Films of the Year: 5-1

5. True Grit

The Coen Brothers' decision to remake or readapt True Grit was a cause of great concern to many; thankfully, those fears where misplaced with the creation of a very different and superior beast to the 1969 original. With Mattie Ross’s (Haillee Steinfield) quest for revenge turning into a poignant and eloquent tale of loss, innocence, youth and indeed the whole world of the West itself. Perhaps an unusual turn by the Coens, but certainly not a bad one with its exquisite sense of atmosphere and place, all lovingly photographed by the one and only Roger Deakins, and of course some wonderful performances by Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and exceptional newcomer Haillee Steinfield. James Absolon

4. Hugo

The words ‘Martin Scorsese family film’ were admittedly ones that got me very worried as it seemed miles away from the dark undercurrents of the director's phenomenal back catalogue. What we got though was this glorious ode to the manifold joys of the silver screen mixed with a touching story about shattered and lost dreams, with every frame bringing forth Scorsese's intoxicating love of cinematic artistry. Hugo is a film to be treasured by young and old as an example of how family films should be made with real intelligence and heart, and is in fact the auteurs best since Goodfellas. James Absolon

3. The Tree of Life

This is possibly one of the most potent and beautiful films ever made. With focus streaming from planetary explosions, to dinosaurs, to cells splitting, to Brad Pitt’s family in the 1950s, it is evident that this is a film for those who appreciate art and aesthetics. It is of course arguable that Terrence Malicks’s seventh film in 40 years is overly long, pretentious and simply too much for some people. However, the sincerity and sensitivity which it deals with the simple human behaviours such as coping with maturation and death balances out the breathy whispering voice-overs.  

2. We Need to Talk About Kevin

Lynne Ramsay wowed cinema audiences last October with a stunningly put together film about a mother's relationship with her troublesome eldest son, who we learn early on has done some unspecified terrible thing. In a very strong year for British film Kevin stands out as the best, though has as yet not been given the attention it deserves in awards season having been overlooked for best picture and director by the Golden Globes and apparently out of the running for an Oscar. Tilda Swanson has however been nominated for her superb showing as Kevin's harassed mother, but there is much more to the movie than simply one fine performance. The breathtakingly disorientating opening half hour sets the tone for the rest of the film, being both engrossing yet distracted by a nagging sense of unease regarding what it is exactly Kevin has done. Each scene is connected to the next with a kind of poetic visual logic as Ramsay demonstrates a master-class in how and when to withhold and reveal vital information to the audience. A superb work of art. Stephen Puddicombe

1. Black Swan

It's easy to forget that Darren Aronofsky's melodramatic tale of the dark side of ballet was released this year what with all the hype surrounding it at the end of 2010, but sure enough it screened at cinemas around the UK in January 2011. And it certainly lived up to it's hype. Black Swan is great cinema, combining impressive special affects, rousing music and the intense drama of ballet to create a highly entertaining, if at time uncomfortable, piece of work. Oscar winner Natalie Portman is deserving of her award, expertly expressing her character's (Nina) physical and mental fragility. The closing half hour is what sets Black Swan apart from anything else released in 2011. Nina's performance of Swan Lake that the film has been building up towards coincides with her mental breakdown, leading the audience overwhelmed in a thrilling confusion between the real world, theworld of the ballet and Nina's own internal reality Perhaps Aronofsky's best work date, and The Yorker's top film of 2011.Stephen Puddicombe

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