At Boat

So, goodbye to the visitors and goodbye to Edinburgh as we’ve scooted up to the Heilands to say goodbye to 2019.
Always a time to think about those we’ve lost - Doris Day, Paddy Ashdown, Jeremy Hardy, Clive James, and in recent days local legend Alasdair Gray and Neil Innes of Python and Bonzos fame. And above them all, my dear old Uncle Fred.
So, prompted by the ever vigilant MrDawe of blip (sorry, I mean, by popular demand!) MrP’s top films of the year. Oh yes. Actually, I didn’t think there were as many great films this year, and my top few contain more than a few examples of retro filmmaking. Maybe it’s a retreat to happier days rather than the ongoing B shitshow.
There were some other gems - Bait, Non-Fiction, Monos and Only You. Beats and Arctic and Happy as Lazzaro too. And not forgetting that one with Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
Enough! To the self important list!!

12. Rocketman: Quite terrific - the set pieces in particular, but blimey, the excesses almost get a bit excessive. I thought he was some boring bloke who had a knack for writing a good tune, but who had to put on stupid spectacles to appear interesting. Nope. He genuinely was quite fookt up.
11. Border: Now, that’s originality. Utterly brilliant and captivating, it didn’t quite maintain the standard throughout, but bravo, ‘n’all that.
10. Eighth Grade: A terrific little film - so excruciatingly well observed, and acted.
9. Souvenir: I expected to be all about entitlement and wealth. But it’s not. It's so much more.
8. Birds of Passage: A top film with some fantastic dream-like landscape scenes alongside a tragic tale of greed and fate.
7. Wild Rose: So much better than I thought it might be. In fact, it was really very good indeed, with some sharp observations and Jess Buckley was superb.
6. Honeyland: Such an engrossing film. Hard to believe there are places like that in modern day Europe. And so sad and touching at times.
5. Rojo: A real old school movie maker’s feel to it. And all the better for it.
4. Stan and Ollie: A total surpise - bathed in love It was - and the acting from all five main characters was just wonderful and heartfelt. It steered on the right side of sentimental all the way.
3. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood: A real joy of a movie to watch. Boots! Sunglasses! Heat! Like The Irishman every scene was a winner, a work of art. But no youthification necessary.
2. The Irishman: A stunning, mesmerising film - my eyes didn't leave the screen for a single frame. And that's a long time. A tour de force. And a swansong and everything.
1. Joker: The most storming performance this year by any actor shirley. And stunning cinematography and what a soundtrack! All in all, just top stuff.

So, the Boat of Garten Hogmanay ceilidh in the village hall. Happy New Year everyone!