THE BIG FOUR -OH!

So, I’ve reached the big four-oh. No, not in age; that was some time ago, I’m talking about new films seen this year; the majority at the Cinema. On balance there have been some good films with a dash of disappointing ones. Heres my list in order of favourite to least favourite

1. Titane- Unique, powerful and provocative. I loved Titane,  Rouselle and Lindon are superb

2. Moonage Daydream-Mesmeric film making

3. Red Rocket-Misfits connecting in this wonderful under seen drama 

4. Ambulance- Totally unexpected action treat. Adrenaline paced fun

5. Licorice Pizza-PTA brings us yet another excellent piece of filmaking

6. The Northman-Powerful movie that punches you in the face

7. Nightmare Alley-As remakes go, this is right up there

8. Parallel Mothers- A film that spins it's web deftly

9. Here Before-Andrea Risborough is one of the greatest actors currently working and her intensity is perfect for the subject matter

10. Belfast-This coming of age story is great in every department

11. The Batman-Tremendous tale of the new Dark Knight

12. True Things-An intense tale of desire and obsession

13. Boiling Point-Stephen Graham gives a bravura performance in this anxiety inducing one shot

14. The Duke-I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical movie. As one would expect, great performances from Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren

15. The Real Charlie Chaplin-Superb insight to the once most famous man on the planet

16. The Worst Person In The World-Life with it's complications unwrapped in this terrific drama

17. Top Gun : Maverick-Surprise of the year, losing oneself in this movie is what cinema is all about

18. Men-When Eve ate the apple in the garden of Eden...

19. Prey-Great concept executed with panache

20. Nope-Peele does it again. He has a masterpiece in him methinks

21. Operation Mincemeat-An efficient drama about wartime ingenuity

22. X - Great surprise this tidy tale of terror

23. Dr Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness-For Comic book fans this Sam Raimi offering has it all

24. The Gray Man-Has it's knockers but is enjoyable high octane hokum

25. The Tragedy Of Macbeth-Visually great tale of the Scottish King

26. Where The Crawdads Sing-Interesting slow burn movie

27. Death On The Nile-Christie done just right

28. Black Phone-A retro tale that's really effective

29. Don’t worry Darling-Florence Pugh is immense. Some casting issues but enjoyable

30. Jackass Forever-Funny? Yes in parts, a reasonable finale for the boys

31. The Power Of The Dog-Looks great but somewhat lack lustre

32. Fresh-A decent concept but lacked real jeopardy

33. Thor : Love & Thunder-Decent in parts, lightness and darkness in equal measure

34. Everything Everywhere All At Once -A tad too meandering for me 

35. The Matrix Resurrections-Forgettable

36. West Side Story-To remake a masterpiece you need to nail it. Spielberg didn't nail it

37. Eternals-Unsure what sort of movie it wanted to be

38. The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent-The Unbearable Waste Of Massive Talent

39. Bullet Train-A nineties Guy Richie wannabe that fails even that task

40. Crimes Of The Future-As a big fan of Cronenberg I have to say that this is his "forget it he's rolling" moment