1. Hotel Rwanda
Set during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the film follows Schindleresque Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of a luxury hotel whose bravery ends up saving more than 1,200 refugees who hid in the hotel. Cheadle's performance is amazing, and the movie is monumental. Be forewarned, though: Expect audience sobs during the depiction of the Hutu butchery.
2. Brothers
Danish director Susanna Bier's family drama premieres in the U.S. at Sundance next month, but I had the good luck to watch it at Toronto's Film Festival. The story of two brothers -- one a military officer and family man, the other a gruff ex-con -- is moving, but never in a maudlin way. Catch it at an art house near you some time next year.
3. Spider-Man 2
Not a fan of blockbuster superhero sequels? You're missing out on the best action adventure of the year. Maybe it's Michael Chabon's contribution to the screenplay, but never has a superhero seemed so believably melancholy and torn between his regular self and his extraordinary destiny. Tobey Maguire is magnificent, and so is the story.
4. Ray
The musical performances alone are worth the $10 movie ticket; you get to see all of Ray Charles' greatest hits come to life. However, the even bigger draw is Jamie Foxx's transformation into the legendary blind singer. Most biopics minimize the subject's flaws, but this one refreshingly depicts how Charles' drug use and womanizing were integral parts of his life.
5. Maria Full of Grace
The story of a young Colombian woman who agrees to become a drug mule is devastatingly naturalistic. Catalina Sandina Moreno is mesmerizing as Maria, a fed-up flower factory worker with seemingly no options except to swallow dozens of pellets of cocaine. Watching a beautiful 17-year-old risk her life for the dirty drug business is simply unforgettable.
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
You either love this loopy nonlinear love story or you hate it. Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) each have their rollercoaster relationship erased from their memories, but somehow the process of losing each other makes them realize how much they love each other. Can't think of a cooler premise than that.
7. Shrek 2
Even if I didn't have a preschooler, this would still be on my list. Shrek, Fiona and Donkey's adventure to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away was a laugh-aloud treat. All three main characters take a backseat, however, to the scene-stealing feline assassin, Puss In Boots, voiced by a purring Antonio Banderas. Whether or not you have a little one at home, this is a must-see comedy.
8. The Door in the Floor
This drama based on a section of John Irving's 'A Widow for One Year' is worth seeing for one reason: Jeff Bridges' riveting performance as a lecherous children's book author whose estranged wife, Kim Basinger, can't get over the long-ago death of their two sons. Bridges' character is unlikable, but the actor makes him fascinating as well.
9. Mean Girls
Writer Tina Fey could very well be the next John Hughes -- capturing the Zeitgeist of the American high school experience without resorting to raunch. It Girl Lindsay Lohan's comedic timing and newcomer Rachel McAdams' deliciously bitchy performance as queen of the Plastics prove teen-targeted comedies can be smart and well-acted.
10. Super Size Me
Sure, 'Fahrenheit 9/11' got way more press, but after seeing Morgan Spurlock's documentary, I can never see the golden arches again without thinking of how the month-long, all-McDonald's diet changed Spurlock's life -- not just his weight, either, but his internal organs, his personality, even his sex life. And it's really funny, to boot.
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