#1 - Adaptation Meryl Streep's Susan Orlean has her funniest and most honest scene once the movie has arguably crossed over into Donald's portion of the screenplay. As she and Chris Cooper's Laroche attempt to make a dial tone together, the film is simultaneously hilarious, moving, and thought-provoking. And this scene occurs after the film has "jumped the shark." The first half contains some of the most hilarious dialogue in the history of movies, and Nicholas Cage nails every word.
#2 - Igby Goes Down Kieran Culkin finally brings Holden Caulfield to the screen in the character of Igby, a young man desperately searching for meaningful connections. Those he reaches out to, from a slightly older college girl (Claire Danes) to his detached brother (Ryan Phillipe) to his successful and arrogant uncle (Jeff Goldblum) all are poor substitutes for the relationship he needs most, with his tortured father (Bill Pullman). All the performances are extraordinary, and the script is one of the most original I've seen in years.
#3 - Catch Me If You Can Funny, touching, vibrant. The choices Spielberg makes for each scene are intriguing but not distracting; the camera doesn't simply record, it energizes each scene. DiCaprio is heartbreaking, Walken proud and Hanks decent. A wonderful film on every level. The most underated movie this year.
#4 - Chicago Razzle Dazzle. What more is there to say?
#5 - The Quiet American A nuanced portrayal of politics, romance, history, as embodied by three distinct and fascinating individuals. Evocative, haunting, and sad, images from this film linger.
#6 - Punch-Drunk Love Adam Sandler can act? This film asked more of him than most others this year asked of far more accomplished and proven actors, and he got everything right. Vacillating wildly between rage and vulnerability, his was the underdog I most rooted for this year. And his showdown with Phillip Seymour Hoffman was a comic highlight.
#7 - The Bourne Identity Perhaps I'm only bluffing, or perhaps I have the strength after all -- I loved this movie. It is slick, smart, and savvy. Franke Potente matches Matt Damon's strong performance, escalating her far beyond the typical "girlfriend" role. In fact, there is nothing typical about this action film. This film exemplifies all that is good in an action film, and I welcomed the reminder.
#8 - Far From Heaven Not sure this should still be here. Am revisiting my list.
#9 - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers It's the second (the sophomore slump?) of three, so it inevitably gets less notice than did the first or will the third; however, the characters continue to demonstrate their passion and purity, making us all believe in the possibility that the King will, indeed, return. And nothing this year beats the moment Viggo Mortenson's Aragorn comes bursting through those massive double doors :-)
#10 - 8 Mile Often compared to Rocky, Curtis Hanson's depiction of gritty Detroit and one of its native sons, a rapper named Rabbit played by the rapper named Eminem, is one of the more emotionally satisfying films of this year. As we watch Rabbit struggle to define himself in his own terms, not those of his friends or his family or his foes, we come to empathize with him. And his ultimate victory in the best ending of any film this year is a moment of triumph for us all.

Other movies I've seen (in order of preference)...
11. Bowling for Columbine
12. Monsoon Wedding
13. Road to Perdition
14. Y Tu Mama Tambien
15. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
16. Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
17. Insomnia
18. Minority Report
19. Spider-Man
20. About a Boy
21. Comedian
22. About Schmidt
23. Lovely & Amazing
24. Kissing Jessica Stein
25. Signs
26. White Oleander
27. The Hours
28. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
29. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
30. The Rookie
31. Barbershop
32. Panic Room
33. The Good Girl
34. Possession
35. Unfaithful
36. Stuart Little 2
37. The Wild Thornberrys Movie
38. Ice Age
39. The Mothman Prophecies
40. 40 days and 40 nights
41. Star Trek: Nemesis
42. Die Another Day
43. Blue Crush
44. The Sum of All Fears
45. Moonlight Mile
46. The Banger Sisters
47. Changing Lanes
48. Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
49. Lilo and Stitch
50. Return to Neverland
51. Treasure Planet
52. Hollywood Ending
53. Sweet Home Alabama
54. Spy Kids 2
55. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
56. The Santa Clause 2
57. Clockstoppers
58. John Q
59. The Time Machine