I'm mainly thinking of the summer films, but overall I think it's been a pretty good year for the cinema. We've had Ironman, Hellboy II, The Dark Knight, and a few others that slip my mind but I remember thinking 'oo, I should go and see that'.

I saw Hellboy II last night, and thought it was just as good as the first one, possibly even better; however, if you didn't like the last one then this won't change your mind. Del Toro has a great eye for composing shots, and his use of colour is brilliant. His creature designs are as strong as ever and gets given a full chance to fly free in this film.

So, what have you liked so far this year?

(No spoilers please, start another thread if there's anything spoiler-ish that you want to talk about in a particular film.)

I have spent most of my life this year at the cinema. Sadly, most of that time has been spent selling tickets and serving popcorn, but I have managed to squeeze in about sixty films. Fear not, I won't be discussing all of them here. I mean, I started to write a massive epic, but I think instead I'll just list a few films I thought were awesome, a few I thought sucked and then I'll write about the ones you probably didn't watch. This serves two purposes: 1. I hope to encourage you to see great films you might otherwise have missed. 2. I get to be all elitist about films.

Brilliant films this year that you should have seen already: Juno, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, Hellboy 2, Wall-E, Kung Fu Panda, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Charlie Wilson's War.

Really bad films I hope you missed: The Oxford Murders (sorry Dariakaze), 10,000 BC, AvP: Requiem, You Don't Mess With The Zohan.

Films that should have been good but weren't. These aren't necessarily bad, you could just taste all the wasted potential: The Mummy 3, Vantage Point, The Golden Compass, The Happening.

The very best film so far this year though is Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes' darkest of dark comedies, In Bruges. It came out on DVD last week, I think, so go get it now.

Pushed back to a 2008 release in the UK because of the Madeleine McCann news cycle, Ben Affleck proves that as annoying as he is in front of a camera, he's pretty good behind one with Gone Baby Gone, a film in which ugly people shout at each other, moral grey areas are explored and the majority of the cast give oscar worthy performances, Casey Affleck in particular.

The Wachowski Brother's latest offering, Speed Racer is not a good film but it is a very enjoyable film. All its attempts at humour fall flat, but the film is a visual delight: the fights and the races are both incredibly well choreographed and fortunately, these take up most of the film.

The most moving film of the year so far is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, the true story of a magazine editor who suffered a stroke leaving him paralysed and could communicate only through blinking. Oh my god, if there was a dry eye in the house when the lights went up, that person has no soul. I think this is an important film to watch. I think if you only watch one film I recommend here that isn't In Bruges, it should be this one.

Even before it'd been released, the americans had planned a remake of Spanish horror movie [REC·]. Their version is called Quarantine and just watching the trailer I can tell it is nowhere near as good. Using Blair Witch Project style this-is-the-footage-of-an-actual-camera allows the set up for an incredibly tense and claustrophobic film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And unless you speak spanish, you can't look away or you'll miss the subtitles.

Since it was Robert Downey Jr.'s first film after Iron Man, I was expecting many more people to watch Charlie Bartlett, perhaps a spiritual successor to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. All you people who didn't go: you missed out. I think of all the smaller films this year, this one's poor box office takings annoyed me most.

And finally, another triumph for Spanish horror: Juan Antonio Bayona's El Orfanato (The Orphanage) is Pan's Labyrinth with ghosts instead of faeries. So yes, it is not as visually impressive but Del Toro only produced this one, he didn't direct.

Reading Nov's post and thinking "I haven't seen that... or that... or that..." I've realised that I've been to the cinema no times this year and I've seen none of the films either of you mentioned. For some reason this vaguely shocks me.

/kinda spam

Pineapple Express was the best film I've seen so far this year. The Dark Knight was awesome too. Umm.. Step-Brothers sucked. Haven't seen it, but there's also The Mummy. 10,000 BC, Charlie Bartlett... Other movies I'm forgetting..

Oh, and I'm planning on seeing Hamlet 2 and that Star Wars cartoon thing.

It's ok. You can see the only good part of that film here, at 2:13 on the right hand side.

Quality isn't great so I couldn't really tell who was who. Is it Monty that looks up just as the camera cuts back to John Hurt?

Yes

I spotted him immediately! Did he actually get to watch John Hurt? That man is a god. What a wonderful voice.

I've mostly been catching up on films I missed from previous years, so haven't seen much at the cinema. I may check out In Bruges on the recommendation, though.

One thing I did see from this year is the horror-ish film called Teeth, which is absolutely hilarious. Tonally, it's very similar to Ginger Snaps, so if you liked that then you'll enjoy this too. It's very silly and made me laugh out loud more than many comedies ever do. Give it a try! (I now feel very low-brow for recommending this and not an obscure and worthy film instead.)

Tropic Thunder was hilarious. It surprised me as it is a Ben Stiller movie.

I just watched Charlie Bartlett tonight, actually, and I really enjoyed it.

Of course, Juno was an amazing movie, and is one of the very few I actually saved up to buy the dvd of. Ellen Page is amazing in that movie...and sadly, reminds far too many people of me. So naturally, how could I not like it?

And, despite my not liking super-hero type movies, Dark Knight was absolutely brilliant. So much so that I was willing to sit through all two hours twice, letting my butt go numb each time. Just to see Heath Ledger's performance.

There was a bus load of us all going from the same university to be extras. At different points in that scene, you can see Monty, me and our two friends saty next to us And yep! John Hurt has a really lovely voice, and was a really nice guy. He wandered about chatting to people now and again, discussing their studies and whatnot- a bit like Prince Charles.

Elija Wood has terrifying eyes, even in person.


Terrifying.

Aww, I like John Hurt even more now. I've thought he's wonderful since he did The Storyteller with Jim Henson, and you always hope that they're as nice as you want them to be.

Tropic Thunder? I've not even heard of that one. I'm also quite iffy about Ben Stiller films, but Zoolander gives me hope that I might enjoy them. I might check that out.

Haha, I ditto that. Teeth was pretty interesting. Took me a while to figure out why all the guys were screaming. >.<

OMG I SEE MONTY!!! Also, I love Ludwig Wittgenstein.

/spam. movie comments later when it's not so early in the morning.

It was one of the better comedies I've seen recently. Written and directed by Ben Stiller. Cast includes Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Robert Downy Jr. (as a black man) and Jay Baruchel (he was in Knocked Up). Oh, and a really recognizable face *IMDB check* Nick Nolte. He was in Northfork (excellent film).

I'm really iffy about Ben Stiller movies. I enjoyed Zoolander. There are movies he has been in that I enjoyed, but he didn't direct or write them. Also, that doesn't mean I cared for his character or acting.

It was a really ridiculous, silly, off the wall, stoneresque film.

Edit: The reason I don't like Ben Stiller is because he's the same character in every movie. I'd be interested to see him in a different role.

I'll tell you which films were dreadful and should be avoided at all costs:

The new Indiana Jones

The new Mummy

Both of these are tired retreads of old classics. Although, forced to choose, the Indy film is better.

I'm sure there are some gems to be had this year, but I've not seen them yet. Although I did like "Mamma Mia", even if Pierce Brosnan has all the singing ability of a group of tone-deaf six year olds trying to sing 'Avé Maria". But gruffer.

Spoon, I know what you mean about Ben Stiller. I do like his films but he does tend to be a bit one-dimensional. I suppose the same accusation could be levelled at Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell too, who also seem to be in the same films together (or is it just me?)

You may also want to watch Babylon AD as a rental. Loved Vin Deisel, loved the stunt work, and laughed like anything about the evil Canadians. It feels disjointed and there's not a whole lot of plot. Just my own opinion though. Absolutely lovely looking film - if that's all you want in a film.

I agree; Babylon AD looks great but the plot seems more like an excuse to string a load of set pieces together. Apparently it's based on a book, and watching the film you get the sense that yeah, someone somewhere put a lot of thought into a plot and someone somewhere else took most of that stuff out to make more room for guns.

Guy Ritchie's latest, RocknRolla, is pretty good. No Snatch, not even a Lock, Stock..., but still an enjoyable watch.

So, I went to see Mamma Mia. Gods that's an awful film. Even for someone like me who loves musicals, quite likes some abba songs and will usually automatically like any film where Dominic Cooper takes his shirt off.

It's far too predictable and contrived. They fit the actions to the songs way too much, for example Sky picking up a cigar early on and carrying it around all day just so he can hold it up later whilst singing the line "I told you smoking was my only vice".

Oh and Pierce Brosnan really, /really/ can't sing. And Christine Baranski (Tanya) really annoys me.

To be honest there're many films this year that I've already forgotten seeing, such was their impact But some of those that have stuck out are:

Dark Knight- for my money was one of the best movies in the last 2-3 years let alone only this one. I love the Joker's disappearing the pen trick... awesomely, flawlessly wicked.

Iron Man was great too. A little hurried at the end and rushed a tad (needed another 15-20 mins for baddy exposition, expose etc) but I think it captured everything I wanted from it, perhaps more even than Spidey... ?? dunno tho

Also, Hellboy II. I agree with Mata, if you hadn't liked/seen the first it's gonna be lost on you but haveing also seen the interim animated films I was loving this (especially as I saw advanced preview on my birthday).

Hancock... discuss... I liked it a lot although it mooshed about 2/3 comics into a potentially rubbish Will Smith movie ... but it worked in my mind. I fell for it and had a nice time at the flicks because of it. Not ground breaking but again made me giggle, had a good set of action and a sotryline I could connect with.

Upon reflection I enjoyed Indy despite myself. It wasn't trying to hard be good'ol Indy of old but had enough to still firmly be of the same ilk. Trouble is it was a Lucas/Speilberg combo and they've spiralled so far down [potential here] it's scary. They seem to ruin soooo much without even trying... but that's an ill-conceived rant elsewhere.

One I'd recommend (that I saw in '08 so am classing as valid) is Shoot 'Em Up. It's hilarious action. Clive Owen plays it so well and as a tongue in cheek film it works the action jokes in so well... love it.

Hugely disspointed in Golden Compass. Ryn was red, shaking and shouting at the screen at the end... very embarrising ... lost so much potential. Narnia made it up though, I've got to say I did enjoy it.

I'm dubious about tropic thunder but know that i'll ove it in teh wayu I love Naked Gun etc... classic comedy sillyness, perfect to waste an afternoon in the giggles. I don't think it's out for a week or so but should be good. I still need to watch Wanted, X-Files (got really excited but missed them) and BabylonAD (out now for about a week near me) too plus a couple of ones to come so hpefully there'll be more popcorn discussion to come.

And, having said all that, to be fair all I really care about now is Watchmen next year...

I only saw Shoot 'Em Up fairly recently too, and agree entirely - it's one of the best silly action films for many years. I hope that people look back on that film in ten years time and say 'why didn't more people watch that?' A definite action cult classic.

I eventually watched The Golden Compass a couple of weeks ago. That's a couple of hours I'm never going to get back. It wasn't that it was awful, it just wasn't good either. I enjoyed the books because they were well written, not because I actually liked any of the characters, but when you remove the writing you're left with a fairly plain set of people. I thought the books got lost in the third one, and the critique of religion really didn't work very well (organised religion = bad, vague nonsensical spiritual stuff = good?) so personally I didn't think it was much of a loss from the film. That said, the first book wasn't very overtly critical of religion anyway, so I don't see what the fuss was about. My main problem with the film was that the story and characters just weren't interesting enough.

Speaking of things that devolve into nonsense, I liked the X-Files TV series, but the recent film got such bad reviews I thought I'd leave it.

Hancock's trailers gave me a fair warning to wait until it was available elsewhere - the makers of the trailer couldn't seem to make their mind up if they were advertising an action film, a drama, a superhero movie, or a comedy. When the people who make trailers can't even work out what they're advertising then they've either got a work of genius on their hands or a mish mash that doesn't know what it's trying to be. The first reviews suggested that my guess (the latter) was right.

I don't always listen to reviews, but if I've got doubts about something then they are useful for swinging my choice to go and see something. The cinema costs so much money now that I really have to be sure that I'm going to enjoy it to motivate me to go.

I really want to see Wanted! Has anyone else seen it yet? I'm expecting a stylish bit of action nonsense - will I be disappointed?

If you liked Shoot 'Em Up, you'll like Wanted. I went into it expecting it to be good, and I loved it. I know people who went in expecting it to be the best thing ever, and they came out a little disappointed.

And if you liked the X-Files TV series, you'll probably like the new film as all it seems to be is a feature length episode. A fairly average feature length episode. Doesn't need the big screen, you can quite easily wait for it to be shown on TV late night one boxing day in a few years time.

Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder are the two I'm waiting on at the moment.