- Terminator Salvation: "I'll be back... again and again and again..." And again. Yep, Warner Bros. thought a fourth film about post-apocalyptic crusading cyborgs would be perfect for summer 2009. This time around, it's 2018 and Edward Furlong's John Connor has matured into resistance-leader Christian Bale. Helena Bonham Carter makes an appearance and Common joins the quest to rally nuclear holocaust survivors and save the world.

- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: Lovable night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is back, this time a successful inventor who returns to his old post at New York's Museum of Natural History where the curator, played to perfection by Ricky Gervais, tells him that many of the old exhibits are being shipped to the Smithsonian, for storage or destruction. Daley races to D.C. where he's joined by Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams)—and eventually everyone in the Air and Space Museum—on a heartwarming journey to save old friends and defeat the evil Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria).

- Every Little Step: Wanna know what it takes to dance on Broadway? Filmmakers James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo were allowed unprecedented access to the auditions for 2006's revival of A Chorus Line. The resulting documentary weaves archival audio and footage into video of the '06 the audition process in an inspiring revelation of the love, sweat, and tears poured into casting and producing one of the most beloved American musicals.

- Dance Flick: Yet another send-up of pop cultural detritus, courtesy of the Wayans brothers. The plot in a nutshell: Aspiring stars Megan (Shoshana Bush) and Thomas (Damon Wayans, Jr.) overcome their differences (she's privileged, he's from the "wrong side of the tracks") to realize their dreams. Dance flicks spoofed include Save the Last Dance, Flashdance, and Step Up.

- The Brothers Bloom: Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, and Mark Ruffalo power this "indie" film with a Juno-sized budget. Stephen (Ruffalo) and Bloom (Brody) are skilled conmen about to pull off their last job. The target: quirky heiress Penelope Stamp (Weisz). Together they travel the world in an elaborate effort to swipe millions from Stamp, with whom Bloom falls in love and complicates the con.

- The Girlfriend Experience: Adult film star Sasha Grey stars as a high-end call girl with the clothes, class, and capitalist savvy to back her $2,000 per hour price tag in Steven Soderbergh's film. But staying on top of her game becomes an endless struggle, juggling responsibilities to her "continuing education" classes, personal trainer boyfriend (Chris Santos), and clients.

- Summer Hours: Olivier Assayas’ brilliant meditation on French nationalism and globalization chronicles the death of one generation and the rise of the next. When the Marly family's matriarch dies, she leaves the estate—brimming with coveted works of art—in the care of eldest son Frédéric (Charles Berling). It's up to him to keep his mother's collection intact for generations to come, but he meets more than a little resistance from expat siblings (Juliette Binoche, Jeremie Renier) and disaffected children.

I was wearily zipping through the DVR'd show last night, stopping to catch only the movie-related awards or whenever something particularly ridiculous seemed to be going on.

(Most amusing were the "shout-outs" that appeared in the corner of the screen while anointed ones were walking to the stage, such as this comment about Reese Witherspoon from one Eve from Philadelphia: "She's an amazing actor and she's really smart!")

But then, at the very end, flaming batwings appeared behind Queen Latifah and The Dark Knight lovefest began.

Because the Christopher Nolan blockbuster won every category it was nominated for — five of them, including Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, Favorite Cast, Favorite Superhero, and Favorite On-Screen Matchup — the PC overlords decided to just give the film its own segment to cap the ceremony, labeling the honor The Most Ludicrously Incredible Movie the People's Choice Voters and Producers Have Ever Seen, or something akin.

Considering the bulk of the show was devoted to lauding huh? movies such as 21, Eagle Eye, and The Secret Life of Bees (all rather odd noms for Favorite Drama), the celebration was a refreshing moment of...well, taste.

But what really got to me is when a smattering of TDK's cast and crew, including Christian Bale and Nolan, took the stage. They, as well as everyone watching, had to be thinking the same thing; the group seemed more somber than pleased.

And I realized that instead of feeling thrilled that the person who truly elevated the film will continue to get his due over the coming months, the reminder that Heath Ledger isn't around to accept the praise himself just made me sad all over again.

Damn you, People's Choice Awards! Next year, stick to honoring stuff like Paul Blart: Mall Cop so I don't have to pretend I got popcorn salt in my eye.