Films Watched in 2012
The 2007 List, The 2008 List, The 2009 List, The 2010 List, The 2011 List
Arthur Christmas - Another classic film from Aardman. One of my favourite films of 2011. 'Doing it with worry' is a motto to live by!
A Tale Of Two Cities (1958) - One of my favourite novels by Dickens and a superb adaption of the same. And yes, that is Christopher Lee as the bad guy - typecast much;)
Shame - One of my favourite films of 2011 and (so far!) my favourite of 2012 too;) Still as powerful and wonderful as when I saw it at the London Film Fest. Go see
The Artist - They don't make 'em like this anymore. Still, an excellent film and well worth the second viewing.
Moneyball - An interesting and true story of what happens when the numbers are used the *right* way. Very enjoyable
The Muppets - If I see a movie this year that makes me laugh, cry and grin as much as this one did - I will be utterly blessed. A *definite* contender for Film Of The Year!
Shaun Of The Dead - Saw this at the cinema when it first came out and loved it then. Still love it now. Possibly one of the best uses of Queen's songs in a film evar!
Midnight In Paris - A story about the dangers of nostalgia and... erm... it was enjoyable and Paris looked lovely
Dune (1984 - dir: Lynch, D.) - My love for this film is something that I refuse to be embarrassed about. It's a bloody good rendition of an intricate novel, the design is *gorgeous* and I finally noticed Gurney's scar this time! so I was gazing at Sir Patrick Stewart - who can blame me!?. Let's not talk about how long it's taken me to realise it... Recommended!
Blue Velvet - Regarded as being a 'better' film than the aforementioned, but certainly a *lot* weirder. Yes, that is possible! Very good but not as good, but then I am biased;)
Haywire - Steven Sodebergh does a flat-out-action/revenge flick with a female lead and it's quite awesome. Gina Carano holds her own and is one to watch. Also notable for having a scene in a bar with two of the most shaggable men in existence!
A Dangerous Method - An enjoyable and engrossing film about the genesis of psychotherapy/psychology with some superb performances by Fassbender, Mortensen and Knightely (I know!). Well worth a watch
The Muppets - Second verse, same as the first verse;)
Casablanca - Saw this in 2007 at the same cinema (different seat obvs!). What I said then, still stands - 'Perfect in nearly every way'.
Dune (1984 - dir: Lynch, D.) - Second verse - same as the first verse!;). Also - no nightmare journeys home!
John Carter - GO SEE THIS FILM FOR IT IS AWESOME! Even in 3D - strong female characters, wonderful world building, romance, derring-do, cute guys and a bit with a dog Woola
Chronicle - Saw this in Paris, in English with French subtitles (one of the strangest cinema experiences I've had for a while!). Enjoyable for a 'found footage' film.
This Means War - The poster for this damn film kept following me around the Paris Metro (trufax!). Also rather enjoyable for a McG film, inspite of my reservations and misgivings over the resolution.
John Carter - Second verse, same as the first verse!
The Hunger Games - I was hoping for 'good' - I wasn't expecting to cry ugly!tears during the scene where Katniss sings. Yes, it is that good! Recommended.
Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Aardman do it again - with plasticine this time. Possibly one of the silliest, funniest, loveliest films I'll see this year. Recommended
21 Jump Street - Stupidly silly but very enjoyable too. Channing Tatum can do comedy as well as action - one to watch.
Mirror, Mirror - Directed by Tarsem Singh (and boy - does it show!), this looks as lovely as you'd expect. Alas, the story is not punching it's weight despite an excellent performance from Roberts. Still, it passes Bechdel and is quite female friendly - something to applaud. Worth a watch
The Hunger Games - Second verse, same as the first verse with the added caveat of 'Mr Ross - the camera is capable of shots other than EXTREME CLOSEUP!!!11!! Also - Prometheus trailer was made of wonder and squee.
Headhunters (Hodejegerne) - A great thriller that twists and turns, making the audience sympathise with the (anti-)hero - even when they're cringing. Watch it before the (inevitable) remake. Recommeded
Batman Begins - one of the best superhero films I've seen. Certainly one of the best 'origin' stories out there and that final scene is a killer. Also is better than it's sequel for dint of having Rutger Hauer in it's cast.
The Dark Knight - A game changing film in more ways than one, raising the superhero genre to near Shakespearian heights. How Nolan will conclude this story, I do not know - but I can't *wait* to find out!
The Cabin In The Woods - Wow... that was... something. Think of it as a dish best served unspoiled;)
Battleship - It's a Michael Bay film WITHOUT the misogyny, the racism and with a healthy dollop of respect for veterans. Oh and hot guys in uniform (whut?!)
Marley - an excellent documentary by Kevin McDonald which for someone who doesn't know the first thing about Reggae, this is saying something.
Lockout - This was a lot of fun for a brain-in-neurtal film. Guy Pearce kicked arse and took names IN SPACE!
The Avengers Assemble - Is this the best superhero film evar?! No, that honour still lies with Christopher Nolan's Batman films and the X-Men films i.e. 1, 2 and First Class. Is it the best of the Marvelverse films? Absolutely - highly recommended
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey - For the second third time in the year, the Muppets made me cry! Looks as much at the history of the Muppets in general as it does at Kevin Clash, Elmo's 'creator' - highly recommended!
Beauty and the Beast 3D - This is, beyond a doubt, one of my all time favourite films and even though it was in 3D, it was a worthy oppurtunity to see it again. And yes, I cried, like I always do!
Safe - A Statham movie that not only kicks arse but passes Beschdel AND has Prince Humperdinck from The Princess Bride in it! Also, weirdly, I would read post canon fic if it came up at yuletide
Dark Shadows - Tim Burton does gothic soap opera and... boy oh boy, does it show. This is not a bad thing, in fact it is a good thing.
The Avengers Assemble - Second time, in 2D as reward for giving blood. Still quite wonderful.
Toy Story - Still wonderful and still worth a watch.
Iron Sky - When they lost WWII, the Nazis went to the Moon, in 2018, they came back to re-invade. Sounds nuts but it is a damn fine film - showing that money doesn't always equal a good film. Worth a look see.
The Life And Death of Colonel Blimp - A superb, lovely film from Powell and Pressburger - could show a lot of current film-makers a thing or two.
Prometheus - TWICE. So, winning tickets for the premiere is and will be a highlight of the year. Having said that, I still think that this is one of my favourites of the year, regardless. Ridley Scott returns to science fiction and not a moment too soon. Intellectual, beautiful and a all round delight of a film.
A Bug's Life - Unfairly regarded as a lesser film in the Pixar canon, it's still a great film.
The Raid - Going to go against popular opinion and say that this was not 'all that'. Found it quite boring and repetitive.
Moonrise Kingdom - Now this was a pleasant surprise. Yes, there is quirkiness but leavened by a rather sweet, lovely romance. Worth a look-see
Raiders of the Lost Ark - One of the greatest films ever committed to celluloid. The End
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - I've seen this before (obvs!) but I had forgotten so many details - still my least favourite of the 'Indy' movies.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - I have a very large soft spot for this film and one day I will travel to Petra. Yes, these are related;)
Men In Black III - It isn't a patch on the 1st one but it has it's heart(s) in the right place(s)
Prometheus - Third verse, in 2D (which is gorgeous) same as the first two. Any film that gives cause for debate and questioning after a 3rd viewing is something special.
Jaws - Due to a family trauma, I had never seen this film until now. And it still scared the bejesus out of me, if I'd seen it at age 7, I would have been traumatized for LIFE!
Finding Nemo irony? I has it! Still one of my favourite Pixars and possibly, musically, one of the most delightful as well.
Rock of Ages - There is half a good film here. Unfortunately, it's not the half with the leads in. Tom Cruise is quite spectacular, there is a touching bromance and some of the period details made me giddly (and feel very old!)
Brave - TWICE. Pixar do for folk tales what they have done for toys, insects, robots and cookery. Take a subject and make a masterpiece out of it. This is simply one of the best films I'll see this year. It is everything I could ask for and a little bit more.
Prometheus - at a LieMAX this time. Wonderful film - shame about the screen (about 1/4 size of BFI IMAX) but there was a trailer for The Hobbit so...
Grabbers - Seen at the Edinburgh Film Festival - this is a tale of monsters who invade Earth looking for two things, blood and water. Their nemesis? Alcohol. Where do they land? Off the SW coast of Ireland; obviously shenanigans ensue. I laughed in all the wrong places (which is always a good sign!)
Rent A Cat (Rentaneko) - Gentle, quirky, comedy/drama about a young woman who rents cats out to lonely people and how those interactions change her. Watch it before the Americans remake it!
Following - Christopher Nolan's directorial debut and even then, you could see this was someone with talent to burn. So glad to see him bring it to full bloom. Highly recommended.
A Royal Affair (En kongelig affære) - Danish film about a pivotal moment in their history. An English princess, married to a (slightly) crazy prince falls in love with his doctor and together they try to change history, in the 1700s. It's a beautiful, lovely film but bring a hankie.
Snow White and the Huntsman - Oh dear. There is a good film in here somewhere. Possibly involving the ladies of the fishing village or the dwarves or Ravenna. The rest of it - meh.
Memento - one of the most mind-bendingly complex and brilliant films I think I've ever seen. A delight for the mind.
The Prestige - Duelling Victorian magicians in London or a manifesto of Christopher Nolan's movie making MO. You decide! A corker if you ask me.
Magic Mike - Trufax - I went to see this because it's a Steven Soderbergh film. Honest! That and the damn bus posters kept following me around Edinburgh. Highly enjoyable even when they kept their clothes on heeee!
Insomnia - A 'weaker' entry into the Nolan!canon, a re-make of a Swedish film but still gathers a stellar cast for a creepy, gripping tale. A sure sign of things to come.
Ratatouille - Yet another Pixar blinder, with a wonderful message. Alas, I know a critic or two a bit like Anton Ego, I'm afraid to say.
Batman Begins - My first Christopher Nolan film and the first film where I actually grokked Batman. A superb film that stands the test of time.
The Dark Knight - It's taken me nearly 4 years to love this film. I still prefer BB to this (not least because any film with Roy Batty in it's cast, instantly trumps any film with Eight's Mister Master) #nerdbait
The Dark Knight Rises - possibly the most satisfying film I'll see this year. Intellectually, emotionally wonderful. The best closer to the series possible. Sir Michael Caine deserves an Oscar nomination for smashing my heart into a hundred thousand peices and as for Gary Oldman's reading of the end of this book damn well destroyed me. A film of the year.
Nostalgia for the Light (Nostalgia de la luz) A beautiful documentary looking at both Chilie's past and future. It's obsession with astronomy and the hunt for answers that both take place in the driest place on earth. Recommended
Inception - My favourite film of 2010 and one of my favourite Nolan films - we shall not speak of the flailing when I spotted the bridge in Paris earlier this year. A bonefide classic.
The Dark Knight Rises - Second verse, same as the first verse.
Wall-e - One of my all time favourite films. A delight from start to finish.
Searching For Sugarman - proof that truth is far stranger than fiction. One of the musicians who helped to inspire the white resistance of Aparteid was unknown everywhere else but a massive star there. This is the story of finding out what happened to him and then it just gets even more surreal.
Brave - Might not be in the top parthenon of Pixar's work for most but still a classic in my eyes.
Total Recall (1990) - Arnuld goes to Mars and kicks butt and takes names in the process. They don't make 'em like this anymore, or at least with not as high a body count!
Robocop (1987) - as gory and dystopian as I remember it... also quite prescient in some ways too....
Galaxy Quest - possibly one of the sweetest, most affectionate letters to Sci-Fi and fandom. I loved it having never seen it before.
The Dark Knight Rises - Third verse, same as the other two. One of my favourite films of the year. End of.
Dredd 3D - a bloody, hard, wonderful comicbook movie that does justice to the main character (Karl Urban does not remove the helm and it's wonderful!) but introduces wonderful female characters too. It is also what I was expecting when I went to see the highly disappointing The Raid.
The Impostor - a blue eyed, blond haired texan kid goes missing. Three years later, a French Algerian man 'claims' to be that kid and the family take him in without a peep. And then the story gets even more strange. Just jawdropping.
Anna Karenina - brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'staged'. Also proves that any film with a Gleeson in it (either Brendan or Donhal) is well worth a watch.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (IMAX flavour) - Still one of my all time favourite films. The end.
Vertigo - proof I am a 'philistine' as I didn't think this was much more than a pulpy melodrama. Carried on like that today, you'd be looking at a charge of domestic abuse!
Looper One of the most inventive, interesting (and in one scene, nightmare inducing!) films I've seen in a long while. Not perfect (use of female characters!) but still a real humdinger.
ParaNorman - a quirky, enjoyable horror film aimed at kids.
Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 - Everything you wanted to know about James Bond but were afraid to ask! Surprisingly doesn't hold back on the 'darker' aspects either. Excellent primer on Bond's past and his future too. A love letter to the franchise in the best possible way.
Psycho - possibly one of the 'scariest' films I've seen in a long time. I jumped at least once or twice.
Rear Window - another excellent Hitchcock film - liked the use of the stories and watching aspects.
Blancanieves (Snow White) - the best take on the story I've seen this year. Imagine if Tim Burton told the story through the prism of The Artist. And did I mention the bullfighting dwarves?
What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? - This? Freaked me right out! Sibling rivalry at it's best/worst. Jane Hudson is a monster to rival even Heath Ledger's Joker.
Frankenweenie - A love letter as much to the horror films of Universal and Hammer as it is to Science! And stop animation. A thing of beauty.
Silver Linings Playbook - This was the London Film Festival 'Surprise Screening' this year - and yes, it was a thousand times better than last years (which, let's be honest, isn't hard!) If you see one Oscar bait Rom-Com this year - make it this one! Jennifer Lawrence proves that she is utterly amazing in whatever she turns her hand to... including ballroom dancing;)
Skyfall - In his 50th year, Bond is backbackback with a vengance. Possibly one of the best films of the entire series. Certainly a contender for the best Craig Bond film. Filled with grace notes, winks and 'squee' moments galore. A film of the year.
Arthur Christmas - Another classic film from Aardman. One of my favourite films of 2011. 'Doing it with worry' is a motto to live by!
A Tale Of Two Cities (1958) - One of my favourite novels by Dickens and a superb adaption of the same. And yes, that is Christopher Lee as the bad guy - typecast much;)
Shame - One of my favourite films of 2011 and (so far!) my favourite of 2012 too;) Still as powerful and wonderful as when I saw it at the London Film Fest. Go see
The Artist - They don't make 'em like this anymore. Still, an excellent film and well worth the second viewing.
Moneyball - An interesting and true story of what happens when the numbers are used the *right* way. Very enjoyable
The Muppets - If I see a movie this year that makes me laugh, cry and grin as much as this one did - I will be utterly blessed. A *definite* contender for Film Of The Year!
Shaun Of The Dead - Saw this at the cinema when it first came out and loved it then. Still love it now. Possibly one of the best uses of Queen's songs in a film evar!
Midnight In Paris - A story about the dangers of nostalgia and... erm... it was enjoyable and Paris looked lovely
Dune (1984 - dir: Lynch, D.) - My love for this film is something that I refuse to be embarrassed about. It's a bloody good rendition of an intricate novel, the design is *gorgeous* and I finally noticed Gurney's scar this time! so I was gazing at Sir Patrick Stewart - who can blame me!?. Let's not talk about how long it's taken me to realise it... Recommended!
Blue Velvet - Regarded as being a 'better' film than the aforementioned, but certainly a *lot* weirder. Yes, that is possible! Very good but not as good, but then I am biased;)
Haywire - Steven Sodebergh does a flat-out-action/revenge flick with a female lead and it's quite awesome. Gina Carano holds her own and is one to watch. Also notable for having a scene in a bar with two of the most shaggable men in existence!
A Dangerous Method - An enjoyable and engrossing film about the genesis of psychotherapy/psychology with some superb performances by Fassbender, Mortensen and Knightely (I know!). Well worth a watch
The Muppets - Second verse, same as the first verse;)
Casablanca - Saw this in 2007 at the same cinema (different seat obvs!). What I said then, still stands - 'Perfect in nearly every way'.
Dune (1984 - dir: Lynch, D.) - Second verse - same as the first verse!;). Also - no nightmare journeys home!
John Carter - GO SEE THIS FILM FOR IT IS AWESOME! Even in 3D - strong female characters, wonderful world building, romance, derring-do, cute guys and a bit with a dog Woola
Chronicle - Saw this in Paris, in English with French subtitles (one of the strangest cinema experiences I've had for a while!). Enjoyable for a 'found footage' film.
This Means War - The poster for this damn film kept following me around the Paris Metro (trufax!). Also rather enjoyable for a McG film, inspite of my reservations and misgivings over the resolution.
John Carter - Second verse, same as the first verse!
The Hunger Games - I was hoping for 'good' - I wasn't expecting to cry ugly!tears during the scene where Katniss sings. Yes, it is that good! Recommended.
Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Aardman do it again - with plasticine this time. Possibly one of the silliest, funniest, loveliest films I'll see this year. Recommended
21 Jump Street - Stupidly silly but very enjoyable too. Channing Tatum can do comedy as well as action - one to watch.
Mirror, Mirror - Directed by Tarsem Singh (and boy - does it show!), this looks as lovely as you'd expect. Alas, the story is not punching it's weight despite an excellent performance from Roberts. Still, it passes Bechdel and is quite female friendly - something to applaud. Worth a watch
The Hunger Games - Second verse, same as the first verse with the added caveat of 'Mr Ross - the camera is capable of shots other than EXTREME CLOSEUP!!!11!! Also - Prometheus trailer was made of wonder and squee.
Headhunters (Hodejegerne) - A great thriller that twists and turns, making the audience sympathise with the (anti-)hero - even when they're cringing. Watch it before the (inevitable) remake. Recommeded
Batman Begins - one of the best superhero films I've seen. Certainly one of the best 'origin' stories out there and that final scene is a killer. Also is better than it's sequel for dint of having Rutger Hauer in it's cast.
The Dark Knight - A game changing film in more ways than one, raising the superhero genre to near Shakespearian heights. How Nolan will conclude this story, I do not know - but I can't *wait* to find out!
The Cabin In The Woods - Wow... that was... something. Think of it as a dish best served unspoiled;)
Battleship - It's a Michael Bay film WITHOUT the misogyny, the racism and with a healthy dollop of respect for veterans. Oh and hot guys in uniform (whut?!)
Marley - an excellent documentary by Kevin McDonald which for someone who doesn't know the first thing about Reggae, this is saying something.
Lockout - This was a lot of fun for a brain-in-neurtal film. Guy Pearce kicked arse and took names IN SPACE!
The Avengers Assemble - Is this the best superhero film evar?! No, that honour still lies with Christopher Nolan's Batman films and the X-Men films i.e. 1, 2 and First Class. Is it the best of the Marvelverse films? Absolutely - highly recommended
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey - For the second third time in the year, the Muppets made me cry! Looks as much at the history of the Muppets in general as it does at Kevin Clash, Elmo's 'creator' - highly recommended!
Beauty and the Beast 3D - This is, beyond a doubt, one of my all time favourite films and even though it was in 3D, it was a worthy oppurtunity to see it again. And yes, I cried, like I always do!
Safe - A Statham movie that not only kicks arse but passes Beschdel AND has Prince Humperdinck from The Princess Bride in it! Also, weirdly, I would read post canon fic if it came up at yuletide
Dark Shadows - Tim Burton does gothic soap opera and... boy oh boy, does it show. This is not a bad thing, in fact it is a good thing.
The Avengers Assemble - Second time, in 2D as reward for giving blood. Still quite wonderful.
Toy Story - Still wonderful and still worth a watch.
Iron Sky - When they lost WWII, the Nazis went to the Moon, in 2018, they came back to re-invade. Sounds nuts but it is a damn fine film - showing that money doesn't always equal a good film. Worth a look see.
The Life And Death of Colonel Blimp - A superb, lovely film from Powell and Pressburger - could show a lot of current film-makers a thing or two.
Prometheus - TWICE. So, winning tickets for the premiere is and will be a highlight of the year. Having said that, I still think that this is one of my favourites of the year, regardless. Ridley Scott returns to science fiction and not a moment too soon. Intellectual, beautiful and a all round delight of a film.
A Bug's Life - Unfairly regarded as a lesser film in the Pixar canon, it's still a great film.
The Raid - Going to go against popular opinion and say that this was not 'all that'. Found it quite boring and repetitive.
Moonrise Kingdom - Now this was a pleasant surprise. Yes, there is quirkiness but leavened by a rather sweet, lovely romance. Worth a look-see
Raiders of the Lost Ark - One of the greatest films ever committed to celluloid. The End
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - I've seen this before (obvs!) but I had forgotten so many details - still my least favourite of the 'Indy' movies.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - I have a very large soft spot for this film and one day I will travel to Petra. Yes, these are related;)
Men In Black III - It isn't a patch on the 1st one but it has it's heart(s) in the right place(s)
Prometheus - Third verse, in 2D (which is gorgeous) same as the first two. Any film that gives cause for debate and questioning after a 3rd viewing is something special.
Jaws - Due to a family trauma, I had never seen this film until now. And it still scared the bejesus out of me, if I'd seen it at age 7, I would have been traumatized for LIFE!
Finding Nemo irony? I has it! Still one of my favourite Pixars and possibly, musically, one of the most delightful as well.
Rock of Ages - There is half a good film here. Unfortunately, it's not the half with the leads in. Tom Cruise is quite spectacular, there is a touching bromance and some of the period details made me giddly (and feel very old!)
Brave - TWICE. Pixar do for folk tales what they have done for toys, insects, robots and cookery. Take a subject and make a masterpiece out of it. This is simply one of the best films I'll see this year. It is everything I could ask for and a little bit more.
Prometheus - at a LieMAX this time. Wonderful film - shame about the screen (about 1/4 size of BFI IMAX) but there was a trailer for The Hobbit so...
Grabbers - Seen at the Edinburgh Film Festival - this is a tale of monsters who invade Earth looking for two things, blood and water. Their nemesis? Alcohol. Where do they land? Off the SW coast of Ireland; obviously shenanigans ensue. I laughed in all the wrong places (which is always a good sign!)
Rent A Cat (Rentaneko) - Gentle, quirky, comedy/drama about a young woman who rents cats out to lonely people and how those interactions change her. Watch it before the Americans remake it!
Following - Christopher Nolan's directorial debut and even then, you could see this was someone with talent to burn. So glad to see him bring it to full bloom. Highly recommended.
A Royal Affair (En kongelig affære) - Danish film about a pivotal moment in their history. An English princess, married to a (slightly) crazy prince falls in love with his doctor and together they try to change history, in the 1700s. It's a beautiful, lovely film but bring a hankie.
Snow White and the Huntsman - Oh dear. There is a good film in here somewhere. Possibly involving the ladies of the fishing village or the dwarves or Ravenna. The rest of it - meh.
Memento - one of the most mind-bendingly complex and brilliant films I think I've ever seen. A delight for the mind.
The Prestige - Duelling Victorian magicians in London or a manifesto of Christopher Nolan's movie making MO. You decide! A corker if you ask me.
Magic Mike - Trufax - I went to see this because it's a Steven Soderbergh film. Honest! That and the damn bus posters kept following me around Edinburgh. Highly enjoyable even when they kept their clothes on heeee!
Insomnia - A 'weaker' entry into the Nolan!canon, a re-make of a Swedish film but still gathers a stellar cast for a creepy, gripping tale. A sure sign of things to come.
Ratatouille - Yet another Pixar blinder, with a wonderful message. Alas, I know a critic or two a bit like Anton Ego, I'm afraid to say.
Batman Begins - My first Christopher Nolan film and the first film where I actually grokked Batman. A superb film that stands the test of time.
The Dark Knight - It's taken me nearly 4 years to love this film. I still prefer BB to this (not least because any film with Roy Batty in it's cast, instantly trumps any film with Eight's Mister Master) #nerdbait
The Dark Knight Rises - possibly the most satisfying film I'll see this year. Intellectually, emotionally wonderful. The best closer to the series possible. Sir Michael Caine deserves an Oscar nomination for smashing my heart into a hundred thousand peices and as for Gary Oldman's reading of the end of this book damn well destroyed me. A film of the year.
Nostalgia for the Light (Nostalgia de la luz) A beautiful documentary looking at both Chilie's past and future. It's obsession with astronomy and the hunt for answers that both take place in the driest place on earth. Recommended
Inception - My favourite film of 2010 and one of my favourite Nolan films - we shall not speak of the flailing when I spotted the bridge in Paris earlier this year. A bonefide classic.
The Dark Knight Rises - Second verse, same as the first verse.
Wall-e - One of my all time favourite films. A delight from start to finish.
Searching For Sugarman - proof that truth is far stranger than fiction. One of the musicians who helped to inspire the white resistance of Aparteid was unknown everywhere else but a massive star there. This is the story of finding out what happened to him and then it just gets even more surreal.
Brave - Might not be in the top parthenon of Pixar's work for most but still a classic in my eyes.
Total Recall (1990) - Arnuld goes to Mars and kicks butt and takes names in the process. They don't make 'em like this anymore, or at least with not as high a body count!
Robocop (1987) - as gory and dystopian as I remember it... also quite prescient in some ways too....
Galaxy Quest - possibly one of the sweetest, most affectionate letters to Sci-Fi and fandom. I loved it having never seen it before.
The Dark Knight Rises - Third verse, same as the other two. One of my favourite films of the year. End of.
Dredd 3D - a bloody, hard, wonderful comicbook movie that does justice to the main character (Karl Urban does not remove the helm and it's wonderful!) but introduces wonderful female characters too. It is also what I was expecting when I went to see the highly disappointing The Raid.
The Impostor - a blue eyed, blond haired texan kid goes missing. Three years later, a French Algerian man 'claims' to be that kid and the family take him in without a peep. And then the story gets even more strange. Just jawdropping.
Anna Karenina - brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'staged'. Also proves that any film with a Gleeson in it (either Brendan or Donhal) is well worth a watch.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (IMAX flavour) - Still one of my all time favourite films. The end.
Vertigo - proof I am a 'philistine' as I didn't think this was much more than a pulpy melodrama. Carried on like that today, you'd be looking at a charge of domestic abuse!
Looper One of the most inventive, interesting (and in one scene, nightmare inducing!) films I've seen in a long while. Not perfect (use of female characters!) but still a real humdinger.
ParaNorman - a quirky, enjoyable horror film aimed at kids.
Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 - Everything you wanted to know about James Bond but were afraid to ask! Surprisingly doesn't hold back on the 'darker' aspects either. Excellent primer on Bond's past and his future too. A love letter to the franchise in the best possible way.
Psycho - possibly one of the 'scariest' films I've seen in a long time. I jumped at least once or twice.
Rear Window - another excellent Hitchcock film - liked the use of the stories and watching aspects.
Blancanieves (Snow White) - the best take on the story I've seen this year. Imagine if Tim Burton told the story through the prism of The Artist. And did I mention the bullfighting dwarves?
What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? - This? Freaked me right out! Sibling rivalry at it's best/worst. Jane Hudson is a monster to rival even Heath Ledger's Joker.
Frankenweenie - A love letter as much to the horror films of Universal and Hammer as it is to Science! And stop animation. A thing of beauty.
Silver Linings Playbook - This was the London Film Festival 'Surprise Screening' this year - and yes, it was a thousand times better than last years (which, let's be honest, isn't hard!) If you see one Oscar bait Rom-Com this year - make it this one! Jennifer Lawrence proves that she is utterly amazing in whatever she turns her hand to... including ballroom dancing;)
Skyfall - In his 50th year, Bond is backbackback with a vengance. Possibly one of the best films of the entire series. Certainly a contender for the best Craig Bond film. Filled with grace notes, winks and 'squee' moments galore. A film of the year.