Because Everybody Else Has One

Just before we get too comfortable with the idea that it's 2016, here are my awards for the best (and occasional worst) of the movies in 2015. As always, this goes purely by South African release date, so yay to Whiplash but nay to Hateful Eight. And you should be able to find full reviews of these movies elsewhere on this blog. Best animated/ family film: Inside Out Arguably the film of the year, Pixar's very best film in many a year is funny, heartfelt and genuinely substantial, offering different things for people of all ages. An instant classic. It's a pity, then, that the company followed it up with the relatively lackluster Good Dinosaur. Best science fiction film: The Martian Very nearly the best comedy of the year too. A delight of a film that celebrates human ingenuity and perseverance, and is quite easily the best thing that Ridley Scott has done in more years than I care to count. Best film not to make it to SA cinemas: Ex Machina It's a cryin...

Yeah, there were a bunch of truly awful movies released this year and even more thoroughly mediocre ones but, it has to be said, though there wasn't a major stand out like, say, Pan's Labyrinth, there were plenty of really good to great films released in 2012. Here is an overview of some of the very best - or, at least, my favourites - sorted according to category and what is, I hope, a nice mix of "arty" critical faves and mainstream crowd pleasers. Again, only films released in South African cinemas in 2012 count and, once again, sorry this is later than I had previously hoped, but apparently I had quite a bit to say about many of 2012's better films.

I still have a few reviews to get to, but first, a look back at 2012 in film. I have decided to take a slightly different approach to last year and will be looking at some of the year's best and most noteworthy films through an awards format - albeit one that suits my needs, rather than the other way around.  As always, the only films that qualify are those released to South African cinemas in 2012 so, sorry my trans-Atlantic readers, no Lincoln, Argo or The Perks of Being a Wallflower here. For a list of all films released in SA in 2012, check out this link . On with the show with 2012's worst films...

Another year, another Academy Awards, with everything that means: an overall show that I enjoy far, far more than I probably should, wins that I agree with, wins that I don't, boring acceptance speeches, great acceptance speeches and a boatload of extra bits and bobs that are technically filler but are usually rather enjoyable. And, for the 9th time, Billy Crystal proving once again that no one is a better fit for the show than him.  Onto some thoughts about a few of the actual winners and losers - to say nothing of the not-even-nominated. Best Supporting Actress Possibly the most clear cut of all categories. Octavia Spencer fully deserved her win - though oddly enough, the second best of those nominated is her co-star in The Help, Jessica Chastain. Nice, heartfelt speech too.