8. Knocked Up. Here is a movie that is very funny, very touching, and hits all the right marks. It is laced with raunchy comedy, and heart-warming moments with a screenplay that is a thing of beauty, taking a trite plot and giving it something special. It is more than the crass comedy or the one-night stand plot; it is about characters encountering that life-changing event and the ways that they deal and cope and grow. Yes, it is a comedy, and a hilarious one at that, but the drama is equal to the comedy. This movie has a sense of reality to it. You may know people like those in the movie, the pieces are there to draw you in. It is truth grounded in the real world, delivered in a believable fashion, just a slight step removed from the real.

9. Black Snake Moan. This is a daring, audacious example of exploitative filmmaking that seeks to transcend the element of exploitation and deliver something deeper. Director Craig Brewer has written and directed this feature which centers on a pair of fractured individuals who find the path to salvation in each other. It is a film which has much to say, yet never falls into the pit of self-importance; rather it delivers characters who take themselves to the edge of parody, playing on the edge with daring dramatics and humor. It is the humor that carries the film through moments of relief and moments of incredulity at the turns the story takes.

10. Sunshine. How to describe Sunshine? Well, it's a blend of 2001, Event Horizon, Solaris, and even a dash of Jason X for balance. An odd mix to be certain, but even with all of those flavors, it still feels fresh. It explores the effects of long-term space travel on the crew, as well as the super-serious ramifications of the success of their Earth-saving mission. It is a movie that travels in the realms of hard science and the metaphysical aspects of communing with God. There is no denying that this is an engrossing visionary science fiction film that has much to offer in the way of repeat viewings. Danny Boyle has succeeded in delivering a fascinating genre film that is unlike anything he has done previously. If you are looking for something new and different, this is one you will want on your list.

Still with me? Good. I told you this was a good year and good years always provide a lot of discussion material.

This list of alternates will be a bit quicker than the above. They are not listed in any particular order and they all had a shot at the above list.