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What a summer. It had some excellent movies, amazing TV shows and some incredibly sad moments as well.

But who owned this summer? What was the story that had you in its grips for the past three months?

Was it the rise of vampires? Whether you were talking Robert Pattinson and the Twilight gang or all those sexy True Blood stars, bloodsuckers were everywhere.

Or maybe it was reality families: The marital woes of Jon and Kate Gosselin tore up the tabloids, while the huge Duggar clan made a sly move toward taking on the mantle of top reality-show family. (Heck, if each of the kids had a TV, they could probably double their ratings.)

Perhaps it was the wealth of talent lost this summer: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, DJ AM.

Or it was aliens. Not only did hunky Chris Pine get it on with a gorgeous green lady, but District 9 was a surprise alienated hit about bigotry, fear and the surprising appeal of cat food.

We won't get anywhere just wondering, so take the poll—and then post a comment below about your favorites or those you think we missed.

Think you've seen everything? Check out the Best of Summer 2009 gallery.

Pool Photograher/Getty Images; CNN/Adam Rose; Summit Entertainment; VH1; Michael Becker/FOX

We're gonna level with you. It hasn't exactly been the most happy-go-lucky summer, newswise.

We don't need to remind you of the devastating pop-culture blow caused by the recent loss of a certain inimitable music icon. And before that, Michael Jackson died! (RIP, Paula-isms. RI sweet P.)

As if that weren't enough, our favorite franchised carrot top (OK, the only franchised carrot top) was officially eclipsed, with Twilight baddie Rachelle Lefevre unceremoniously ordered to stay a minimum two-film radius away from Robert Pattinson—a fate worse than immortality, if you ask us.

And we probably don't have to tell you why we prefer it when reality shows provide an escape from the real world, rather than become a depressing reminder of it.

Still, not all tears shed this summer were from sadness—some came out of sheer exasperation. Who among us hasn't expressed some saline over the fact that we're still talking about the Gosselins? 'Cause Jon & Kate Plus Media Oversaturate = us reaching for the hankies. (We imagine Eric Dane's nudie tape stirred the same reaction, albeit for completely different reasons.)

So join us as our Best of Summer 2009 roundup takes a temporary walk through Debbie Downerhood, and then let us know: What gave you the best reason to cry this summer? (Don't see what brought on your waterworks? Tell us [off] in the comments.)

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Check out the rest of what ruled supreme this season in our Best of Summer 2009 gallery.

Paramount Pictures; Sony Pictures; Disney/Pixar; Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

Been a weird summer. Aliens everywhere, too, fighting each other right next to Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf, or stuck in some awful Johannesburg ghetto, or getting their asses handed to them by James Tiberius Kirk.

On top of that, the Nazis got what they deserved, Meryl Streep cooked up a storm, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale had their mojo stolen by four drunks lost in Vegas, then some old guy with a load of balloons made everybody cry like a little girl.

Lots of hits, misses and sleepers, but—because this is the Best of Summer 2009—what was the hottest flick? You make the call. (If your fave isn't on the list, drop it in the comments and make your case!)

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Peep Twilight porn and the season's best bods in our Best of Summer 2009 gallery

Kimberly French/ Summit Entertainment

Think we could do a Best of Summer 2009 roundup and not include Twilight? Of course not. Twilight coverage forever! (Or at least a few more years.)

So yeah, pretty crazy summer, right? And there wasn't even a new movie out. Plus, everyone was on a break between the filming of New Moon and Eclipse. What was it then that kept everyone's Twilight obsession going?

Well, we have a few theories, most center around one thing: Robsten (obvi). Let's start with the almost kiss at the MTV Movie Awards that kicked off our summer and then the there was last week's maybe kiss to end it. Thanks guys, great timing.

Those near kisses were also bookends to the other big Robsten drama: the bicoastal separation. Were they sad being apart? Could Rob handle the crazy fans? Was he hooking up with his costar Emilie de Ravin? Ugh, K.Stew's Joan Jett hair? You know, just the normal stuff that any long-distance relationship that might not even be real has to deal with.

Other than that, we had not one but two big trailer premieres, Taylor Lautner's endless chatter about the gym and how New Moon is so complicated and also that huge Victoria casting change up kicking Rachelle Lefevre to the curb for Bryce Dallas Howard. (They both have red hair, no one will ever know the difference!)

So that's just some of the dramz keeping all the Twilight excitement going. Now is the time we ask you to vote on your favorite or point out what we missed.

Get the rest of the Best of Summer in our gallery.

INFphoto.com

Oh, hello!

As part of our extensive Best of Summer 2009 coverage, we were thinking about all the toned women there are in Hollywood: Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox and Jessica Biel, just to name a few. These women work really hard to get in shape—hitting the gym, eating right, taking their vitamins and such—and we just thought we should celebrate all that hard work by, um, looking at them.

And taking a poll about which one is hottest. You know, celebrating them.

Anyway, pick your favorite and then post a comment about how awesome this upbeat tribute is, or how disappointed you are in the choices because we forgot [the name of your favorite actress].

See more of Summer's Best Bodies in our gallery, and keep coming back for updates on the season's most sensational stars, stories and scandals.

Dean/National Photo Group

The only bad thing about summer? It has to end.

But we've still got time to celebrate the stuff that makes the middle part of the calendar year so appealing: Hot bodies, attractive couples, blockbuster movies and maybe even the occasional whiff of scandal.

So before we have to put on warm clothes again, let's start feting these days of wearing hardly anything at all. First up is that most essential of categories: Dudes With Hot Bodies.

Pick your favorite in our poll and then be sure to voice your approval or outrage (what, no Robert Pattinson!?) for leaving out your favorite. (Don't worry, we'll get to him soon.)

Once you've posted a comment, head into our Best of Summer gallery for a look at more of the very best the season has to offer.

See more of Summer's Best Bodies in our gallery, and keep coming back for updates on the season's most sensational stars, stories and scandals.