Quentin Tarantino hasn’t made a truly original film in years, with most of his post Pulp Fiction films paying homage to one genre of film or another. Inglourious Basterds is more of the same from the filmmaker in that regard, taking the category of World War II movies and borrowing and paying tribute to other films. Even the title is a tribute, referencing the 1978 Italian film, Quel maldetto treno... 

Twice this year I’ve made the mistake of generalizing a movie unseen; holding a fanatic following against the movie. The first was Sex and the City, which wound up making its way onto my list of 2008’s best movies. The second is Hannah Montana: the Movie, which isn’t going to garner the same acclaim for 2009, but winds up not being as bad as I expected. Now that I’ve actually experienced Hannah... 

Hollywood can stop the cameras. The film studios can empty out and all the actors and actresses can get real jobs. Hollywood has finally done it – they have made the perfect film. In a summer engorged with over the top action flicks and rom-coms that just seem to always miss their mark, (500) Days of Summer captures the true essence of what a summer romance movie should be. It’s simple,... 

Each year we get a flood of romantic comedies that try and look at the humorous side of relationships and make us laugh until we tear up in delight as the central couple come together. But romance isn’t always funny, nor does it always wind up happily ever after. While The Time Traveler’s Wife may take things a bit extreme with its story, the movie does offer a romance that is full of wonder but... 

Science fiction is always at its best when it serves as social commentary. Giant robots and nanotechnology are fun, but, as a genre, science fiction is capable of so much more than just entertainment, opening an eye on society’s shortcomings and even offering solutions. District 9 may not offer any solutions, but the social commentary is nearly impossible to miss, and the movie is a clear example... 

Delgo seems to be one of those films that no one really wants to see or anticipates; it just is. Maybe the studio needed to fill a number quota for animated movies for the year. I don’t know, but what I do know is that it is a movie that didn’t need to be made at all. At no point does Delgo feel deeply grounded with any character and it’s probably just by chance that the title of the film is... 

Let me just say this up front: I Sell the Dead is one of the most unexpectedly entertaining movies I’ve seen in a while. The gruesome comedy feels like an extended episode of Tales from the Crypt if it were directed by Sam Raimi. The story is grisly, macabre, and utterly hilarious, and is sure to please anyone who enjoys that kind of grim horror comedy combination. The fact that this is a macabre... 

I didn’t watch Dollhouse when the first season aired on TV. I guess I was still feeling burned by the last combination of Joss Whedon and the Fox network, and I didn’t want to get invested in a series that wasn’t long for this world. Surprisingly, Fox renewed the series for a second season, immediately making me interested in catching up with the show. It turns out DVD is a terrible way to introduce... 

Brought to us by writer-director Nora Ephron, Julie & Julia is based on the true stories of two women; one we know well, or at least think we do, and another who until recently has been unknown. The first character we see is that of Julia Child, expertly played by Meryl Streep, the tall, vivacious, and excitable woman of the kitchen. The second main character is Julie Powell, Amy Adams, who doesn’t... 

I grew up on G.I. Joe. I had the toys, watched the cartoons, and even (albeit infrequently) read the comic books. Watching the franchise brought to life in the new G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, one thing is made clear – this is not a movie for the die hard fans. This is a movie attempting to create new fans, leaving behind parts of the established franchise in an attempt to draw in a new audience...