'House Of Flying Daggers'

From the director of Hero (much-delayed in the U.S. until this year) comes a stunning film that defies expectations by mixing a compelling love story with some kickass action sequences. Less fantastical than, say, Crouching Tiger - but no less balletic and gorgeous - the fight scenes are really just window dressing to move along the surprising character-driven storyline. I thought it started a little slow, but the ending crescendoes to a visually amazing conclusion. Easily one of the best of the year.

I've still got to see A Very Long Engagement and A Life Aquatic before I can post my best-of list. It will be a short list (five or six films tops), but House Of Flying Daggers makes the list just a bit longer.