You know a science fiction movie is going to be totally absurd and balls-to-the-wall when it starts off with a voiceover that just throws a giant ball of crazy at your head. Someone who is trying not to giggle gives a little speech about how there was a guy named Zaark 795, and he rose up against his brother, the…

Where would we be without drugs? Half the great musical performances of the 20th century wouldn't exist. There would be no Mork and Mindy. Walter Bishop would have nothing to inspire his research.

For New Year's Eve in Ecuador, massive paper-and-wood figures known as "años viejos" (Spanish for "old years") are burnt to usher out the past 365 days. These elaborate sculptures depict everyone from Chucky the evil doll to Cable from the X-Men, who are all summarily incinerated as the clock runs down.

When you watch Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, you may start wondering if it's a straight-up remake of Avatar. The plot similarities are uncanny after a while... almost like the Hand of Destiny is at work. Spoilers...

Blood: The Last Vampire, opening Friday, won't be just teen vampires kicking butt in schoolgirl uniforms. New concept art from artist Alex Tuis shows more vampire elegance... as well as some grotesque creature designs. Check out a couple more, below.

Hollywood writers went on strike in 2007-2008, but we're only seeing the results now, in a crop of summer movies with half-baked scripts and abnormally dunderheaded writing. So when do we start seeing some movies that the strike didn't wreck?