Gwinnett Daily Post

As 2007 comes to a close, the inevitable "best of" lists are springing up to remind us of everything that happened in the last 12 months. The Southeastern Film Critics Association, too, has taken its cue. On Dec. 17, the association released its picks for the year's best films.

Taking the No. 1 honor for Best Picture was "No Country for Old Men." The compelling crime drama, based on the book by Cormac McCarthy, came in with three other awards from the SEFCA: Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Screenplay (also by the Coen brothers) and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem.)

"No Country For Old Men" was the only multiple award winner, as the rest of the votes were split between the years other top picks.

Amy Ryan was awarded the Best Supporting Actress award for "Gone Baby Gone," beating out Cate Blanchett (for "I'm Not There") by one vote. "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody was awarded the Best Screenplay honor, and "Ratatouille" nabbed the Best Animated Film award.

Clinching the third annual Wyatt award was "Waitress," the summer sleeper hit by the late writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly. Named after the late SEFCA member Gene Wyatt, the prize honors the years film that best embodies the essence of the South.

With representatives from nine states, 46 members took part in the annual voting process. In addition to naming the year's best picture, the association also released a list for the year's other noteworthy nods.

Best Picture (in order)

1. "No Country for Old Men"

2. "There Will Be Blood"

3. "Atonement"

4. "Juno"

5. "Michael Clayton"

6. "Zodiac"

7. "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

8. "Gone Baby Gone"

9. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

10. "Into the Wild"

Best Actor

Daniel Day-Lewis - "There Will Be Blood"

Runner-up: George Clooney - "Michael Clayton"

Best Actress

Julie Christie - "Away from Her"

Runner-up: Ellen Page - "Juno"

Best Supporting Actor

Javier Bardem - "No Country for Old Men"

Runner-up: Casey Affleck -"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Ryan - "Gone Baby Gone"

Runner-up: Cate Blanchett - "I'm Not There"

Best Director

Joel and Ethan Coen - "No Country for Old Men"

Runner-up: Joe Wright -"Atonement"

Best Original Screenplay

Diablo Cody - "Juno"

Runner-up: Tamara Jenkins -"The Savages"

Best Adapted Screenplay

Joel and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

Runner-up: Christopher Hampton - "Atonement"

Wyatt Award

"Waitress"

Runner-up: "Black Snake Moan"