This has been a surprisingly good year for movies and I am thrilled to say that it was difficult to limit my list of favorite movies to ten. (Last year I had a difficult time even finding ten to make my list!) In fact, there are a couple of movies that would probably have made this list, but I haven’t had the opportunity to see. “There Will Be Blood” or “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” are two movies receiving raves that I am inclined to think I will appreciate.
If you’ve been reading my reviews here at Idol Chatter this year, the choices on my list will probably not be a big surprise, but be sure to tell me in the comments box below what movies made it on your list this year. I know there are some big fans of “Lars and the Real Girl” out there. Or am I being a snob by ignoring a comedy like “Knocked Up”? Let the debate begin.

“Ratatouille”
This Pixar film about a chef who is literally a rat was a clever comedy for adults more than for children.
“The Savages”
Based on my own personal experience, there just aren’t enough movies out there about dysfunctional adult brother/sister relationships .This movie hit way too close to home, which is exactly why I liked it so much.
“War Dance”
I had to include at least one documentary on my list, and this was the best one I saw this year. Set in war-ravaged Uganda, this film traces the lives of three students who attend school in a refugee camp and find meaning and hope through song and dance. They are eventually given the opportunity to travel to the capital city to participate in the Kampala Music Festival.
“Gone Baby Gone”
I had to watch this movie a second time to be sure it was as good as I thought it was. With his feature film directorial debut, Ben Affleck made an intelligent thriller with some amazing acting performances and some smart social commentary. This movie really deserved more attention than it received,
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”

Who knew a Western could be a moral allegory about the dangers of celebrity worship? Casey Affleck turns in another great performance as Robert Ford, the man who idolized Jesse James, became a part of his gang and then killed James to become famous himself.
“Away From Her”
This movie about a couple facing the wife’s deterioration from Alzheimer’s disease was painful to watch, yet it was as pro-life as any other movie that was made this year.
“Once”
The best love story of the year with one of the best soundtracks of the year.
“Hairspray”
Though I understand why “Hairspray” purists don’t like the movie as much as the stage musical, I still say that this movie was the most refreshing film of 2007and the most fun to watch.
“Juno”
It took me awhile to actually get into this film, and I thought it was too clever for its own good at times, but this was still one of the most charming movies of the year, and has united people of different political and moral viewpoints in a way that few other movies have this year.
“No Country For Old Men”
Scary, gory, and totally spellbinding, this movie has haunted me ever since I saw it for what I think it is saying and for what I think it is not saying.