Wall

Oh, the eternal problem with critics' best of the year polls: the critics include films which haven't yet been put on general release. Okay, so you saw them this year, in this instance, probably at the London Film Festival - so did I, mostly, as it happens - but that doesn't make them films of this year. Films they've seen for the first time this year, perhaps, yes. Films 'of' this year. No. (And yes, they do pay attention to dates, because they rarely include re-releases of films which they might only have caught for the first time this year, now, do they?) There's a whiff of the high priest about it. Or the playground boast.

Aflwydd

10Dec10

The obsession of film critics with cultural and social relevance rears its head again.

Dimitris Psachos

10Dec10

"A Ruiz film in a critics' end-of-year "Best of" list!?!?!?!?!? That hasn't happened since "Time Regained" (1999)." which is funny since Time Regained is one of the least intriguing Ruiz films. not disastrous like some of his recent output but completely disoriented, even in the otherworldly enchantment of the novels.

ExperimentoFilm

3Dec11

COFRALANDES (2002) and DIAS DE CAMPO (2004) are two late masterpieces you would love, Dimitris!!

Frank W

2Dec10

Haven't seen the Social Network yet, but Uncle Boonmee has been my favourite film of the year so far. Copie Conforme and Another Year were good, but shouldn't be that high up the list I think.The Ghost Writer was really horrid. Japanese film hasn't been that bad this year. I thought Kakera was quite good, so was Miyoko and and I've yet to see a few of them, like Wakamatsu's Catterpillar. Another great Thai film: Mundane History, should also be up here. The list could also use more documentary film. Still a few films on there I have to check out and helpful as suggestions. Looking forward to Hong's Hahaha as well.

Jack Lehtonen

2Dec10

Disappointed by the low placement of Film Socialisme. As much as I loved The Social Network, both Socialisme and Uncle Boonmee were better. Oh well, it's just a list. Thanks for this Kenji.

Orpheusfx

30Nov10

Thanks for posting.

Kenji

30Nov10

It wasn't in the officially announced top 10/12, but by scouring the individual lists i found it did pretty well

ExperimentoFilm

30Nov10

A Ruiz film in a critics' end-of-year "Best of" list!?!?!?!?!? That hasn't happened since "Time Regained" (1999).

Kenji

30Nov10

I undertand your frustration, Dimitris but at least Anglophone films were in the minority.

Dimitris Psachos

29Nov10

"3 from the Balkans, Dimitris" Puiu's is the only legitimate. Of the rest...how obvious, a film about Nicolae Ceauşescu. In addition to that, what was he last time they added a Greek film and by whom? Oh, Theo? OK...and Dogtooth was the one chosen after all these "sterile" years, I guess even the names you mentioned Kenji DON'T watch films. If they did, they'd have walked by Salonika or Sarajevo as well, two of the biggest Balkan festivals so they could actually DISCOVER films. Kiarostami admirers is not an excuse enough for what is probably the worst Kiarostami film I've seen. I thought the Prophet was 2009. I've also seen the Polanski one....bad to the bone. Do I have any anticipation for Apichatpong and Lee? Yes...but that's not improving my disdain for the overall list.

Sherlock Jr.

29Nov10

Would have bet on Uncle Boonmee topping the list, but hey. Very glad Dogtooth showed up. Thanks so much kenji

Iw Petch

29Nov10

Uncle Boonmee is probably the best here.

Srikanth Srinivasan

29Nov10

Thanks for this Kenji. Is there anyway we can get the individual lists or at least the list of critics who participated? Cheers!

Jose Sarmiento Hinojosa

29Nov10

I... think I've seen all of these movies. But to put Social Network first... no fucking way.

David Ehrenstein

29Nov10

Unless somehting unforseen comes along. . . My 2010 List: Film Socialisme, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, The Ghost Writer, Howl, I Am Love, L’Enfer de l’Henri-Georges Clouzot, Guy and Madeleine on a Park Bench, The Social Network, The City of Your Final Destination, The Kids Are All Right. ALso: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Le Refuge, Fair Game, Last Address, Soul Kitchen.