10. A Scanner Darkly
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr.
Rated: R

Being one of the only animated films to not feature furry animals or to be animated in CGI, "A Scanner Darkly" revolves around the drug subculture, featuring a undercover cop who is so undercover, he's unsure about his own identity sometimes. Featuring rotoscoping animation, surprising twists, and a dark sense of humor, "A Scanner Darkly" was a mind bender of a movie that captures you from beginning to end. It's probably not for everyone seeing as how the storyline asks you to pay attention to enjoy it, but for those who are up to the challenge "A Scanner Darkly" pays off big time.

9. Thank You For Smoking
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart. Maria Bello
Rated: R

"Thank You For Smoking" is an unusual movie that revolves around someone who's story we never hear: The lobbyist for the tobacco companies. The best satire of the year, "Thank You For Smoking" tells the story of a guy who's job is to defend the tobacco companies and put a positive spin on all the bad publicity they give. The movie is very smart is showing how everyone reacts to these sort of people, how the tobacco company deals with this people, while also showing a very human side to the story where everyone spends so much time shifting blame on other people, that they forget what the real issues at hand are. The one sore spot on the movie is a young reporter played by Katie Holmes, but overall this is a very smart, very funny, and even very touching film about a man who is trying to surviving by getting paid to do the worst job in the world.

8. This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Director: Kirby Dick
Rated: NC-17

While this movie fails on some noticeable levels when it comes to being a true "documentary" in the strictest sense, there's no denying that as entertainment "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" is spot on when it comes to entertaining. Questioning how the Motion Picture Association of America rates the movies we watch, Kirby Dick hires a private investigator to try and discover the faces of the people who rate movies and what their guidelines are. The results are insulting, as the MPAA does not allow doctors or physiatrists on the board, are just as secretive about their proceeds as the CSI, and refuses to give notes to independent film makers with advice to get a rating lowered while giving studios files of paperwork on stuff they can change to get a rating lowered. Part censorship, part hypocrisy, and wholly unfair, by the end of the film the MPAA and the ratings come off looking rather flawed and useless. It may not be worth watching for a pure documentary style movie, but it's revenge at it's best.

7. Monster House
Director: Gil Kenan
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rated: PG

What a great surprise! In a year that was filled with animated movies that were filled with pop culture and a soon to be outdated soundtrack, "Monster House," which was made by first time director Gil Kenan, was a breath of fresh air. Featuring stellar animation, an original storyline, and a house that is actually scary, "Monster House" became one of the surprise hits of the year, making all the other animated films look silly in comparison. Due to the studio botching the marketing by releasing this film in June instead of Halloween many people ended up passing on the movie, but I think it's safe to say this film will get the recognition it deserves come Oscar time.

6. Stranger Than Fiction
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson
Rated: PG-13

I loved every minute of this movie! What an ingenious idea for a movie this is. A movie about an author who is writing a story about someone who is living it was not only a great idea for a comedy, but it also made the story heart breaking and dramatic later on in the film. In a strange twist, Will Ferrell's character lives a pretty dull life until he starts hearing this narrating voice. When Ferrell's character actually meets the person who's planning to kill him in his book, there is still some uncertainty about whether or not she will have mercy on him or kill him to finish what is sure to be her grand masterpiece. This film is funny, thoughtful, and poetic. It may not be the usual Will Ferrell movie you're used to seeing, but I encourage you to seek it out anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised.

5. Apocalypto
Director: Mel Gibson
Rated: R

While Mel Gibson has some personal issues to work out, you can't deny that the man knows how to make a compelling movie. Revolving around the Mayan tribes and being spoken in a dead language with subtitles, "Apocalypto" is a gripping action film in the purest sense. The storyline itself is a decent storyline with a couple neat little twists, but it's when the action gets pumped up that the movie truly shines. With excellent cinematography, stunning settings, and a shocking scene involving a black jaguar bring the quality of this chase film (which is really what the movie is) to a whole new level. Viewers beware though: The movie is about as violent as you might think it is, if not more so. This film is not for people with weak stomachs.

4. Rocky Balboa
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone
Rating: PG

When I heard Sylvester Stallone was making another Rocky movie I groaned with the rest of the world, I'll admit it. But when I actually saw the finished product...wow. I walked away feeling "Rocky Balboa" was just as good as the original Rocky movie from 1976 (the one that won Best Picture). Instead of making a movie where Rocky still thinks he's 21, "Rocky Balboa" shows a Rocky who is old and frail, and lives in the past as he feels he has no future. To see him live his life is a sad sight, as we see a man who lived the glory days and wasn't prepared for those days to end. Even if you haven't seen any of the Rocky movies (and really, who is that) I think you would enjoy "Rocky Balboa."

3. The Queen
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Helen Mirren
Rating: PG-13

Taking a glimpse inside the working of the Royal family, "The Queen" tells the story of a family that is lost in time and out of touch with reality. When Princess Diana dies in a tragic car crash, all of England wants a statement from the Royals. The Queen of England says no though, there will be no statements as this is a family affair. Newly appointed Prime Minister Tony Blair has his hands full talking to the press and trying to keep the people of England from destroying the monarchy. With the performance of her career in this movie, Helen Mirren portrays the Queen of England not as a selfish old woman, but as someone who is trapped by tradition and stuck in time. Heartbreaking from beginning to end, Helen Mirren gives the best single best female performance I've seen all year.

2. The Departed
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Rating: R

Martin Scorsese is back in the genre that he helped invite: The mob boss action movie. Playing off a heavy sense of cat and house, the movie revolves around one man: Frank Costella. One man (Leonardo DiCaprio) is sent to be a undercover cop to help catch Frank. Another guy (Matt Damon) is a cop who's assigned to catch Frank, but is really a spy for Frank. There are two words that describe this movie best: Cell phones. Seriously, you have never seen cell phones used to such a great extent as you will in this movie, which makes the movie as much fun as it makes it serious. With a biting sense of humor and excellent action sequences, "The Departed" is one of the most brutally fun times you're going to have at the movies this year.

1. United 93
Director: Paul Greengrass
Rating: R

Every time I have to write words describing why I feel "United 93" is this years best film I choke a bit. How do I do this film justice? How do I do the event justice? Is it even fair to "review" a film that basically recaptured a true life event? I don't know. All I do know is that "United 93" touched me on a personal level that is hard to describe. No movie made me feel more human then this one, and no movie made me want to sing it's praises as much as this one. Regardless what you feel about the politics of the situation, "United 93" is the one movie you should see this year above all others.

- -Kevin T. Rodriguez- -