Should the Clocks Go Back? Either Way, Enjoy the Night Air...

The Belated Class of 2009

Whilst those in the know and correct location can formulate an end of year listing at...the end of the given calendar year, many of us (for various reasons) are not able to create such a worthwhile list 'til months after and me, being a control fr...meticulous individual is finally satisfied enough to join in the fun and games. Furthermore, a little reflection is always good for one's sense of clarity, and upon such musings, 2009 was an excellent conclusion to the decade. I wasn't so confident at the time and whilst I'm not sure any pictures obtainted that elusive A grade, there are an abundance of titles which brought entertainment, strong technique, quality performances and a worthy field of emotions. Any number of the following films (which are listed in a roughly descending order) could have made my top ten in a lesser year and if you haven't already, would highly recommend checking them out for future viewing.

Tony Manero

Up in the Air

Broken Embraces

The Damned United

Home

District 9

Coraline

The Road

Where the Wild Things Are

The Hurt Locker

Up

Precious

Moon

Somers Town

El Bano del Papa

In the Loop

Two Lovers

Julia

Julie & Julia

(500) Days of Summer

35 Shots of Rum

Import/Export

Cherry Blossom

Summer Hours

The Messenger

Lemon Tree

Disgrace

Adventureland

And finally, before we hit the storm of 2010 film and Oscar season, which is currently being touted as The Social Network vs. The King's Speech (will this change?), I present Burning Reels' top ten (ok eleven, I cheated) films of the year.

In the end the top ten comprises of a Mexican slowburner, an ode to Tarkovsky, an ode to Love, an ode to Death, the complexities of family, the astuteness of the outsider, the perils of parenthood, the joy of cinema, the beautiful irreverance of existing, Nic Cage and Werner Herzog being themselves but being gloriously batshit together, and numerous talking foxes and other animals - voices including the warmth of Meryl and the everlasting tones of Sir Bill Murray...which all sums me up very nicely.

01 Silent Light

02 Antichrist

03 Bright Star

04 Goodbye Solo

05 Still Walking

06 A Prophet

07 The White Ribbon

08 Inglourious Basterds

09 A Serious Man

10 The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans

Fantastic Mr. Fox

So now the dust has settled, your thoughts on 2009?

Eighties EP

Whilst I decide if and when to finish some post ideas, I shall celebrate some more music because 1, this is easier and 2, it's currently occupying my tiny brain space slightly more than cinema. I continue to watch and enjoy numerous films - particularly proper introductions to French auteurs, Chabrol and Rohmer but unless there is a strong personal connection or moment within, which I feel the need to convey in words, I prefer not to spill out some bogstandard review - that's a waste of everyone's time!

Later in the year, I am planning (!) to post my favourite albums and tracks of 2010 but for now, here's a few more hidden (to some) absolute gems from the Eighties:

Analogue Heat