I got a membership of The Light cinema in Sheffield for Christmas last year and so I saw far more films than usual this year in the cinema. It’s a lovely independent cinema, I really recommend it, you can get a good coffee or a pint in a proper glass and take it in with you and the seats have loads of leg room! Here is my run down of my favourites. I watched a lot more than this but these are those I saw in the theatre rather than at home!

Top 10 films

1. American Fiction 9/10 – this was my film of the year (even though it came out in January I had a hunch it would be my favourite). A wonderful critique of the publishing industry alongside a moving story of ageing and family trauma. I really loved it.
2. The Bikeriders 9/10 – an unusual film based on a collection of photographs of bikers from the 1960s and voice recordings of the girlfriend of one of the gang – played brilliantly by Jodie Comer. She has an odd accent in it but Comer listened to the tapes to make sure she got the voice authentic – it’s just an accent we don’t normally hear in the movies.
3. Thelma 9/10 – Feel good movie of the year – watch it with the whole family. A fun tale of a grandma who is scammed and goes after the people who scammed her by stealing a friend’s mobility scooter from a care home. It is hilarious and heartwarming.
4. One Life 9/10 – this film made me cry, a lot. Based on the life of Nicholas Winton who rescued many German children through the kinder transport in World War II.
5. Dune Part 2 9/10 – Blockbuster movie of the year. Absolutely breath-taking 2nd part of this saga.
6. Origin 9/10 – this is an unusual film based on a non-fiction book called Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. It is about the history of racism in America and dramatises the research in the book. Everyone should watch it.
7. All of us strangers 9/10 – this is a beautiful film about nostalgia and loss. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal are electric in it.
8. The Substance 8/10 – a controversial film but one that will stay with me for a long time. It is also the most grotesque thing I’ve ever seen committed to the screen. Do not watch if you don’t like gore or body horror.
9. Anora 8/10 – an interesting take on a Pretty Woman-style story if it were set in the real world – with of course, real world consequences. Has a lot of humour in it as well. A rewarding film with superb performances that feel so real.
10. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 9/10 – another brilliant turn in the Furiosa series of Mad Max films. This was one to see on the big screen.

Other films I really rated, I’d recommend any of these:

A Quiet Place: Day One 9/10

Poor Things 8/10

Napoleon 7/10

The Zone of Interest 8/10

Saltburn 8/10

Small things like these 7/10

Blitz 8/10

Bird 8/10

Gladiator II 8/10

Paddington in Peru 9/10

The Beekeeper 8/10

Monster 8/10

Anatomy of a Fall 8/10

Monkey Man 8/10

Back to Black 8/10

Civil War 7/10

Challengers 8/10

Love lies bleeding 8/10

La Chimera 8/10

Sasquatch Sunset 8/10

Twisters 7/10

Radical 8/10

The Outrun 8/10

Conclave 8/10

The Apprentice 7/10

Emilia Perez 7/10

Best horror films:

Speak no evil 8/10 – do not watch the trailer for this as it contains spoilers. Fantastic remake of a Danish film with James McAvoy doing a really creepy and physical turn as a sinister gregarious man who a family agree to go on holiday with. So good!

Late Night with the Devil 7/10

Immaculate 7/10

Abigail 7/10

Sting! 7/10

Heretic 7/10

Disappointing films, don’t bother with these (imo):

Wicked Little Letters 7/10

Drive away dolls 5/10

Seize them! 5/10

Bob Marley – One Love 6/10

Swede Caroline 6/10

Deadpool and Wolverine 6/10

The Fall Guy 6/10

Hit Man 7/10