Cameo Appearance

After a morning watching the rain, scraping a fiddle and reading about how Europe has crashed its own car industry (uplifting stuff) we took ourselves off to watch Daniel Craig in Queer. Absolutely gorgeous to look at, with a terrific soundtrack, it spent too long up the jungle for me, but I still found it hugely entertaining.
But wait! Tis Hogmanay and time for MrP’s list of top films of the year. Sound the bugles! Hush the crowds. Maestro a drum roll please….


12            Civil War            
That tense bit with Jesse Plemons…  where they really are suddenly in real danger, that was just filmmaking at its best. Worth the entrance money for that alone.

11            American Fiction           
An absolute winner, and that ending, yes I laughed. Out loud. It’s a fabulous film for our times. 

10            Conclave            
A thing of the very greatest loveliness; a fabulous array ofactors, sumptuous sets, terrific music of the soundscape type. And a decent enough story if that’s your thing.

9               Anora   
Most amusing in the Coen brothers mould, though there was a middle section where they searched round clubs and restaurants which dragged on a bit. Otherwise I would have punted it higher up to … number eight?

8               His Three Daughters  
Although it was out on Netflix we did the cinema watch thing.Well worth taking in, with three fabulous performances (though I thought the ending didn't sit entirely convincingly with what had come before). Natasha Lyonne in particular was tremendous doing her stoner schtick thing. 

7               Society of the Snow    
For a long film, it held your interest for every second.What would you do? You were in there with them. And they were so so so fkkt. Unbelievable. In a most believable way.

6               There’s Always Tomorrow        
Apparently it’s outsold Barbie and Oppenheimer combined. Well, in Italy. A gorgeous and amusing take on the films of Italian Neorealism. A treat for the senses.

5               Zone of Interest              
Maybe I’ve seen too many British films set in that WW2 era, the over-familiarity of everyone self-consciously acting like radio announcers so this was a real tonic. It looked and felt the part. And that ending – whoah!!! 

4               The Substance                
Jees, it’s disgusting, ghastly, stomach turning stuff, and so OTT that's it’s actually quite brilliant, a total blast and a phenomenal experience to sit through. Well, well. Bravo etc

3               The Holdovers                 
What a delight of a film - totally authentic in its setting in the early seventies. I guess - not that I lived in Boston. They say they don’t make films like they used to, but as has been observed, with Alexander Payne they certainly do.

2               All of Us Strangers       
Oh it is very good indeed, even quite fabulous - the acting is just superb from everyone - Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell and Claire Foy. And so bloody sad. How I’d like to sit down with my mum and dad for a catch up and tell them what’s been happening. Yes, yes, wet eye time again. A must.

1               Bikeriders          
I’d seen the trailer plenty times and the first time I saw it I thought what a load of old cod. But after reading a favourable review I thought I should give it a view. I’m so glad I did. A terrific film - Tom Hardy was just immense, Jodie Comer was excellent too, and a neat idea seeing it all through the eye of Danny Lyon, the documentary photographer. My kinda film! Action! Real men! I may have squealed with delight.

Right, time to crack on - the bells, and with them 2025, are only a few hours away. Happy New Year to you all when it gets here!