By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

At long last, Tarantino returns with a vengeance -- or, at least, with a vengeance-fueled, darkly comic head trip of a war movie that reimagines the outcome of WWII with reckless abandon and bold, wild imagination. Experiencing the thrilling bursts of action and brilliant stretches of dialogue in this highly original film is realizing just how much of an asset Tarantino is to the world of cinema. Few movies this year were executed with such assured vision and passion. (Available now.)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel make one of the best screen couples I've ever seen as Tom and Summer, two lovebirds whose relationship is doomed from the start, despite hopeless romantic Tom's firm belief in the contrary. Clever humor mixes with adorable, perfectly pitched whimsy in this irresistible film, a rare rom-com that avoids most of the predictable traps of the genre. The screenplay by young buddies Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber announces two exciting new talents to watch. (Available Dec. 22.)

A science fiction film for the ages, "District 9" is an awesome achievement for newcomer Blomkamp, who used the financial support of executive producer Peter Jackson to craft something truly transcendent. Introducing aliens on Earth not as hostile invaders, but as vulnerable refugees, "District 9" works as a fascinating faux documentary, a gripping suspense thriller, an explosive action film and a sharp social commentary. One of the best movies of the year. (Available Dec. 22.)