Staff Selections: 2010 The Year in Review

Andrew

Still WalkingA drama of powerful simplicity that beautifully harmonises the messy dynamics of a family unit. If there were imperfections, I must have missed them.
I Am LoveA film best described with three syllable superlatives, and one that made other arthouse wannabes look ordinary.
Where the Wild Things AreEven though we've read the book hundreds of times, Spike Jonze takes you to an alien otherworld that is also painfully, joyfully human.
Bright StarJane Campion rekindles her own flame by returning to corsets and a love triangle. Her impressive feat here is turning poetry into compelling cinema.
Dear ZacharyDevastating true life crime story, goes where fiction cannot possibly go. I burst into tears on the way home.
Exit Through the Gift ShopWhether it be a stunt or a prank, it's either way a highly entertaining, thought-provoking sleight of hand.
Looking For EricKen Loach lightens up without compromising his dogma. Like the other football film of the year, The Damned United, a cracking yarn.
The Imaginarium of Doctor ParnassusOne might need to know something about Terry Gilliam to fully appreciate this as his magnum opus. My kids enjoyed it too.
NineOkay, so I contrived this to be number nine. I like to be dazzled and this musical lived up to its tantalizing trailer. Be Italian!!
The Puffy ChairExpectations weren't high for this no-budget indie, but it turned out to be a model of three-friends-and-a-camera film-making.

Any of these could be there too: Sin Nombre, The Road, Moon, Anvil, In The Loop, The Last Station, A Single Man, North Face, Anything for Her, Louise-Michel, Bunny and the Bull, World's Greatest Dad, Extract, Mao's Last Dancer, Kick-Ass, Inception, and more…

Tim

Syndromes and a CenturyOne might describe Weerasethakul's film-making as "sleepwalking", and this is my favourite of his waking lifes. Languid and mesmerising, it's a kind of anaesthetic to the pain of movie mediocrity.
Two LoversAnother scrupulous mood piece from the most distinctive American director working today. Discreetly artful modern romance is made especially good by Joaquin Phoenix's jittery performance.
Still LifeChina's poet of globalisation recites another verse of astonishing clarity on the country's restless socio-economic landscape.
Still WalkingThe dramatic triumph of the year, and without a whiff of histrionics or hot air. Humanist cinema at its quietest and most revealing.
The White RibbonAn entirely credible yet contemporary history of violence from one of the great interrogators of world cinema.
Blind MountainNeo-realist rape-revenger angrily exposes China's slave trade in kidnapped women sold for marriage. Delivers the most cathartic ending of any film this year.
HumpdayGood-humoured and engaging betrayal of the mumblecore movement, at a pinch ahead of The Puffy Chair (also starring the loveable Mark Duplass).
Fantastic Mr. FoxWes Anderson's stilted, button-down comedies often resemble indie comic strips - reason why this finicky animation works so exquisitely.
ThirstHardcore undead values make a comeback: blood, lust, and nihilism the amoral fibre of Park's vampire movie for unromantics.
Up in the AirA fine, soberly scripted road movie (via airplane), about recent economic turbulence. Chipper newbie Anna Kendrick steals all Clooney's scenes and then some.

And suchlike: Bright Star, Animal Kingdom, Ponyo, The Most Dangerous Man in America, We Live in Public, Kisses, The Puffy Chair, The Pacific, Modern Family…

Rob

Syndromes and a CenturyGently experimental masterpiece whose idle riffs were never less than compelling.
Still LifeSly chronicle of lives trapped in a cruel economy.
Still WalkingUnassuming family drama whose power is of the cumulative kind.
Regular LoversShot through a gauze of opiates and silent film, and in spite of its air of defeatism, Garrel's portrait of the artist as a somnambulist is actually quite stirring.
In the City of SylviaUnsettling and odd. Defiantly un-categorisable.
World's Greatest DadSour satire whose timely arrival - shortly after the Michael Jackson grief-circus - was more than welcome.
The White RibbonPleasingly ambiguous. Haneke's best film since Code Unknown.
In the LoopBruising satire of meatheaded men behind the curtains.
The Secret of the GrainEnergetic family drama with a real sting in its tail.
The Hurt LockerSuperior war film that's slyly subversive.

Further faves: The Most Dangerous Man in America, Thirst, Extract, Girl by the Lake; Love, Lust & Lies…

Svenda

Syndromes and a CenturyInscrutable marvel from the avant-garde celebrity of Thailand, Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
Blind MountainModern China clashes with lingering rural barbarism in this horrific story of an urban girl's kidnapping, which delivers a fantastic, laugh-out-loud ending!
Land of the Long White CloudSweet and simple, Florian Habicht's awesomely infectious humour and sensitive, insightful approach to documentary film-making once again leaves me in quiet raptures.
Van Diemen's LandA true tale of escaped convicts in Tasmania, this film fascinated me with its impressively explicit portrayals of cannibalism.
Regular LoversI wallowed deliciously in this appropriately nouvelle-vague rendering of lovers caught in the political and cultural turmoil of France in 1968.
The White RibbonThe social origins of fascism are fearlessly explored in this stunning Palme d'Or winning period piece.
HumpdayI adored every moment of this joyfully stupid story, which celebrates the logic of "it's so wrong that it's right" in a way that, like Jackass, is irresistible.
Sin NombreA story of Mexicans traveling illegally into America that combines a credible portrayal of the migrant experience with suspenseful plot twists.
HaeundaeBig budget, big wave! A no-surprises disaster movie staple from South Korea.
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansNeither art house nor action, this messy remake of Bad Lieutenant sees Nic Cage go thoroughly weird under the direction of a seasoned Werner Herzog.

Highly Commended: Inception, Anvil: The Story of Anvil, Stray Dogs, Disgrace, A Christmas Tale, Summer Hours, World's Greatest Dad, Still Life…

Simon

Kick-AssHugely enjoyable, violent, funny and original. Nicholas Cage in the perfect role for once.
Animal KingdomGritty and dark, believable and thrilling. Best song placement of the year.
Toy Story 3The most likeable and genuine cartoon characters ever made. I will miss them.
The RoadWatch this film and gain new appreciation for the simple pleasures of food and fresh water.
BaliboLittle-known story powerfully told. LaPaglia is a pleasure to watch.
Crazy Heart"The Dude" as an alcoholic country and western singer - totally believable.
The Baader Meinhof ComplexDisaffected German youth resort to urban terrorism against establishment. Historically compelling.
Sleep DealerLets hope this dystopian vision for cheap labour remains science fiction.
An EducationEvocative slice of growing up in '60s suburbia.
Fantastic Mr. FoxStarring the Fantastic Mr Clooney. Fun for young and old.

Bubbling under: Nowhere Boy, Push, 44 Inch Chest, Crazies, Zombieland, Moon…

Misma

I Am LoveLove becomes a revolutionary force in this heady, operatic tale of riches giving way to richness. Saw it coming down with the flu, and emerged feverish and soaring. A true cinematic experience.
Still WalkingThis gentle, effortless film pulls you in under its spell so surely, it could only be the work of a master.
Capitalism - A Love StoryA monumental and seeringly lucid assault on the system that dominates life as we it. Still feels like the most important film of the year.
Herb and DorothyAlong with an irreverent giggle or two, you'll be in awe of the year's most loveable duo. An absolute delight.
Crude - The Real Price of OilDocumenting the lawsuit brought by the Equadorian people against Chevron, this is truly sinister stuff. So devastating and absurd, you won't want to believe your eyes.
Where the Wild Things AreAs much about the confusion and darkness of childhood as it is about the enchantment, nobody else could've made this film this good. I loved every bittersweet moment.
The White RibbonFlawless.
Broken EnglishAll the elements mix in perfect proportion in this sweet, melancholic search for love. Intelligent and hopelessly romantic, it's the best cure for the blues.
Black Is...Black Ain'tThough is sounds like a heavy watch - a film about black identity, made by a man dying of AIDS - it's so full of warmth and humour, I couldn't have enjoyed it more.
True Blood - Season 2Why pretend? I love it. I'm addicted. I'm allowed.

Because ten isn't twenty: Century of the Self, Tell Them Anything You Want, Food Inc., Good Hair, Bad Lieutenant, Eden is West, Samson and Delilah, Bright Star, A Serious Man, Alice Neel, Louise Bourgeois…

Chris

The White RibbonUnnerving and completely captivating masterwork on the origins of evil from one of Europe's best.
Anvil: The Story of AnvilA funnier-than-fiction doco that captures the true spirit of friendship and heavy metal. The passion of its characters "Lips" and Rob Reiner(!) almost made me weep.
Syndromes and a CenturyA singing dentist is just one of the unique characters in dir. Joe's quiet examination of memory. Superior to his championed Cannes winner Uncle Boonmee.
Dear ZacharyThis quite unbelievable true story was as reassuring as it was heart-breaking.
Still WalkingLow-key family drama which stayed on my mind with its gentleness and care in its storytelling.
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansBreak dancing, crack-pipes, lizards, and Nic Cage's most demented performance since Vampire's Kiss.
RickyThe cover of this film alone is enough to justify a watch, just don't read the back. A bizarre blend of realism and the supernatural.
The Damned UnitedAnother great David Peace adaptation with "the great pretender" Michael Sheen brilliantly channeling footie manager Brian Clough.
PiranhaA fun dose of crass, self-aware humour and an underwater ballet scene make this Spring Break bloodbath the horror-comedy of the year. With a killer cast to boot, this is what 3D was made for.
HumpdayTender comedy about uncertainty, trust... and having sex with your best bud.

Waiting in the wings: Mother, Fish Tank, Heckler, World's Greatest Dad, Chuck Close, Extract, Thirst, Big Fan, Up in the Air, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired…

Ian

Bright StarIf you discount An Angel at my Table for being television, then this is probably Jane Campion's finest, most affecting film to date.
Where the Wild Things AreA beautiful film about the flawed and annoying animals we all have the potential to be.
Up in the AirIn which George Clooney's character jets across America passing on bad news, while wielding his own special brand of emotional armour. Watch him soar then crash.
Animal KingdomAnother brilliantly-handled Ozzie stunner, exploring family and the banality of bad.
BoyBloody Taika. He can act and brilliantly direct small children, all at the same time.
Exit Through the Gift ShopNever before has a meditation on obsession, celebrity and the thin line between art and garbage kept me so entertained.
InceptionChristopher Nolan's long time coming pet project is both action thriller and mindbending fun.
The Secret in their EyesA clever, bravura melding of detective mystery and extended flirtation.
Fantastic Mr. FoxAnother case of a children's classic, expanded and revisioned by a hot indie talent. More joyous and less profound than Wild Things, but equally as imaginative.
This Way of LifeTry it. A beautiful documentary about two wonderful Kiwis, their horses and their brood.

Also worth a squizz: Precious, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, The Hurt Locker, The White Ribbon, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, The Green Zone, Crazy Heart, Che 1 & 2, In the Loop…

Lucy C

Misfits - Series 1Sci-fi meets Shameless meets Skins meets Brilliance!! What can I say. I wish I'd made this. I wish I could marry this.
Broken EnglishI used to hate Parker Posey until I saw her in this. Finally a female character in a romantic drama who isn't just a cliche (yes she's still too stylie & skinny), BUT is also touchingly real and possible to identify with.
Where the Wild Things AreDidn't think they could pull this off. It is amazing that they do. Wonderfully magical and melancholic.
The Girl With the Dragon TattooYou've all read the book. You've all seen the film. And if you haven't... Why not??
Fish TankGrim but compelling Brit drama about a girl's relationship with her mum's new boyfriend. Makes you yearn, makes you squirm. Amazing performance from the teenager who was "discovered" at a railway station.
Whip ItFun fluff watching the teen nerd blossom into a kick arse roller derby chick.
Scott Pilgrim Vs The WorldUsed to really hate Michael Cera until this. Clever and quirky adaptation of a comic book that delights in its geekiness.
True Blood - Season 2Eric cuts his hair and this show fufills its dark and disturbing potential.
Modern Family - Season 1It's a sitcom but get over it, this is the exception. So funny.
OZ - Season 1It's about time this '90s prison drama/soap opera with some decent man love was released on DVD.

Runners up: Toy Story 3, Good Hair, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassas, Sherlock Holmes, The Hedgehog…

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Staff Selections: 2010 The Year in Review