1. Once: This independent Irish gem, which tells the story of a street musician and a vendor who connect through their music, is beautiful, real, subtle and has more heart than any other film released this year. It features wonderful acting, superb writing, great direction and phenomenal music, all with a budget of only $150,000.

2. No Country for Old Men: Joel and Ethan Coen’s chilling and gritty adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel is practically flawless. Javier Bardem is fantastic as the ruthless killer, Anton Chigurh, who seeks revenge against Josh Brolin’s unsuspecting Llewelyn Moss. It’s a suspenseful thrill-ride from beginning to end.

3. Juno: Diablo Cody wrote the fresh and original script for this comedy about a wisecracking pregnant teen, played to perfection by 20-year-old Ellen Page. This film has lots of hilarity and plenty of heart. It does for the coming-of-age story what last year’s “Little Miss Sunshine” did for the dysfunctional family tale.

4. Into the Wild: Sean Penn successfully transitions from actor to director with this intriguing true story. Emile Hirsch does outstanding work as Christopher McCandless, who graduates from college, gives away his money and possessions and journeys to the Alaskan wilderness.

5. Sweeney Todd: Only Tim Burton could do justice to a story this dark, funny, tragic and mercilessly gruesome. Johnny Depp gives another award-worthy performance as the title character, a barber who slits his customers’ throats as an act of revenge.

6. Atonement: “Pride and Prejudice” director Joe Wright helms another beautiful period piece. James McAvoy, Keira Knightley and newcomer Saoirse Ronan shine in this tragic story of love, betrayal and misunderstanding.

7. Knocked Up & Superbad: Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen have proved themselves to be comic geniuses with these two hilarious films. They manage to take inappropriate, raunchy humor and give it heart. They have proven with their comedic formula that audiences and critics alike can still appreciate a good R-rated comedy.

8. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead: Sidney Lumet continues to make cinematic excellence with this story of two brothers whose plan to rob their parents’ jewelry store goes awry. The film’s non-sequential structure keeps the audience guessing right up until the thrilling conclusion.

9. Zodiac: David Fincher’s dark crime drama tells the true story of the Zodiac, a serial killer active in the San Francisco area during the 1960s and 1970s. The case was never solved, making Fincher’s portrait even more frightening. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr. lead the talented cast.

10. Hot Fuzz: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright, the team behind 2004’s zombie comedy “Shaun of the Dead,” have done it again with this parody of buddy-cop action flicks. Their outrageous yet intelligent brand of humor keeps audiences roaring with laughter throughout the entire film.

A&E Editor: Alexa Milan - 01/16/07