What rhymes with Tarantino? The year in movies, in verse

What, gone so soon? How can this be?

Already, '09's end we see?

Was "Bride Wars" here one year ago?

Or just a nightmare? (Don't say no.)

Twelve months of film can slip right by

As fast as zombie blood can fly.

But nonetheless, let's take some time

And look back on the year — in rhyme!

First let's recall, with palms still damp

That "New Moon" tale of girl-and-vamp

(And on that note, a question keen:

Could Jacob beat up Wolverine?)

This year found friends both old and new:

The Hogwarts gang, the "Star Trek" crew,

The kids of "Fame," that "Pelham" car,

The weird blue folk of "Avatar."

The Watchmen lurked; the Chipmunks sang

"Transformers" made — what else? — a bang.

Look — Bruno! Sherlock! Tom Hanks' hair!

And Sandra Bullock, everywhere!

"(500) Days" found lots of dates

Drew Barrymore wore roller skates

Judi Dench donned tights in "Nine"

A black cat spoke in "Coraline

"Soloist" starred Foxx and Downey

"Shopaholic" got all clowny

Crowe went old-school in "State of Play"

As for "Saw VI" — oh, go away.

Let's raise a festive New Year's glass

To Meryl Streep, that fetching lass

And let's toast, with misspelled vino

Quentin "Basterds" Tarantino.

As always, a few flicks did tank

(Hey, where'd you go, Hilary Swank?)

And would someone please close the door

On "Final Destination 4?"

But '09 brought its pleasures, too:

"Bright Star" and "Up," to name a few

Smooth "Mr. Fox," in natty pants

Et, en français — j'adore "La Danse"!

A year of tears, of song, of joke

(And endless cups of Diet Coke) —

So from the year's vast filmic string

I hope a few made your heart sing

As we look out to 2010

(What? Carrie Bradshaw? Yet again?)

Just one last rhyme, and then I'm done:

"Happy New Year, everyone!"

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725 or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com. Apologies,

as always, to Roger Angell.