It shouldn't need saying, but obviously, I haven't had chance to see every movie released this year and living thirty miles away from the nearest city and having to put up with a crummy mainstream multiplex I don't get to see as many art-house or foreign language films as I would like. So before you comment calling me a philistine, that's why Amour is absent from the list.
P.S. This is based on UK release dates and all movies did come out in 2012. If you live in the US or Canada some of these may have come out in 2011, or if you live on Guernsey you might be getting them in four years time.
In ascending order:
10. Jeff, Who Lives at Home
Jeff, Who Lives at Home is something you seldom see, and that's an intelligent stoner comedy that takes a realistic and non-partisan look at recreational drug use, but is ultimately a film about family, relationships and destiny.
9. The Innkeepers
Ti West's supernatural horror is a slow burner, but what's at the end of the fuse is a huge stick of dynamite. Great characters, great atmosphere, great direction and a great film of 2012.
8. Tiny Furniture
Take the wit of Woody Allen and mix it with everything that's great about Diablo Cody and what you'll get is Lena Dunham and her courageously honest comedy, Tiny Furniture. Although the film narrowly avoids becoming annoyingly quirky at times, it still avoids it and turns out to be one of the indie gems of the year.
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson rolls another strike with this bittersweet tale of young love in '60s New England. Beautifully shot, charmingly witty and wonderfully acted from a cast including Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Edward Norton.
6. The Angels' Share
Four Glaswegians serving community service for various crimes and misdemeanors start to turn their lives around when they discover the world of fine whiskey. Unknown Paul Brannigan gives one of the best performances of the year in Ken Loach's latest social realist comedy.
5. The Cabin in the Woods
The Cabin in the Woods is a satire of the horror genre with so many twists and turns you'll never be bored. Written by Buffy creator and Avengers Assemble director Joss Whedon and directed by Cloverfield's writer Drew Goddard, The Cabin in the Woods is one of the year's most fun filled films.
4. Cosmopolis
Many of David Corenenberg's famed themes are present in his 2012 film Cosmopolis, about a young billionaire and his journey though a crumbling city as he makes his way to get a haircut. Robert Pattinson superb in this neon cyberpunk drama.
The first of two very different movies on this top ten about cults, this nerve-racking flashback thriller sees up-and-comer Elizabeth Olsen struggle to adjust with normal life after having spent a damaging amount of time living with an abusive cult.
2. The Master
It was a five year wait for Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, but boy was it worth the wait, intense drama and stunning cinematography make up for lack of a solid conclusion. Three incredible performances in Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix. Also, the best direction of the year.
1. Silver Linings Playbook
The film that I went to see with the lowest expectations turned out to be my movie of the year, fancy that. Hilariously funny, charming and sincere. A film that could have been so cynical or offensive given the subject matter is toned perfectly by director David O. Russell given much help by his superb acting cast who deserve Oscar nominations all-round.
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