Our panel of two sat down for an epic virtual discussion of our absolute favorites of 2009 — in every category we could think of — and set about explaining why each one made the list.

Instead of having to suffer the race-to-the-bottom most reality fare serves up, we’re witnessing a duel to the death between two of the most beloved and talented comedians in our nation.

We mourn the decline of a comedy institution, and offer an experimental solution to salvage it for the Digital Age.

An experiment begins: a simple regimen to combat the twin menaces of backlog and beer gut. Hop on the treadmill for at least 20 minutes every single day, and watch a movie every single night. Also features ‘12 Angry Men’, ‘On the Waterfront’, ‘Duck Soup’, and ‘[REC]‘.

Evolutions, for better or worse. Motion comics stray from their artistic roots, while a new trailer suggests Jason Reitman is growing as a filmmaker.

Brian and Spencer discuss Battlefield 1943, The Flaming Lips, Netherland, The Big Rewind, World War Z, Orphan, In The Loop and online Netflix parties. It’s good to be back.

A slew of smarter, more stylish takes on romance give movie snobs something they can get mushy over without the guilt: love stories with substance.

Tell us your favorite The State moment, and you could win a DVD prize pack worth literally tens of dollars.

Between breaks for holidays and vacations, a brief return with notes on Patton Oswalt in ‘Big Fan’, ‘The State’ on DVD, Chan-wook Park’s ‘Thirst’, New Flaming Lips, and ‘Modern Warfare 2′ (with goggles?).

Even if you missed the LA Film Fest, both of these clever little films are worth tracking down when they arrive in a theater near you.