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Critics and most audiences seemed a bit baffled by Mann's flashy and stylish look at the 1930s through the eyes of one of its most famous criminals. Moreover, the movie that was promised in the marketing - a slick, fast-paced, cat-and-mouse actioner between Depp and Bale - was not what Mann had planned. Instead, we get a meditative look at the life of a man who's known by everyone, wanted by most, and yet charming enough to seduce the bank tellers he's robbing from. Whatever the case, the movie didn't hit with most audiences. And I have no idea why, but I loved this movie. First of all, it's beautiful; the digital photography by Dante Spinotti is among the most haunting I've ever seen. Second, Depp delivers one of his best, most understated performances; alongside his portrayal of Ed Wood, this may be one for the lifetime achievement reel. Bale, while having less to do, is appropriately tightly wound, a nearly robotic G-man. Cotillard is luminous but also moving, especially in her final scene. Public Enemies. Check it out.

9. Star Trek

In May of 2008, Paramount released a fast-paced, wildly entertaining, slickly made action movie with a likable and roguish lead, phenomenal special effects, great supporting actors, all from an unlikely source. That movie was Iron Man, and Paramount decided, apparently or luckily, that it should replicate that film's success a year before Iron Man 2 was released. Last May, they did it again, and from an even unlikelier source: Star Trek. Yes, that Star Trek, the franchise that went from being a cheesy TV series to a slightly less cheesy film series (I know everyone loves Wrath of Khan, but...it's dated). Director J.J. Abrams and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (congratulations, guys, for writing one of the best films of 2009, and one of the worst films - Transformers 2) did a major reboot on the series, letting audiences see what James T. Kirk and Spock were like before they were ever heading the Starship Enterprise.

Starring relative unknowns Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as Kirk and Spock, Star Trek is easily the most fun I had in a movie theater last year. Unlike a majority of the movies that are contenders for the Best Picture nomination, Star Trek has no message, no underlying subtext. I realize that, for most movies, that's actually a criticism. However, even though the old Star Trek often tried to marry science-fiction stories with ham-handed moralizing, the new movie didn't need to go that route. The plot is labyrinthine, sure, but Abrams has a sure hand as a director, never letting the action stop for a second. There are times when you're able to catch your breath, but even on Blu-ray, Star Trek remains a speedy, funny, thrilling entertainment.

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