Apocalypto

Apocalypto tackles Mayan culture, a native South American tribe of people who no longer exist. Talk about a tough sell, right? Plus, the movie's in Yucatec, a language we've never heard of before, and all the actors are unknowns. But leave it to Mel Gibson to buck the odds and create another amazing epic. Some people thought it was too violent, but the movie would have felt like a fraud without the brutality and graphic slayings. These people were warriors; the fact that they cut our hearts, chopped off heads, and rolled decapitated bodies down a huge staircase while thousands cheered is unlike anything we've ever seen. It's got action, suspense, intense chase sequences, and a compelling story. The extras are a little light, leaving out any actual Mayan history and focusing on the filmmaking, but to see the effort that went into making this proves Gibson may have problems, but making first-rate and hard-hitting movies isn't one of 'em.

Read our exclusive interview with Mel Gibson!