If you're looking to shoot movies, get a real video camera, preferably MiniDV.

You'll probably be happy with anything from Sony, Canon, Olympus, et al. All of these manufacturers are known for good build quality and good engineering. Olympus in particular makes outstanding small digital cameras that produce good quality images and cost less than a similarly equipped competing model. You'll pay a little more for a Canon or Nikon and the reason is the quality of the lens glass. Sony tends to be overpriced, but a Sony on sale could be a good deal.

Don't worry about buying the outgoing model. Canon releases firmware updates.

Take a look through the last couple of days of posts; there have been a couple of threads regarding photography.