San Diego Film Critics Society 2009 Awards

Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" emerged as the big winner when the San Diego Film Critics Society picked the best films of 2009. "Basterds" started off by taking home the award for best film.

Tarantino was also voted best director, Christoph Waltz was named best supporting actor, and Tarantino also took home the award for best original screenplay. The film also won best production design.

But wait! That's not it. "Basterds" also won the award for best ensemble cast! Now that's what I call winning big time, and to be honest, Tarantino deserves it. "Basterds" is not my No. 1 flick of '09, but I sure loved it.

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Thomas Haden Church confirmed for 'Mars'

Thomas Haden Church is now confirmed for and James Purefoy and Mark Strong have officially joined Walt Disney's upcoming "John Carter of Mars," the big-screen adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' series of books.

The film focuses on a Civil War veteran (Taylor Kitsch) who is mysteriously transported to Mars, where he encounters a whole bunch of mysterious creatures. Andrew Stanton is directing the adventure.

The solid cast also includes Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Dominic West and Polly Walker. Heat Vision says Church plays Tal Hajus, a vicious Thark warrior planning to become a ruler.

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Samantha Morton, Dominic West pack for 'Mars'

The cast of Walt Disney's "John Carter of Mars" is growing, and Samantha Morton, Dominic West and Polly Walker are the latest to join the big-screen adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' series of books.

Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe are already part of the crew. The film focuses on a Civil War veteran (Kitsch) who is mysteriously transported to Mars, where he encounters a bunch of four-armed, green creatures.

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Check out the trailer for 'Synecdoche, New York'

Here's the incredibly interesting trailer for Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York," which stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a theater director who attempts to create a life-size replica of New York for his play inside a warehouse. Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Hope Davis, Emily Watson and Jennifer Jason Leigh co-star.

This most definitely looks like yet another tour-de-force performance by Hoffman. I haven't had the chance yet to see the flick, but if you've seen it, please let me know. "Synecdoche, New York" opens in limited release Oct. 24, 2008.