2016 is here. For some it couldn't come quicker I'm sure. For me, on a personal level, 2015 was immense, quite possibly the best yet, but for the wider world it was a bit of a disaster. Wars, terrorist attacks, mandatory US mass shootings, far right gains in elections, the privileged toffs running amok in Whitehall. The flooding in the north of England that are still at large kinda sums it up, a deluge of crap leaving a whole heap of rubbish in its wake.
Now that the drunken mass-renditions of Auld Lang Syne have subsided for another year, let's all make a concerted effort to make it a Happy New Year. For all. Compassion and consideration doesn't cost owt. Just follow ABBA's instructions for a jolly good year ahead: "May we all have a vision now and then of a world where every neighbour is a friend" ..."if we don't we might as well lay down and die". Love thy neighbour like, regardless of their creed, immigration status or heritage. Unless they're a Tory, then maybe just tolerate their existence.
With newfound optimism, I've got high hopes for the new year, personally and professionally. I'm not one for making resolutions, although last year's promise of spending more money definitely came through loud and clear, so I might keep it simple by declaring my intention to have a laugh, all year long. Why the hell not? Life itself is a lot easier when you're having fun.
Having said all that, there is one resolution I'm happy to make: to go to the cinema 52 times in 52 weeks. In late 2014 I decided to attempt said achievement in 2015, however circumstances within and beyond my control conspired to derail the challenge. So as the year has drawn to a wet and windy conclusion, the final tally stands at 50 films. Close but no cigar.
In what was a quite terrific year for movies - Bond and Star Wars, say no more - my top 5 films of 2015 were as follows:
1. Duke of Burgundy - a most unusual love story
2. Tangerine - a most unusual revenge story
3. Son of Saul - a harrowing holocaust film that isn't Schindler's List
4. Whiplash - brutal drumming
5. Birdman - fake one-take Oscar behemoth
All of the above were 10 out of 10 films in my book, and there's little to choose between them. Duke of Burgundy edges it on the basis that it's truly orginal and exceptionally intriguing. And it features the most peculiar home decorations. Doubt the famous Swedish furniture store will develop flat pack versions any time soon.
The worst film by a country mile was The Tribe, not because it was badly made but because of its relentless misery. The premise of a film entirely dialogued in Ukrainian sign language and without subtitles was enough to peak my interest. I didn't come prepared for trafficking, prostitution, abuse, violence and unpleasant sexual encounters. After leaving the cinema I kinda felt violated, which isn't necessarily the chief reason for a cinema visit.
Here's the full list with marks out of 10 for anyone who's interested:
Wk 1 Birdman 10
Wk 2 Enemy 8
Wk 3 Whiplash 10
Wk 4 Wild 5
Wk 5 Ex Machina 7
Wk 6 Inherent Vice 2
Wk 7 Love is Strange 6
Wk 8 Duke of Burgundy 10
Wk 9 Kimiko 3
Wk 10 The Light Shines Only There 5
Wk 11 Still Alice 7
Wk 12 Mommy 4
Wk 13 Wild Tales 9.5
Wk 14 Blade Runner 9
Wk 15 Force Majeure 8
Wk 16 Cobain Montage of Heck 5
Wk 17 Glassland 2.5
Wk 18 Avengers - Age of Ultron 4D 1
Wk 19 A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence 9
Wk 20 The Tribe 1
Wk 21 Clouds of Sils Maria 6
Wk 22 The Connection 8
Wk 23 The Confessions of Thomas Quick 5
Wk 24 Mr Holmes 6
Wk 25 The Reunion 9
Wk 26 Eden 3
Wk 27 Iris 9
Wk 28 45 years 6
Wk 29 Legend 8
Wk 30 Everest 6
Wk 31 99 Homes 6
Wk 32 Les invisibles 8
Wk 33 The Martian 8
Wk 34 Sicario 9.5
Wk 35 The Lobster 9
Wk 36 Macbeth 7
Wk 37 Spectre 9
Wk 38 The Enigma of Kaspar Hausen 8
Wk 39 Tangerine 10
Wk 40 The Lady in the Van 8
Wk 41 Love 6
Wk 42 Son of Saul 10
Wk 43 My Skinny Sister 7
Wk 44 Chemsex 6
Wk 45 Carol 9
Wk 46 Black Mass 8
Wk 47 Grandma 6
Wk 48 Star Wars - The Force Awakens 9
Wk 49 Soft Lad 1
Wk 50 The Forbidden room 4
So for the year in cinema 2016 I'm adding some additional criteria. One of the main objectives with the original idea was to broaden my scope by choosing a movie from what was on offer that particular week, even when pickings were slim (eg summer). That worked in Sheffield where films tend to be screened for a limited period. In London however, scheduling goes on and on and on, the Lobster is still playing in a number of cinemas, so it's easier to just go and see stuff I'm into. Plus I had to resort to Curzon Hone Cinema on a few occasions. This year I'm only going to see films AT the cinema, and soon after general release, be it new films or re-releases. I'll discount any random BFI screenings of classics and rarities.
I've already kicked things off with The Danish Girl and will add mini-reviews on a Pinterest board throughout the year http://pin.it/fB25qqA. Next week it's Sherpa and The Hateful 8, The Revenant and Room the week after. This time next year that cigar will have been smashed to smithereens I tell thee
