The 2009 year in movies was defined by a summer of hits. This past summer, the temperature was not the only thing sizzling: Four major flicks lit up the silver screen, becoming nationwide sensations that received hot reviews from the critics and brought in the big bucks.

J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek kicked off the summer May 8, earning $72.5 million in box office openings.

Based on the 1960s sci-fi TV series that became an American phenomenon, the film boasted a reboot of the old story and a younger cast than its Star Trek: Enterprise predecessors.

Chris Pine came out of the woodwork as Captain James T. Kirk, and other notable cast members included Heroes’ Zachary Quinto as Spock and Winona Ryder as Spock’s mother.

“I went into it thinking it was going to be a guy movie and thinking I wasn’t going to understand it but it was simplified so that people who know nothing about Star Trek could understand it,” said senior Communications major Sara Ginolfi.

Later that month, Pixar’s next masterpiece hit theaters. In Up, Carl Fredricksen ties dozens of balloons to his house and takes flight for South American with an eight-year-old wilderness explorer instead of being forced into a retirement home. Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, the film earned $68.2 million on opening weekend, blowing other Pixar classics out of the water.

“I cried within the first 20 minutes. I definitely wasn’t expecting that from a kid’s movie,” said senior biology major Allie Chang.

The Hangover hit theaters in June. Earning $45 million in its opening weekend, the film gave critics something to talk about.
After a wild night in Las Vegas for their best friend’s bachelor party, three friends have lost the groom. Hilarity and chaos ensues as the trio searches Sin City for their friend - before he misses his own wedding.

Directed by Todd Phillips, known widely for Old School, the flick’s hilarity can be attributed to its three main stars, Bradley Cooper (All About Steve), Ed Helms (The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard), Zach Galifianakis (G-Force), Justin Bartha (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Heather Graham (Bobby) and an appearance from boxer Mike Tyson.

“It’s the only movie I’ve ever stuck around for through the credits, and it’s the funniest part of the entire movie,” said senior physics major Ben Crist.

Closing out the summer in August was Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, starring Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.) The film earned $37.6 million in initial box office sales, becoming Tarantino’s highest opening ever.

Set during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers set out to torture the Nazis while a Jewish refugee seeks her family’s revenge.

“Brad Pitt’s character and intense plot made the movie, which could have been a really boring war film,” said senior kinesiology major Jake Ryon.

This holiday season, students can look forward to a new round of cinematic entertainment like Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 2012 and The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey, brought in $31 million opening weekend with its 3-D spin on a holiday classic, while 2012, directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow,) earned $23.7 million just on opening day.

‘Tis the season to indulge in good cinema. Rent one of these DVDs or catch one of the holiday’s new releases in theaters: It’ll be money well spent.

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