And now my favourite films of the year in no particular order.

Best films

Un Prophète (Jacques Audiard, 2009)

As perfect as a film can get. 

Mother (Joon Ho-Bong, 2009)

Joon Ho-Bong continues his streak of top notch thrillers.  It might not be as good as Memories of Murder (2003) but it is probably my favourite film of the year.  A must see.

Scott Pilgrim v.s. The World (Edgar Wright, 2010)

Enjoyable from start to finish.  It may not have done as well at the box office as anticipated but it is destined to become a cult classic.

Up in the Air (Jason Reitman, 2010)

Close to being my favourite film of the year.  George Clooney once again puts in a great performance as Ryan Bingham and Jason Reitman's direction is top notch.

The American (Anton Corbijn, 2010)

Reminiscent of a European made 1970s thriller, Corbijn's direction is faultless and Clooney continues to be one of the best actors around.  Highly recommended.

The Social Network (David Fincher, 2010)

I initially had my doubts but ultimately found this to be as good as everyone has said.  What else would you expect from Fincher and Sorkin?

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)

According to a viewers Tweet that quoted in The Guardian, this film was popular because it made stupid people feel clever.  Yet further evidence of film snobbery.  A brilliant script.  A much better film than the overrated The Dark Knight (2008).

Fish Tank (Andrea Arnold, 2009)

Andrea Arnold's excellent follow up to Red Road (2006).  Challenging but rewarding.  Michael Fassbender is definitely an actor to watch.

Catfish (Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, 2010)

Fiction or non-fiction?  David Kalat's comments on the film, found over at the Video Watchblog, seem to be to be most plausible.  It is far too neat to be genuine but it is most certainly a memorable viewing experience.

Four Lions (Chris Morris, 2010)

Another brilliant satire from Chris Morris.

Honourable mentions

The Town (Ben Affleck, 2010)

By no means perfect and not as good as Affleck's first directorial effort Gone Baby Gone (2007) but still an enjoyable thriller.

Shutter Island (Martin Scorcese, 2010)

I loved the look of this film.  It is easy to see the influence Mario Bava has had on Martin Scorcese.

The Ghost (Roman Polanski, 2010)

Was the acting meant to be so exaggerated?  Still, another solid thriller from 2010.

Cyrus (Jay and Mark Duplass, 2010)

Hilarious!  Great performances from John C Reilly, Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei.  It is quite obvious that the film is predominately improvised but this works in the films favour.

Guilty Pleasures

The Expendables (Sylvester Stallone, 2010)

Better than I had anticipated.  The perfect Saturday night action film.  No more CGI blood next time Sly.

From Paris With Love (Pierre Morel, 2010)

An OTT John Travolta armed with a bazooka.  What is there not to like? 

Machete (Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis, 2010)

I probably expected a little too much from this but like Planet Terror (2007) it is a fun filled tribute to the B movie actioner.  If anything, this film highlights how underrated an actor Jeff Fahey is.

Disappointment of the Year

Copout (Kevin Smith, 2010)

Awful.  Can Kevin Smith exist outside of the View Askewuniverse?  The unfairly treated Jersey Girl (2004) suggested so and Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) was very funny but a little too much like a Judd Apatow film.  Perhaps his upcoming horror film Red State (2011) will be an improvement?

 

For this year's Christmas post I thought I would try and produce a list of my favourite alternative Christmas films.  By alternative, I mean films that are either set during the Christmas period and are not actually typical Christmas films persay, or those that are so downright dark that they offer little in the way of Christmas cheer.  I find these to be so much more rewarding than those that are currently being broadcast on the Christmas 24 television channel.  So, here we go.  This is by no means exhaustive, further additions are welcome.

Black Christmas (Bob Clark, 1974)

"If this movie doesn't make your skin crawl...it's on too tight".  I watched this last night and was again reminded just how terrifying this film is.  I am sure that it is the prank telephone calls that I find so unsettling.  

Die Hard (John McTiernan, 1988)

In previous years, I have posted about my Christmas Eve ritual of watching Die Hard.  It really isn't Christmas until the end credits of the film start and Vaughn Monroe sings Let it Snow.

Cash On Demand (Quentin Lawrence, 1961)

Released for the first time on DVD earlier this year as part of the Hammer Icons of Suspense DVD Collection, this excellent thriller pits Peter Cushing, the manager of bank, verus Andre Morrell, a cunning bank robber who has kidnapped Cushing's wife and child.  Set two days before Christmas Eve, this tightly scripted and engrossing thriller is certainly worthy of greater attention (sadly I can find no trailer online for this gem).

Gremlins (Joe Dante, 1984)

I had forgotton just how good a film Gremlins is.  I caught the last 45 minutes on television earlier in the week, having not seen it since I was five.  Darkly humourous and brilliantly directed by Joe Dante.  Having Phoebe Cates in the film doesn't hurt either.

LA Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997)

Based on the true 'Bloody Christmas' controversy of 1951, this endlessly rewatchable film captures a seedier side of Christmas.

Lethal Weapon (Richard Donner, 1997)

Not a favourite film but still an enjoyable action romp set during Christmas. 

The Proposition (John Hillcoat, 2005)

There is no snow to be found in this bleak Nick Cave scripted Western. 

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005)

Shane Black, writer of Lethal Weapon, continues his obsession with setting films during the Christmas period in this criminally underrated comedy thriller. 

Eyes Wide Shut (Stanley Kubrick, 1999)

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this Kubrick thriller.  Dark and witty in equal measures.

Bad Santa (Terry Zwigoff, 2003)

Didn't do anything for me but nevertheless a different representation of Santa to the one we are used to.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (Charles E. Sellier Jr, 1984)

"Naughty!"  The best of the 'mad Santa on the loose' Christmas films.  Certainly delves into the so bad it's good category. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vaction (Jeremiah S. Chechik, 1989)

My favourite Christmas film of all.  I find it rather ironic how Clark Griswold's bulb covered house has become so common place in many British neighbourhoods.  This one has it all.  The unwanted family guests, irritating neighbours, elderly parents discussing their illnesses, tearful memories of Christmas past and, of course, everything going wrong for Clark Griswold.

So there you have it, a list of alternative Christmas movies.  I am sure that there are many more, feel free to add any that come to mind.

And here is Clark W Griswold wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 2010.

Surely you can't be serious?

In preparation for tonight's annual Halloween moviethon, we watched Rec (Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, 2007), Rec 2 (Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, 2009), both recently released on UK Blu-Ray, and finally, one of my all time favourites, The Night Stalker (John Llewellyn Moxey, 1972).  I had seen Rec before and found it to be an excellently paced and well produced horror film and my thoughts were enhanced by viewing the UK Blu-Ray.  This is a genuinely scary film that makes good use of the claustrophobic setting.  However, the follow-up, which I had heard many good things about, paled in comparison.  After a promising start it was reduced to people screaming and shouting very loudly for the remainder of the film.  In fact, I cannot think of one sequence that was genuinely 'jump out of your seat scary'.  Perhaps I should have been wary after seeing the rag Nuts give the film five stars and proclaim that "you will not sleep after watching this"; I slept just fine.  Perhaps the first disappointing film I have seen from Jaume Balagueró.

And as for The Night Stalker?  Well, if you haven't seen it, you should really go out of your way to locate a copy.  I have lost count how many times I have seen it and I still enjoy watching Carl Kolchak run around Las Vegas searching for what could possibly be a vampire. 

On tonight's menu is:

Trick 'r' Treat (Michael Dougherty, 2007)

Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

The Thing (John Carpernter, 1981)

Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977) (if I am still awake)

To get things started, I am now going to go and watch The Thing From Another World (Howard Hawks/Christian Nyby, 1951).

Anyone else watching a few scary films tonight?

Each trailer gets better and better.

One of the funniest scenes in the history of comedy cinema.

Robert Rodriguez has released an 'unofficial' trailer for Machete and yes, it looks like it will be everything I was hoping it would be.  I cannot wait to see this.

UPDATE:

Here is trailer in HD:

I am surprised that I had not heard of this earlier.  A documentary film about the late, great comedian Bill Hicks has been made and will be released this summer.  Without a doubt the greatest comedian to ever live, this film documents the life of Bill Hicks using animation and interviews with those closest to him.  I really cannot wait to see this.  More information can be found over at the official site.

With the current state of the DVD industry it is hard to predict what will be released in the coming year.  What follows is a list of my most anticipated DVD/Blu-Ray releases of 2010.  There will no doubt be others added over the year but here are the ones that have caught my eye so far:

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (Frank De Felitta, 1981) Lionsgate, USA: DVD. Date TBC

A little known television movie starring Larry Drake and Charles Durning.  This was originally going to be released on Blu-Ray and DVD by Image Entertainment but since they are currently considering filing for bankruptcy it looks as if Lionsgate will be attaining the rights to this cult classic.

Elvis: The Movie (John Carpenter, 1979) Shout Factory, USA: DVD. 2 March 2010

Issues with music rights have prevented this little seen John Carpenter film, which was the first of many collaborations with Kurt Russell, from being released.  Hopefully it will be the full uncut version and will feature a typically excellent commentary track from Russell and Carpenter.  Shout Factory are probably the American DVD label to watch in 2010.

The Exorcist (William Friedkin, 1973) Warner Brothers, USA: Blu-Ray. October 2010

One of my favourite films of all time, I just hope that Friedkin doesn't continue his unwelcome trend of tampering with his original edit as he has done with Cruising (1980) and the Blu-Ray release of The French Connection (1971).  Warner have confirmed that both the 1973 and 2000 versions will be included. 

Kingdom of the Spiders (John 'Bud' Cardos, 1977) Shout Factory, USA: DVD. 19 January 2010

William Shatner as a veterinarian trying to save a town from tarantulas.  What is there not to like?  This will be the third time I have purchased a DVD of this film.  What makes this release particularly attractive is the special features; an interview with the film's spider wrangler (what a great job title), an interview with Shatner and a commentary track with Cardos.  Another great offering from Shout Factory.
 
So Sweet, So Dead (Roberto Bianchi, 1972) Camera Obscura, Germany: DVD. February 28 2010

Aside from the forthcoming releases from maligned American label Mya Communication (I will discuss this in a forthcoming blogpost), Camera Obscura could be the label to keep an eye on for releases of rare gialli.  That cover art is sublime.

Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977) Cine Excess, UK: Blu-Ray. Today!

This should be with me tomorrow morning courtesy of Amazon.  Advance reviews have praised this anticipated release.  What next, Cine-Excess?

Thriller: The Complete Collection, Image, USA: DVD. TBC

With Image threatening to declare bankruptcy it is doubtful whether this release will happen which is disappointing considering that Tim Lucas and other respected genre enthusiasts have been recording audio commentaries for the release.  Perhaps Shout Factory can come to the rescue?

The Twilight Zone Complete Collection, Image, USA: Blu-Ray. TBC

Again, a release announced by Image.  I have been putting off completing my Twilight Zone collection on DVD ever since it was rumoured that there would be a Blu-Ray release.  Hopefully it will appear and will look as good as the Star Trek and The Prisoner Blu-Ray releases.

Urban Action Collection Warner Brothers, USA: DVD. 12 January 2010

I first saw Black Belt Jones (Robert Clouse, 1974) on VHS in the late 80's and loved Jim "Bullshit Mr Han Man" Kelly in the lead role.  It has never appeared legally on DVD and is part of this great value four-film Urban Action Collection.   It contains other Blaxploitation action classics such as Hot Potato (Oscar Williams, 1976), Three The Hard Way (Gordon Parks Jr, 1974) and Black Sampson (Charles Bail, 1974).

Who Dares Wins (Ian Sharp, 1982) Arrow, UK: Blu-Ray. 8 March 2010

Who would have expected this to be released on Blu-Ray in 2010?  Another film I remember fondly from my youth.  Lewis Collins is great in the lead role and the build up to the action filled finale is well executed. 

_______________

What other releases would I like to see in 2010?  Fingers crossed for the following:

The Amazing Spider-Man Live Action Television series (something tells me that Marvel do not want this to see the light of day on optical disc.  I prefer it to Raimi's recent offerings).
Cold Case Files: The Complete Collection (morbid I know but this is the best true crime television series I have seen).
The Equalizer: Series Two onwards
High Crime (Enzo G. Castellari, 1973)
One Step Beyond: Seasons Two and Three
Profondo Rosso (Dario Argento, 1975) Blu-Ray (hopefully the Blu-Ray release of Suspria will lead to some of Argento's other classics being released on the HD format).

Not that I am one for celebrating the turning of the clock but here's a happy new year to you.  What follows is a list of my favourite films from the past decade.  There may not be the most aesthetically pleasing films but these are the ones that I have enjoyed the most.  So here we are, in no particular order:

Dead Man's Shoes (Shane Meadows, 2004)
Wedding Crashers (David Dobkin, 2005)
Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007)
In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008)
Clerks 2 (Kevin Smith, 2006)
Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho, 2003)
Session 9 (Brad Anderson, 2001)
Taken (Pierre Morel, 2008)
Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008)
Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)