Crazy Heart (2009) - The real surpise with this film is that some people seem surprised to discover Jeff Bridges can act. While this is certainly is greatest dramatic role, he has been nominated for an Oscar four times prior to this film. However, he is truely outstanding here, and if the Academy set up a category for ‘charming looks’ then Maggie Gyllenhaal would be a front runner for her support role here also. Unfortunately this washed-up-country-singer performance wont attact the audiences - if only they had thought to include a secret heartthrob cameo... Recommended

Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes (2008) - As a huge Kubrick fan I was intrigued by the prospect of a documentary that promised to reveal further insight into his genius. However in this rather unsatisfying exposé we learn little more than the fact that Stanley had a staggering amount of boxes filled mostly with location shots for films (including some which never eventuated). Yes, we see more evidence of his infamous attention to detail, but with the incredible access this filmmaker had to these files I had far higher expectations. Average

The Informant (2009) - “The gluconate guy, he’s out of a job.” - I’m not sure that Steven Soderbergh was aiming for a laugh-out-loud film, but Matt Damon’s utterance earned a rare one from me (not a spoiler - it’s in the trailer). I liked that we have a more realist portrayal of corporate whistleblowing - it’s dull and the humour is in the mundane detail. Unfortunately there was not enough of the kitschy quirky detail to last the distance. Average

The Young Victoria (2009) - I was never going to have a lot of enthusiam for a film that retold the early days of Queen Victoria’s rule - but I still found the events engrossing, even if the passion was lacking. It’s as beautifully made as you would expect - the costumes and sets are stunning. Interesting sidenote, this is the followup film from director Jean-Marc Vallée’s cult favourite C.R.A.Z.Y in 2005. Average

The Lovely Bones (2009) - If this film, about the murder of a young girl, had been made with the sincerity and tone of last year’s acclaimed ‘Changeling’, instead of Peter Jackson’s attempt to target the Twilight crowd, then I might have seen the best film of the year. Instead the result is a collection of beautifully crafted dramatic scenes intercut with long and garish fantasy scenes that take the film nowhere and severley dimish the emotional impact. Obligatory snarky comments: Hey Peter, save some of those endings for the DVD. Oh, and Mark Wahlberg, your line reading and presence were just awful. Average

Amreeka (2009) - An immigrant solo mother and her teenage son move from occupied Palestine to Illinois in order to create a better life. The cultural conflict that arises will surprise no-one and what results is essentially a ‘through-the-eyes’ film expressing writer/director Cherien Dabis’s impressions of US/Arab race relations post 9/11. There’s a crowd-pleasing resolution that belies the tension that film works hard to create, but it’s still a compelling drama with honest emotions. Average

Roman de gare (2007) - A French drama and wannabe murder-mystery about a best-selling author and her ghost-writer. There is a lot of promise shown, but the tension that the film depends on is lost to a poor series of plot twists that are more smug than clever - and far from unpredictable. Average

Where the Wild Things Are (2009) - Regular readers will know I’m generally not a fan of a) films with angry kids, and b) the fantasy genre. But Spike Jonze has succeeded here in capturing the wonderment of the world of a nine year old - and there are few directors working today who possess the imagination to pull this off. The melancholic tone and themes of escape may be a bit much for the younger audience, but I couldn’t have hoped for a better adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s book. Recommended

The Blind Side (2009) - Based on the true-life story of American football player Michael Oher and his progression from living on the street to college football fame. Sandra Bullock picks up her first Oscar nom for this role, and while her performance is a bit jarring in the early scenes, once the film settles in her performance is genuinely well acted. They story itself is as uplifting as you would expect (though not strictly adhereing to the real life events) and I found it refreshing to see a Hollywood film that promotes hard core Republican values in a positive manner. It’s these values and the way the film makes fun of prejudice that will likely turn a lot of people off, but for the rest it will be a fun heartwarming tale. Recommended

Invictus (2009) - Morgan Freeman is well cast in this hagiographic look at Nelson Mandela who engages with the Springbok captain (Matt Damon) over the course of the 1995 Rugby World Cup to inspire unity in the country. Clint Eastwood does a sound job with direction but the one-dimensional script and complete lack of tension makes for dull viewing. The subject matter would however make for a great documentary where the issue of life after apartheid and “that game” could properly be explored using the perspective of the players and team management. Average

35 Rhums (35 Shots of Rum) (2008) - French auteur Claire Denis presents a beautiful and simple film about the lives of four characters living in the outskirts of Paris. In true voyueristic style you see their ineractions which are not always in context, or full understood, but this just places more emphasis on the atmosphere and the unspoken moments. A bittersweet gem. Recommended

The Limits of Control (2009) - Critics may argue that Jim Jarmusch is out of ideas and has resorted to a self indulgent film stripped bare of dialogue and loaded with obscurity in an attempt to snare a little critical acclaim. Perhaps that’s what Ebert was suggesting when he awarded it half a star. Certainly compared to his last film, Broken Flowers, this offering appears to insist more on using whatever you bring to it. I was bringing a lot. The landscape and soundtrack alone make the journey more than worthwhile. Recommended

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) - This must have sounded great on paper - a funny and intelligent satire that isn’t too far from the truth. George Clooney playing an agent who is part of an experimental U.S. military unit trained in the use of psychic powers. And parts of it worked - mostly just the parts with goats unfortunately. Average

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - Wes Anderson’s love for the richness of details combined with Roald Dahl’s unique storytelling abilities are a winning match here. The lovable characters rendered in quirky stop-motion animation appear to have more life in them than anything blue you might see this year in 3D CGI. Anderson sticks with his regulars for the voice talent, and complements the lineup with George Clooney and Meryl Streep. Recommended

Food Inc. (2008) - Perhaps the most unfortunate after-effect of the Michael Moore era of mainstreaming the documentary has been the lack of serious unbiased debate about issues. The corporatisation of the food supply is a great target for discussion, but instead the filmmakers here attacked the subject with a scattershot collection of fears and anti-capitalist rhetoric without any rebuttal. So we end up with a film made by food radicals trying to push an idealist agenda which ultimately damages the credibility of the serious points that needed to be made. For better and more rational coverage check out King Corn made a year earlier. Avoid

Io non ho paura (I’m Not Scared) (2003) - Beautifully set in Southern Italy in the late seventies - a ten-year old discovers a small boy held captive in a hole near an abandoned farmhouse and gets drawn into helping him. It’s a well made coming-of-age thriller with a unique perspective, let down only slightly by a lacklustre ending and, on occasion, a little too much gratuitous imagery of the Italian countryside.  Recommended