The Best Movies in Theaters

1. 'Pineapple Express'
It's 'Pulp Fiction Goes Up in Smoke' -- Seth Rogen is a pothead process server who witnesses a murder; James Franco is his pothead pot dealer who goes on the run with him. Rogen wrote, Judd Apatow produced and David Gordon Green directed (huh?) this kick-ass, laugh-laden stoner comedy epic. -- Angie Argabrite

2. 'The Dark Knight'
Good and evil, peace and chaos, Batman and the Joker are two sides of the same coin -- with their fates just a wrist-flick away -- in this gritty, glorious sequel to 'Batman Begins.' Thanks to impressive action, Christian Bale's tortured turn as the demon-knight and Heath Ledger's unsettling, unforgettable performance as his clown-faced foe, this is a masterpiece -- no joke. -- Tom DiChiara

3. 'Boy A'
In this saddening, incredibly well done film, Andrew Garfield plays a young man released back into society years after committing a horrific, infamous crime as a child. While the suspense depends on whether his new identity will protect him from an unforgiving public, it's the perfect sort of drama: one that plays off life's sorrows and cruelties without resorting to overdramatization. -- Kevin Polowy

4. 'Step Brothers'
Shake 'n' Bake together again! 'Talladega Nights' duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reunite for a raunchy comedy that depicts what the 'Brady Bunch' might have been like if the kids were foul-mouthed, 40-year-old slack-asses who delighted in beating each other up and rubbing their genitals on each others' possessions. Sure it's juvenile, but it's also damned funny. -- Tom DiChiara

5. 'Man on Wire'
In some ways a tribute to the World Trade Center -- without ever mentioning 9/11 -- James Marsh's elegant documentary tells the remarkable story of the wacky Frenchman who tightrope-walked between the Twin Towers in 1974. And it contains some of the most wondrous images of humanity "living on the edge" you'll ever see. Just don't try this at home. -- Kevin Polowy

6. 'American Teen'
This doc following four high school students for a year may seem like some slick MTV production; but as the movie progresses, you're drawn into the lives of these appealing teens whose problems come off as both dramatic and real. Teenaged viewers will relate, while those of us no longer in high school will be very, very glad we never have to go back there again. -- Patricia Chui

7. 'Transsiberian'
Woody Harrelson and indie darling Emily Mortimer turn in impressive performances as unfortunate humanitarians on a train ride through Russia in this surprising and unsettling thriller from the director of 'The Machinist.' Think 'Brokedown Palace' meets 'Unfaithful,' co-starring a Russian-speaking Sir Ben Kingsley (in one of his approximately 87 roles this year). -- Kevin Polowy

8. 'The Wackness'
Like 2005's 'Hustle & Flow,' Jonathan Levine's blissful look back at growing up on hip-hop in the mid-'90s is one of those indies that sneaks up and forces a cheesy grin on your face. Come for the lovably awkward main character (Josh Peck) and classic rap soundtrack, stay for the priceless imagery of Sir Ben Kingsley taking hits from the bong. -- Kevin Polowy

9. 'Mamma Mia!'
Ladies, gay men and dudes faced with date night, listen up! This rollicking fairy tale -- replete with ABBA's classic tunes and beatific locales -- is a better mood-booster than chocolate and sex combined. Based on the hit Broadway show, this musical romantic comedy features the wondrous Meryl Streep as a single mom and former rocker forced to face her promiscuous past. -- Raven Snook

10. 'WALL-E'
We thought those Pixar guys were in over their heads this time. How were they going to make robots personable ... in a movie with barely any dialogue? But little WALL-E is more expressive than most humans, and his journey from Earth to outer space in search of love is gorgeous, clever and surprisingly wistful. It may well be Pixar's most ambitious, most heartbreaking movie yet. -- Patricia Chui