filmbore wants you! The Results

Part One

Phew, that took a long time! Well, the moment is finally here. After a ridiculous amount of prioritising (and procrastinating!), the votes are in and the decisions are made.

For the benefit of those that missed out on my (months long) quest to create the ultimate list, here's a run down: for the inaugural year of filmbore's existence a total of 52 reviews were published in the pick-of-the-week segment of the site. Ranging from small British indies, to European art house, to challenging English language head-scratchers, to twists on known genres, to to unknown foreign-language hidden gems, year one was a spectrum of the quality of film available to you if you dig through the crates a little.

And, to honour filmbore's first birthday I wanted to create a Top 20 of the best of them. Not of my reviews (I'm not that arrogant!) but of the pieces themselves. Which of these 52 films is the finest?

I began by reminding everyone of each picture in sections by month, taking in feedback from yourselves through this site and through facebook. And why? Because this list is not just decided by myself... where your argument has been sound, I have taken into account your views. Your opinions and votes have influenced the Top 20.

Now, I have to add that a few films still didn't quite make it into the list I'm afraid. But, some have managed to push out a couple of my original choices, so I have taken your points seriously. A few outsiders will get honourable mentions throughout these two posts however, so not all is lost.

In the list below, each title is a link into the review in question, so please take the time to go and have a look. I must pre-warn you...some of these were written in my first weeks as an amateur critic, so hold judgement on the quality of blogging... I just hope I've got better!

Finally, I just want to say thanks for your patience with this. I'm glad I finally got to the end. 

So, without further ado...filmbore wants you! now counts down numbers 20 to 11...did your choice make the cut?

WARNING! Mild spoilers and seriously awesome films are just ahead!

20. Neds (2010)

Slipping under the British film radar, this raw, true-life influenced drama is a heady window into the intense violence in 1970's Glasgow. Peter Mullan pours some of his own life into the character of John McGill, portrayed furiously by up-and-coming star Conor McCarron.

19. The Kid With A Bike (2011)

No ultimate list is complete with a piece from the Dardenne brothers! Belgian cinema has always been faithful and this delivers in both the stunning performances and the beautiful camera work. You'll fall in with Thomas Doret's Cyril in the first few minutes, and Cécile De France is just magnetic.

18. The Secret In Their Eyes (2009)

This surprise Oscar winner (beating Jacques Audiard's A Prophet) from Argentina packs when hell of a thriller's punch. This dark yet rich story will encapsulate you not only in its chilling plot device but by the enigmatic chemistry between our two leads in Ricardo Darin and Soledad Villamil. A deserved winner!

17. Waltz With Bashir (2009)

Ari Folman's docu-film is unforgettable. His own experiences from the Lebanese War paints the backdrop to this real life detective story. He has gaps in his memories during this horrific period and interviews fellow soldiers to fill gaps. Yet, it's fully animated (beautifully may I add) and even has time for a little humour.

 

16. Troll Hunter (2010)

This was popular with you voters! Originally, this just sat outside the Top 20 but your feedback has elevated to 16th in the list. This is the greatest example of found-footage features you will find, with self-referential humour, bags of charm and crazy trolls. And all of the back of a joke about Norway's pylons!

Honourable mention

Cell 211 was the first film I reviewed on filmbore. A cracking Spanish drama but was bumped of the list by a couple of films voted by yourselves.

15. Primer (2004)

If you love a good thinker and have a penchant for time travel, you won't get more confused and messed-up than when watching Shane Carruth's Primer. Minuscule budget, film makers as actors, incredibly original idea. You'll be scratching your noggin over this one for years!

14. Goodbye Lenin! (2003)

You will have all seen Daniel Brühl at breakneck speed in Rush last year but in his younger days he wowed in some incredible German and Austrian pictures, best of which is Goodbye Lenin! It's an incredibly sweet and comical film when considering the source material and truly unique in its premise.

13. Dead Man's Shoes (2004)

I'm a sucker for a good Shane Meadows film. Where many of you are probably more familiar with This is England, here you find a darker, deeper more moving piece about brotherly and revenge. Paddy Considine's Richard is astounding and Toby Kebbel is beautiful as his troubled brother Anthony.

12. Tell No One (2006)

A cracking thriller with laughs, action and one of the most emotional finishes of any film you'll see. If you, or someone you know, needs an intro into world cinema, this is one of the finest choices you can make. This film is fun, sad and charming, showing that you'll do anything for those that you love.

11. The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Guillermo Del Toro is now a stamp of approval in the movie industry for creative eye-opening film making. Yet, he was doing this before he was a household name. This, one of his earlier films, is a prime example of the journey he will embark upon, as all his trademarks are on show in this delicious mix of genres.



So that's it for Part 1. Keep your eye out for the final Top 10 of filmbore wants you! coming to blog near you soon!


Do you agree with the choices so far? Think that some are placed too low or too high? In hope that your favourites are in the next part? Or just fancy a bit of a rant in general?

Then post your comments below and get the debate going. Alternatively, you can email me directly at filmborewantsyou@filmbore.co.uk, comment on my facebook page or tweet me @filmbore.