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It was a bonanza year for blockbusters — four topped the $300 million mark — but there was a trove of art-house gems, too. Herewith, Bob Mondello's 10 favorite films of 2007, plus an additional baker's dozen that deserve another mention at year's end.

In the best picture category, "Birdman" was joined by "St. Vincent," "Grand Budapest Hotel," "Into the Woods" and "Pride."

Downloading popular songs to use as personal cell phone ring tones has turned into a $3 billion global industry. A growing revenue stream for songwriters and publishers, ring tones are now outselling digital downloads of music. NPR's Michele Norris talks to Geoff Mayfield, the director of charts for Billboard Magazine, which has just launched a "Hot Ringtones" chart.

CIA Director George Tenet resigns, effective in July. The move, announced by President Bush on the White House's South Lawn, comes after Tenet faced harsh criticism over intelligence failures related to Iraq and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The president praised Tenet's leadership and work in seven years at the CIA. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

Presidential candidates are weighing in on how to address the subprime mortgage crisis. Hillary Clinton is calling for a freeze on adjustable mortgage rates. Barack Obama wants to eliminate predatory lending. And Mitt Romney wants the FHA to help more homeowners. But that's just one of the economic issues addressed by the candidates.

The teams the experts most expected to advance survive three rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. It's rare for four No. 1 seeds to be alive so deep into the tournament. But Florida, Kansas, Ohio State and North Carolina play on.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has reinstated Pakistan's top judge, ruling that his suspension by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the nation's president and military ruler, was "illegal." Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry's March suspension sparked protests by lawyers and opposition parties.

Also: White House Chief of Staff Kelly is criticized by the congresswoman he criticized; losses from California fires could exceed $1 billion; and supporters clap a lot online for China's president.

We answer voter questions about this year's election season — from early voting to mail-in or absentee ballots.

Also: The students who created the National School Walkout; Facebook will offer users a privacy opt-out; and after Sen. Duckworth (D-Ill) gives birth, the Senate votes to allow babies on the floor.