187. The Devil Rides Out (Terence Fisher, 1969)
186. The Dungeon Masters (Keven McAlester, 2008)
185. The Beast Must Die (Paul Annett, 1974)
184. The Sentinel (Michael Winner, 1977)
183. Melancholia (Lars von Trier, 2011)
182. Tyrannosaur (Paddy Considine, 2011)
If there’s any one film I’ve seen this year that will stay with me for life, it’s Tyrannosaur, the filmic equivalent of a kick in the stomach. So-called “social realist” films are ever present in British cinema, but often smack of cultural tourism rather than progress. You could look that way at this film; it’s certainly one of the most shocking and uncompromising examples of the genre, but a fascinating study of violence lies under the grit. Peter Mullen’s loose-cannon character Joseph highlights the circular nature of violence, every bit a product of his environment, and Eddie Marsden’s abusive husband provoked such violent impulses in me that I felt myself implicated in that cycle; such is the power of his performance, I highly doubt I am alone or even unusual in this. Though he indulges in some unfortunately heavy-handed symbolism on a couple of occasions, Considine’s directorial voice is remarkably assured for a first time feature director, and he coaxes what I fully expect to be regarded as classic performances from Mullen and Olivia Coleman. Though not a roaring success at the box office, Tyrannosaur is the crowning glory of a fine year for British cinema.
181. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (Stephen Chiodo, 1988)
180. Transylvania 6-5000 (Ruby De Luca, 1985)
179. Pootie Tang (Louis C.K., 2001)
178. Heart of Glass (Werner Herzog, 1976)
