Best Films of 2007: #5-1

#5: THE BUBBLE

“Walk on Water” director Eytan Fox takes an inside look at the politically active youth in Tel Aviv in this fascinatingly fresh and wonderfully nuanced film. The young cast is uniformly excellent.

#4: AFTER THE WEDDING

This Danish effort from director Susanne Bier uses amazingly subtle cinematography to convey the deepest and gravest of messages. Mads Mikkelsen and the entire cast give remarkable performances in this stunning and powerful film.

#3: AVENUE MONTAIGNE

Perky, bright-eyed Cécile de France interacts with a number of colorful characters in this amusing and often funny drama that still has a serious but warm heart. The film is supplemented by wonderful music and a dazzling cast.

#2: THE LIVES OF OTHERS

The late Ulrich Muhe commands the screen as an interrogator in Germany in the 1980s. The story is marvelous, and every aspect of the film, especially its cinematography and music, make for a terrific experience.

#1: THE DARJEELING LIMITED

Wes Anderson’s latest film is simple yet wonderfully adventurous, and the music and colors of the film set it apart from the rest of the pack this year. The script is excellent, but it the casting of is Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman as wacky brothers that really makes the film.

Best Films of 2007: #10-6

#10: RATATOUILLE

This winning animated comedy tells the story of a young rat whose culinary inclinations inspire him to get into the restaurant business. Terrific voices and a thoroughly amusing script make this premise work incredibly well.

#9: FIRST SNOW

About 15 people saw this fantastic thriller about a traveling salesman marked for death after a visit to a fortune teller. The suspense is gripping and the film is appropriately chilling, with excellent performances by Guy Pearce and J.K. Simmons.

#8: STARTER FOR 10

James McAvoy proves a suitable lead for this wonderfully amusing comedy. The cast is fresh and top-notch, and the script is terrific. The true definition of a dramatic comedy, with a heavy British influence.

#7: THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

Director Julian Schnabel creates a dazzling and affecting portrait of a magazine editor paralyzed by a stroke who only retains functionality in one eye. The film is tough to get through but amazingly photographed and incredibly powerful.

#6: EAGLE VS. SHARK

Jemaine Clement of “Flight of the Conchords” stars as a supremely uncool loser who brings his would-be girlfriend along on a trip back home to get revenge on a bully. The script is flat-out hilarious, and the players work together perfectly.

Best Films of 2007: #15-11

#15: KNOCKED UP

Judd Apatow and crew take a potentially overdone concept and make a charming, hilarious film out of it. Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl make a terrific unlikely couple and are supported excellently by Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, and a whole host of other Apatow regulars.

#14: GONE BABY GONE

Casey Affleck stars as a private investigator trying to help a woman find her missing daughter. Affleck is a wonderful new talent while Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman show no signs of losing any of their skill. The film is incredibly suspenseful and powerful.

#13: EASTERN PROMISES

David Cronenberg directs a violent, fascinating portrait of the Russian mob in England. Viggo Mortensen gives a career-best performance as a silent, shadowy figure who develops a bond with an intrepid midwife played by Naomi Watts. Lots of blood – not for the faint of heart.

#12: THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD

Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are perfectly paired as outlaw Jesse James and wannabe Robert Ford in this period western film. The cinematography and music make for an all-around mesmerizing experience.

#11: JUNO

A quirky teenager gets pregnant and decides to go through with the birth in this sharp, smart comedy with an undeniably brilliant script. Ellen Page is great as the title character, and a wonderful cast helps make a fantastic comedy.

Best Films of 2007: #20-16

#20: WAITRESS

The late Adrienne Shelly directs this amusing and entertaining dramedy about a dissatisfied piemaker longing for happiness in her life. Keri Russell leads an all-around wonderful cast, including Shelly herself.

#19: I’M NOT THERE

Six portraits of different periods in Bob Dylan’s life make for one fascinating film. With the exception of Richard Gere’s outlaw Dylan, the cast is amazing, especially Marcus Carl Franklin and Cate Blanchett.

#18: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

The Coen Brothers’ latest film is a dark and violent tale with one hell of a bad guy in Javier Bardem. The suspense is gripping and the cast does a fine job.

#17: ATONEMENT

Two beautiful young people find that the overactive imagination of one girl prohibits them from spending their lives together in love. A talented cast is supplanted by gorgeous scenery and fantastic music.

#16: SUPERBAD

Young stars Jonah Hill and Michael Cera try to live it up in high school. The dialogue is lewd and ceaselessly hilarious. Christopher Mintz-Plasse makes his unforgettable debut as the superbly uncool McLovin.

Best Films of 2007: #25-21

#25: SNOW CAKE

This film, delayed from a late December 2006 release, opened at very few theatres in April but packed a major emotional punch. Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, and Carrie-Anne Moss all give terrific performances as people dealing with a young woman’s death in a wintry town.

#24: A MIGHTY HEART

This affecting drama tells the story of journalist Mariane Pearl, whose husband was captured by terrorists in Pakistan. Angelina Jolie turns in an amazing performance in this gripping, taut, tough film that bears a lot of similarities to 2006's “United 93”.

#23: ONCE

This film is so simple and yet so effective. Two likeable young musicians meet and make music. There is little else to it, but the wonderful (Oscar-winning!) music makes the film. The story plays only a small part in the movie, which makes it all the more awe-inspiring.

#22: INTO THE WILD

A young man, fresh out of college, decides he wants to abandon civilization and live off on his own and experience nature. Sean Penn goes behind the camera to direct this inspiring drama with terrific cinematography and a stellar cast, led by the talented Emile Hirsch. The film also boasts a terrific soundtrack by Eddie Vedder.

#21: BEE MOVIE

Critics berated this animated tale, which stares Jerry Seinfeld as a bright-eyed young bee eager to get out and see the world. It is the latest in a series of animated movies that combine slapstick, kid-friendly jokes with subtler, funny adult humor. Seinfeld is perfect for the lead role.