Top Five 2012

Here is the list of my favourite films so far this year. I will keep the list updated over the year, so keep an eye on it. Each one of them is a little special, and worth hunting down. I will only include films that have had a proper release in the UK this year (or will before the year is over).They are presented in no particular order.

A Useful Life
Such a beautiful little film. I was bound to enjoy a film about a cinema manager who has given his life to his cinema, and yet there is still hope that he may find romance and something more to life than simple celluloid can bring. A great soundtrack, and a wonderful central performance really lift A Useful Life. I review it HERE.

Avengers Assemble
An obvious choice, I suppose. It is just so much fun, though! Exciting, entertaining, full of humour and great characters, Avengers Assemble is everything that a blockbuster should be and is that rare thing – a big budget release that actually reaches its potential. I hope it knocks Avatar off the top spot. I review it HERE.

Kotoko
A film that follows a single mother’s fall into depression and, essentially, madness. The images and emotions that Kotoko inspired have stayed with me more than any other film this year, which earns it a spot in my top five.
A stunning exploration of mental extremes, violence and identity. Not easy, but excellent.
I reviewed it for Cinetalk.

Berberian Sound Studio
An intense and atmospheric film from Peter Strickland. A passion for cinema, and old-school filmmaking comes across – which means I would have loved this film anyway. Beyond that, however, Strickland proves himself to be an absolute master of suspense, and of the art of film generally. The extremely clever use of sound stands out, but the visuals are just as strong. With great performances from lead Tobey Jones and the rest of the cast, Berberian Sound Studio requires several viewings. I read it completely differently the first two times I saw it!

Beasts of the Southern Wild
Visually stunning, with a beautiful tale at it’s core, Beasts of the Southern Wild really knocked me out. The story of Hushpuppy, a young girl who lives in ‘the Bathtub’ – an area of South Louisiana due to flood – we learn about the world through her eyes, and her fantasies which she uses to make sense of all the big events happening around her. It’s also a crime that the score wasn’t event nominated for an Oscar!