A note about how these were picked: essentially they’re films I saw in the cinema in 2011 and which weren’t rereleases (otherwise both Apocalypse Now and Days of Heaven would be sitting very near the top of the list). Considering I watch a lot of films at Film Unit and that we get films later than most cinemas, I may be including stuff that was technically released in 2010 (I haven’t bothered to check). There’s also one film that I saw very early at a press screening – it’s UK release date was 2012 but I saw it in 2011 so yes, I’ve employed that most strict of criteria: my own viewing schedule. Obviously there’s stuff I didn’t see that would probably warrant a place on this list if I had.

10. Arrietty

9. Tree of Life

8. The Skin I Live In

7. Hanna

6. Melancholia

5. Beginners

4. Animal Kingdom

3. The Guard

2. Shame

1. Drive

A few additional comments:

Drive was always going to be top – after seeing it with a few friends none of us could shut up about it for weeks afterwards. I’ve been a fan of Refn for ages and I think he’s turning into one of the best directors currently working. Everything about Drive is pitch perfect. To put it simply: its bloody brilliant.

I kind of feel that Shame is probably a more important work than Drive, but it is also something that I’d struggle to watch again. McQueen is an intense director, both Shame and Hunger are difficult, uncomfortable works but that is precisely what they should be considering the subject matter. McQueen comes across as a master in perfect control of his work – and as ever Fassbender delivers an exceptional performance – definitely the best of the year (though not quite as good as his performance in Hunger).

The Guard was one of those films that completely surpassed my expectations – same with Hanna – I’d heard good things but was essentially unsuspecting of how fantastic they would be.

The Guard has some unsurprising similarities with In Bruges but I felt that it was better in every single way – Gleeson is fantastic, the writing hilarious, and the story more engaging. I was totally unprepared for how emotional it was. I’ve tried (seemingly hopelessly) to try and convince everyone I know to see it – it seems to have drastically overlooked by a lot of people.

Hanna was just kick-ass – it’s rare I enjoy an action film but Hanna was superbly directed and choreographed; a perfect example of how to shoot action without making it a barrage of noise, editing and bewilderment. The soundtrack was of course excellent. The ending located in an abandoned theme park allowed for some quite surreal sequences which I loved. Tom Hollander’s performance was terrifying – that whistle…

Animal Kingdom was breathtaking – dark, tense, and arresting. I had huge expectations for it and it easily surpassed them. It comes across as uncomfortably realistic.

Beginners was, again, a pleasant surprise, wonderfully funny, occasionally heartbreaking and, of course, the lovely Melanie Laurent means it is definitely something I’ll return to. Christopher Plummer deserves every award he gets as well.

Tree of Life actually counts as a disappointment, but my expectations were so high for it that it still warrants a place on the list. It’s unbelievably beautiful and thought-provoking but its deliberately loose structure is tiring at times. Still the universe scenes alone are some of finest scenes ever, and demonstrate the sheer wonder that cinema can provoke.

On a similar not Melancholia provides similar visual thrill, particularly in its opening shots. I was surprised to find that Melancholia  was nowhere near as difficult as I expected (Von Trier does of course have a certain reputation, and his much referred to “no more happy endings” statement affected my expectations). That’s not to say it’s exactly positive, melancholic is the easiest and most obvious description but it is fantastic film-making and a visionary take on depression and the end of the world.

The Skin I Live In was strange, twisted and shocking, as expected. It’s very difficult to describe, but certainly harder to forget.

Arrietty I’ve talked about before, sumptuous, beautiful and charming it is perhaps the easiest film to recommend on this list, if only because I can’t really imagine anyone not liking it.