Nos. 21-30: Inching my way toward No. 1

Well, it was bound to happen. For the first time since I started this list, a film has cracked my top 10, making the one I will eventually get around to posting old news already. But more on that when I get to the top 10 (although kudos to anyone ... other than Lisa, who already knows it ... who can guess what it is).

30. "Superbad": This is the crudest of the Apatow movies and far less focused than "Knocked Up" "40 Year Old Virgin" or even "Finding Sarah Marshall." That said, it has as many belly laughs as just about any movie from last year. Given the hype, I was kind of disappointed in the storytelling, which meandered a little more than even Apatow movies usually do, but I've got to admit, I still occasionally break out quotes from the movie.

29. "2 Days in Paris": I'm not sure I'd enjoy actually knowing either of the main characters in this rom-com about a couple, one a New Yorker and the other a native Parisian, visiting her family in France. That said, they sure are entertaining to watch. Director/star Julie Delpy has crafted a pair of distinctive characters and while the dialogue might not always be fluid, it makes it feel more real. The former film critic at my hometown paper compared it to "Before Sunset" only minus the wisdom. That feels about right to me.

28. "Dan in Real Life": Yah, I didn't think any film involving Dane Cook would ever be ranked this high either. There's no one thing about this film that really stands out, but as a whole it simply works. While he might be known for his broader comedy, Steve Carell acquits himself nicely in the everyman role. And Dane Cook actually isn't terribly annoying. That's the most shocking of all.

27. "The Lookout": It might not be the most memorable crime caper ever made, but this is yet another strong performance in what is becoming quite an interesting career for the guy once known as the kid from "Third Rock from the Sun." Levitt is wonderful here as a former athlete who lost his big man on campus status after an accident leaves him with memory problems. Jeff Daniels provides stellar support as Levitt's blind roommate/friend.

26. "Waitress": OK, the pies themselves often don't sound that appetizing. But that is one of the only things off-putting about this big-hearted comedy about a pregnant piemaker trying to escape from her controlling husband. Simply a joy to watch, in part because of a winning performance by Keri Russell.

25. "Breach": One of the most overlooked movies from last year. Chris Cooper is amazing as Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent selling secrets to the Russians. This is up there with his best work (including "Adaptation") and alone is reason enough to see the film. Fortunately, most of the rest works reasonably well too.

24. "In the Shadow of the Moon": The No. 2 documentary on the list, this is simply a fascinating look inside the space program from the men who took part. While the film glosses over some parts, there are a lot of details here I never knew, including why the first space landing was almost scuttled, and what undisputed first Buzz Aldrin has on the moon. A must see for anyone interested in the early days of the space program.

23. "Eastern Promises": The highs don't reach quite as high as Cronenberg's previous collaboration with Viggo Moretenson ("A History of Violence"), but that doesn't negate the effectiveness of this brutal, chilling story.

22. "3:10 to Yuma": I'm not a big fan of the ending, but for most of the rest of it, it was simply a great film, giving a pair of top-notch talents in Russell Crowe and Christian Bale a chance to play off each other in the service of a script that works. Simply a great western, something which isn't all that common these days.

21. "Atonement": The cinematography is oustanding, and it's got a wonderful story with a gut-punch of an ending. Too often, however, you could feel the director's hand and a couple of choices seem self-indulgent given the film's tone. Still a very good film, however.

Up next: One of the year's funniest films and the movies with the year's two best performances, among others.