It’s testament to the quality of films we’ve seen this year that what started as a simple “What’s your top five of the year?” request from the Film Ed soon escalated into a lengthy, heated debate between the SD Film team. After much deliberation, here’s our crème-de-la-crème of this year’s cinematic releases out soon to watch at home…
No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood were both big winners at this year’s Oscars and both proved big hits with us. The two are tense, gripping and feature compelling performances by their lead actors. They are the year’s must-see films.
Knocked Up and Superbad were the finest comedies out at the cinema in some time. Both skilfully blend gross-out frat-boy humour with an endearing look at relationships and the perils of growing up. Move over Mr Ferrell, there are new comedy kings in town in the shape of Seth Rogan and Judd Apatow.
The year’s scariest film was decreed, without debate, to be Spanish horror The Orphanage. Unnerving and genuinely chilling it’s easily the pick of the shock-crop. The ongoing conflict in Iraq has prompted a glut of war films in recent months, and Paul Haggis’ In the Valley of Elah proved the pick of the bunch, with an outstanding performance from Tommy Lee Jones.
Finally, Into the Wild and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly were two choice cuts for those with a disposition for independent cinema. The former is especially notable for the terrific performance of newcomer Emile Hirsch, playing intrepid loner Chris McCandless.
All in all, it has been a great year for movies, with a little something to suit all tastes. Of course, should you possess no taste at all, there was always I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry…
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