Films of the Year 2020

  

2020...what a terrible year. A year which brought cinemas to their knees, closing so many beloved venues (hopefully only temporarily) and stunting production worldwide.  Given the widespread disruption and my lack of cinema visits, I'd decided not to write a list this year.  Instead, I focused on catching up on classic movies, filling blind spots. However, as more and more end of year lists were published, it dawned on me just how many great movies had come out this year and to my surprise, how many I'd seen.

So, at very last minute (and very late),  I've rushed to watch all the films I've neglected last year and compiled this list.

As usual this is a personal look back at this year's releases, so this is not necessarily a list of the greatest movies of the past twelve months, but a collection of my recommendations. As usual any feedback and discussion is welcome.

Disclaimer! - Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This year those films include The Sound of Metal (29th January) and Nomadland (19th February).  This is way less than usual due to the pandemic!

10. Mank 

David Fincher's "Mank" definitely isn't to everyone's tastes, but I found it a rewarding watch.  Its long and talky, with a disjointed structure, but once you click into its mirroring of Citizen Kane's structure and start to connect its themes, it becomes engrossing. As an avid listener Karina Longworth's excellent Hollywood history podcast "You Must Remember This", it was a joy to see the titans of that age bought to life, which I think this is a key factor in whether you'll enjoy this movie. Some knowledge of the studio system of the age and its major players definitely makes a difference, but even if you don't it's an interesting project.

Available to stream on Netflix.

9.   Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

A brilliant return to form from Sasha Baron Cohen after some mediocre starring roles (although he's also excellent in Aaron Sorkin's "The Trial of the Chicago 7").  In a world that knows his Borat character, he imaginatively finds new ways to dig into the nature of American culture and politics.  This new direction puts huge pressure on Maria Bakalova, brought on board to play Borat's daughter Tutar, but she excells. She brings a different perspective and brilliant comedic moments of her own, putting herself in potentially dangerous or compromising situations to provide funny, poignant and memorable scenes.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

Thoughtful and compassionate, Eliza Hittman's "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" is an understated movie that packs a lot of emotional punch.  Examining a young woman's lack of options in her hometown once she discovers her unplanned pregnancy, the story shines a light on American state abortion laws, but purely from a relatable human perspective.  The performances of Sidney Flanigan as the emotionally distant pregnant woman and Talia Ryder as her empathetic and supportive cousin are superb and completely believable.  The bond of friendship and support between the characters also stops the film becoming too dark or depressing, finding hope within difficult times.

Currently available on NowTV and for streaming rental.
 
7.  Rocks

"Rocks" is a brilliant look at modern London, with its mix of cultures and how they intertwine. Using school students as non-professional actors, director Sarah Gavron has collaborated with these young women to create a highly authentic and touching movie. It's incredibly watchable cast are funny, entertaining and heart-breaking. The story focuses on a teenage girl left to care for her brother on her own, struggling to keep bills paid and food on the table. However this isn't some grim misery porn, but an uplifting tale of friendship and support.

Available to stream on Netflix.

6. Lovers Rock

Like "Rocks", Steve McQueen's "Lovers Rock" is also an intimate look at London life, but from a very different era.  Part of his "Small Axe" series for the BBC and at only an hour and eight minutes long, there may be some debate over whether this counts as a movie or episode of TV, but McQueen's beautiful style makes each episode feel like a cinematic gem of their own. The film follows a house party in west London, from setting up the sound systems to the drunken journey home.  The film envelops you in the music and passions of the night, giving you a glimpse into the lives and times of multiple characters with a subtle elegance.

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

5. Soul

My favourite Pixar movie for quite a while, "Soul" has a look and feel all its own, despite feeling at home within the esteemed studio's stable of heart tugging delights.  I loved the imaginative view of the afterlife, specifically the stark monotone scenes that represent the spaces between between life and death.  The story also has a lovely view on what makes life worth living, taking on multiple perspectives to find what is important.

Available to stream on Disney+. 
 
4. The Lighthouse

A dark and quirky oddball of a movie, full of strange and disturbing of imagery, but offset with dark humour and great performances. Filmed in an old school 4:3 format to increase the feel of claustrophobia, the black and white cinematography adds to this unease as two men feel the pressures of isolation within the lighthouse they man.  Robert Pattison brings bug eyed intensity to his role, but the craggy and irascible Willem Defoe steals every scene.   

Available for streaming rental.

3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
 

A stunning movie, brimming with beautiful moments. Written and directed by Céline Sciamma, she crafts an elegant slow-burn romance, a movie that exudes a feeling of longing. The tensions between love and duty are present throughout, as Noémie Merlant's ambitious painter realises that completing her work will end her time with the woman she loves, played with bruised emotion by Adèle Haenel.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
 
2. Uncut Gems

A film of intoxicating intensity, it's a movie that screams at you. Its fast pace and high tension, might be too much for many, but I loved it. Somewhere between a thriller and existential horror, this film assaults you with fast based dialogue and terrible life choices that will make you want to scream at the characters to stop. This feels like a progression from the Safdie brothers "Good Time", more focused and engaging. Part of this may be due to Adam Sandler's brilliant lead performance, which lets you feel all the stresses and exultation of Howard Ratner, a man living on a knife edge as he fails to balance debts, debts and personal indiscretions. It's a shame Sandler spends so much time making terrible comedies and only takes on these kind of roles once a decade.

Available to stream on Netflix.

1. Parasite

A film that seems like it came out a lifetime ago, coming out pre-pandemic in early 2020.  For once the Oscars nailed it by making this the best Picture winner, with its fantastic balance of tone and pacing creating a movie that reflects all aspects of 21st century life (excluding global pandemics).  It's a film that's best to watch without spoilers, so I won't go into plot, but the film is hugely entertaining piece of social commentary that's not too heavy handed, but doesn't let anyone off the hook.  By straddling genres to be a thriller, comedy, horror (and more), Bong Joon-Ho has created a movie that feels like a culmination of everything he's strived for in his previous movies.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Worthy Mentions
Not quite on the main list...

The Last Black Man in San Francisco - This is a late 2019 movie, so I couln't put it in my top 10, but it's a beautiful film that I caught up with early in the year.  A stunning movie I adored.
Waves - Very close to making my list, but I've not seen it since Cinecity in 2019, so it's faded from my memory a little. A hard hitting social drama about modern American society.
Tenet - As bold and striking as any Christopher Nolan production, at times it was breath taking.  However it felt like it bit off more than he could chew in just one movie. I think it could have made a more fulfilling trilogy.
Dick Johnson is Dead - A fascinating documentary about how we deal with death. Treating the subject with respect but also large amounts of whimsy and levity.
Jo Jo Rabbit - Fun and vibrant, but with plenty of pathos and respect for the time period.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - I'm a sucker for an Aaron Sorkin law drama.
His House - Creepy British horror that makes us look at the terrifying journeys refugees make to reach the UK and the heavy burden the places upon them.  
The Assistant - A drama that shines a light on the sexist practices of the movie industry, with very thinly veiled references to Harvey Weinstein's crimes.
The Vast of Night - Low budget retro sci-fi drama with oodles of style. It just doesn't stick the landing.
Da 5 Bloods - Great moments and performances, but if felt too uneven to me.
Bad Education - Brilliant performances from Hugh Jackman and Alison Janney enrich this retelling to a real life story of everday greed.
Extra Ordinary - Hilarious low-budget Irish horror-comedy starring a villainous Will Forte.
The Personal History of David Copperfield - Armando Iannucci breathes life and vitality into this familiar tale.
Sonic the Hedgehog - Loads of fun, a great family movie (and Sonic was re-rendered so he's cute, not creeepy).

Films worth a watch - Birds of Prey, Hamilton, Holidate, Happiest Season, Color Out of Space, The Platform, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, The Old Guard, The Invisible Man, Onward, Blow the Man Down, Babyteeth

Disappointments

I'm Thinking of Ending Things - Charlie Kaufman is one of my favourite filmmakers, but I just didn't connect with this one.
Tenet - There's so much to admire, but overall it didn't quite meet me expectations, somehow managing to feel both too long and too rushed.

The ones that got away...

The big misses of this year, I regret I didn't get to see... (mainly because I wouldn't go to the cinema during the pandemic, or pay twenty quid to watch it at home)
First Cow, Wolfwalkers, Saint Maud, Relic, Clemency, St Frances, Martin Eden, The Climb, The Nest, Shirley, Bacurau, Kajillionaire, Possessor, She Dies Tomorrow, Another Round, Collective, David Byrne's American Utopia, The Painter and the Thief, Feels Good Man, Time, Wonder Woman 1984, Ma Raineys Blackbottom

In an ideal world, I would have seen these too...
Mulan, Zappa, Emma, Host

Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!

2019 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...

I liked...  
Us, Burning,  In Fabric, Zombieland: Double Tap, Hustlers Doctor Sleep, Terminator: Dark fate, The Dead Don't Die, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, Jumanji: The Next Level. The Black Man in San Francisco
 
I wasn't so keen on... 
Glass, Hellboy

The ones I didn't catch up on...  
Bait, Under the Silver Lake, The Mule, Pain and Glory, I Lost my Body, Ash is Purest White, Transit, The Nightingale, Climax, Boy Erased, On the Basis of Sex, Everybody Knows, Benjamin, At Eternity’s Gate, Missing Link, Late Night.

Last Years Top Ten
10. Border
09. Eighth Grade
08. The Farewell
07. Avengers Endgame
06. Ad Astra
05. Marriage Story
04. Booksmart
03. Little Women
02. The Favourite
01. Knives Out

Films of the Year 2019

 

It's another late list so I could use the Christmas break to fit in the big movies I missed, but despite this, some big names will still be missing.  

A failure to fit in Jordan Peele's latest, Us, is the biggest anomaly, so apologies to all fans of that movie. I'm still really looking forward to it.

As usual this is a personal look back at this year's releases, so this is not necessarily a list of the greatest movies of the past twelve months, but a collection of my recommendations. As usual any feedback and discussion is welcome.

Disclaimer! - Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This year those films include Jo Jo Rabbit (3rd January), Waves (17th January), Uncut Gems (10th January), Parasite (7th February) and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (28th February).  Jo Jo Rabbit, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Waves were at Brighton's Cinecity Film Festival, so I've already seen them and highly recommend them all. It's highly likely they'll make it into next year's list.
.

10. Border
 

A dark modern fairytale rooted in grim reality, Border explores the life of Tina, a customs officer whose chance encounter with a suspicious stranger leads to a very strange romance and an awakening of her true nature. A highly inventive film with a very dark centre, it's well worth a watch if you can handle bucket loads of weird.

Available for streaming rental.

9. Eighth Grade

A troubling, but ultimately touching, look at the life of a thirteen year old girl as she gets ready to leave eighth grade and move to high school. The highs and lows of school life are further warped by the pressures of social media and the difficulty of not just figuring out who you are, but who you want to present yourself as outwardly to the world. If you're over thirty like I am, it'll make you glad you didn't grow up worrying about the likes on your Youtube channel.

Available for streaming rental.

8. The Farewell

A stylish but warm-hearted film that sheds light on the cultural differences (and similarities) between West and East. For a film about loss, it’s surprisingly light and funny. Awkwafina heads a brilliant cast that admirably balance these contrasting elements as you are drawn into the intense family dilemma at the heart of the film.

Currently in cinemas in London (just about)
 
7. Avengers Endgame

As Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has shown, it's very hard to forge a satisfying end to a long running film series.  To round out the current era of Marvel movies, Avengers Endgame offers up a fan pleasing (but not pandering) finale, that is surprisingly warm, funny and unlike Rise of Skywalker, takes the time for smaller character moments.

Currently available to stream on NowTV.

6. Ad Astra
 

If you’re into slow, beautiful, thoughtful sci-fi of the more spiritual kind, then this is a gem. Brad Pitt's astronaut ventures into space on a covert operation to find and neutralise his long lost rogue father, Tommy Lee Jones. Imagine Terence Malick remaking Apocalypse Now in space and you won’t be far off. It won’t appeal to everyone, but I loved it. 

Available for streaming rental.

5. Marriage Story
 

An intense reflection on a failed marriage that constantly shifts your sympathies. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson are great portraying the heart wrenching difficulties of separating their intertwined lives.  Just as you feel more invested in one parent's woes, the film re-frames the situation from the other side and re-balances your allegiances.

Available to stream on Netflix. 
 
4. Booksmart

Olivia Wilde's high school comedy is a joy of a film that delivers belly laughs throughout. The leads Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever create a truly genuine friendship, acting like real teens in a school that defies the usual tropes. Wilde eschews the usual cliques and cliches to mark a refreshing change. It's sort of like a more female centric “Superbad” with perhaps more emotional heft.

Available for streaming rental.

3. Little Women
 

It turns out I didn’t really know the story of Little Women... I was taken by surprise and ended up getting quite tearful! Greta Gerwig has crafted a faithful but exuberant adaptation that manages to feel true to the era whilst adding something fresh. Her use of fractured time and her excellent casting create a compelling family drama with lots of heart.

Currently in cinemas.
 
2. The Favourite

I first saw The Favourite at Brighton's Cinecity film festival back in November 2018 and loved it, but it wasn't released until the first day of 2019, so wasn't eligible for last year's list. Despite this, it's stayed vivid enough in my memory to take second place. 

It's a delightful black comedy, with excellent performances throughout. Unlike director Lanthimos’ previous movies, like the stilted conversations of The Lobster, the dialogue is darting and witty, with the actors relishing the obscurity of the royal household. It's a refreshing take on the period drama, blowing away any stuffiness with incongruous modern idiosyncrasies like modern dance moves.

Available for streaming rental.

1. Knives Out
 

With so many great movies, choosing a number one wasn't easy, so I decided to choose the film I most enjoyed watching and have already seen multiple times.

Rian Johnson's Knives Out is a cinematic delight, a brilliant ensemble murder mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie, but modern and thought provoking. Even more impressive is that underneath the highly entertaining and imaginative mystery is an excellent commentary on modern America, its contradictions, and its hypocrisies.

Currently in cinemas.

Worthy Mentions
Not quite on the main list...

Can you Ever Forgive Me  - The closest to making the list, it had a compelling story and a couple of very fun performances from Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant.
If Beale Street Could Talk - A beautiful tragic film from Barry Jenkins.
Spider-Man: Far from Home - Another great adventure for Marvel's Spider-Man, this time with a great turn by Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio and a great end credits cameo.
Toy Story 4 - Another film in the series seemed like a bad idea, but once again Toy Story continues to defy expectations and continue its tale in a thoughtful and fulfilling way.
Vice - Preachy it may be, this film still chronicles an incredibly important but oft forgotten figure in Christian Bale's Dick Cheney. Bale is excellent in the role, disappearing into the Cheney's mumbles and tight lipped smiles.
The Irishman - A bit long for my taste and I don't quite buy the de-aging (see disappointments), but Scorcese still brings the magic. I especially love Joe Pesci's subdued performance.
The Souvenir - A sombre actorly piece on addiction from Joanna Hogg.
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood  - A film I mostly enjoyed, but I felt uncomfortable with Tarantino's use of real people (see disappointments).
Midsommar - Another tense gruesome horror film from Ari Aster, but doesn't quite nail the landing.
The Sisters Brothers - A beautiful adaptation of a book I love with a great cast, especially Joaquin Phoenix and John C Reilly as the titular brotherly duo. 
Rocketman - A big surprise. I had no interest in this film, refused to see it at the cinema, but then really enjoyed this biopic musical at home. Far better than last year's Bohemian Rhapsody.

 
Films worth a watch - Always be My Maybe, Fighting with my Family, Stan and Ollie, Apollo 11, Captain Marvel, Wild Rose, Shazam!, Hobbs and Shaw, John Wick 3, Support the Girls, Lego Movie 2, Joker, High Life, The Day Shall Come, The Hustle (just about)
 

Disappointments
 
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - In revising all the progress of The Last Jedi, we end the Skywalker saga on a muddled, silly and disappointing note. It felt more like fan-fiction than a true continuation of the story.
Joker - I liked a lot of elements, but it couldn't hit the heights of the films its style aped, coming across as a muddled combination of The King of Comedy  and Taxi Driver. Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal in the lead role however.
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood  - Another frustrating experience with Quentin Tarantino, once again a victim of his own bravado. Every scene is expertly crafted and, despite its length, doesn’t feel like a chore. The dialogue zips and tension is built and then dissipated in classic Tarantino fashion. However, his treatment of the extremely tragic events and the real people involved, wasn’t for me. In the end I think your enjoyment of the film lies with your perception of the finale. I found it morally objectionable, denting an otherwise enjoyable experience, but I’m sure I’m in the minority. 
The Irishman - There's so much to enjoy, but once you get to this length of film, it becomes hard to focus, especially when you can only watch it at home on Netflix. I felt like the story may have been better served as four one hour episodes rather than one huge movie.
High Life - As I've shown with my love of Ad Astra, I love a philosophical space drama, but there didn't feel like there was enough substance to this tale.
The Day Shall Come - Not a bad film per se, but a disappointment considering the talent involved. Not funny enough to be a black comedy, not dramatic enough to be truly compelling, Chris Morris hasn’t bought his usual bite to this one. 

Awful...
A Beautiful boy, Lucy in the Sky, Vox Lux

The ones that got away...

The big misses of this year, I regret I didn't get to see... 
Us, Monos, Burning, Bait, Under the Silver Lake, The Mule, Pain and Glory, I Lost my Body (I've seen part of it, ironically), In Fabric, Ash is Purest White, Transit, Zombieland: Double Tap, Hustlers, The Nightingale, Doctor Sleep, Terminator: Dark fate, The Dead Don't Die, Climax
 
In an ideal world, I would have seen these too... 
Glass, Boy Erased, On the Basis of Sex, Everybody Knows, Benjamin, At Eternity’s Gate, Missing Link, Hellboy, Late Night, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, Jumanji: The Next Level

Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!


2018 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...

I liked...  
The Old Man and the Gun, Bad Times at the El Royale, Blindspotting, Green Book, Overlord, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Tully, Aquaman, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Incredibles 2
 
I wasn't so keen on... 
Bohemian Rhapsody

The ones I didn't catch up on...  
A Fantastic Woman, 120bpm, Faces Places, The Rider, Burning, Darkest Hour, Free Solo, Wildlife, They Shall Not Grow Old, "Love, Simon", Halloween, Peterloo, Bumblebee

Last Years Top Ten
10. Spider-Man- Into the Spiderverse
09. First Reformed
08. Shoplifters
07. First Man
06. Isle of Dogs
05. Phantom Thread
04. BlacKKKlansman
03. Lady Bird
02. Sorry to Bother You
01. Mandy

Films of the Year 2018

A super late list this year (I didn't even finalise my top 10 while still in 2018) but that was so I could use the Christmas break to cram in as many extra films as possible.

Due to spending more time watching the films, I've had far less time to write it all up and as a consequence I've had to be much more concise.  Let me know if you prefer the brevity!

As usual this is a personal look back at this year's releases, so this is not necessarily a list of the greatest movies of the past twelve months, but a collection of my recommendations. As usual any feedback and discussion is welcome.

Disclaimer! - Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This year those films include "If Beale Street Could Talk" (18th January), "Vice" (25th January) and "Eighth Grade" (TBA).

11. "Cheat film" - The Favourite
 

I've added in a cheat film, as every year a film (or sometimes multiple films) are released so close to the turn of the year that there is some ambiguity about which yearly list it should be included in.

The Favourite, released on the first day of 2019, is one such film. I first saw the movie at Brighton's Cinecity film festival back in November and loved it. It's a delightful black comedy, with excellent performances throughout. Unlike director Lanthimos’ previous movies, like the stilted conversations of The Lobster, the dialogue is darting and witty, with the actors relishing the obscurity of the royal household. It's a refreshing take on the period drama, blowing away any stuffiness with incongruous modern idiosyncrasies like modern dance moves. It would have been in my top three if I wasn't counting it as a cheat, so it stands a good chance of making 2019's list.

In cinemas 1st January 2019

10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
 

A whole lot of fun, with more geeky Spider-Man references than you can shake a web covered stick at, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more entertaining film from 2018. It skillfully manages the many different realities and characters, whilst always finding the heart of the Spider-Man character, no matter who may be under the mask. Also, the last post credit scene is my all time favourite. On top of that, it uses a phenomenal animation style that challenges animated films to move on from copying Pixar and be far more creative from now on.

Currently in cinemas

9. First Reformed

Ethan Hawke puts in a memorable and nuanced performance as a conflicted priest struggling with the morality of the modern church. Veteran film-maker Paul Shrader has created a slow, quiet movie that takes a rare look at how religion relates to environmentalism.  It might not be to everyone's tastes, especially the finale, but it's thought provoking, tense and combative cinema.  

Available for streaming rental.

8. Shoplifters

Shoplifters challenges our concept of family with a story that continuously shifts perceptions. As the film progresses and we learn more about the family unit, we find our assumptions defied and the narrative re-framed. It's a funny, touching and at times dark movie that looks at a side of Japanese life not often depicted on the big screen.   

Currently in cinemas
 
7. First Man

Focusing on the sacrifice involved in such an undertaking, Damien Chazelle creates a nuanced and thoughtful movie that questions the motives of space travel whilst also conveying the wonder (and terror). It really brings home how dangerous space travel was (and probably still is), especially in how flimsy and seemingly basic the equipment they used was.

Not available for online rental at the time of writing.

6. Isle of Dogs
 

With Isle of Dogs you get all the usual elements you’d expect in a Wes Anderson production, but with added (and unexpected) political commentary.
Beautifully designed and animated, it both pulled at my heartstrings and made me smile. Especially potent for dog lovers. 

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

5. Phantom Thread
 

Paul Thomas Anderson creates an incredibly classy movie about control that is joyously dark and twisted beneath it's beautiful veneer. With a swelling soundtrack and sumptuous costumes, it's a film to luxuriate in. Daniel Day-Lewis is of course excellent in the role he claims will be his last, but Lesley Manville and Vicky Krieps are equally worthy of praise for their stand out performances. 

Available to stream on NowTV and for rental on other streaming services. 
 
4. BlacKKKlansman 

An engaging storytelling masterclass, which strikes the perfect tone to deliver its message. Not many movies are both consistently funny and harrowing in equal measure, or as timely. A true return to form from Spike Lee in a film that tells a true but unbelievable story.

Available for streaming rental.

3. Lady Bird
 

A simple story, told with great warmth and humour, all done in just 95 minutes. It's one of those films that immediately feels perfectly formed, with scene after scene that rings true. The casting is spot on, especially the way Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf portray the relationship between teenage daughter and mother. Greta Gerwig is a director to be very excited about.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

2. Sorry to Bother You

An oddball debut film from Boots Riley that consistently defies expectation. The film's furious heart rages against modern commercialism, but it's all enclosed in a curious comedy that is both visually and conceptually inventive. It's best to go into this movie knowing as little as possible, so I won't say too much more, but I do have to say that Lakeith Standfield is one of the most fascinating and watchable leading actors around today.

Limited screenings still possible, but not yet available for streaming rental at the time of writing.

1. Mandy
 

This movie made me so, so happy. As a huge Nicolas Cage fan, this ticked all the boxes. If you want to see him crying in anguish in his underpants whilst downing a bottle of booze, it's there. If you want to see him facing down a tiger in a drug addled fever dream, it's there. If you want to see him fighting a gang of twisted gimp bikers, it's there.

It won't be to everyone's tastes, but Panos Cosmatos movie is packed with stunning vivid imagery and insane set pieces. However it also has a playful sense of humour that stops it from becoming too artistically pretentious. This is a mental, psychedelic, LSD fueled horror movie that gives Cage the opportunity to be both the subtle and heartfelt Oscar winner and the batshit crazy meme-generator. 

Available for streaming rental.


Worthy Mentions
Not quite on the main list...

Lean on Pete - A heartbreaking story, beautifully told.
Mary Poppins Returns - An enchanting follow up to the original featuring the wonderful Emily Blunt. Near to making the list, but I wasn't so sure about the last act.
You Were Never Really Here - A dark, brutal and intense film from Lynne Ramsay. Joaquin Phoenix is at his emotive best as he struggles with his violent past and present, to the backdrop of another excellent enveloping score from Jonny Greenwood. A quick hit of nerve jangling cinema.
Hereditary - Chilling cinema, with the most shocking moment of any film this year, but it didn’t quite stick the landing for me.
The Square - Another excellent film whose ending left me a little cold. Not quite as good as the director's previous film "Force Majeure" but still a fascinating moral study.
American Animals - An intense docu-drama that makes for engaging but uncomfortable viewing.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - A film I really enjoyed at the time that hasn't stayed with me as much as I thought it would.
Deadpool 2 - A hugely entertaining follow up that introduces some great new characters. Zazie Beetzs "Domino" steals all the scenes she's in.
Mom and Dad - My second favourite insane Nic Cage movie of the year, directed by one half of the team behind the “Crank’ series.
Roma - A stunningly beautiful film I would have loved to have seen at the cinema, rather than just on Netflix. I think I would have appreciated it more in that setting.
The Breadwinner - A beautiful animation that explores the disturbing conditions that the women of Afghanistan lived in under Taliban rule.
Avengers: Infinity War - Packed with EVERYTHING, this is pretty much as good as a film with this many intertwined franchises can be. Long but entertaining, it’s straining at the edges but it definitely has a whole lot of WHOA factor.
Leave No Trace - An excellent film exploring a unique father and daughter relationship from Debra Granik, the director of "Winter's Bone".

Films worth a watch -
The Shape of Water, Antman and the Wasp, Black Panther, Cold War, Widows, Coco, You Were Never Really Here, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, A Quiet Place, Annihilation, "I, Tonya", A Star is Born, Suspiria, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Paddington 2, Creed 2, Ready Player One, Assassination Nation, Molly’s Game, The Post, Downsizing, Game Night, Leave No Trace


Disappointments
 
Widows - Visually beautiful, but paced too slowly and plotted too loosely to create a gripping heist movie. 
A Quiet Place - I’d heard (pun intended) great things, but I couldn’t understand the praise. Frustratingly stupid characters. 
Suspiria - A stunning opening, but it was over-long and tonally messy. I'd love to see a version that was edited down by 45 minutes.
Creed II - More conventional than its predecessor and poorer for it. 
The Meg - The trailer made it look like an entertaining B-movie, but there was a frustrating lack of craziness.  
Rampage - A bit like “The Meg”, the family friendly lack of insanity holds it back. 
Solo: A Star Wars Story - Everything I feared a Han Solo prequel movie would be. Contrived and unimaginative, it’s only reason for existence is to explain throw away lines that never needed explaining (much like Rogue One). The actors are game, but they’re given exposition laden clunkers to work with. Some of the content of this movie is as cringe-worthy as it gets... numerous eyes were rolled. It’s not technically a “bad” movie, it’s entertaining in places, it’s just a long pointless one. Why oh why did they sack Lord and Miller!?  
The Post - Stoic to the point of blandness, despite its class. A stately film, with all that entails. It’s classy, well acted and has a worthy message...but it’s also slow and self-important. It’s no “Spotlight”.
Ready Player One - As a fan of the book, I was excited to see what Spielberg would do with the adaptation, but it fell flat for me. 
Disobedience - Oddly boring, which is a shame as it has a great cast. 
Lucky - Harry Dean Stanton is as captivating as ever in his last screen role, but a mostly poor cast surrounds him. While Harry Dean Stanton gives a great central performance in one of his last roles, overall I found the movie plodding and tedious.

Awful...
Cloverfield Paradox
Mute



The ones that got away...

The big misses of this year, I regret I didn't get to see... 
A Fantastic Woman, The Old Man and the Gun, 120bpm, Incredibles 2, Faces Places, The Rider, Bad Times at the El Royale, Burning, Blindspotting, Darkest Hour, Green Book, Free Solo, Wildlife, They Shall Not Grow Old

In an ideal world, I would have seen these too... 
Overlord, Pacific Rim: Uprising, "Love, Simon", Tully, Aquaman, Halloween, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Bohemian Rhapsody, Peterloo, Bumblebee


Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!


2017 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...

I liked...  
Call Me by Your Name, Mother!, War for the Planet of the Apes, Kong Skull Island, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Paddington 2

I wasn't so keen on... 
Good Time, The Disaster Artist, Alien Covenant, Baywatch

The ones I didn't catch up on...  
Lion, Christine, The Space Between Us, A Cure for Wellness, Beauty and the Beast, Berlin Syndrome, Patticake$, Loving Vincent, Gods Own Country, Mudbound, Casting JonBenet, Battle of the Sexes


Last Years Top Ten
10. I am Not Your Negro
09. Death of Stalin
08. Elle
07. The Florida Project
06. Toni Erdmann
05. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
04. Thor Ragnarok
03. The Handmaiden
02. La La Land
01. The Big Sick