Feature - Doccortex's Top Ten Films of 2011

Here we go with Doccortex's favourite films that he's seen this year. Same rules apply as for mine in the previous post. I'll let him tell you all about them (but I still can't quite believe he managed to get a Cheaper by the Dozen reference into obscurendure; the whole site will need a thoroughly good scrubbing with Domestos/napalm now):

10 Ink

A weird blend of sci-fi, fantasy and children's television drama. Not one of the best, but pound for pound it's possibly one of the best 'effects' films ever made.

9. The Lovely Bones 

 

Unfashionable and not an obscurendure film, but possibly the scariest film I've ever seen. The creepy guy makes Lupin the Third look like Mother Theresa. Admittedly some of the 'heavenly' backgrounds look a bit like PC Wallpaper, but overall this is well worth a watch even for obscure fans.

8. Elite Squad

 

Streetwise cops, guns, drugs, torture and dancing to 'Shiny Happy People' combine in this gritty, brutal tale of everyday life in Rio. A mainstream hit in Brazil and it even has a story!

7. Monsters 

 

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this slow paced, sci-fi journey across South America. The monsters are low-key but beautifully created on the cheap by the director. The 'making of' extra on the DVD is well worth a watch too.

6. The Carriers

I just couldn't resist another low-key tale of global destruction. The Carriers is a journey into a future virus infected world that basically does what it says on the tin. The eldest sister out of Cheaper by the Dozen is the pick of the actors.

5. Frontiers

Not one for the faint-hearted but the best attempt yet at gritty/horror crossover. Brutal, bloody and gut-wrenching but still maintains a sense of humour.

4. Kick Ass 

 

Again not the usual obscurendure film, but I really enjoyed this knock-about super hero caper. Evlkeith's read the comic and wasn't all that impressed, but if you come to it cold, its a breath of fresh air for us grit fans.

3. Splice

This is standard b-movie material, but strangely engaging and atmospheric. Apart from 'Dren', all the acting is useless, the plot is ropy and the timescale preposterous, however the overall film is way better than the sum of its parts.

2. Time Crimes 

 

Middle aged, sweaty time travelling fun on a budget. Hector roams around rural Spain causing all kinds of rifts in the space/time continuum and all because he spots a naked lady in his binoculars.

1. Angel A 

 

I'm not sure why I like this as much as I do. It's like a gritty version of a 1950s black and white comedy drama, but presented in the most visually striking way imaginable. Both actors relish their moments in the spotlight so much that the whole thing turns out to be a gritty little joy-fest.

Doccortex