Langelund

To me both the most purely satisfying and complex movie experience of 2012 - and rarely has the 'you've never seen anything like this!'-cliche felt more fitting. Equally beautiful to watch and inspiring to experience, the Taviani brothers succeed in showcasing human beings instead of convicted demons - without sympathizing with their bad deeds, as illustrated perfectly in the last line: "Ever since I became acquainted with art my cell turned into a prison".

95 _97%

Wings of Desire (1987) - Rated 19 Feb 2012

For a moment makes you truly appreciate being alive, the presence of the now and the magic of movies. Without turning sentimental or manipulative. A revelation.

60 _47%

Moneyball (2011) - Rated 19 Dec 2011

Sorkin's tightly written script never dissects the main premise in a way that baseball novices - like myself - fully comprehend what the heck Pitt's tense coach Beane is changing about baseball. It's something important about numbers and statistics, and it's wrapped up in intellectual nuances without the typical cliched pathos of sports movies - thanks! - but it never really got to me. Thus, no home run.

70 _67%

Brave (2012) - Rated 01 Sep 2012

Liked the Obviously Lesbian Princess part better than the Grizzly Mom half which felt like a 2.0 version of 'Brother Bear'. Anyway, a decent Pixar pic is still way preferable to most animated features.

40 _23%

Les Misérables (2012) - Rated 12 Jan 2013

Deep respect for Hooper's guts and willingness to take risks but, sadly, his version of what in my opinion is the greatest of the great stage musicals feels like a strangely rushed and emotionally forced tv-series. The characters are blown up in your face spilling their hearts out before you even get to know them, and though the method of live singing brings an authentic feeling it also drains the melody from too many of the songs. Oh, and Hathaway? Crybaby of the year.

55 _39%

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) - Rated 08 Jul 2011

Finally. After ten years of foreplay the saga of Harry Potter reaches its cinematic climax - and it's pretty damn explosive. Part 2 is pure fights, chases and wizardry war - an avalanche of action. Sadly, the big row falls short compared to modern classic spectacles like Saving Private Ryan's Omaha Beach or The Two Towers' Helm's Deep, and - even worse - director Yates loses sight of his characters and with them the much praised heart and soul of the franchise. An epic letdown.

80 _84%

Hanna (2011) - Rated 10 Jul 2011

In an almost Kubrick way of fashion Joe Wright knows how to mix and match sound with pictures like few living directors. 'Hanna' is yet another proof and depicts new and quirky sides of his immense talent flirting with Lynch-surrealism and challenging several filmmaking conventions. The story is bordering of non-existing but every piece of frame and audio demands - and deserves - your utmost attention. Plus, of course, behold the brilliance of Saoirse Ronan - the world's #1 rising star by far.

100 _99%

The Passion of the Christ (2004) - Rated 06 Apr 2012

Like or hate Gibson, but rarely has any director in history felt so passionate about his movie - and it shows. In e v e r y single frame, piece of sound and acting performance. The result? One of the most powerful and challenging moviegoing experiences I have ever encountered. I literally couldn't feel my legs when I left the cinema scarred and bruised for life.

55 _39%

Melancholia (2011) - Rated 18 May 2011

Neither the absolutely breathtaking opening montage or a tender and humorous moment here and there in the first half can - sadly - save 'Melancholia' from leaving a somewhat indifferent and disappointing overall impression. Make no mistake, I'm a huge admirer of von Trier, but for the first time he doesn't really scratch through the surface or challenge the viewer. Instead you're left with surprisingly few impressions, thoughts and wonderments to linger on - in one word: 'Meh'.

90 _94%

Braveheart (1995) - Rated 04 Oct 2008

[blu-ray re-watch]: No wonder it took Gibson three months to physically recover from both starring in and directing this massive powerhouse. More than 15 years later his efforts still shines - looking better on bluray than ever. 'Braveheart' is epic, old-fashioned and first-classed craftsmanship led by the needed passion and madness of its director. It truly stands the test of time.