[pac-man]

Wall-E is hands down Pixar's best effort, and The Dark Knight looks mighty good. I would feel bad for you if you only saw one and missed out on two great movies.

Wall-E's message isn't heavy handed, but it does hit home because, honestly, humanity and the earth are headed in the direction that the movie points. The animation is top-notch, of course. And Wall-E the character does as much with his lack of speaking as Tom Hanks did while stranded in Cast Away.

The Dark Knight is getting high praise, and I think it may be the comic book movie that people who don't enjoy comic books will enjoy. There are few clips on the web, and they certainly impress. I think it will transcend the superhero stigma and earn mention among finer crime dramas.

I wouldn't be surprised if both of these films get Oscar nods. Wall-E should easily take the Best Animated Feature award, and if we are to believe the hype, Heath Ledger could get a nod for his turn as The Joker. Get with some friends and watch both. $20 isn't exactly small change, but if you have nothing else to do and some friends who are down, I'd say see both films.