Top movies of 2007

25. 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'
One of the best films in the series may have given us a "Sirius" death, but not even Voldemort can stop Harry from ruling the world. With only two films left, will Dumbledore's Army lead us out of the closet and into box office record books? We think maybe. --ED

24. 'American Gangster'
Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe lock horns for the first time since 'Virtuosity' -- and the results are a tad more satisfying (wink). As a vitriolic '70s drug kingpin and the flawed cop on his tail, Washington and Crowe engage in a cinematic tango that's jarring, visceral and not-so-quietly explosive. --TD

23. 'No End in Sight'
As you can surmise from the title, this ain't exactly a sunshiney look at the Iraq War. But it's the most thorough, enlightening detailing of the mega-blunders made by the Bush Administration in planning and executing the war to date, with nary a Michael Moore stunt in sight. --KP

22. 'Into the Wild'
Sean Penn's adaptation of Jon Krakauer's nonfiction book -- about a rich young man who abandoned all his earthly possessions to live in the Alaskan wilderness -- is laden with breathtaking vistas, themes of freedom and loneliness, and a performance by Emile Hirsch that'll break your heart. --TD

21. 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'
Paralyzed by a stroke, editor J.D. Bauby was able to move only one eyelid. Yet Julian Schnabel's stunningly beautiful take on Bauby's memoir soars, rich with imagination and passion. It's a tour de force -- and it'll make you feel like a slob for sitting on your couch. --PC

20. 'Charlie Wilson's War'
Audiences may have stayed away from the bulk of 2007's political-minded movies, but this remarkable, irreverent comedy will prove irresistible, given Tom Hanks' bold portrayal (he's like the LiLo of congressmen), Julia Roberts' return and Philip Seymour Hoffman's sheer brilliance in it. --KP

19. 'Gone Baby Gone'
Elder Affleck Ben proves that it can be a very good thing when an actor wants to direct, while baby bro Casey shows that there's more than one leading man in the family. We can't understand why this mean streets of Boston-set thriller wasn't embraced by audiences, but it's a crime. --AA

18. 'Sweeney Todd'
This is the musical Tim Burton was born to direct, and he flat-out goes for it, with a dark, twisted, gloriously gory film that'll leave you exhilarated and spent. Johnny Depp is sensational as the barber driven mad by his wife's death -- eyes ablaze and razor held high, he's never been more riveting. --PC

17. 'The Savages'
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney turn is some of the year's finest acting as quarreling siblings forced to care for their estranged, ailing father. Though they're hilariously -- and often brutally -- acerbic, these 'Savages' have one redeeming secret: Deep down, they're actually sweet. --TD

16. 'The King of Kong'
The most fascinating, entertaining documentary of the year centers around ... videogame geeks? We dare you not to become enthralled by (and at times, enraged with) the men vying for Donkey Kong's world record in a story inhabited by characters so absurd you'll swear it's a MOCKumentary. --KP

15. 'Knocked Up'Writer-director Judd Apatow's '40 Year-Old Virgin' follow-up solidified his spot as the reigning king of comedy and vaulted schlubby star Seth Rogen to unlikely leading-man status. Like 'Virgin,' it's a delicious tossed salad of vulgar sex jokes and genuine heart. And yes, we said "tossed salad." --TD

14. 'The Lives of Others'
This German gem about a Stasi agent who obsesses over a couple he's tasked to spy on recalls how difficult it was to live an ordinary life on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall. Expect boundaries to drop, along with plenty of tears, by the time the credits roll. --ED

13. 'Hot Fuzz'
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ('Shaun of the Dead') score yet again with this brilliant spoof pittting small-town cops against a serial killer. Not only is it smart and wickedly funny, but it also stands up -- thrill for thrill -- against the action flicks it so lovingly mocks. Watch your back, Bruckheimer. --PC

12. 'There Will Be Blood'
Daniel Day-Lewis gets our award for Most Intense Actor for his, uh, intense portrayal of an opportunistic oil man in Paul Thomas Anderson's beautifully shot epic. The powerful score -- composed by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood -- ought to get a Best Supporting Actor nod all by itself. --AA

11. 'Away From Her'
This heartbreaking movie about Alzheimer's owes its power to two women: the astonishing Julie Christie, who bravely gives the best female performance of the year, and Sarah Polley, who in her directorial debut displays more grace and subtlety than most filmmakers twice her age. --PC

10. 'Walk Hard'
Ever since 'Talladega Nights,' John C. Reilly has let his freak flag fly, and in the hilarious Judd Apatow joint, it's swinging proudly in the wind ... oh, wait, that wasn't his. But with Reilly embodying country-rock legend Dewey Cox (yes, we said "Cox"), you're in good hands. Go, Dewey, go. --AA

9. 'Eastern Promises'
David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen are on the fast track to becoming our favorite celebrity duo, with this re-teaming (after '05's 'History of Violence'). Viggo's Russian accent is flawless (as is his performance), and if you haven't heard about the nude scene by now, you need to get out more. --AA

8. 'Michael Clayton'
This legal thriller doesn't exactly present a novel concept: big corporation tries to cover up wrongdoing; conflicted attorney tries to take them down. What is new is how freaking engrossing this one is, thanks to a solid script from 'Bourne' scribe Tony Gilroy and a subtly stunning turn from George Clooney. --TD

7. 'Ratatouille'
What a gamble it was: Not only is it a family flick that's hard to pronounce, but it's about a rat preparing gourmet food in a French restaurant. Leave it to the brilliant minds at Pixar to cook up the delectable classic that is 'Ratatouille.' Just make sure you wash your hands first. --ED

6. 'Once'
It's not only the greatest Irish musical we've seen since 'The Commitments' (fine, only Irish musical), this indie sleeper is the most romantic movie of the year, a certified cinematic aphrodisiac. Consider its insightful looks into the songwriting process as well, and this one spells "classic." --KP

5. 'The Bourne Ultimatum'
Perhaps the best action movie since 'Die Hard,' its appeal can be summed up in two words: Matt Damon. Bourne seems like Superman -- he leaps off buildings and pulverizes foes using naught but a book -- but underneath all that, he's a flawed, vulnerable human being. And we dig that about him. --TD

4. '3:10 to Yuma'
Christian Bale is fascinating to watch as a wounded Civil War vet, Russell Crowe brings a menacing sizzle to his role of career outlaw with a conscience, and Ben Foster stands out as a grimy villain in James Mangold's remake of a minor '50s classic Western. It's sharp-shooting from start to finish. --AA

3. 'Juno'
In this quirky, angsty, beautifully written flick, Ellen Page proves it's possible for not one, not two, but three enjoyable pregnancy comedies in one year. Between Page's sarcastic musings and Michael Cera's tight gym shorts, 'Juno' provides enough sparks and shenanigans to last much longer than nine months. --ED

2. 'Atonement'
It was a risky undertaking to tackle Ian McEwan's devastating novel, but Joe Wright rises to the challenge with this gorgeous, pitch-perfect film. Blessed with a stellar cast, swirling with desire and regret, the movie isn't just faithful to the book -- it achieves a luminous, aching power all its own. --PC

1. 'No Country for Old Men'
The Coen brothers returned with a bang and a whole lotta blood, crafting this fiercely tense masterpiece that rivals 'Fargo' and 'Blood Simple' as their best work yet. The film's deeper meanings and enigmatic ending will have moviegoers talking for years to come, not unlike a certain HBO series. --KP

source:http://blog.moviefone.com/2007/12/20/best-movies-of-2007/