Marilyn Torres (tricksterbrat)

While not as good as District 9, which holds its place as best sci-fi of 2009, Surrogates plays well and feels like I, Robot, very Asimov. The storyline was tight with maybe one glaring plot hole involving the Surrogates network. The mentality behind people abandoning their human bodies for forever perfectly fit, coifed android bodies is realistic. It allows them to run away from their very real problems, like the tragedy in Greer (Willis) and Maggie's (Pike) family. While the effects are very organic, even the interesting way that everyone's surrogate moves in a stiff, robotic way, the amount of digital airbrushing on everyone's face is distracting. For any sci-fi fan, this movie is enjoyable and Bruce Willis is no slouch. There are more than enough action scenes to cheer him through.

There are a lot of young actors that get type-cast at every turn (Read: Michael Cera), but I'm thankful that Ellen Page is not one of them. This movie has a smart mouth, laughs, and heart. Not everyone ends up satisfied in the end, which makes this movie even better. Ellen Page's character does a little growing up in a believable way, and the supporting cast is awesomely written. The relationship between Bliss (Page) and Pash (Shawkat) was such a big part of the movie that I'm glad it wasn't saccharine or stereotypical. Plus, most if not all of the actresses did their own roller derby stunts! If Little Miss Sunshine was one of your favorite movies of 2006 and Juno was your thing in 2007, then Whip It is right down your alley.

This movie is everything: drama, musical, comedy, etc. The style is edgy and unique. You either love every second or hate the film its printed on. There's no in between for this one. A lot of universal truths about human nature are hit upon in this film, especially Love. "The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

This movie captures the essence of what it is to be Chihiro's age. The age when nothing is really within your power to control, and then all of a sudden she's forced into a complete role reversal; a huge one for a kid her age: act or lose her parents and be trapped forever in a land of spirits and strangers. Miyazaki's a storytelling genius, of course.