Films of the Year

Finally! Here's my list of best films of the year...

In descending order...



10- Winter’s Bone
What hasn't been said about this one already? Stunning locations and cinematography, star-making performance, strong story, memorable characters and faces. I loved it.



9- Kick-Ass
Yes, we've had our share of postmodern superheros (from The Incredibles to Watchmen and beyond), but Kick Ass was filmed and performed with such passion and panache, it was irresistible. A bratty, punky, violent companion piece to The Incredibles.



8- The Town
Old-school cat-and-mouse crime movie with strong turns from Jon Hamm (pictured) and Ben Affleck, not to mention Jeremy Remmer as the obligatory loose cannon in the team.



7- Monsters
A gorgeous love story/travelogue that happens to be set in Mexico after an alien infestation. Fabulous chemistry between the leads and the final scene has a sense of wonder that Spielberg would be proud of. This film really hangs around in your consciousness long after the credits roll.



6- A Prophet
Jaques Audiard (Read my Lips, The Beat that My Heart Skipped) made his best film yet about the ascent of a young criminal with the confines of a prison. A completely satisfying crime epic.



5- Good Hair
Laugh for laugh the funniest movie of the year, but this documentary (presented by Chris Rock) about black women's relationship with their hair weaved in some interesting debate about politics, race, vanity, fashion, feminism and femininity.



4- Mother
Riveting and utterly original murder mystery from Joon-Ho Bong, director of The Host.



3- Toy Story 3
God, Pixar really knocked it out of the park with this one - hilarious, thrilling, emotionally hefty (that incinerator scene is more harrowing than Schindler's List) and utterly warm.



2- Inception
Probably my favourite kind of film - a mainstream, entertaining Hollywood film with some big ideas. As well as stylised action scenes and dazzling special effects, it had some things to say about love, reality and the power of an idea. Awesome score by Hanz Zimmer, too.



1- The Social Network
God, I loved this. From Aaron Sorkin's exquisite script to David Fincher's confident, stylish direction to the fine performances (from Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Armie Hammer) to the fabulously Machiavellian and relevant story.



Best Actor - Joaquin Phoenix, I'm Not There

Best Actress - Leslie Manville, Another Year

Breakthrough - Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone

Best Irish Film - His & Hers (followed by Savage)

Best Director - Christopher Nolan for Inception

Best Documentary - Good Hair, but I also loved His and Hers and The Pipe

Worst Film - Killers - Take a bow, Katherine Heigl. You made last year's worst film (The Ugly Truth) as well! Dishonourable mention - You Again

Overrated - Greenberg - why would I want to spend time with such a horrible little man? And why did critics like it? This felt like the biggest gap between critical acclaim and audience taste in some time. The Kids are All Right was just alright.

Underrated - The Crazies - why didn't more people go see this efficient and smart little horror movie? and why was Michael Cera's funniest film since Superbad (Youth in Revolt) ignored by critics and audiences alike?