The new movie year has arrived, so it's time to look back at the 2007 movies and ahead to the 2008 Oscar race.

Oscar ballots were mailed to 5,829 voters on Dec. 26 inviting them to select five Best Picture nominees from among 306 eligible American films and 63 foreign films.

Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 a.m. Montana time. The 80th Annual Academy Awards will be telecast live on Sunday, Feb. 24 with Jon Stewart hosting for the second time.

I can never decide whether my top 10 should be limited to Oscar eligible films, thus paralleling most other top 10 lists, or should just focus on films we saw in Helena. To complicate things, I saw some films in other cities that didn't reach us.

This year, I'm going to make it simple: if I reviewed it in 2007, then it's eligible.

For families, I'm also creating my "Top 10 movies for families" from the year. That list isn't technically honoring film quality, so much as it honors the values and messages inside. Parents are always on the search for good options for kids whether on the screen or at Hastings.

Then, in an article next week, I'll survey the leaders in the race for Oscar nominations, not based on my preferences but on the Oscar trends.

There are Oscar fanatics who have already made their calls and bookies worldwide are already laying odds on nominations. And, of course, critics are eagerly proclaiming what should be nominated in their year-end columns.

Brent's Best Films of 2007

1. "Waitress." I loved this film too much not to put it on top. A lovely portrait of a small-town waitress sorting out her life. Keri Russell and Andy Griffith are extraordinary.

2. "Lives of Others." Better than "Waitress" as art, but not as deep in my heart. A story of compassion inside those foreign soldiers we are taught to hate.

3. "Children of Men." Science fiction of a superior kind as we see mankind dying, and a secret "human project" trying to rekindle procreation.

4. "Pan's Labyrinth." What a gorgeous creepy fantasy, with a powerful ending.

5. "Venus." Another film that touched me deeply, with Peter O'Toole as an old man falling in love one last time with someone too young.

6. "Ratatouille." This is one for the ages, a classic family film about a rat who cooks.

7. "No End in Sight." A powerful, balanced documentary investigation into the mishandling of the "Rebuilding Iraq" project.

8. "Once." A simple and touching romance in Dublin between two singers. Subtle and sweet.

9. "No Country for Old Men." Coen Brothers investigate evil with chilling intensity. The early Oscar favorite as the voting starts.

10. "Assassination of Jesse Jamesâ€-" and "3:10 to Yuma." Long live the Western! Two fine trips back to the era of cowboys, trains and holsters.

Films I did not see that might have been in contention: "Into the Wild," "Atonement," "There Will Be Blood," "Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "I'm Not There," "Away from Her," "Savages," "Juno," "Starting Out in the Evening," "Eastern Promises."

Brent's favorite family films of 2007

1. "Ratatouille" A mature animated film that will stand the test of time.

2. "Stardust." A splendid fantasy with a tipsy Robert DeNiro as a pirate.

3. "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." I loved this more than most, but I found it a thoughtful exploration of death with sweet and loving performances.

4. "August Rush." Contrived and silly, sure, but also a very sensitive portrait of a boy searching for his birth parents.

5. "Hairspray." A family film with Travolta as a mom? Sure, why not. Laugh your heart out.

6. "Bridge to Terabithia." A book about death is not diluted. Respectful adaptation.

7. "The Last Mimzy." Does not condescend to kids as it spins a lovely tale about kids opening the door to higher math and more enlightened thinking.

8. "Freedom Writers." Unmotivated, lost kids learn to take responsibility for their futures under the guidance of a compassionate teacher.

9. "Golden Compass." Not a complete film. An installment. I have faith.

10. "Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep." Heartfelt tale of an orphan boy who finds hope in a pet waterhorse with Loch Ness potential. In town now.

Special mention: "Pan's Labyrinth." Actually R-rated and parts are too dark for young kids, but not for the most insightful. Call this a "transitional" family film, as kids move from Disney to dark stars, golden compasses and a praying mantis.