We look back at the best ? and worst....

TOP 15 OF 2007

Babel
'Babel' is heavy ? but certainly not as boring, the writer-and-director team behind '21 Grams' and 'Amores Perros' weaving together interlocking stories to create a vibrant, intricate tapestry that's greater than the sum of its parts.

The Bourne Ultimatum
Matt Damon is back as amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne with more explosions, high-speed chases, car crashes and ass-kicking than before. It's the most frenetic, explosive and satisfying film in the series.

Knocked Up
'Knocked Up' is something of an anomaly ? a romantic comedy that will appeal equally to males and females. It's funny, sweet, mildly disgusting and surprisingly believable.

Half Nelson
The antithesis of the frequently re-created 'inspirational teacher' film, the realistic and unsettling 'Half Nelson' will get a firm grip on your mind and leave you wrestling with its complexities for days...

The Last King of Scotland
?The Last King of Scotland? is harrowing, its grotesque and disturbing images lingering in your mind. With superb acting on the part of both the leads and captivating cinematography, it can only really be criticised on the grounds of historical inaccuracy.

A Mighty Heart
Harrowing and uncomfortable, 'A Mighty Heart' is a surprisingly apolitical and morally ambiguous account of terrorism. Based on the true-life story of kidnapped journalist Daniel Pearl, it's also a reminder that Angelina Jolie has talents beyond pouting.

Notes on a Scandal
?Notes on a Scandal? is a thrilling melodrama, which catches you off guard, sucks you in and spits you out feeling disturbingly unsettled.

Pan's Labyrinth
Nasty, cruel, even depraved and absolutely hypnotic, ?Pan's Labyrinth? is the ultimate adult fairytale ? a journey not only into the dark realm of fantasy but also into the twisted and hidden reserves of the human psyche.

Perfume
How can you translate a story that relies almost entirely on the sense of smell into a visual medium? It seems both impossible and inherently pointless. But this bizarre, twisted tale of murder and obsession is one of the best book to film adaptations in many years.

The Prestige
This film about two fueding magicians is much like a magic trick itself. It seldom gives anything away. And while you catch fleeting glimpses of what's happening, the true meaning expertly evades you...

Ratatouille
It's named after a meal made from nobody's favourite vegetables: courgettes and aubergine. It's about animals that freak out even Indiana Jones. And yet 'Ratatouille' is the sweetest, most irresistible film imaginable.

Volver
Pedro Almadovar's latest Spanish masterpiece, 'Volver', is a complex tale of love, death, family and womanhood, told with subtle nuances and artistic flair rarely seen in Hollywood.

Zodiac
Based on the real-life case of the Zodiac murderer, the latest film from 'Se7en' mastermind David Fincher provides a compelling insight into the police investigation with stars Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal on top form.

BEST OF THE REST

Most magical
'Stardust' is rambling, overlong and encumbered with some dodgy special effects. But how could you hate an epic quest (with swordfighting), spells, unicorns, goblins, Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch, and Robert De Niro as a flying buccaneer?

Most severed limbs
Visually the most impressive thing since 'Sin City', '300' pummels you into submission. But while there's plenty of blood, there's not much meat...

Most Johnny Depps in one overblown pirate movie
With more plot strands than Captain Jack Sparrow has had bottles of rum, the latest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' has more pirates, more ships, more shouting, more double-crossing, more sword-fighting, and more Johnny Depp than ever before.

Most moody superhero in a red and blue (and black) suit
Most elaborate dance routine inspired by 'The Mask'
Spider-Man returns to the screen for his biggest, longest, most expensive outing, taking on three villains, a fragile romance, and his own super hero costume. But bigger isn't always better, says our reviewer...

Most disappointing sequel featuring an animated green ogre
With the twisted fairytale premise now as long in the tooth as the Big Bad Wolf, 'Shrek The Third' needed to offer something new ? or at least an exciting story of fun and adventure offering plenty of laughs. But it doesn?t.

Most surprising comeback for action-hero-with-Zimmer-frame
Most ridiculous fight scene with a jet
The indestructible Detective John McClane is back, tackling a new breed of terrorists in the thrill-a-second 'Die Hard 4.0'. It's fast, furious and utterly ridiculous. And although Bruce Willis is now bald, there's not a Zimmer frame in sight.

Most unforgivable waste of $110-million
Comic book movies are generally hit or miss affairs. 'Ghost Rider', thanks in no small part to Nicholas Cage, a terrible script and dodgy effects, is the latest to be consigned to the garbage pile.

Most stupid
Good things come to those who wait, somebody somewhere once said. They obviously hadn?t seen 'Premonition'. Sandra Bullock gets frantic in one of the stupidest movies of the year.

Most damaging to your eardrums
Be sure to have some Panados handy when you see 'Transformers'. While it may not necessarily be the best action movie of the year, it's definitely the loudest and you're sure to walk out of the cinemas with a throbbing headache...

Most ridiculous Afrikaans accent
'Blood Diamond' is flawed. And a bit like Leonardo DiCaprio?s South African accent ? all over the place. But even though the director can?t decide whether he?s making ?Indiana Jones? or ?Hotel Rwanda?, you'll be entertained and informed.

Most hormonally-challenged teenage wizard
Harry's back. And he's moody as hell. But while the chaotic 'The Order Of The Phoenix' is certainly the most dynamic of the series ? with enough spells, flying, mythical creatures, and pink to knock you senseless ? it's not the best.

Most overrated Western that wastes its two stars
Russell Crowe and Christian Bale do their best to revive the Western, but despite its aspirations of depth and social commentary '3:10 To Yuma' is yet another cliche of hoss-ridin', tabaccy-chewin', six-shooter-totin' cowboys...

Most inappropriate choice for femme fatale
George Clooney, Brad Pitt and the rest of the gang are back for more high-stakes shenanigans in 'Ocean's Thirteen'. Boosted by a return to Vegas and the arrival of an over-the-top Al Pacino, it nearly hits the jackpot. But what's Ellen Barkin doing here?