personally I gave up on Synaptic for exactly the same thing you are seeing right now you have no control over what is happening.