Happy New Year everyone and I wish you all the best for the next 12 months! It has been another weird one, and on a personal level it has been pretty horrendous, so I am more than happy to see the back of it. To celebrate the end of last year I did a piece where I asked friends and family to recommend one film, they had seen that year and I gave it a watch myself. It was a lot of fun and opened my eyes to some films I wouldn’t have thought of watching myself. This year I left it too late to do a similar thing so instead, I decided to do a list of every single film I have seen this year. There was a lot of them, but fortunately, this has been one of the slower years for me in terms of film watching so it isn’t horrendously long. That being said, it has ended up being 50% longer than my dissertation so it is probably worth just cracking on with it. So, without further ado here is a comprehensive list of everything I watched this year in the order I watched it!
Pokemon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998) – Kunihiko Yuyama
I like Pokemon quite a bit. Much more the games than any of the anime series, but I also do dip in and out of that original TV series from time to time and it is fun. This was my first time ever seeing this film however, and if you have ever seen an episode of the original anime then you know what to expect. It has some really odd creative choices, like the song it plays over the climactic fight scene which really doesn’t fit, but it mostly decent. If you like the original anime series you’re going to like, if not I’d avoid it.
Batman Ninja (2018) – Junpei Mizusaki
This is probably not a very good film, but boy was it a ton of fun. It is bonkers and mixes Batman, feudal Japan, and giant fighting robots into a huge pot and releases an hour and a half of bonkers action. Like I say, I don’t think it is actually very good, but I had fun with it and sometimes that is all you need.
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) – Shunya Ito
This film was bloody great. It is apparently an influence on the ‘Kill Bill’ films and it clearly shows throughout. It is a film that manages to be both kick-ass and brilliantly stylish which really gripped me from the get-go. It is a brutal film, and the violence is reminiscent of Tarantino, and the lead character is properly cool. She is mostly silent throughout the film, but she manages to get across a lot in her performance and I really enjoyed the character. This was the beginning of a series of films following this character and I am sure I will be watching those films at some point.
Tetsuo II: Body Hammer (1992) – Shinya Tsukamoto
I really enjoyed ‘Tetsuo: The Iron Man’ (1989) for just how surreal and grotesque it was. Its sequel doesn’t manage to hit those same surrealist heights, but it is still very good and has its moments. It takes on much more of a clear narrative than the first film did and there is still a lot of the body horror that is ever present in that first film, but it is lacking in the pure surrealism that made me really enjoy that first film.
The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) – Takashi Miike
This film was bonkers in all the best kinds of ways. First off, let’s get the genre of the film out of the way. This is a horror comedy musical, directed by the same guy who directed ‘Audition’ (1999). If you know that film you can probably hazard a guess at the kind of film it is. It is a mix of live action and these superb stop-motion, claymation sequences which both feel like they come out of nowhere and totally fit the style of the film. It is funny and emotionally engaging while also jst being a little bit insane and I really, really enjoyed it.
Visitor Q (2001) – Takashi Miike
This film is not going to be for everyone. I am not even sure if it was for me. It is all a little bit insane but, in a way, where you are always a little uncomfortable watching it. You effectively follow a family who are all rather fucked up in their own ways and this has them both torn apart and brought back together again. So, a film about family a guess. Hope you like fucked up families.
Orgies of Edo (1969) – Teruo Ishii
This is a film that I respect on a technical level, but I was never able to become fully engaged in any of the storylines. It is an anthology where none of the stories hooked me and that is a problem. But overall, I still think it is worth a watch because it is beautifully shot and has some great visual sequences. One that I am happy to have watched but that I am not in any rush to go back to.
Prevenge (2016) – Alice Lowe
This was the first film I reviewed this year so if you want a more in-depth review of the film you can seek that out. But I really enjoyed this film. It is a very funny slasher film with a great central performance from Alice Lowe and it is a film I am sure I will come back to in the future.
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) – Hayao Miyazaki
This came to Netflix the same time all the Ghibli films landed, but unlike with all those films I was in no rush to watch it. How silly of me. This film is a ton of fun. While not Miyazaki at his finest, you can see a lot of what he would expand on in later films, as well as a lot of things that he wouldn’t do again in his Ghibli output which does make it an interesting watch for fans of the studio. But overall, just a great adventure film which is a great time and a definite recommend.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017) – Kobun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita
I have had my eye on this film and its subsequent sequels since they came out. The reason I didn’t get into them at the time was I wasn’t as much into anime as I am now, and I heard they weren’t great. But I love Godzilla so eventually I was always going to get to it. And yeah, it isn’t the best. The animation, while good, is not a style I particularly liked. Similarly, the narrative is interesting, but is also convoluted quite self-serious at times. But it is always fun to see Godzilla and it isn’t bad really, just not all that good either.
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018) - Kobun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita
I was far more engaged with this film than I was with the first one. Probably because all the expositional world building is out of the way so we can focus in on a more focused narrative. It is also far more memorable than the first film. It still suffers from the same issues as the first film, but the sharper focus means it is a much better watch. I also get very buzzed about the third and final film with the end credit scene of this one.
Blood Simple (1984) – Joel Coen
The start of the Coen’s glittering directorial career and it doesn’t get much better than this. This was a gripping noir that allows the audience to have a lot of information while simultaneously keeping you guessing. It is less of a black comedy than a lot of their future films would go on to be, but it still has a brilliant script and great performances, including from frequent collaborator Frances McDormand. One of the better films of the year so far.
Shoah (1985) – Claude Lanzmann
Okay, so there isn’t going to be anything else on this list anything like this film. After all, I am not in the habit of watching nearly ten-hour documentaries about the holocaust. Right off the bat, it is clear that this is not an easy watch, but it is an important one. It doesn’t hold back in giving you first-hand accounts from both sides, victim and perpetrator alike, and you finish the film emotionally devastated as well as hugely informed. Not one to put on for a ‘light’ watch but a must-see for anyone interested in film, history, and humanity.
Only God Forgives (2013) – Nicolas Winding Refn
Bit of a weird one this. Not the film itself, but my opinion on the film. On the one hand, it is a genuinely great visual experience. The use of lighting especially is impressive throughout, and I remember imagery from the film more than anything else. But what the film has in visual imagery, it lacks in narrative, well, anything. I have very little memory of what this film is actually about, but it is a bit of a mess from what I remember. I didn’t hate it, but is it any good? I don’t actually know.
Raising Arizona (1987) – Joel Coen
We come to the first film that I had seen before this year. More than once actually. And while I find this a very good film, I wouldn’t say I love it. It is a solid comedy with some fun performances and a great script, and I do always forget how comedic it really is. That being said, it didn’t get all that man laughs out of me, not any big ones anyway. But there may have been mitigating circumstances to that as I think I watched this film just as my mental health started to really dip.
Lucky Grandma (2019) – Sasie Sealy
This is the reason I really enjoyed the ‘Kermode Introduces’ series I did for these reviews because I got to see a load of films, I would never have even thought about watching. And I’m pretty sure I at least enjoyed all of them, but this is one of the weaker ones. It definitely isn’t bad and looking back now I had a good time with it, and it has several memorable moments. But it isn’t perfect, and I can’t imagine I would rewatch it, except maybe for the performance of Tsai Chin which is great.
The Borderlands (2013) – Elliot Goldner
Found footage is an opinion splitting genre of film. I personally have no issue with them when they are well done i.e., the camera isn’t shaking beyond all belief where you feel like you’re about to hurl. This is one of the well-done ones. It doesn’t break any new ground or really get under your skin at any point, but it is a solid horror film that is elevated by its ending. I won’t give spoilers, but it makes the film jump up in the scares quite significantly.
Miller’s Crossing (1990) – Joel Coen
Best film of the year so far. I absolutely loved this. I love the era the film is set in and a good gangster film and this fits both of those fantastically. The cinematography is exquisite, and it is edited perfectly to create the desired emotional reaction. Add to this a top tier Coen brother’s script and fantastic performances and you are on for a film that I genuinely adored. On my rating system, I never rate a film five stars after a first watch so the best you can wish for is four and a half. This film easily slotted into that category.
The Girl in the Picture (1960) – Nobuhiko Obayashi
The first of a handful of short films that will be on this list. And would I have ever watched this film without having seen and loved Obayashi’s ‘Hausu’ (1977)? No. But as things are I have seen it. And it is pretty good. It is a silent film, so everything is told in the visuals and piano score (which is great). It isn’t the most memorable or brilliant film in the world, but it is a short and sweet one that is worth a watch if you have the time.
Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018) - Kobun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita
So, it took me a little while to get round to the third and final film of this series, and oh boy is it bonkers. I am not huge into anime that you kind of think of when someone says anime. You know, the convoluted, had to follow, complicated narratives with the big bombastic action scenes. This is essentially that, or at least felt like it to me. It is a little stronger than the first film but becomes too complicated to be as engaging as the second. Worth a watch to complete the series, otherwise maybe not.
Fantastic Planet (1973) – Rene Laloux
I was immediately drawn to this film after seeing the poster, and it sold what the film was pretty damn well. A brilliantly surrealist trip into an alien world that feels both human and inhuman in equal fashion. Surrealism is always a little hit and miss for me, but in this case, it is subtle enough that it doesn’t bother me. The surrealism is also complimented brilliantly by the art and animation style.
Love Exposure (2008) – Sion Sono
You won’t catch me watching films that are four hours long very often, and when I do, I will often take a break in the middle. Not for this film. This had me completely engaged from start to finish. I went into it almost completely blind, and I absolutely adored it. It is locking up with ‘Miller’s Crossing’ as my favourite of the year so far. Stylish, funny, cool, moving, perverted, exciting, I could go on. Brilliant.
Manhunter (1986) – Michael Mann
Another great one. Seems I was on a good little streak for a while there. Another film I have known about for a long time but had never got around to. And I really enjoyed it. It is a great crime thriller with some really striking imagery and some great performances thrown in. Also, the soundtrack at once doesn’t seem to work but really, really works. If all you have seen of Hannibal Lecter is Anthony Hopkins' portrayal it is also well worth a watch to see how Brian Cox does it differently.
Personal Shopper (2016) – Olivier Assayas
So, my friend Ewan who I tend to agree with on films more often than not really enjoyed this film, so I was looking forward to it. I didn’t share his sentiments. It isn’t a bad film at all. It looks nice and has some pretty decent performances. But I just could not get into it at all. Even looking back now I am struggling to remember anything that happened during the film. Hard to recommend based purely on that.
Cats (2019) – Tom Hooper
Oh boy, here we go. This was the last film I watched before taking a prolonged absence from work due to depression. Now, I don’t want to say that the film caused my depression, but it most certainly didn’t help. This film is heinous. I assumed it would be bad, but I had a feeling I might have enjoyed it in a so bad it is good kind of way, but no luck. It is genuinely terrible. And this is from a director who I tend to enjoy more often than not which makes this even more of a misfire. Just pure shit in every sense.
The Babadook (2014) – Jennifer Kent
Is this the best film to watch when very depressed? Absolutely not. But it is a damn good film. There has seemingly been a resurgence in genuinely great horror English language horror films in the last few years and this is right up there. Really managed to get under my skin, and it has some terrific sound design and a stellar lead performance. It is effectively exactly the same idea I had been thinking of writing myself which is a bit of a kick in the teeth, but as it is as great as it is I can forgive it.
Pi (1998) – Darren Aronofsky
I was really punishing myself with my film choices here. Not that they were bad but both this and The Babadook deal with mental illness head-on. A great idea for someone unwilling to get out of bed because I felt sad. Again, another very good film though. I would be lying if I said I truly knew what was going on the whole time, but it is really well directed and performed and is a great glimpse at the start of Aronofsky’s career, who is a director I very much enjoy.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) – Ruggero Deodato
Right off the bat, don’t watch this film. Unless you are a proper horror fan, even more, a film history fan, you are going to get nothing out of this except discomfort and upset. The general premise on its own is quite disturbing, but that isn’t real. But you know what is real? The animals being killed. Yes, you see genuine animal death on screen in this film and that is enough for me to say you should never see it. And it completely overshadows what is in some way quite a smart script. Still better than Cats.
The Mummy (1959) – Terence Fisher
This is the one and only ‘Hammer Horror’ film I have ever seen. And it is about what I expected from it. As much as it is trying to be a genuinely scary horror film, and I am sure back in the day it was at least a little scary, but the campy nature of the film means it is more comical than terrifying in a modern context. It isn’t a bad film at all but is also very much of its time.
My Bloody Valentine (1981) – George Mihalka
I enjoy myself schlocky slasher films of this era so I was never going to hate this film, but I also feel like the version I watched was heavily edited and so I couldn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It gives you pretty much everything you are wanting and expecting from a slasher film otherwise, but it also has a twist ending that is not even slightly set up and so just comes across as stupid. All a bit crap so you will probably hate it unless you are into this kind of thing.
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) – Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
I had a bit of thing for the first three Paranormal Activity films as a teenager, but I never managed to sit through this one. I did get through it this time, but in a way, I wish I hadn’t. Are all the films in this series as boring as this one? If so, I don’t know why I ever liked them. It isn’t completely heinous but it isn’t very good.
The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (1998) – Nick Freand Jones
I highly doubt I would have watched this documentary if Mark Kermode wasn’t hosting it. I am a big fan of The Exorcist but with another 23 years having passed since the release of this documentary a lot of the information that the documentary provides is stuff, I already knew. I am sure at the time it was a great source of information for fans of the film, but it is all known stuff now. Definitely not bad and worth a watch if you like the film it is based on, but not anything special.
One Missed Call (2003) – Takashi Miike
Miike just continues to keep appearing in this list. I love me some Japanese horror films, and although this is effectively just a rehash of Ringu it has enough solid moments that I very much enjoyed it. And the last 45 minutes had me absolutely hooked while being pretty terrified at the same time. Also has enough Miike quirk and weirdness to make it worth the watch.
Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) – Jeff Fowler
This film will be remembered more for the debacle surrounding the design of Sonic than it will be for the actual content of the film. It is very much a paint by numbers kids film with all the plot points and beats you would expect from this kind of film. It is elevated by Jim Carrey’s performance which is reminiscent of his 90s and 2000s performances. Probably worth it just to see him do his thing, to be honest.
Weathering with You (2019) – Makoto Shinkai
This seems to be a polarising film. I personally very much enjoyed it, but I have also seen some reviews from people who hate it. Bit of a marmite film in that way. To be honest, I can see some of the criticism with the narrative, but my god do the visuals just make me not care. This film is a visual masterpiece and more than worth a watch just for that. And this is something that Shinkai tends to get right in all his films, but this might be the most visually impressive.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – Stephen Herek
I didn’t grow up with this film and so this was the first time I have sat all the way through. And while it is dumb, it is a ton of fun and is a great turn your brain off kind of film. The titular characters are extremely likeable, and the film does not have a true antagonist so you’re not having to get flustered or upset. It is just a film having fun and you do the same in response, which was exactly what I needed at the time.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994) – Kenneth Branagh
This was a film that is far from perfect but there is also a lot to like about it. For one, I really liked how the film looked. The sets and costumes were great and really managed to create a world that felt believable and lived in while also being grandiose and visually impressive. Another thing I liked while also realising it is a huge fault of the film was how quick it moved. It moves at a rate of knot which allows you to never be bored, but also means character building is almost non-existent. Not a great film, but I enjoyed it.
The Reef (2010) – Andrew Traucki
When I initially wrote my review on this I said “Pretty bog standard with some decent shark attack scenes. Will probably forget I saw it by this evening.” The last line of that review could not be truer. Cannot remember a thing.
Beyond the Mat (1999) – Barry W. Blaustein
I came to this documentary a little late as my short love affair with wrestling is over. However, it is still a very interesting and insightful look into the business, as well as being a quite harrowing look at some of the personality’s life away from the ring and the struggles they have. I would say that if you don’t like wrestling, you are less likely to get as much out of it, but I do genuinely think it is interesting enough that it could work for most audiences.
Midnight in Paris (2011) – Woody Allen
This is a film where the premise is better than the execution. It is definitely not bad, and I would say overall I enjoyed it, but it left me feeling like something was lacking. I can’t put my finger on what exactly it is that I thought was missing, but it was something. That being said, it is still a solid enough film with a fun premise and a great cast which does raise the quality of the film.
Coach Carter (2005) – Thomas Carter
I really remember watching this film because I watched it in circumstances, I very rarely watch films under, that being starting it at 2 in the morning while lying in bed unable to sleep. I half put it on thinking I would fall asleep during its run time, but alas I saw the whole thing. And while it is one of the most bog-standard of Hollywood sports films, it hits all the elements you would expect well and is a good watch overall.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Zack Snyder
This is probably about as controversial as Cannibal Holocaust. Okay, maybe not, but it kicked up a proper stink when it was released. And I really don’t know why? I mean I don’t think the film is very good, but it isn’t terrible. It is just a bit boring. And I think that is more down to my dislike of Snyder’s style. Definitely not as bad as some people made it out to be, but not great either.
Jaws (1975) – Steven Spielberg
One of the best films ever made. Is anyone going to argue? To be honest, I am sure a lot of people would argue against that viewpoint, but those people would be wrong. It is just superb from start to finish. I will admit that the shark has not aged well, but the film is masterfully crafted in every other aspect that it does not matter in the slightest. This was the first film I had as my favourite, and while I have since seen others that I enjoy more, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
The Hands of Orlac (1924) – Robert Wiene
Every so often I will fancy watching a silent classic, and more often than not these will be from the German Expressionist movement. And if you are ever looking at watching silent films, that movement is the best place to start as there are so many great films in there. This one isn’t in the upper tier, but it has a lot to like about it. The premise is interesting and the cinematography and expressionist sets both allow for great visuals and the creation of an intense atmosphere. There are better places to start with silent films, but this is still a solid one.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) – Adam Wingard
It says a lot about me that this was the most hyped I have been for a blockbuster in a long time. I just really enjoy big monsters fighting each other and wrecking stuff and I will not apologise for that. And that love does kind of cloud my judgement of this film. It is cliched, narratively weak, convoluted, and edited in a way that certain plot points feel half-arsed or completely unneeded. However, Godzilla fights King Kong so I couldn’t care less, and I had a great time with it.
Event Horizon (1997) – Paul W.S. Anderson
I had known about this film for a long time before seeing it and had even ‘watched’ a bit of it already (it was on in the background while I was in the room). So, I came into this film with a little bit of expectation as to what it was going to be, and it pretty much did exactly what I was expecting it to do. It isn’t very good, but it also isn’t terrible. I was never bored so that is a positive at the very least. But the CGI has aged terribly (although the practical stuff is still impressive) and it is just a bit too silly to be scary at all.
Antichrist (2009) – Lars Von Trier
This is another film I can’t possibly recommend to a wide audience as it is properly fucked up, both in its narrative and some of the gore that gets thrown at you. Von Trier is not shy of controversy and pushing the envelope and this film shows that big time. And I loved it. It was the first film I watched when jumping back into writing reviews after having a break which probably wasn’t the best film to start with on a purely looking after my mental health level. But in terms of a horror film, this did everything I wanted. It is artsy in a way that is interesting and not overbearing while being a genuinely disturbing and chilling horror film that I thought was superb, which may say quite a lot about me.
Your Name (2016) – Makoto Shinkai
Another film I absolutely love. The premise is not exactly new, although it does put a new spin on the body swap genre. But the characters are hugely likeable and relatable, and the animation and visuals throughout are absolutely stunning. It is a superb coming of age, rom-com with an added almost sci-fi hook to keep things interesting. What I might love most about this film though is the score. It is a mix of orchestral and original songs which not only match the mood and visuals o the film but are genuinely just great songs in and of themselves.
Barton Fink (1991) – Joel Coen
Another step on my journey of Coen’s films and yet another brilliant one. While it never reaches the height of Miller’s Crossing for me, it is still brilliantly engaging and adds a bit more of the Coen black humour and quirk that would come to be somewhat of a staple. In fact, by the end of this, it goes kind of bonkers in the best kind of way. To say it came as surprise would be an understatement, but that is why I loved it. Maybe not in the really top tier of their film, but still a great one.
County Lines (2019) – Henry Blake
Although I didn’t know it at the time this would be the last ‘Kermode Introduces’ review I would do. Not because he died or anything serious, I just reduced my writing schedule and those reviews got cut. And while it could have been a cheerier exit to that series of reviews, at least it kept up Mark’s very solid record of selections. It is a film that slots neatly into the sub-genre that is British social realist films, even if it doesn’t reach the height of quality of some of those other films. Still very solid, especially for a directorial debut.
Dark Water (2002) – Hideo Nakata
I hope you like Japanese horror films because there is about to be a hell of a lot of them flying into your face. Dark Water is a film held in very high esteem by many, and while I do very much like it, I don’t think it is as good as people make it out to be. It manages to create a brilliant atmosphere and is frequently eerie, but it never reaches the heights of other Nakata helmed films. Speaking of those…
Ringu (1998) – Hideo Nakata
This film is superb. It is a film that is almost impossible for you to go into this film completely blind these days as it is so heavily entrenched into the popular zeitgeist, and yet the quality shines through. I love this film the more and more I watch it, and I think a lot of that love comes from the fact that despite seeing it a fair few times at this point, it still really, really gets under my skin. There is one aspect of this film that does irk me (although I won’t be spoiling it) and it holds it back from being a near-perfect film, but it is knocking extremely hard on that door.
Spiral (1998) – George Ida
This is a true oddity. It is a sequel to Ringu which was filmed alongside that film, and yet feels almost like a completely different project entirely. And this both makes it interesting and disappointing. On the one hand, it really convolutes the quite simple narrative ideas and themes of Ringu which really does weaken this film on the whole. On the other hand, what they did add to the narrative and world is interesting enough to keep you engaged (even if you are confused). As a result, it feels like a film that as a standalone could have been much more effective, but as it is it is a disappointing, and ultimately debunk sequel.
Ringu 2 (1999) – Hideo Nakata
Step forward the true sequel to Ringu. This was my second time watching this film and I much preferred it this time around. It isn’t nearly as good as the first film so I wouldn’t go into it expecting anything like that, but it is a very solid horror sequel. It manages to continue the mythos without convoluting it too much or treading on the toes of the first film. It also has two scenes that are as scary as anything in the original film which is high praise.
Ringu 0 (2000) – Norio Tsuruta
Bit of an odd one this. I don’t think we ever really needed to see a prequel to Ringu where we see a sympathetic Sadako performing amateur dramatics. That isn’t a lie, by the way, that is the basic plot of this film. It is all a bit silly and isn’t very good. But it also isn’t terrible. I don’t know who I would recommend it to as it isn’t a very good film and it doesn’t add positively to the lore of the series, but it also isn’t boring. Really don’t know what else to say, just a proper oddity.
Ju-on: The Grudge (2002) – Takashi Shimizu
This is the other big hitter in J-horror known to a western audience, and I think I prefer this to Ringu. While I will admit that in general ‘filmic’ terms it doesn’t really hold a candle to Ringu, there is something about it I found endlessly haunting and, in my book, it is the scarier of the two films. I also seem to be on a bit of an island on my own with this film. While it is mostly well received, no one seems to hold it in as high regard as me. I just love it.
Ju-on: The Grudge 2 (2003) – Takashi Shimizu
The first film basically begged for a sequel. It is open-ended, and the episodic and out of sync nature of how it tells its narrative allows for more exploration of horror. And while this is not as good as that first film, as a horror sequel it is still very solid. It is a bit more insane than the first film. I personally think that is a good thing as it bonkers in the best kind of way and amps itself up from the original. So yeah, not incredible but if you like the first you will like the second.
In a Corner and 4444444444 (1998) – Takashi Shimizu
I have grouped both these films together as they are the shortest kind of short film, and they go hand in hand with each other as precursors to the Ju-on series as the former introduces Kayako and the latter introduces Toshio. Not much to say really, but interesting to see the birth of those characters.
Sadako vs. Kayako (2016) – Koji Shiraishi
The Ring and Ju-on crossover we all asked for? I am a bit of a sucker for ‘versus’ films even though pretty much all of the ones I have seen are a bit crap. But it is a fun kind of crap that makes them enjoyable regardless. This film is no exception. It doesn’t take itself overly seriously, I mean it completely changes the rules of Ringu to fit into their narrative, and it knows when to go silly with it. Not a good film by any means, but a fun one, nonetheless.
One Missed Call (2003) – Takashi Miike
I watched it again. I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time around. Moving on.
One Missed Call 2 (2005) – Renpei Tsukamoto
This film isn’t very good. It both forgoes the plot and antagonist of the first film while expanding on them as well. This results in a convoluted and confusing mess where you’re not sure if you’re coming or going at times. It may have worked if it was executed well but it isn’t particularly, and there are no scares to speak of either.
One Missed Call 3: The Final (2006) – Manabu Aso
I am not going to sit here and argue that this is a good film. But what I will say is that I had a ton of fun with it. It is utterly ridiculous and not scary at all, but what it does well is take the original plot of the first film and runs with it. Bigger is not always better, but it does lead to stupid fun. It is effectively a film that has a big cast which they take pleasure in dicing off and I was all here for it.
Pulse [Kairo] (2001) – Kiyoshi Kurosawa
This. This is top tier J-horror. Nah, scratch that. This is a top tier film full stop. I think this film is genuinely brilliant. It creates a perfect environment of pure eeriness and terror that just sits with you. It isn’t a film to startle you or make you jump, but my word does it stay with you and every aspect lends itself to this sense of terror. The cinematography, sound design, editing, are all superb. I could probably gush over it a long time more, but we don’t have all day, but I implore everyone to watch it.
Battle Royale (2000) – Kinji Fukasaku,
I love how this film doesn’t get bogged down in explaining the world it is set in. We don’t need a detailed description of how we got here, a paragraph of text will do, and this means that we are almost instantly thrown into the good stuff. And this film gives you the best of both worlds. If you just want to watch a fun action film, you’ll get that, but there are also some deeper themes you can explore if you want to as well. In that way it is quite accessible to a large audience.
Akira (1988) – Katsuhiro Otomo
I chose this to be the first film I watched in the cinema once they reopened, even travelling into London (and being stranded overnight) to see it. And I am so glad I did. This is an audio and visual masterpiece at the best of times, but on a big screen and with surround sound speakers it was something else. Do I know what is happening at all times? No. But it really doesn’t matter. It is no wonder this film is as influential as it is.
Cure (1997) – Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Another superb turn from the second most famous Kurosawa I know. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Pulse (Kaido), Kurosawa’s ability to create a gripping and sinister atmosphere and grip you into it is very much here. A bit more of a thriller than a downright horror, band a truly intriguing one. It is also thematically dense, and this means that you don’t really get everything you can from the film on one watch. The methodical nature may put off some for a rewatch, but I will definitely be picking it up again.
Dragon Inn (1967) – King Hu
I feel like I didn’t rate this as highly as other people. I definitely liked it and the action scenes are all great fun, but I feel like the pacing is a little off. By that I mean the film feels like it comes to a climax when it has 30 minutes left. But it is overall extremely solid with a good amount of action, suspense, and comedy. I also can’t believe it was never remade as a western, it is perfectly suited for one.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020) – John Krasinski
If you like the first film, you’re going to like this one. What this film does have over the original is that the world is set up and the cat is out of the bag so we don’t need to mess around with any of that and we can just get on with it. This means it is a lot more action packed than the first film and that element of being quiet almost at all times is dialled back big time. Not a perfect film by any means, but still very solid, and the opening scene is brilliantly executed.
Red Dragon (2002) – Brett Ratner
A remake that is actually good?! Well, colour me surprised. So, if you cast your mind back to earlier in this list, I watched Manhunter, well this is the remake of that film, only this one slots itself into the universe of Silence of the Lambs by bringing Anthony Hopkins back as Hannibal Lecter. While it is very similar to the original, the antagonist is given a lot more humanity and sympathy in this version which I am all for, especially as Ralph Fiennes is in the role, and who doesn’t love him?
The Inbetweeners 2 (2014) – Damon Beesley, Iain Morris
I had heard that this wasn’t very good when it first came out and so I put it off for a long time. And I think that was probably the best way of going about it. It isn’t great, I am not going to deny that much. But having not had any new Inbetweener’s material for so long I was just happy to be back in the company of these characters, and there are enough funny moments to make it worth a watch. Not good enough that I’ll be coming back to it mind.
Creepy (2016) – Kiyoshi Kurosawa
I will keep this short because I don’t think I can talk about it much without spoilers, but just so you know that I hate the antagonist in this film, and I love him for that. That is all I’ll say. Very solid thriller.
Another Round (2020) – Thomas Vinterberg
This film is a film full of the highest highs and lowest lows. A send up to life and a reminder to live it, while also bringing you back down to earth. A film full of love that, while bittersweet, did have me smiling for a good majority of the runtime. I think I related to this film quite a lot.
Audition (1999) – Takashi Miike
Love, love, love this film. That probably says quite a lot about me and not at all good, but I don’t care. Yes, this film is grim and weird and uncomfortable and makes me gag at times, but I still love it. It is just a brilliantly made horror film on every level, and the fact that it can be very disturbing is one of the reasons it is as good as it is. Of course, that means some people are going to really hate it, but in my book it is superb.
Beware the Slenderman (2016) – Irene Taylor Brodsky
I don’t tend to watch documentaries very often, but as I have got into true crime podcasts recently, I thought I would jump into the world or true crime documentaries. And while this isn’t the best thing you’ll ever watch; it is an interesting look into the crime committed by Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier while influenced by the Slenderman character. But more interestingly it looks at childhood mental illness and the effect these crimes had on the families, and it is quite sad at times.
The Witches of the Orient (2021) – Julien Faraut
I didn’t watch this under the most ideal of conditions, by that I mean in a tent at a festival while I was hungover and could hear music from other tents. But, despite this, it was an interesting and enjoyable watch. Documentaries are not usually my thing but this one managed to take a topic I knew nothing of (and frankly had little interest in prior) and make it interesting and engaging. It is at its worst when it reverts to talking head styles of filmmaking, and at its best when it gets creative with how it tells its story. Not incredible, but a very solid and interesting documentary.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) – Tim Burton
I am not a big Tim Burton fan. In fact, I would say on the whole I dislike his films. I don’t really like his style, and especially in the modern day where it has become somewhat obnoxious. But I just so happen to love this film. His style is apparent but not overbearing and fits the film with it being a musical, and the performances throughout are super solid. I have never seen the show the film is based on, but this film is a great advert for it so I should probably get on it.
A Silent Voice (2016) – Naoko Yamada
I watched this while in bed suffering from norovirus and thinking of watching something a bit cheery. Well, I didn’t exactly pick the best film for that. Overall, it is positive and uplifting but it punches you in the gut several times throughout and can be harrowing at times. It is beautifully animated and is engaging throughout but does a little from the running time and while it doesn’t drag it can feel like it is padding a bit. But this is a minor gripe, and it is an overall positive experience that I plan to come back to.
Drag Me to Hell (2009) – Sam Raimi
This was a bloody blast. Not scary in the slightest, but a ton of fun nonetheless. It has major Evil Dead vibes, which with it being from Sam Raimi is not surprising. If you go into this excepting the kind of horror film that I think the trailers portrayed it as you’ll most likely be confused and disappointed but go into expecting a bloody (literally and figuratively) riot with a ton of laughs and you will be pleasantly surprised.
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) - Mami Sunada
I cannot state enough how much I love Studio Ghibli. For me, their films are like a warm blanket and are very much comfort films while also being masterworks for the most part. I also love films based around filmmaking, and so a documentary following the studio while they are making films is right up my street. This documentary is a fascinating insight into the studio and the faces behind it, while also managing to capture that ‘warm blanket’ feel that the films of the studio give me.
Tag (2015) – Sion Sono
This was nothing like what I expected. I had assumed from what I had heard and seen from the poster that this film was going to be more along the lines of a Battle Royale. Boy, I was so fucking off base. This film is wild and weird and insane and I really, really, liked it. Genuinely it is mad, and I can’t really explain it or get into too much both because I don’t want to spoil it and also because to try and explain this film would be a nightmare. If you like surreal gory, fun, horror then this is right for you.
Over Your Dead Body (2014) – Takashi Miike
He’s back again. Miike is a director who you’re going to see a lot of on this list, but hopefully in a more positive light than this film. Okay, that is quite harsh as I actually think this film I pretty good and has some strong moments but compared to the other films I have seen of his it is pretty weak. In the moments where it is strong it is very strong, but it is a slow burn and you need to be patient to get to these moments. I am interested in coming back to it as I feel like it might be a grower, but for a first viewing, I was a little underwhelmed.
Grease 2 (1982) – Patricia Birch
Okay, so I really enjoy this film. If I’m being totally honest, I think I prefer it over the first film. Is it very good? Not really. It is awkwardly edited and not the best directed. That being said, it is charming in a weird and ‘not aged well’ kind of way and does in fact have better songs than the first one. I won’t even debate that point, it is absolutely true. It is also a massively horny film so be prepared.
Throne of Blood (1957) – Akira Kurosawa
Not only one of the best Shakespeare adaptions of all time but also one of the greatest films of all time full-stop. An incredible feat of filmmaking with incredible scale and exquisite cinematography makes it a film of visual delights. The idea to tell the story of Macbeth in feudal Japan is genius in itself but add to that the storytelling sensibilities of one of the most acclaimed directors of all time and it was always going to be right up my street. I am also of the opinion that Toshio Mifune has never been better (at least from what I have seen). As exhilarating as it is eerie, it is a film that lands very highly on my list of best of all time.
Kate (2021) – Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
I will preface this by saying I am not huge into action films like this. That isn’t to say I can’t like them, but there needs to be an interesting enough premise or characters to get me hooked in, and from there the action supplements the story. But films, where the action is the main hook and the narrative, feel like it is there because it has to be don’t do it for me, and that is effectively what this film is. The action scenes can be fun, and it isn’t afraid to be super violent which does add to this. But poor pacing and a weak script mean that I could never get fully invested in anything happening and mostly found it all a little boring.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) – Park Chan-wook
There seems to have been a newfound interest in South Korean media after the success of both Parasite (2019) and now Squid Game (2021), and if you have found yourself caught in that wave then I would very much recommend checking out the films of Park Chan-wook. Well, if you have the stomach for it. This film is the first in the director’s ‘Vengeance’ trilogy and it sets up the themes of that trilogy really well, while not hitting the heights of later films. But it is an engaging revenge thriller with twists and turns that has you both sympathising and despising the actions of all characters involved. It does suffer a little in its escalation of violence which on one hand feels earned and on the other feels rushed and out of nowhere. But overall, a very solid start to the trilogy, and a good pre-cursor to one of the more famous of South Korean films.
Oldboy (2003) – Park Chan-wook
The best of the trilogy and the first South Korean film I had ever heard of (possibly the first I watched but that possibly was The Host (2006)) and one that is known for being one of the more messed up films which still has ‘mainstream’ appeal. It had been a long time since I had first seen it, and while none of the more horrific and disturbing aspects of the film surprised me, they were still effective and hit hard. But what I had forgotten about the film and what really hooked me in this time around was the comedy and visual flair of the film. It is extremely funny in between all the violence, and this adds so much dimension to the film. And in terms of the visuals, there are so many striking moments, and the film has a style that at many times had me in awe. It is a superb piece of filmmaking, although the more messed up aspects may put some people off.
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) – Park Chan-wook
The final film in the trilogy, and what I feel is also the weakest film. But that isn’t to say that it is bad, or I didn’t enjoy it, in fact, the opposite of that is true. Much more in keeping with Sympathy for Mr Vengeance (2002) in terms of the pacing and the methodical nature of it all, and much more serious in its depiction of revenge through extreme violence than both prior films. It looks great and is full of great performances and has a narrative that does engage you. But there is one particular scene in the film which is seriously upsetting. That scene makes the film very hard to recommend because it is not fun to watch and not in a disturbing or violent kind of way, but just in a way that is seriously distressing, or at least it was for me. It doesn’t ruin the film overall, but it has to be said as a warning before going on.
Gamera, the Giant Monster (1965) – Noriaki Yuasa
Have you seen Godzilla (1954)? Then you have pretty much seen this film. It doesn’t exactly try to hide the fact that it is trying to build off the success of that franchise, but that is fine because it has its own charm to it which meant I couldn’t help but like it. Yes, Gamera is more adorable than he is terrifying, and the effects of the time do look extremely silly, and crude compared to modern effects, but that just adds to the charming nature of the film. And the film was successful enough to spawn a franchise in its own right so I will most likely come back to this adorable, atomic, turtle.
Nightbooks (2021) – David Yarovesky
I had no idea what to expect from this film going in, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I was met with. This film is not high art by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a creative and fun horror film for kids. The two lead kids both play their parts well and aren’t grating as many child actors can be, but they add a lot to the fun nature of the film. The sets are also great and add a lot to the overall style of the film. They can be a bit cartoonish at times, but that is almost the tone the film is going for, so it works. Speaking of tone, it has to be said that the film seems to struggle with this in the early parts. Yes, it is a horror film for kids, but there is one scene early on that plays like it is more out of an Insidious or Conjuring film and feels almost too extreme for kids. It manages to find the perfect tone later down the line, but it has to be said it seems a bit too extreme early doors.
Mirror (1975) – Andrei Tarkovsky
Andrei Tarkovsky is one of the most critically claimed directors of all time, with several of his films consistently touted as some of the best of all time, and so I feel a bit behind with this being the only film of his I have ever seen. And if all of his films are as visually arresting as this film then you best believe I will be watching all his other stuff. It is beautiful. It could stand alone as an art piece for just how it looks and how it is structured. That does mean that it is slow, you’re not getting any exhilarating rushes of adrenaline out of this film. But it is personal. It feels very much like a film of the director which doesn’t always happen. Is it a film I am going to be coming back to often? Probably not because it is slow and methodically structured. But it is also an exquisite work which stands as one of the more beautiful films I have ever seen.
Lake Mungo (2008) – Joel Anderson
Big thank you ‘Red Letter Media’ for leading me to this one, and honestly, I probably would never have watched it if not for the endorsement on their show. And I am very glad they did so because I thought this was a great horror film. It is not a horror film that is filled with jump scares or monsters but instead manages to create an eerie and creepy atmosphere through both its narrative and its faux-documentary style. And not only does it work as a really effective horror film, but it also is a very solid drama and mystery that has you questioning what is and isn’t real throughout. On top of this, it is a great portrayal of grief and the effects of grief on a family. It really got under my skin, and I can’t recommend it enough.
The Green Knight (2021) – David Lowery
This is a film that immediately after watching I felt I needed to sit on to get a true idea of what I felt about it. I’m still not sure. First things first, it is a beautiful film. The scale I incredible, and the use of colour throughout is wonderful and it makes for a superb visual spectacle. It also has a fantastic lead performance from Dev Patel who is completely engaging and gripping throughout. But with the rest of the film, I feel like I need to see it again before my true opinion will come to light. I found the narrative a little confusing and I was lost at moments, and I think a second viewing would help in sorting that out.
No Time to Die (2021) – Cary Joji Fukunaga
I will keep this short just because I am still conscious of spoiling this. But just so you know I think it is great and a brilliant end to Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond.
Noroi: The Curse (2005) – Koji Shiraishi
I really flipped back and forth with my opinion on this. It feels too long, but the build-up to the climax works brilliantly. The found-footage style is often almost unbearable, but also creates great moments of dread. The first hour drags, but the second-hour speeds by at a rate of knots. I think it just took me a while to get into, but the mystery of everything did hook me. And the last half an hour is spectacular and drags this to being on the cusp of being a great film.
The Complex (2013) – Hideo Nakata
Another film of Nakata’s that I watched this year, and definitely the worst of those. The premise of the film is pretty decent and some of the film’s ideas feel like they should work. But it is paced poorly, and this doesn’t allow you to buy in or relate to anything going on, and when twists and reveals in the narrative occur their impact is lessened. It does have some moments that are a little creepy but overall, it also fails to be scary, and seeing as it is a horror film that isn’t great.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021) – Leigh Janiak
I enjoy myself a good slasher. Unfortunately, and spoilers for the upcoming films of this series, this didn’t do it for. The premise is interesting enough and the performances are solid, but this film, in particular, has a constant Netflix sheen on it that I don’t particularly like. It feels too clean and polished. I like my slashers feeling a bit gritty and grim. Just a personal preference but it did affect my liking of the film. However, it does have one top tier kill in it which is almost worth sitting through the film for.
Perfect Blue (1997) – Satoshi Kon
As psychological thrillers go this one is absolutely top tier. It took me a minute to get into the animation style which I grew to love but at first, thought looked a little crude. But as the film goes on it becomes clear this style fits with the tone of the film incredibly. It is a film that builds, and builds, to a crescendo that is shocking and exhilarating, as well as fantastically animated. I was totally captivated by the film, although it should be said it isn’t always easy to watch with one scene, in particular, being a difficult viewing experience. But overall, I thought this film was brilliant, and it is no surprise that it is held in such high regard.
Fever Dream (2021) – Claudia Llosa
I went into this film with literally zero knowledge of it at all, and I came out with about as much knowledge of what the film was about when it finished. That isn’t to say that I disliked it, but it was a film with a narrative that goes to places you wouldn’t expect and twists and turns in confusing ways. The structure of the film also doesn’t help in this regard with it jumping back and forth between timelines just to confuse the matter even more. I wasn’t ever bored, but I also forgot about it quite quickly after seeing it.
Free Guy (2021) – Shawn Levy
This film is pretty much exactly what you would expect it to be. It feels very Hollywood with the narrative and pacing which means that you can basically guess exactly where the film is going at every beat. But the actors are all bought in and it has enough charm to it that it does work. Not exactly a film that will stand the test of time, but fun enough film anyway.
Fear Street: 1978 (2021) - Leigh Janiak
The best of the trilogy, but still not great. The same criticisms apply to this as they did to the first film, but this one feels more like a classic slasher and so does much more for me.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) – Andy Serkis
Did you like the first Venom film? Then you’re getting more of the same. Except for this time, they don’t have any pretence that this series is anything other than silly fun. This film is basically a rom-com at times and I love it for that. Is it actually any good? No, not really. But I did have a blast watching it so what are you going to do? Sometimes I just like to watch stupid stuff.
The French Dispatch (2021) – Wes Anderson
This may be the most Wes Anderson film there is. In terms of his visual style, I don’t think any of his other films are as obviously one of his as this film. So, if like me you like that style you are in for a treat, but if you don’t then you will most likely hate it. The film takes up an anthology-style rather than a singular narrative, which is something that in the past I have said I don’t necessarily like, but this film does a decent job of keeping your attention throughout regardless. Another solid film to add to Anderson’s collection.
Onibaba (1964) – Kaneto Shindo
In some circles, this is seen as one of the great horror movies. I am not sure I would necessarily go along with that. I think it is a great film, but I wouldn’t say it is a pure horror movie. It definitely has elements of horror, but it feels more like a drama or thriller at the very most. But that doesn’t really matter at the end of the day, all that matters really is if the film is any good, and it most definitely is. Visually it is great, but the real power of the film lies in its sound design which is superb.
Ugetsu (1953) – Kenji Mizoguchi
Another film that could be argued as being a horror film but feels more like a drama. It definitely has some haunting moments, emphasised by the superb camerawork throughout, but it is much more of a dramatic piece where the real engagement comes from the character-building it does throughout. It is slowly paced so the one you need to be in the mood for, but it is well worth your time.
Dune (2021) – Denis Villeneuve
As sci-fi epics go this one is pretty damn good. I knew nothing about the Dune series before coming into this, so I am not going to be able to say whether it is a good representation of those books. But I very much enjoyed the film. Am I entirely clear about what was going on the whole time? No. But the scale is incredible, and the film looks amazing. There is also one particular scene that is one of the best singular scenes I have seen in a film this year in terms of the pure adrenaline it gave me.
Kwaidan (1964) – Masaki Kobayashi
Do you know what I said about anthologies earlier? Let’s ignore that for now, as this film just so happens to be an anthology and one of the best films of all time. It isn’t quite perfect as the last story of the film lets it down, but the prior three stories do enough to make it an incredible experience. Visually it is one of the best films I have ever seen. It is beyond gorgeous, and I would happily take almost every frame and paint my walls with them. I think the visuals are enough to get you in, but the stories are also engaging and keep you hooked.
Orgies of Edo (1969) – Teruo Ishii
And my problems with anthologies come flooding back for this one. To be perfectly honest, the anthology nature of the film is one of the least important aspects of the film in regard to my mostly negative opinion, but it definitely doesn’t help. I just couldn’t find myself engaging with the film at all. It has some decent moments but overall, it is just a bit bleh. Not horrible but definitely not for me.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) – Shinya Tsukamoto
Surreal, relentless, frenetic, drill penis. That is all.
Hausu (1977) – Nobuhiko Obayashi
This is one of my favourite films of all time. I am most likely going to do a whole review of it at some point, so I don’t want to go into too much detail here, but let’s just say it is insane. Almost every decision seems completely bonkers but also is clearly purposeful and really, really works. The best way to get a grip on what the film is like is to listen to the soundtrack.
The Ring (2002) – Gore Verbinski
I heard good things about this and yet I am still surprised. I love the Japanese original and I don't think this remake holds a candle to that film on the whole, but it still works as its own piece of work. I appreciate that it isn't just a jump scare fiasco and instead creates an unsettling environment, which suits the narrative brilliantly. It also drops the part of the narrative of the original that I don't like so that's a plus, although what they add-in doesn't add much for me either so that balances itself out. If I had seen this film before the original, I feel I would have enjoyed it more, but as is it is still a solid remake of a genuine horror masterpiece, and in and of itself that is some triumph.
Seven Samurai (1954) – Akira Kurosawa
This is a film that I had seen before and loved. But this time around I got to see it in a cinema, on a big screen. That experience reiterated to me why I love the cinema and why I think that is the best way of watching films, especially films as epic as this one. It is rightly recognised across the world as one of the greatest films of all time and seeing it as I did, I am hard-pressed to disagree. It is an incredible achievement in filmmaking and the impact it has had on the industry is astounding.
Ichi the Killer (2001) – Takashi Miike
How can I possibly describe this film other than saying it is Miike at his most bonkers. It takes ultraviolence to a ridiculous level, to the point where it is so ridiculous that it becomes hilarious, and that feels like what the film is aiming for. The shot that accompanies the title card is a houseplant covered in semen if that gives you an idea of what this film is like.
Last Night in Soho (2021) – Edgar Wright
This film is seemingly getting mixed reviews, mostly from fans, and I can definitely see why. There are issues with it when it comes to its narrative and script which can be a little distracting. But the overall premise and performances of the actors who are clearly bought in mean that I can almost look past those issues. This is also probably the best Edgar Wright film in terms of visuals. It has clear Suspiria (1977) vibes, and I love that.
Spencer (2021) – Pablo Larrain
I didn’t expect to like this film going into it. That was very presumptions of me as I had never seen any of the director’s prior work, but from the trailers, I just assumed it would be a dramatic biopic. Colour me surprised in the best kind of way. I really enjoyed this film. Narratively it is very engaging, and Kristen Stewart is wonderful in the lead role. But the best aspect of the film is Johnny Greenwood’s score. Oh boy is it good. It is the best of the year so far by some way.
Eternals (2021) – Chloe Zhao
I am not sure the last time I felt as apathetic towards a film. I don’t think this film is all that bad. I was never totally bored and some of the performances are good. But I also found myself not caring at all about anything that was happening. The film just washed over me and disappeared into the ether. I’ve never been a huge Marvel fan anyway, but it felt like Endgame (2019) was a perfect endpoint for the series and if this film is kind of where the series is going then I don’t feel positively about the future.
Naked (1993) – Mike Leigh
Before this, I hadn’t seen a Mike Leigh film, and this was a great first impression. Does it accurately reflect the rest of his work? I am not so sure, but it is a great film regardless. There isn’t too strong a narrative to speak of, with the film being more of a look into a few days in the life of one particular character, and yet because of the script ad performances, it is totally engaging. There are a couple of characters and performances that feel a little hammy and out of place, but not so much so though that they seriously detract from the film. It is also just quite nice to hear a Manchester accent in a film.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) – Dan Mazer
Maybe I just happened to be in a decent mood when watching this, but I do t think it is nearly as bad as a lot of people are saying. Granted it's not good and didn't need to exist, but it isn't completely horrible. It has a tone that aims at young kids who I think will get a kick out of it, and all the actors seem bought into it which helps. I'll never watch it again, but I wouldn't say it was painful to sit through.
Black Christmas (1974) – Bob Clark
I went into this film expecting it to be another one of the many slashers that were made to capitalise on the success of Halloween (1978). Little did I know that not only did this precede the John Carpenter classic, but it also clearly inspired it. I am a fan of slasher films anyway so even if this had been how I expected I would have probably enjoyed it to some extent, but I came away having loved this film. It is brilliantly shot, has great characters and performances, has some superb writing including a quite strong political edge, and most importantly is genuinely scary, which I can’t say about a lot of horror films.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) – Burny Mattinson
It is quite impressive that the filmmakers managed to make an enjoyable version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with good emotional depth in such a short runtime. It isn’t up there with my favourite versions of the story, but it is still a really solidly made film with a lot of charm and character.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) – Ernst Lubitsch
I knew very little about this film going in, and the only reason that I even watched it in the first place is that it happened to be showing at the BFI Southbank and I fancied spending a day there. What I got was a film full of charm and wit, with a great cast working of a solid script, headed by the wonderful Jimmy Stewart who with each film I say cements himself as one of my favourite actors to see on screen.
Woman in the Dunes (1964) – Hiroshi Teshigahara
The second film I saw on my trip to the BFI Southbank, and this time with an introduction to the film no less. I had had this film on my watchlist for ages but never found an opportunity to give it a go and so when it was being shown on the big screen, I jumped on it. And I am glad I did because the film lends itself to being seen on a big screen. It is both small scale and large scale, with a good majority of the film taking place in a small hut, but it also has these grand sweeping shots of seemingly endless sand dunes. It is a stunning visual spectacle, but like many Japanese films of this era, is not afraid to take its time so you do need to be in the mood.
Tokyo Drifter (1966) – Seijun Suzuki
My final film of this particular BFI Southbank trip and this one was a blast. After two films already it needed to be able to keep my attention and it did. The narrative is so-so, but the visuals are superb. The use of colour and the set design throughout is exquisite. Plus, it is really quite funny, sometimes perhaps unintentionally. It has a charm and wit to it that keeps you engaged throughout, and this allows you to appreciate the film on a visual level perhaps more than you would if you’re checking out.
The Princess Switch (2018) – Mike Rohl
Another one to add to the pile of needlessly sentimental and schmaltzy Christmas rom-coms which are predictable and bland. This one has the added distinction of getting two sequels which we will get to, but the film that kicked them all off is not one I’ll be watching again. For the most part, I just found it dull, but there are several moments within the narrative that actively annoyed me, mostly because they involved the setting up of conflict only for that conflict to be solved within 30 seconds with no real payoff.
The Power of the Dog (2021) – Jane Campion
I am very unsure what to make of this film after the first viewing. It is great visually, and all the performances throughout are brilliant. But there is something that just didn’t quite grip me the first time around. I think half the problem is that I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but I think I liked it? I’m not sure, I will need to see it again.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983) – Nagisa Oshima
Takeshi Kitano and David Bowie in the same film? Yes, please. Despite not really being a Christmas film at all I chose it to review it for my Christmas reviews and I’m glad I did because it is really good. It has some great monochromatic visuals, top performances throughout and a killer main theme, but it also happens to be completely engaging throughout. Top stuff.
Scrooge (1935) - Henry Edwards
This film has a special place in history as the first full sound film version of ‘A Christmas Carol’. I don’t have much else to say about it. It is fine and it does have some solid visual moments, but a lot of it feels underwhelming and with so many adaptations of this story out there this one doesn’t really offer anything worth coming back to.
Home Alone 3 (1997) – Raja Gosnell
I expected this film to be so much worse than it turned out to be. It isn’t great, but I think it is a fine film for children. It isn’t particularly interesting visually and the narrative is dumb and even more childish than those first two films, but I didn’t hate watching it. It isn’t worth your time, but it isn’t horrendous.
The Holiday (2006) – Nancy Meyers
This film is what it is and that is a cliched and predictable rom-com with very little added to make it stand out. It does have a great cast that helps, but it is also over two hours long which is insane. Why on earth did anyone think this film needed to be that long. Honestly, if it was ninety minutes and I was in and out I would have liked it more. As is it is completely forgettable.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) – Satoshi Kon
My second Kon film of the year and this one was very different to Perfect Blue (1997). That film is quite dark and gritty, whereas this one, while it does touch on some darker themes, is much more light-hearted and this matches up in the animation style which is often extremely exaggerated. This also matches the comedic sensibility of the film, and it is very funny. It is also beautifully animated and captures the neon lights of Tokyo as well as its dirtier underbelly wonderfully.
A Christmas Horror Story (2015) – Brett Sullivan, Steven Hoban, Grant Harvey
I am not a fan of anthology films. There are a couple that work for me, but for the most part, they never click. This film is one of those, but it is somehow worse because it also decides to tell these separate stories concurrently rather than one by one. It is an interesting way of doing an anthology, so I praise it for trying something new, but it makes the whole film a big mess. It is all over the place in visual style and tone and so you can never really engage in any story at any time. This probably isn’t helped by the fact that none of the stories is particularly interesting.
Black Christmas (2006) – Glen Morgan
This film is terrible. I will admit that it has a style and tone that it is trying to achieve and is fair enough, but it really didn’t work for me. The film is ugly and horrible visually, with some truly horrendous shot choices. It has some okay actors involved but the script is one of the worst I have ever heard so they were always going to struggle. I give it praise for not doing an exact shot for shot remake, but the narrative elements they did add did absolutely nothing for me.
West Side Story (2021) – Steven Spielberg
If you are going to remake a classic film, you best do a bloody good job of it and hiring Steven Spielberg to take the helm is a great place to start. And he smashes it out of the park. I am not sure I would go so far as to say it is better or as good as the original film, but the fact I am even contemplating it speaks to the quality o the film. The music and performances are great, visually it is great, and the stuff it added or removed did not feel like it regressed the film in any way. Up there with one of my favourites of the year.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004) – Joe Roth
This film angered me no end. It has the nerve to villainise the Kranks for the crime of wanting to have one year where they do not celebrate Christmas and victimises the poor little neighbours who stalk and harass these people because they are selfish arseholes. God, I hated this film.
Home Alone 4 (2002) – Rod Daniel
Another film that is utter rubbish with almost nothing to redeem it. One moment saves it from being a half star film, which is when the film plays what is tantamount to the funeral march over a shot of the two burglars unconscious. Maybe I had just gone mad, but it got a genuine laugh out of me.
Robin Robin (2021) – Michael Please, Daniel Ojari
Aardman are almost incapable of making bad films. This short has a whole load of charm, the stop motion animation is fluid and looks great, and the detail that goes into each scene adds a ton to the world of the film. It is aimed towards children so isn’t something I see myself coming back to, but I am glad I watched it.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) – Andrew Knight
Despite this film bringing back the whole original cast, the lower budget and cheaper animation makes the whole thing have an uncanny valley quality to it that is hugely off putting. None of the songs are memorable and the narrative is more boring than anything else. A positive is Tim Curry as the villain, but even that s weird because while the whole film is hand drawn animation, that character is CGI. All just weird.
Anthony (2014) – Jonathan van Tulleken
This film was only 15 minutes long so there isn’t a huge amount of time to make a big impression, but I did very much enjoy the film. It has some nice visuals and is directed well, but the strength o the film comes from the writing and the two lead performances, with Tim Key’s Santa being a particular highlight.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020) – Mike Rohl
If you liked the first film, I’m sure you’ll like this one. If not avoid it is. It is crap.
Holiday Inn (1942) – Mark Sandrich
Apart from one scene of blackface which is massively uncomfortable to watch today, this is a pretty solid musical, although the fact that film has blackface does mean it is a hard sell. But I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did when a character drives a car, top speed into a pond, twice.
Black Christmas (2019) – Sophia Takal
Just after seeing this, I would have argued that it was slightly better than the 2006 version of the film. Having had time to think about it, this one is definitely worse. Its obsession with pushing its political message is a detriment to the film itself. As a message on its own, I am behind it as it delivers a message of female equality, but it is so on the nose and is the basis behind every scene and every line of dialogue that it just becomes more parody than a serious political message. It also affects the film as a slasher film because the director wanted the film to be seen by younger women and so cut most of the fun slasher elements that I might have been able to grasp. Also, it changes so much from that original film that the fact it uses the ‘Black Christmas’ name is also laughable.
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012) – Peter Hewitt
I'm really surprised to see how low some of the ratings are for this film. I mean, it isn't good, but is it as bad as all that? Maybe it caught me on a good day, or maybe I am just a stan for Malcolm McDowell, it is more likely the second thing.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1999) – Bradley Raymond, Jun Falkenstein, Toby Shelton, Bill Speers, Alex Mann
Very little to say about this one. It is an anthology, so it already has a point off for that, but otherwise it is well animated and has three solid narratives that have good messages for children. Thumbs up.
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021) – Mike Rohl
Utter garbage. Hated it. Avoid it at all costs.
Stuffings (2021) – Matthew J. Wilkinson
On a technical level this is quite easily the worst film I have seen this year. The sound especially is all over the place to at points it is laughable. Some of the acting is hilariously wooden and the narrative itself has a comedic edge to it. But, for something with this low a budget it isn’t all terrible. I thought the two main actors were pretty decent, especially Kathleen Halligan who I thought was genuinely quite good, especially with the material she was working with. Despite its technical deficiencies I had a ton of fun watching it, which is more than can be said for a lot of films on this list.
A Christmas Story (1983) – Bob Clark
This film is an American classic that is a yearly tradition, even being played on a 24-hour loop. That being said, it is shit. I just don’t get why this film holds such a place in people’s hearts. I assume it has to be nostalgia-based because it has aged terribly. It is not funny in the slightest, it isn’t a nice film to look at, and there is hardly any narrative to latch on to or engage you. I just don’t get it.
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