TOP 20.1/2 FILMS YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR - 10 through to 5

Now with the clarity that can only come from people having to get ready to go back to work and having detoxed from alcohol after New Year's celebrations, it's the perfect time to look back upon the year that was 2011 and the films that graced our screens...

BEST 20.1/2 FILMS OF 2012 - 10 thru to 6

10. Silver Linings Playbook

A film that not only dealt with its two main characters both suffering from different forms of mental illness, it portrayed them with respect and humour but never once belittling them and their personal battles or dumbing things down for fear of alienating the audience.

Silver Linings Playbook was one of those experiences that made you feel all the better for having watched it. It also helped that both Cooper and Lawrence gave outstanding performances and the supporting cast surprised all by DeNiro not coming across as if he was "phoning it in" and Tucker not going OTT.

9.Brave

 From the people that can seem to do no wrong, it was none-the-less a big step for Pixar to have their latest concern itself with people as leads rather than in the background AND to have a female as the central character.

They and audiences needn't have worried. Brave showed that Pixar is still king when it comes to characterisation and fun for everyone of all ages - jokes for the older folks and quips for the kids were still present and correct.

8. Argo

 Remember the time when Affleck was just one of the other halves of either Damon or Lopez? Well those days are truly long forgotten as Affleck delivered another fantastic piece of film with his "based on a true story" drama that had bucket loads of suspense, drama and nostalgia.

Awards will be headed his way no doubt.

7. The Cabin In The Woods

From the mind of Whedon, this was a film that played up its teen slasher premise to the extent that its true nature may have been lost on those who went to see it thinking it was just a teen slasher movie!

Clever, funny and subversive, this was a film that refused to be pigeon holed into a category and left those without an open and quick mind behind in its wake.

6. The Raid

A Welsh man and an Indonesian walk into the movie making industry... Sounds like the beginning of a joke but it was infact the beginning of a wonderful relationship that gave those lucky enough to see it a truly breath-holding experience.

Relentless and genius, this showed the big budget makers how to make a movie that could please all.

The countdown will continue with 5 through to 1.... What have you seen and what do you think should be included?

TOP 20.1/2 FILMS YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR - 15 through to 11

And so here continues the countdown of my top films of the year...

15. Headhunters

If you didn't get to see the little film that had big ideas and a nail-biting plot, then see the original before the inevitable Hollywood remake. Clever and damn funny, it proved that good actors and not A-list stars can keep an audience enthralled hook, line and sinker.

Slickly cool, if only short (watch it and you'll understand!)

14. The Descendants

Is there nothing that the Clooney cannot do? Yet again, him off of E.R. proves that he is not only bankable but dependable in this quiet tale of a husband having to reconnect with his family after his wife slips into a coma. Heart strings are deliberately pulled but in such a way that you don't care - you only care about the people up on the screen.... and that's quality film making.

13. Beasts Of The Southern Wild

Despite looking like a documentary, Beasts Of The Southern Wild wasn't. This little film that stood head and shoulders against all the action and adventure faire at the cinemas - a feat not unlike its central character. If you failed to fall in love with the little girl who lives with her daddy in The Bathtub during a massive flood, then go see your local mortician!

12. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The expectation for Peter Jackson's return to The Shire was hard to quantify - it had been so long coming that there could be a fear that the film wouldn't stand a chance of living up to the hype. Nonsense dear boy! The wizard wasn't late - he arrived in our cinemas att exactly the time he wished to and blew all out doubts away! So, fly you doubters!

11. The Hunger Games

Who would have thought that a book aimed at young girls could be turned into a successful film? Yes, Twilight did that. However, The Hunger Games proved to pull off an even more impressive trick... boys liked it too!

With something for everyone, the box office receipts led the way to the second and third books being green lit into films as well. Katniss and Peter's story will continue, and the world will be watching!

So, onto the next batch....

TOP 20.1/2 FILMS YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR - 20 1/2 through to 16

Now with the clarity that can only come from people having to get ready to go back to work and having detoxed from alcohol after New Year's celebrations, it's the perfect time to look back upon the year that was 2012 and the films that graced our screens...

BEST 20.1/2 FILMS OF 2012 - 20 1/2 thru to 16

20 1/2. This Means War

Just before they hit BIG TIME, the new Captain Kirk and Batman's new enemy Bane, teamed up in this light, frothy but none-the-less hilarious spy spoof that pitted both against each other when they fall for Witherspoon's indecisive blond.

Great chemistry between the three helped for the audience to continuously change who they were rooting for throughout the misuse of America's Government Agencies as each guy tried to outdo the other.









20. Warhorse

Spielberg once again proved that there wasn't anything he couldn't turn his hand to - even a stage play that once seen, invokes an air of certainty that the same feelings felt whilst watching it could not be transferred onto the silver screen. They were wrong.

Emotionally strong, visually stunning, his depiction of a boys and a horses struggle to survive a World War is a breath taking experience.











19.Moonrise Kingdom

From the usually strange mind of Wes Anderson, this tale of young love and the unusual situations it has to endure is pure gold right from the get go. More accessible than his previous films, Moonrise Kingdom is part sweet, part absurd and part kooky.

The big stars all play second fiddle to the children actors who steal the show despite Edward Norton's best role in ages as the Scout Leader caught up in a young lovers pact to be together.

18. Ted

For those who either loved or hated TV's Family Guy, its creators first foray into film - Seth MacFarlane - had a strong gut reaction to its announcement and its premise - a teddy bear that comes to life but still exists when its owner grows up.

Surprisingly touching and able to bring a few tears to the eyes, Ted was laugh out loud funny throughout with its humour and language both close to the bone. You wouldn't expect nor want anything less though.

17. The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists

The team that brought us Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run and Flushed Away are simply put - geniuses. This does not alter that fact in any shape or form! Brilliantly balanced for both old and young alike, its depiction of luxurious beards roaming and plundering the high seas is a delight from absurd beginning to fantastic finale.

Arrrggg!

16. The Muppets

A film about AND starring The Muppets hadn't been around for a long time. This fact is cleverly played upon with them trying to regain their waning popularity in order to raise money to save their old theatre. The human cast are fantastic - Segal and Adams are wonderful as the couple who seem stuck permanently in the 1940's - but lets be honest, as good as they are, its The Muppets you've paid to see and with such gags as Fozzie's Fart Shoes, they did not disappoint!

The countdown will continue with 15 through to 11.... What have you seen and what do you think should be included?

JACK REACHER

The internet. For some it has broadened their horizons and opened up new worlds and new possibilities. For movie makers, it seems to have opened up more efficient ways of piracy and placed upon them the "power of the angry geek." Films have found themselves under attack even before the cameras have started to roll.

The first big screen outing of author Lee Childs' best selling anti-hero came under such fire when Cruise was announced as playing the part of drifting investigator Jack Reacher. His height, his looks, his frame - all were dragged into the mud-slinging arena. It was Interview With The Vampire all over again.

They were wrong then, and they're wrong now.

In the hands of first time big screen director McQuarrie, who is best known for his penmanship rather than his camerawork (writer of Valkyrie, The Usual Suspects, The Tourist and here on Jack Reacher) we clearly get to see that he  knows how to set up good characters with great introductions. After an unusually nail-biting opening sequence where a sniper opens fire on seemingly random members of the public  (unusual because not only are men targeted, but women and girls carrying children...yes, you read that right, children!) he smoothly moves onto the task of introducing our anti-hero. Not unlike the intro to Indiana Jones, the beginning shots of Cruise's Reacher  doesn't show his face, just his back of head and side shots. The only thing we get to see is the reactions by every female that interacts with him - something fun that runs throughout the entire film with women trying to contain their desire for him. This clearly is a man with presence despite not being 6"5" as described in the books.

The tone is then further set with a "you can see it coming but it's funny nonetheless" sequence where Oyelowo's cop and Jenkins DA brood over how impossible it is to find a man like Reacher let alone ask him for help after reviewing his file only to have him....well, you can guess the rest. These kind of smile-inducing moments are scattered throughout the films 130 minute running time but none are more so delightful than Reacher blending into his surroundings to avoid capture from Oyelowo's men after a slightly overlong but enjoyable car chase through the city.

The saving grace and the Achilles Heel for the film though lies squarely with its villains. Courtney is a believable match for Cruise in the shooting and hand-to-hand combat sequences (so maybe there IS hope for A Good Day To Die Hard after all then as he plays McClane's son in the fifth outing) but it is the big boss - an underused and very sketchily written Herzog - that feels flat. With a "hinted at" and hastily drawn out back story, Herzog's big bad boss no more elicits fear from the audience than what Reacher feels when he goes up against 5 paid thugs in a bar. There's no need to even break a sweat.

So, with 17 books out in the public domain concerning Jack Reacher, no doubt the studio is hoping that this could be their next new franchise. Of course, only time will tell whether Jack's reach can extend to a sequel but with Cruise seemingly making films left, right and centre and with an already block busting franchise up his sleeve (Mission: Impossible), a return to Reacher could be a hard thing to come by unless of course the ticket stubs go extra crazy for it.

Fun, witty and enjoyable to watch - both the film and it's female lead, Pike - it's worth a trip to check it out but do yourself a favour.... let the whole height thing go if you've read the book and just sit back and take it all in. You'll be pleasantly surprised!.

UK release date: 21.12.12
Certificate: 12A

THE YEAR AHEAD - 2013

For some out there, it's going to be an unlucky year. With 13 in its name/number, next year all of Hollywood and its worldwide cohorts, are hoping that there will be NO unluckiness with what they've chosen to release and ultimately entice your time and money away from you, the audience.

The film studios are already gearing up to release their big guns from next month onwards to dominate not only the lucrative Summer season but also the awards season with their releases slated from October, so, how about a flash forward for you to plan ahead each month and either book the baby-sitter, cancel the stag/hen do, re-arrange that reunion, record that football match rather than watch it live or.... insert the relevant scenario that matches your busy life here!

The following will pick each of the coming months and highlight some of the movies that hope to score big-time with your attention and your pocket money... so the list is there, all you have to do is choose what out of them gets your vote for your popcorn-consuming calender...

JANUARY

LES MISERABLES

There's not much to say about this one... the trailer for it had been hitting screens since early November and the word on the inside track is that Oscar nods will abound for it. The trailer shows that the impressively well-known cast will soon be well-known for not just their acting ability but for their singing prowess as well. Wolverine VS Gladiator in a singing match?.... Bring it on!

FEBRUARY

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

Or, as some would call it, the next Twilight... With alot of teen literature being viewed as hot cinematic properties of late since the Twilight's and The Hunger Games scored big at the box office, it's no surprise that this ever-popular series of books has made it to be the big screen. Whether it can be big enough for any sequels however will remain to be seen...

MARCH

CLOUD ATLAS

Despite Bryan Singer's fab-looking Jack The Giant Slayer being released this month, I've gone for the simply put "totally bonkers looking and sounding" Cloud Atlas. With a time-spanning premise that seems reminiscent of the poorly-received The Fountain, it's gotta be worth a look...

APRIL / MAY

IRON MAN 3

Marvel's plan to rule the universe along with their partner Disney continues after the over-whelming success of Avengers Assemble last year. This month sees the charming rogue that is Downey Jr's Tony Stark have to deal with his problems without the aid of any of The Avengers. Brave move but everything they've done has been brave... and mostly its paid off!

MAY

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

The first J.J. Abrams Star Trek was one of my favourite films of that year. Having seen the 8 minute trailer of the sequel in IMAX format, I think it's safe to say that this will easily become one of my favourites of this year!

JUNE

MAN OF STEEL

So far, the reaction to Zack Snyder's take on Superman has been...confused. The trailers for it have been more like that of an independent movie than a superhero flick. With The Dark Knight trilogies Christopher Nolan as producer, can the story of Superman cope with being made more "realistic / gritty"? Time will tell.

SUMMER TBC

EPIC

With a seemless blend of great visuals and a haunting song in the trailer, EPIC is looking just that - epic! Look for the original trailer which is light on plot but heavy on wonder and excitement.

JULY

PACIFIC RIM

After the endless delay in getting The Hobbit before the rolling cameras, Del Torro left Jackson to it so that he could deliver to us the tale of robots VS monsters! Hopefully this will bring to the screen the carnage that the Transformers sequels failed to do.

AUGUST

THE LONE RANGER

So it would seem that Depp and Verbinski haven't got each other out of their systems yet despite their Pirates Of The Caribbean run together! Welcome to The Lone Ranger, Tonto and Silver up in a tree! What do you expect?!? 

DECEMBER

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

It's like 2001 all over again! Remember when Christmas meant a new trip to Middle Earth? Well, The Hobbit's sequel hits cinemas with the third and final instalment due May 2014. Start ticking the calendar now.... (There's no trailer for part two yet so in the meantime, enjoy reliving the An Unexpected Journey again.)

So, for the time being, just know that for each film I've listed above, it will be up against at least another ten minimum in that particular month. There's a host of other note-worthy flicks but rest assured, when I can they will be here for you to peruse.

What are you looking forward to then? And did you know any of them?