The Eye

So, the last day of the year, and in the morning, R&E called in and sat awhile and blethered and we all discussed the festive period, their ‘difficult’ visitors, and what we’ve planned for the upcoming year. They’ve the wedding of their daughter and so they’ve no holidays planned, Rog morosely explained. I think crewing a boat may suit him.
After they’d cleared off, I had a good stretch of the legs round the ‘hood. And later we had a fine evening, taking in a pumping Dreadnought before the bells. Can’t beat a bit of Ramones.
So, goodbye 2018; there’s always a bit of melancholy in the air. Aye, we’ll not see that year again. Said with profound vacuousness. 
So of course, that requires a round up of my top films of the year. Having watched no fewer than 64, it was quite a struggle to narrow ‘em down. And there were great films like Three Billboards, Phantom Thread, Darkest Hour and The Post, Custody, Nae Pasaran and Calibre. And Leave no Trace and Lady Bird! Too too many. 
So, to the ones that stuck out, for me, and have stayed with me - (blows bugle).....
12. Ready Player One - a total gas in 4DX, and so well realised with a decent story unlike some other nonsense.
11. Loveless - heartbreaking and beautiful, unforgettably grim too. I imagine Putin wasn’t too impressed with the depiction of modern Russia
10. Beast - a real gem of a little film with terrific performances, especially by Johnny Flynn.
9. American Animals - what a nuts thing these guys decided to do, they really did. Remarkably tense.
8. They Shall Not Grow Old  - a real labour of love, and with stunning effects, bringing back a disappeared world for all time.  
7. Sorry to Bother You - hilarious, though obviously if that was all it was, it wouldn’t have made the cut. Nooo! Sooo much more. Audacious! Subversive….. etc
6. The Shape of Water - a stand out, visually beautiful and a real love story. With just enough strangeness.
5. The Square - haha, unmissable. I’ve never looked at modern art in galleries in quite the same way since.
4. Free Solo - well, that was a watch. I don’t think I’ll forget that anytime soon.
3. Hostiles - fabulous. A proper Western. Big Country and everything.
2. Dogman - I hardly blinked through the whole thing. The world of men. Terrifying. And actually darkly funny.
1. Cold War - the visual treat of the year. And aural too - Rock around the Clock never sounded so good. A masterpiece of film making, says I quite loftily. Though not without flaws, of course. Human, after all. 

OK, back to earth, bump. So much TV - mostly a bit sh!t but The Kominsky Method… I had a tear every time I watched it. Essential viewing for the over 60s. 

Happy New Year, fellow oldies!