Although my film blogging throughout 2015 has, shall we say, left something to be desired, I still wanted to give reviewing the movies I've watched throughout the year a go - I may not have done much blogging, but I have still been watching!
I'm going to attempt to do something similar to the last few years, where I list all the films that score 4 stars or more, and pick my top movies from that list. I'll then list all the films that score 2 stars or less, and list my top films not to waste your time on.
Films of the Year:
5. The Raven (4 stars)
4. The Intern (4 stars)
3. Warm Bodies (4 stars)
2. The Impossible (4 stars)
Film of the Year:
1. Brooklyn (5 stars)
I've kept the list down to 5 movies, instead of 10, this year - primarily because I just haven't watched that much during the course of the year. Film of the Year was exceptionally easy, because I only gave 5 stars to one movie. Brooklyn is a wonderful film, all about an Irish girl who goes to live in New York - and has to decide where her life really is. It's not complex, or particularly edgy, but it's a beautiful movie about an interesting life. And the lead character in a 1950s immigration movie is female. I'm not sure I've seen that before, and the film is all the better for it.
Before compiling a list of bad films, I thought that I hadn't seen very many bad movies at all this year, as I just haven't had time for them. Whilst this does seem to be true, it turns out that I have managed to watch some proper humdingers:
Films Not to Waste Your Time on:
5. Adam (2.5 stars)
4. The Lady in the Van (2 stars)
3. The Bourne Legacy (2 stars)
2. Bad Teacher (2 stars)
Worst Film of the Year:
1. Quartet (1 star)
These films were either boring (Adam), self-indulgent (The Lady in the Van), dull (The Bourne Legacy) or just plain bad (Bad Teacher). However, Quartet was the only film that scored 1 star. And that's because it's boring, self-indulgent, dull and bad. Not to mention totally full of its own importance. Even before I sat down to write this list, it stood out in my head as absolutely the worst movie I have watched all year.
In summary:
Film of the Year 2015: Brookly
Film Not to Waste Your Time On 2015: Quartet
Showing posts with label Yearly review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yearly review. Show all posts
2014 Review
Only 5 days after New Years Day (well, it makes a change), I'm managing to write my yearly review. I've used the same process this year as I did in 2011 and 2013. That is to say, I've listed all the films that scored 4 stars or more,
and my top ten have been decided from that list. I'm pleased to say that, unlike last year, I didn't need to include any 3.5 star movies - in fact, I struggled to choose my favourites from those I had given 4 stars to. Perhaps my ability to choose enjoyable movies is improving?
Once I had picked my ten Films of the Year, all the films that scored 2.5 stars or less were listed together, and my top ten films not to waste your time decided. So, without further ado, here are the lists:
Films of the Year:
10. Easy A (4 stars)
9. Bad Education (4 stars)
8. Gnomeo and Juliet (4 stars)
7. Frankenweenie (4 stars)
6. The Little Mermaid (4 stars)
5. The Way (4 stars)
4. The Guard (4.5 stars)
3. Let Me In (4.5 stars)
2. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (5 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Stand by Me (5 stars)
Film of the Year was, once again, a pretty easy choice. I only gave two movies 5 stars, and only one of them is something I would consider watching over and over again. That's not to say that I wouldn't happily have repeat viewings of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but I don't believe that I would still love it the way I love Stand by Me years after first seeing it.
Similarly to 2013, many of the movies in my Top Ten Films of the Year (6 out of 10) scored 4 stars, so roughly half of them aren't exceptional in my eyes. However, they are all enjoyable and there are no movies there that I didn't enjoy. Ironically, the one I remember least well is one that I gave 4.5 stars to - The Guard.
In contrast to last year, I seem to have watched less bad films than good ones this year, as I just about managed to pull together a list of ten films that scored 2.5 stars or less. Although, just as in in 2013, all these movies most definitely deserve a place on this list.
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. The Ides of March (2.5 stars)
9. Adam (2.5 stars)
8. Charlie Wilson's War (2.5 stars)
7. The Fault in our Stars (2 stars)
6. Did you hear about the Morgans? (2 stars)
5. Beginners (2 stars)
4. It's Complicated (2 stars)
3. The Three Musketeers (2 stars)
2. Brighton Rock (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. The Grey (1 star)
Worst Film of the Year was really easy. Only two films scored 1 star (at least nothing scored 0...), and of the two The Grey was most definitely the most boring, worst movie. Whilst Brighton Rock was bad, The Grey was bad AND dull.
In Summary:
Film of the Year 2014: Stand by Me
Worst Film of the Year 2014: The Grey
Once I had picked my ten Films of the Year, all the films that scored 2.5 stars or less were listed together, and my top ten films not to waste your time decided. So, without further ado, here are the lists:
Films of the Year:
10. Easy A (4 stars)
9. Bad Education (4 stars)
8. Gnomeo and Juliet (4 stars)
7. Frankenweenie (4 stars)
6. The Little Mermaid (4 stars)
5. The Way (4 stars)
4. The Guard (4.5 stars)
3. Let Me In (4.5 stars)
2. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (5 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Stand by Me (5 stars)
Film of the Year was, once again, a pretty easy choice. I only gave two movies 5 stars, and only one of them is something I would consider watching over and over again. That's not to say that I wouldn't happily have repeat viewings of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but I don't believe that I would still love it the way I love Stand by Me years after first seeing it.
Similarly to 2013, many of the movies in my Top Ten Films of the Year (6 out of 10) scored 4 stars, so roughly half of them aren't exceptional in my eyes. However, they are all enjoyable and there are no movies there that I didn't enjoy. Ironically, the one I remember least well is one that I gave 4.5 stars to - The Guard.
In contrast to last year, I seem to have watched less bad films than good ones this year, as I just about managed to pull together a list of ten films that scored 2.5 stars or less. Although, just as in in 2013, all these movies most definitely deserve a place on this list.
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. The Ides of March (2.5 stars)
9. Adam (2.5 stars)
8. Charlie Wilson's War (2.5 stars)
7. The Fault in our Stars (2 stars)
6. Did you hear about the Morgans? (2 stars)
5. Beginners (2 stars)
4. It's Complicated (2 stars)
3. The Three Musketeers (2 stars)
2. Brighton Rock (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. The Grey (1 star)
Worst Film of the Year was really easy. Only two films scored 1 star (at least nothing scored 0...), and of the two The Grey was most definitely the most boring, worst movie. Whilst Brighton Rock was bad, The Grey was bad AND dull.
In Summary:
Film of the Year 2014: Stand by Me
Worst Film of the Year 2014: The Grey
2013 Review
I realise it's now mid January, so this is a little late in coming - but better late than never! It's also been a couple of years since I did a Yearly Review, so hopefully I can remember what I normally cover... This review will also encompass less films than a normal year as I only started reviewing movies again in March, and I've watched a lot less movies than in previous years.
So, without further ado, I'm going to determine my best and worst movies in the same way as I did for my 2011 Review. All the films that scored 4 stars or more have been listed together, and my top ten decided from that list (plus one 3.5 star movie as I've seen so few truly great movies this year). Conversely, all the films that scored 2.5 stars or less have been listed together, and my top ten films not to waste your time on have been decided.
Films of the Year:
10. Before Midnight (3.5 stars)
9. Insidious (4 stars)
8. Down with Love (4 stars)
7. Paul (4 stars)
6. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (4 stars)
5. Django Unchained (4 stars)
4. A Bunch of Amateurs (4 stars)
3.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (4 stars)
2. Saving Mr Banks (4 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Finding Nemo (5 stars)
Film of the Year was just such an easy choice this year. It's the only movie I've given 5 stars to all year. I hadn't watched it for some time, but I love it every time I see it, and November's viewing was no exception.
Unlike previous years, I've had to include all the movies that scored 4 or more stars (previously I've only included movies that have scored 4.5 stars or more), as I simply haven't watched enough movies to score that many that highly. In fact, I haven't given a single movie 4.5 stars this year. Even then, there were only 9 movies in my top movies list, so I had to add in a 3.5 star movie. Although, on reflection, Before Midnight is a lot better than the majority of movies I gave 3.5 stars to, and fully deserving of its place in my Top Ten Movies of the Year. I think my expectations may have been raised a little too high by the previous films in the trilogy.
Overall I don't think my Films of the Year list is a bad one, although I don't think I've seen that many great movies this year - so the list was never going to have many amazing films on it. As you can see, almost all the movies only scored 4 stars, so I consider very few of them to be exceptional. The only movie I'm not totally convinced should appear on the list is Insidious. Whilst I enjoyed the film immensely whilst watching it, it was a very silly plot, and I still think that my enjoyment came primarily from not having watched a horror movie for some time, rather than because the movie was really anything special.
In contrast to this, I must have watched a lot more bad films than good ones this year, as it was easy to come up with a Top Ten list of movies that had scored 2.5 stars or less. Or alternatively I just watch terrible movies. Unlike on my Top Films of the Year list though, all these movies thoroughly deserve a place on this list.
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Carnage (2.5 stars)
9. The Switch (2.5 stars)
8. The Kids are All Right (2.5 stars)
7. Compliance (2 stars)
6. Sahara (2 stars)
5. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2 stars)
4. Les Miserables (2 stars)
3. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2 stars)
2. Another Year (1.5 stars)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Winter's Bone (1.5 stars)
Once again, Worst Film of the Year was easy. Only two films scored 1.5 stars, and of the two Winter's Bone screamed "I was worst! Pick me!". It was just so boring, with no satisfying conclusion at all. For a film that got so much critical acclaim, I cannot recommend it less. That's not to say Another Year isn't also fully deserving of its 1.5 stars; it's not a lot better...
Although, unlike previous years, I haven't wasted my time on a movie that's scored 0 stars, so apparently there are worse movies out there. I just don't have the time to watch them anymore.
In Summary:
Film of the Year 2013: Finding Nemo
Worst Film of the Year 2013: Winter's Bone
So, without further ado, I'm going to determine my best and worst movies in the same way as I did for my 2011 Review. All the films that scored 4 stars or more have been listed together, and my top ten decided from that list (plus one 3.5 star movie as I've seen so few truly great movies this year). Conversely, all the films that scored 2.5 stars or less have been listed together, and my top ten films not to waste your time on have been decided.
Films of the Year:
10. Before Midnight (3.5 stars)
9. Insidious (4 stars)
8. Down with Love (4 stars)
7. Paul (4 stars)
6. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (4 stars)
5. Django Unchained (4 stars)
4. A Bunch of Amateurs (4 stars)
3.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (4 stars)
2. Saving Mr Banks (4 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Finding Nemo (5 stars)
Film of the Year was just such an easy choice this year. It's the only movie I've given 5 stars to all year. I hadn't watched it for some time, but I love it every time I see it, and November's viewing was no exception.
Unlike previous years, I've had to include all the movies that scored 4 or more stars (previously I've only included movies that have scored 4.5 stars or more), as I simply haven't watched enough movies to score that many that highly. In fact, I haven't given a single movie 4.5 stars this year. Even then, there were only 9 movies in my top movies list, so I had to add in a 3.5 star movie. Although, on reflection, Before Midnight is a lot better than the majority of movies I gave 3.5 stars to, and fully deserving of its place in my Top Ten Movies of the Year. I think my expectations may have been raised a little too high by the previous films in the trilogy.
Overall I don't think my Films of the Year list is a bad one, although I don't think I've seen that many great movies this year - so the list was never going to have many amazing films on it. As you can see, almost all the movies only scored 4 stars, so I consider very few of them to be exceptional. The only movie I'm not totally convinced should appear on the list is Insidious. Whilst I enjoyed the film immensely whilst watching it, it was a very silly plot, and I still think that my enjoyment came primarily from not having watched a horror movie for some time, rather than because the movie was really anything special.
In contrast to this, I must have watched a lot more bad films than good ones this year, as it was easy to come up with a Top Ten list of movies that had scored 2.5 stars or less. Or alternatively I just watch terrible movies. Unlike on my Top Films of the Year list though, all these movies thoroughly deserve a place on this list.
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Carnage (2.5 stars)
9. The Switch (2.5 stars)
8. The Kids are All Right (2.5 stars)
7. Compliance (2 stars)
6. Sahara (2 stars)
5. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2 stars)
4. Les Miserables (2 stars)
3. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2 stars)
2. Another Year (1.5 stars)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Winter's Bone (1.5 stars)
Once again, Worst Film of the Year was easy. Only two films scored 1.5 stars, and of the two Winter's Bone screamed "I was worst! Pick me!". It was just so boring, with no satisfying conclusion at all. For a film that got so much critical acclaim, I cannot recommend it less. That's not to say Another Year isn't also fully deserving of its 1.5 stars; it's not a lot better...
Although, unlike previous years, I haven't wasted my time on a movie that's scored 0 stars, so apparently there are worse movies out there. I just don't have the time to watch them anymore.
In Summary:
Film of the Year 2013: Finding Nemo
Worst Film of the Year 2013: Winter's Bone
2011 Review
It's the beginning of another new year, so it's time for my yearly review of the movies I've watched. I'm sticking with a similar format to the one I used for last year's 2010 review. All the films that scored 4.5 stars or more have been listed together, and my top ten decided from that list. Conversely, all the films that scored 2.5 stars or less have been listed together, and my 10 films not to waste your time on have been decided.
Films of the Year:
10. Kidulthood (4.5 stars)
9. The Land of Oblivion (4.5 stars)
8. Pieces of April (4.5 stars)
7. Mary and Max (4.5 stars)
6. We Need to talk about Kevin (4.5 stars)
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (5 stars)
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (5 stars)
3. Young Guns (5 stars)
2. Martha Marcy May Marlene (5 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Twilight (5 stars)
If you've been reading my blog, you'll probably have guessed what was going to be number 1 this year. I'm totally aware that it's not going to be everybody's top choice, but I love this movie. You will notice that none of the other Twilight movies make it onto my top ten list however, and I think this is appropriate. I like all the movies, but I love the first one - it just has a quality to it that movies very rarely manage to tap into.
Unlike last year, I'm pretty happy with the movies that have made the top ten list. I don't feel as if anything significant has been ignored, or that I would particularly change my scores for any of the movies listed. The only thing I will say is that Kidulthood is at the bottom of this list because, although I loved it, I find it much harder to remember than all of the other movies listed.
A special mention has to go to Martha Marcy May Marlene as well, as it's the only movie in my top five that I've only seen once. It was that powerful. I'm also really pleased that it was one we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival - in fact, two TIFF movies have made it on to this list. The Land of Oblivion (at no.9) is also the other one - and In Darkness only just got nudged out of the listing as well.
However, one TIFF movie made it on to my Films not to waste your time on...
Film Not To Waste Your Time On:
10. The Hangover Part 2 (2.5 stars)
9. Somers Town (2 stars)
8. William and Kate (2 stars)
7. Novocaine (2 stars)
6. The Accidental Husband (2 stars)
5. Transformers (2 stars)
4. The Red Shoes (2 stars)
3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1.5 stars)
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (1.5 stars)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. The Year of the Tiger (0 stars)
The good thing is that I've seen so few truly rubbish movies this year that I had to dive into my 2.5 star reviews to get a list of ten movies. There were quite a lot of "OK, not very memorable" 2.5 star movies, but The Hangover Part 2 has the dubious honour of being the one that made this list because, well, its The Hangover again - and not a lot else.
I know some of these choices will also be very controversial - I'm talking specifically about The Red Shows and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy here. I'm sorry, but I just did not get either of them. At all.
Worst Film of 2011 is probably one much fewer people are aware of as it's the film we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival that I was referring to above. As far as I'm aware it hasn't yet received a general release, which makes the viewing public a rather lucky bunch. It is just so boring - and managed, just like Synecdoche, New York (sorry film critics) to score 0 stars.
In summary:
Film of the Year 2011: Twilight
Worst Film of the Year 2011: The Year of the Tiger
Films of the Year:
10. Kidulthood (4.5 stars)
9. The Land of Oblivion (4.5 stars)
8. Pieces of April (4.5 stars)
7. Mary and Max (4.5 stars)
6. We Need to talk about Kevin (4.5 stars)
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (5 stars)
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (5 stars)
3. Young Guns (5 stars)
2. Martha Marcy May Marlene (5 stars)
And my Film of the Year:
1. Twilight (5 stars)
If you've been reading my blog, you'll probably have guessed what was going to be number 1 this year. I'm totally aware that it's not going to be everybody's top choice, but I love this movie. You will notice that none of the other Twilight movies make it onto my top ten list however, and I think this is appropriate. I like all the movies, but I love the first one - it just has a quality to it that movies very rarely manage to tap into.
Unlike last year, I'm pretty happy with the movies that have made the top ten list. I don't feel as if anything significant has been ignored, or that I would particularly change my scores for any of the movies listed. The only thing I will say is that Kidulthood is at the bottom of this list because, although I loved it, I find it much harder to remember than all of the other movies listed.
A special mention has to go to Martha Marcy May Marlene as well, as it's the only movie in my top five that I've only seen once. It was that powerful. I'm also really pleased that it was one we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival - in fact, two TIFF movies have made it on to this list. The Land of Oblivion (at no.9) is also the other one - and In Darkness only just got nudged out of the listing as well.
However, one TIFF movie made it on to my Films not to waste your time on...
Film Not To Waste Your Time On:
10. The Hangover Part 2 (2.5 stars)
9. Somers Town (2 stars)
8. William and Kate (2 stars)
7. Novocaine (2 stars)
6. The Accidental Husband (2 stars)
5. Transformers (2 stars)
4. The Red Shoes (2 stars)
3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1.5 stars)
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (1.5 stars)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. The Year of the Tiger (0 stars)
The good thing is that I've seen so few truly rubbish movies this year that I had to dive into my 2.5 star reviews to get a list of ten movies. There were quite a lot of "OK, not very memorable" 2.5 star movies, but The Hangover Part 2 has the dubious honour of being the one that made this list because, well, its The Hangover again - and not a lot else.
I know some of these choices will also be very controversial - I'm talking specifically about The Red Shows and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy here. I'm sorry, but I just did not get either of them. At all.
Worst Film of 2011 is probably one much fewer people are aware of as it's the film we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival that I was referring to above. As far as I'm aware it hasn't yet received a general release, which makes the viewing public a rather lucky bunch. It is just so boring - and managed, just like Synecdoche, New York (sorry film critics) to score 0 stars.
In summary:
Film of the Year 2011: Twilight
Worst Film of the Year 2011: The Year of the Tiger
2010 Review
Another year, another yearly review. This time around I’ve changed things a little, as taking the best and worst films of each month seems a little unfair. For example, the worst film of one month could score 3 stars, whilst in the next month there could be 3 films that all score 1 star. It seems unfair to claim the 3 star film is worse than two of the 1 star movies!
Therefore, I’ve taken all the films that scored 2 or less stars, and all the films that scored 4.5 or more stars, and listed them in order. If you want to know best and worst films of a particular month you can look at past blog posts, but if you want to know my best and worst films of the year, see below! OK, that’s the explanation part over with... on to the movies in question!
Films of the Year:
12. In Good Company (4.5 stars)
11. Mulan (4.5 stars)
10. The Edukators (4.5 stars)
9. In Bruges (4.5 stars)
8. Let the Right One In (4.5 stars)
7. The Full Monty (5 stars)
6. Toy Story 3 (3D) (5 stars)
5. Inception (5 stars)
4. Children of Men (5 stars)
3. Casablanca (5 stars)
2. Stand by Me (5 stars)
And my Best Film of the Year:
1. Cabaret (5 stars)
Looking back at this list, I wonder if, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have scored some movies slightly differently. For example, although I gave In Good Company 4.5 stars (which I felt was fully deserved at the time), I now find it quite hard to remember the movie. I would say there are probably two notable absences from this list, which, over time, have grown on me and should have perhaps scored more than the 4 stars I initially gave them. The two movies in question here are Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
A special word about Let the Right One In as well, which perhaps should also be a 5 star movie. When I realised the film wouldn’t make it onto this list if I stuck to 5 star movies only, I was highly distressed! I am of course referring to the Swedish version here – I’ve yet to see the American one.
As may be obvious, choosing my top films this year was really tough. However, I have no problems with my choices for top 5 films of the year. Inception has an incredible storyline that will leave you lost in thought for ages afterwards, Children of Men makes a point very poignantly, Casablanca will forever be a classic, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I could watch Stand by Me. However, for its wonderful music, very definite message and just plain brilliance, Cabaret wins Film of the Year in 2010. It’s notable in being one of the two movies in my top 5 I’ve only ever seen once, but I think that just proves how powerful a film it is.
And now, onto Films not to waste your time on. This list was decidedly easier to put together. I’ve seen some truly dire movies this year, and unfortunately they are, for the most part, easy to remember. So here’s 20 hours of my life I’ll never get back:
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Sherlock Holmes (2 stars)
9. An American Haunting (2 stars)
8. Deck the Halls (2 stars)
7. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (2 stars)
6. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2 stars)
5. 300 (2 stars)
4. The Sentinel (1.5 stars)
3. King Arthur (1.5 stars)
2. Grow Your Own (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Synecdoche, New York (0 stars)
Some of these are simply totally unmemorable (so unmemorable I had to read my own reviews to remember them), including An American Haunting and Pocahontas II. Others, however, are truly dire. King Arthur is just, well, wrong (in every sense), whilst Grow Your Own is a complete sexist mess (although I will confess that’s it very memorable – I’ve not forgotten the plot at all).
However, the Worst Film of 2010 truly deserves this honour. Synecdoche, New York is perhaps a controversial choice, as it is loved by reviewers the world over it seems, but I HATED it. Yes, I’m shouting. It is the only movie ever on this blog to manage to score 0 stars. I hate it that much. It’s thoroughly boring, and makes As You Like It (last year’s Worst Film of the Year) suddenly seem like a masterpiece. Well, perhaps not (I’m not sure I could face having to watch that movie again either) – but it’s not far off.
To summarise:
Film of the Year 2010: Cabaret
Worst Film of 2010: Synecdoche, New York
I hope you all had a great start to the new year, have an amazing 2011, and I’ll be back in, oh, 24 hours or so with my first review of the year. New Year’s Resolution: watch more than 5 movies a month!
Therefore, I’ve taken all the films that scored 2 or less stars, and all the films that scored 4.5 or more stars, and listed them in order. If you want to know best and worst films of a particular month you can look at past blog posts, but if you want to know my best and worst films of the year, see below! OK, that’s the explanation part over with... on to the movies in question!
Films of the Year:
12. In Good Company (4.5 stars)
11. Mulan (4.5 stars)
10. The Edukators (4.5 stars)
9. In Bruges (4.5 stars)
8. Let the Right One In (4.5 stars)
7. The Full Monty (5 stars)
6. Toy Story 3 (3D) (5 stars)
5. Inception (5 stars)
4. Children of Men (5 stars)
3. Casablanca (5 stars)
2. Stand by Me (5 stars)
And my Best Film of the Year:
1. Cabaret (5 stars)
Looking back at this list, I wonder if, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have scored some movies slightly differently. For example, although I gave In Good Company 4.5 stars (which I felt was fully deserved at the time), I now find it quite hard to remember the movie. I would say there are probably two notable absences from this list, which, over time, have grown on me and should have perhaps scored more than the 4 stars I initially gave them. The two movies in question here are Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
A special word about Let the Right One In as well, which perhaps should also be a 5 star movie. When I realised the film wouldn’t make it onto this list if I stuck to 5 star movies only, I was highly distressed! I am of course referring to the Swedish version here – I’ve yet to see the American one.
As may be obvious, choosing my top films this year was really tough. However, I have no problems with my choices for top 5 films of the year. Inception has an incredible storyline that will leave you lost in thought for ages afterwards, Children of Men makes a point very poignantly, Casablanca will forever be a classic, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I could watch Stand by Me. However, for its wonderful music, very definite message and just plain brilliance, Cabaret wins Film of the Year in 2010. It’s notable in being one of the two movies in my top 5 I’ve only ever seen once, but I think that just proves how powerful a film it is.
And now, onto Films not to waste your time on. This list was decidedly easier to put together. I’ve seen some truly dire movies this year, and unfortunately they are, for the most part, easy to remember. So here’s 20 hours of my life I’ll never get back:
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Sherlock Holmes (2 stars)
9. An American Haunting (2 stars)
8. Deck the Halls (2 stars)
7. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (2 stars)
6. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2 stars)
5. 300 (2 stars)
4. The Sentinel (1.5 stars)
3. King Arthur (1.5 stars)
2. Grow Your Own (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Synecdoche, New York (0 stars)
Some of these are simply totally unmemorable (so unmemorable I had to read my own reviews to remember them), including An American Haunting and Pocahontas II. Others, however, are truly dire. King Arthur is just, well, wrong (in every sense), whilst Grow Your Own is a complete sexist mess (although I will confess that’s it very memorable – I’ve not forgotten the plot at all).
However, the Worst Film of 2010 truly deserves this honour. Synecdoche, New York is perhaps a controversial choice, as it is loved by reviewers the world over it seems, but I HATED it. Yes, I’m shouting. It is the only movie ever on this blog to manage to score 0 stars. I hate it that much. It’s thoroughly boring, and makes As You Like It (last year’s Worst Film of the Year) suddenly seem like a masterpiece. Well, perhaps not (I’m not sure I could face having to watch that movie again either) – but it’s not far off.
To summarise:
Film of the Year 2010: Cabaret
Worst Film of 2010: Synecdoche, New York
I hope you all had a great start to the new year, have an amazing 2011, and I’ll be back in, oh, 24 hours or so with my first review of the year. New Year’s Resolution: watch more than 5 movies a month!
2009 Review
Well, another year is over... and as I said I would do a yearly review when I started this blog, I guess I had better stick to my word!
Some of the films that appear here don't really deserve to be in the same lists - for example, there's no way Little Red Flowers should be appearing in the same list as Highlander: The Source. That's an incredible insult to Little Red Flowers. This is simply a result of having good months when no movies have been especially bad, and terrible months where there haven't been any stand-out movies. That said, all the films in my Films of the Month list have consistently scored 4 or 5, so (thankfully) there have been more good months than bad!
So, without further ado, here are the year's Films of the Month, and the year's Films Not to Waste Your Time On. Each list is in ascending order, with my favourite film of the year and film to definitely not waste your time on at the bottom of each list:
Films of the Month
14. The Reader - 4 stars
13. Little Miss Sunshine - 4 stars
12. The Hangover (joint winner in June) - 4 stars
11. Drag me to Hell (joint winner in June) - 4 stars
10. Coraline 3D - 4 stars
9. Death Note: The Last Name (joint winner in March) - 5 stars
8. Mesrine: Killer Instinct - 5 stars
7. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol - 5 stars
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol - 5 stars
5. Howl's Moving Castle - 5 stars
4. Revolutionary Road - 5 stars
3. Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory (joint winner in March) - 5 stars
2. Interview with the Vampire - 5 stars
And my Film of the Year:
1. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - 5 stars
It hasn't escaped my attention that I've seen all of my top 3 films more than once... but then, that's because I know I love them! I really could watch Sweeney Todd over and over again, and it looks so beautiful... whilst the other movies on this list are all worthy, I have no doubt Sweeney Todd should be at the top. As for my Film not to waste your time on...
Films Not to Waste Your Time On
12. Snakes on a Plane - 3 stars
11. Proof - 3 stars
10. Little Red Flowers - 2.5 stars
9. Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson - 2.5 stars
8. Confetti - 2 stars
7. You, Me and Dupree - 2 stars
6. The Dukes of Hazzard - 2 stars
5. The Rat Pack - 2 stars
4. My Super Ex-Girlfriend - 1 star
3. The 40 Year Old Virgin - 1 star
2. Highlander: The Source - 1 star
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. As You Like It - 1 star
It's not really fair to include Snakes on a Plane, Proof or Little Red Flowers in this list, as they all scored a respectable 3 or 2.5 stars - these were just good months film-wise for me. However, the top 5 are truly deserving of the accolade Film not to Waste your Time on. As You Like It just beats off the competition because, although The 40 Year Old Virgin was crass and unfunny, and Highlander was just plain bad, As You Like It has got to be the most dull, send-you-to-sleep, uninteresting, not-even-worth-trying-to-watch film I've had the displeasure to come across in a long time - possibly ever. The memories aren't good.
So there you have it:
Film of the Year: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Worst Film of the Year: As You Like It
Some of the films that appear here don't really deserve to be in the same lists - for example, there's no way Little Red Flowers should be appearing in the same list as Highlander: The Source. That's an incredible insult to Little Red Flowers. This is simply a result of having good months when no movies have been especially bad, and terrible months where there haven't been any stand-out movies. That said, all the films in my Films of the Month list have consistently scored 4 or 5, so (thankfully) there have been more good months than bad!
So, without further ado, here are the year's Films of the Month, and the year's Films Not to Waste Your Time On. Each list is in ascending order, with my favourite film of the year and film to definitely not waste your time on at the bottom of each list:
Films of the Month
14. The Reader - 4 stars
13. Little Miss Sunshine - 4 stars
12. The Hangover (joint winner in June) - 4 stars
11. Drag me to Hell (joint winner in June) - 4 stars
10. Coraline 3D - 4 stars
9. Death Note: The Last Name (joint winner in March) - 5 stars
8. Mesrine: Killer Instinct - 5 stars
7. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol - 5 stars
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol - 5 stars
5. Howl's Moving Castle - 5 stars
4. Revolutionary Road - 5 stars
3. Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory (joint winner in March) - 5 stars
2. Interview with the Vampire - 5 stars
And my Film of the Year:
1. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - 5 stars
It hasn't escaped my attention that I've seen all of my top 3 films more than once... but then, that's because I know I love them! I really could watch Sweeney Todd over and over again, and it looks so beautiful... whilst the other movies on this list are all worthy, I have no doubt Sweeney Todd should be at the top. As for my Film not to waste your time on...
Films Not to Waste Your Time On
12. Snakes on a Plane - 3 stars
11. Proof - 3 stars
10. Little Red Flowers - 2.5 stars
9. Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson - 2.5 stars
8. Confetti - 2 stars
7. You, Me and Dupree - 2 stars
6. The Dukes of Hazzard - 2 stars
5. The Rat Pack - 2 stars
4. My Super Ex-Girlfriend - 1 star
3. The 40 Year Old Virgin - 1 star
2. Highlander: The Source - 1 star
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. As You Like It - 1 star
It's not really fair to include Snakes on a Plane, Proof or Little Red Flowers in this list, as they all scored a respectable 3 or 2.5 stars - these were just good months film-wise for me. However, the top 5 are truly deserving of the accolade Film not to Waste your Time on. As You Like It just beats off the competition because, although The 40 Year Old Virgin was crass and unfunny, and Highlander was just plain bad, As You Like It has got to be the most dull, send-you-to-sleep, uninteresting, not-even-worth-trying-to-watch film I've had the displeasure to come across in a long time - possibly ever. The memories aren't good.
So there you have it:
Film of the Year: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Worst Film of the Year: As You Like It
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