  The equilibrium magnetization for layered superconducting films that
experience a nonzero component, $H_{\parallel}$, of magnetic field applied
parallel to the layers is computed at temperatures and at perpendicular field
components in the vicinity of the decoupling transition. A fermion analogy is
exploited for this purpose, whereby it is found that the parallel magnetization
shows an anomalous $H_{\parallel}^{-1}$ tail at high fields due to entropic
fluctuations of the (parallel) lattice of Josephson vortices. A collective
pinning effect is also identified for $c$-axis transport limited by a single
planar defect oriented parallel to both $c$ and to the applied magnetic field.
