I’ve continued my membership of the Light cinema in Sheffield and so again have seen most of this year’s mainstream releases. It’s been a good and varied year again for cinema (at least from my perspective). Here’s a run down of my favourites this year:

1. Sinners 10/10

This is my film of the year. Currently the film making scene is a bit in the doldrums with distributors only making money via known IP rather than taking a risk on new creative films (hence all the live action remakes of Disney films) – Sinners really stands out as something new and creative. It is a movie of two halves. The first half is a social history of the lives of African Americans just at the end of slavery in the US but still living in a world of vile prejudice. The second half is a rip roaring vampire movie! It is so good, and the scene in the barn with the dancing is spine-tingling. Go and watch it! Actually, just revised my score from 9/10 to 10/10!

2. A real pain 10/10

This came out back in January – often when the best films are released in my recent experience! This is a superb exploration of trauma and mental health. I felt Cieran Culkin definitely deserved the Oscar for his performance.

3. I swear 9/10

This is an excellent film that has really stayed with me. It tracks the life of John Davidson (now in his 50s) and his experiences of living with Tourette Syndrome and his work to raise awareness about it. One of the best things in the film is the period detail – especially when he goes to the cinema in 1983 and they show the old Flake advert! A highly recommended, life-changing movie.

4. The ballad of Wallis Island 8/10

This is a lovely, gentle British comedy about a superfan who’s become a millionnaire inviting his favourite band (a couple who have now split up) to play one reunion gig on his island. What the band don’t know is that the gig is for an audience of one. It has a superb original music soundtrack and is a real delight.

5. A House of Dynamite  9/10

When I was a teenager we were all obsessed with the idea of nuclear war. We read books like Z for Zechariah and Children of the Dust. It was a threat that was over all our heads in the 80s and 90s. Then it went quiet.

Nuclear Anxiety is back in this new gripping thriller from Kathryn Bigelow. I couldn’t tear my eyes off the screen as the horrific thought of a nuclear strike on a major US city is played out in the same 18 minutes from a number of different perspectives.

6. One battle after another 9/10

This film defies description. Definitely one of the best films I’ve seen this year. It’s 2hrs 50mins but you barely notice as it drags you along in a relentless caper. Something of a commentary on extremism, parenthood and what’s important in life. It has a brilliantly disturbing score by Jonny Greenwood. Best seen on the big screen. If you watch it at home, switch all the lights off and put your phone in another room!

7. The long walk 8/10

There seems to be a real crop of Stephen King stories being made into films at the moment, the guy is so prolific! The Long Walk is based on a book King wrote in 1979. It is set in a dystopian America recovering from a war where a yearly competition takes place for 50 men chosen by lot to walk until only one is left. They have to walk at 3mph or they are ‘eliminated’ (ie, brutally shot).

Rumour has it that the original was a commentary on the Vietnam war and the futility of the loss of young men. This version in 2025 has added poignancy in Trump’s America – particularly after recent events this week.

The film shares some DNA with Stand By Me, the Hunger Games (it’s the same director) and Squid Game. It is simple but highly effective as we watch these men build friendships and talk about what they will do with the prize as they stumble ever forwards.

It is pretty bleak and I wouldn’t rush to see it again but I found it moving and disturbing. Superb performances from the two main leads, Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson (who you might recognise from Industry).

This is a similar story to The Running Man which Edgar Wright recently remade – but it’s a better film in my opinion.

8. Materialists 7/10

Nowhere near the dizzy heights of Past Lives (the director’s last film) but I quite enjoyed this drama. Celine Song is a quality film maker and this has a great soundtrack. It’s a classy romantic comedy and beautifully filmed.

9. Weapons 8/10

Well I really enjoyed this bonkers horror film from the maker of Barbarian. It has its flaws but it gripped me throughout. This is a good time for creative horror films. I think Bring Her Back was a tad better but this one had a lot of laughs where Bring Her Back was very dark.

10. 28 Years Later 9/10

Wow wow wow, absolutely loved 28 Years Later – so much food for thought. It was an absolute belter of a film. It helps if you have seen the first film, 28 Days Later (but you don’t need to bother with the sequel 28 Weeks Later). It’s worth noting that this is the first of a new trilogy – which explains the rather bonkers cliff hanger ending that will only be understood by people over the age of 35. I really loved it.

Also, honourable mentions for these films, listing these made me realise most of these could have made my top 10 as well, it’s been an excellent eclectic year for film:

Pillion 8/10

Wake up dead man (Knives Out) 8/10

Bring her back 8/10

Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro) 8/10

The Mastermind 8/10

The Running Man 7/10

K Pop Demon Hunters 7/10

The Roses 7/10

The life of Chuck 7/10

F1 The Movie 7/10

Friendship 7/10

Heads of State 8/10

Companion 8/10

Mickey 17 8/10