The Alternates

• Zodiac. David Fincher crafted a superb thriller that stays away from genre conventions and completely engrosses the viewer.
• Hot Fuzz. A brilliant parody/homage of/to the action genre. This slice of excellence comes from the same team as Shawn of the Dead.
• Bridge to Terabithia. Here is a film that caught me completely off guard. It is a wonderful coming of age story that packs an emotional punch.
• Reign Over Me. Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler put me through an emotional wringer in this post-9/11 drama. Easily one of, if not the, best performances of Sandler's career.

• The Lookout. Joseph Gordon Levitt continues to impress with this noirish thriller. He was in the top ten last year with Brick.
• Waitress. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Keri Russell stars as a pregnant waitress who loves making pies. Sounds simple enough, but there is much more to it.
• Bug. Surprisingly intense character study led by a pair of brave performances from Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon.
• The Bourne Ultimatum. Fitting close to the electrifying trilogy. Intelligent action films are few and far between, here is one of the best.

• Stardust. Magical fantasy adventure that is firing on all cylinders. I went in with no expectations and promptly fell in love.
• 3:10 to Yuma. An action and drama filled western that captivates from start to finish. Superb performances from Christian Bale and Russell Crowe don't hurt.
• The Mist. An impactful horror film that has fascinating characters and genuine chills. Frank Darabont and Stephen King strike again!
• Gone Baby Gone. Ben Affleck shows he may be better suited to work behind the camera. A strong and focused thriller that delivers.
• Lars and the Real Girl. How do you follow up playing opposite Anthony Hopkins? Play opposite a love doll, and make it work.
• Superbad. Very funny coming of age story from producer Judd Apatow and co-written by Knocked Up star Seth Rogen.
• Enchanted. Complete surprise this one was. A wonderful fairy tale send up of genre conventions featuring a star-making turn from Amy Adams.

• 28 Weeks Later. Genuinely chilling, truly horrifying, and completely captivating. It equals the original while standing on its own as an excellent film.
• Rescue Dawn. Werner Herzog creates a great film documenting the will to survive. It also has another great performance from Christian Bale.
• Eastern Promises. David Cronenberg takes us inside the Russian Mafia in London. It is a dark and chilling world. Plus there is an incredible, no-holds-barred fight with Viggo Mortensen in a bath house.
• August Rush. I am one of the few to love this film. It is a fairy tale that transcends realism and shows how something as nebulous as music can bring people together.
• Once. I never actually saw this on the big screen, but having recently experienced it on DVD, I had to include it. It is a wonderfully romantic, intimate tale with great music.