Burn After Reading
The Coen Brothers skewer the political thriller genre in this irreverent black comedy. None of the characters have any redeeming qualities. Each is selfish, paranoid and stupid . . . When you realize that you can relate to such fools, the only thing to do is laugh. ? Jay Spight
The Dark Knight
Does The Dark Knight live up to these long-fermented expectations? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Everything about this film is captivating. ? Shawn Robbins
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
I’ve never been so comfortable laughing at a set of characters in my life. Each possessed an inert humanity that makes you love them, and it’s OK to laugh at the expense of people you love. ? Valerie Nutt
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
One the most imaginative films of the year
. . . Guillermo del Toro’s glorious imagination is given free reign. ? Jay Spight
The Orphanage
The pacing deliberately builds tension within the viewer, and when the jump-out-of-your-seat scares finally come (and they do), they are effective because of the chilling atmosphere and the investment the story puts into the characters . . . The house picked to portray the orphanage is beautifully creepy. ? Jay Spight
Quantum of Solace
Daniel Craig’s 007 is back in Quantum of Solace, the first direct sequel in the franchise’s 22-film history . . . The plot is heads above most any previous 007 flicks (save for Casino Royale) as it continues to dive into the psyche of Bond. ? Shawn Robbins
Role Models
The tale of two energy drink company employees’ falling from grace and doing mandatory community service with a motley cast of youths was quirky, endearing and hilarious. ? Valerie Nutt
Vantage Point
it wastes not one second getting going. Something new is learned with each different account, and the intrigue simply builds and builds. ? S. Lynn Bradford
WALL-E
Leave it to Pixar to create a hero audiences will fall in love with, even though he literally never says a word. . . . an emotional and technical masterpiece, with enough charm to please even the harshest critics and bring smiles to the faces of children. ? Valerie Nutt
