Dear Mr. Smithee: For me, 2007 has been the worst year in the worst decade for movies. I have liked "Zodiac," "Breach," "La Vie En Rose," "3:10 to Yuma," "Into the Wild." But even they can't compete with movies of years ago, such as "L.A. Confidential," "Moonstruck," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "The Bridge on the River Kwai," etc.

Seems to me movies have become an entirely different genre of entertainment. What's your take?

LON CROSS, MINNEAPOLIS

Dear Chill Pill: Trust me, the year's not over and the cinematic sun is rising. There are excellent movies afoot. For instance, "Atonement," which opened last week. If you've been astute, in recent days you, like me, have enjoyed the virtues of "No Country for Old Men" and "Lars and the Real Girl."

Coming soon is the astonishing French drama "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." It relates the true story of a French magazine editor who, after a stroke, is paralyzed everywhere except his left eye. He learns to communicate by blinking. You know, "My Left Eye."

That's not exactly ho, ho, ho, I know. But to my mind it's probably every bit as good as the films you mentioned.

I also admire "Juno" (opened Friday), "Starting Out in the Evening" (opened Friday), which has Frank Langella's best film work to date, and "The Savages" (Dec. 25). Coming in January will be Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," with a terrific performance by Daniel Day-Lewis; I've also heard excellent things about two films I have yet to see -- the Spanish "The Orphanage" (Jan. 11) and Woody Allen's "Cassandra's Dream" (Jan. 4).

Lon, I will agree that overall movies have become a different form of entertainment. We've seen the erosion of story and the heavy emphasis on young male tastes. Frankly, there aren't as many great movies now.

But there have been great movies this decade: "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (especially "The Return of the King"), "The Hours," "Chicago," "Lost in Translation," most certainly "City of God" and "Capote."

ALAN

P.S. You get short shorts from "John Tucker Must Die" and an "Ask Alan Smithee" T-shirt.

Bourne bests Godfather? Dear Mr. Smithee: Having watched "The Bourne Ultimatum" (excellent) and "The Godfather, Part III" (abysmal) this past weekend, I propose that the "Bourne" trilogy has surpassed the "Godfather" trio as the best triptych ever. Does this jibe with your opinion, or is there another trio of films I am missing? This is near blasphemy for me as "Godfather I and II" alternate in my mind as the greatest film of all time.

DAVE CLEMENTS, MINNEAPOLIS

Dear Hold Your Cannoli There, Fella: I love all the "Bourne" movies, too, especially the latest one. But they simply cannot measure up to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which is hands down the best trio ever. I thought that before the third "Bourne" film and I think that now. I'd also say you are right on the mark about your entire assessment of the three "Godfather" movies.

ALAN

P.S. You get an "Alpha Dog" cap and an "Ask Alan Smithee" T-shirt.

Looks determine fame Dear Mr. Smithee: Talk to me about Paul Giamatti. What do you think of him? Why do you think he is not more famous?

SUZY WURTZ, GIBBON, MINN.

Dear Truthseeker: Paul Giamatti is not only wonderful, he's been extremely famous after back-to-back performances in "American Splendor" and "Sideways." That he didn't get an Oscar nod for either made him only more famous. He was wonderful in "Cinderella Man," but also made the unfortunate choice of being the lead in the dreadful "Lady in the Water."

He's not tremendously famous for this reason: He is ugly. George Clooney and Brad Pitt are not. Sorry, but those are the societal demands of the country we live in.

ALAN

P.S. You get an "American Splendor" bobblehead figure and an "Ask Alan Smithee" T-shirt.

Is there really an Alan Smithee? That's one he won't answer. But he does allow that it's a name used for crediting purposes when directors want to disassociate themselves from a movie that, well, stinks. Have a question for Mr. Smithee? E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com. Include your name, city and daytime phone number.