As you'll see if you make it that far, a top 10 simply wasn't enough for me so I've created some new categories to crowbar in a load of other films I really liked. But first, my favourites of the year. You won't agree with me – but then that's half the fun of lists, isn't it?
NB Anything underlined is a link to the film's review.
10. Piranha 3D
I'm going to go out on a (severed) limb here and guess that this probably won't make many people's top films of the year lists. However, I had so much fun watching it that it would have been dishonest of me not to include it. Giant prehistoric man-eating fish get loose at Spring Break and thousands of bikini-ed beauties and buff boys get killed in all manner of hilarious ways. Silly, funny and utterly preposterous, Piranha 3D also has more boobs than your average porn film – and the sequel is apparently due to be called Piranha 3DD. Brilliant.
9. The Social Network
The notion of "Facebook the film" didn't exactly get me excited but with David Fincher at the helm and Aaron "The West Wing" Sorkin on writing duty this is about thrilling as a film about people making a website as it's possible to get. This is a bit of an oddity in that there's hardly anyone to root for but the pacing, performances (Eisenberg and Timberlake especially) and exceptional dialogue makes this hugely entertaining stuff. And if Sorkin doesn't get the Oscar for best screenplay, I'm a monkey's uncle.
8. Panique au Village (A Town Called Panic)
Belgian stop-motion animation with plastic children's toys may not be the biggest genre but this certainly tickled me. Horse, Cowboy and Indian share a house and when an order for bricks goes every so slightly wrong, mayhem ensues. Surreal in the extreme, this is also hilarious – just so long as you embrace your inner child and can cope with subtitles.
7. Un Prophète (A Prophet)
This French film by Jacques Audiard was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars and I couldn't understand why it didn't win... until I saw The Secret In Their Eyes. Still, this is wonderful character study and better than almost every other prison movie ever made. One scene in particular had me hiding behind my hands and overall this is a masterpiece of characterisation and tension.
6. El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret In Their Eyes)
With all the advances in technology it's wonderful to see some simple but brilliant filmmaking being recognised. This Oscar-winning film from Argentina is a tense and fascinating thriller-whodunit-love story and has an astonishing and breathtaking sequence set in a football stadium. Subtle and moving, this is beautifully played and shot. Well worth seeking out.
5. Shutter Island
Sometimes I'm delighted to be dumb. While some people spotted the twist in this Martin Scorsese psychological thriller immediately, I was blissfully unaware until the very end. But even if you're smarter than me, there's a lot to like in Shutter Island. An atmospheric score, some dark but beautiful scenes, intrigue, tension and a cracking performance from Leonardo di Caprio all add up to a truly memorable film.
4. Scott Pilgrim vs The World
A commercial flop, this big-screeen adaptation of a series of Canadian comic books was nevertheless met with approval by Edgar Wright's fanbase. Closer to cult TV series Spaced than Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, this is a simple story (boy meets girl and must defeat her seven evil exes to win her heart) but told in such an imaginative way with such ingenious directorial flourishes that it's impossible not to be impressed. The spectacular fight scenes were actually my least favourite parts but this is such a sweet and funny film, I was happy to overlook them.
3. Monsters
Made on a shoestring almost single-handedly by British special effects expert Gareth Edwards, this is a monster movie virtually without monsters. Despite what the trailers may suggest, this is more of a road trip love story than District 9 or Jurassic Park. Realistic dialogue, naturalistic acting and ace (if minimal) special effects, Monsters is quiet, touching and beautifully shot.
2. Toy Story 3
Oh Pixar, how I love thee so. I confess I was slightly concerned that the third instalment in the fabulous Toy Story wouldn't be as good as the previous two. It wasn't. It was better. Better animation, funnier dialogue, improved characterisation, new, funnier characters and now with added scary bits and an ending that had grown men in tears. Never mind all the technical brilliance, above all else Pixar have totally nailed storytelling which is the key to great movies, be they for adults or children. Toy Story 3 is for anyone with a heart.
1. Inception
Has anyone not seen this? Christopher Nolan's spectacular and inventive film about the subconscious is undoubtedly the most intelligent blockbuster in years. I don't suppose this will be far off many people's top spot this year so while perhaps predictable that's no reason not to include it. It's very rare that a film leaves me thinking about it for hours after, never mind dreaming about it (oh, the irony). Exciting, emotional and with great performances all round, this is a true tour de force.
It's interesting to note that three of my top four films have a British director. Anyway, here are some that didn't quite make the cut but get an honourable mention.
MOST QUIRKY FILM
MicMacs, written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet of Amelie fame, is like a fun-filled, low-tech Mission: Impossible. French comedy isn't for everyone but I found this charming and witty.
BEST KOREAN FILM WITH 'MOTHER' IN THE TITLE
Still in the land of subtitles, Mother by Korean director Bong Joon-ho is one of those quietly powerful films that slowly draw you in hypnotise you with its unique vision.
MOST SUPER SUPERHERO FILM
While I enjoyed Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2, these were both trumped late in the year by the hilarious Megamind. This is the best yet from Dreamworks, simultaneously subverting the superhero genre and being genuinely, laugh-out loud funny.
BEST ANIMATION
Well, apart from Toy Story 3, obviously. This was another good year for 'cartoons', with The Princess and the Frog, How to Train Your Dragon and The Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Gahoole were all very good. However, excluding Megamind (above), it was the terrific Despicable Me that really impressed.
FUNNIEST COMEDY
I didn't catch The Other Guys which some thought was excellent and while I enjoyed She's Out of My League, for me Date Night topped the pile. The pairing of Steve Carell and Tina Fey was as winning a combination as I'd hoped and the script and situations were consistently amusing. Mark Wahlberg was also great.
BEST RE-RELEASE
The restored Metropolis (1927) impressed the hell out of me but I can't see past Back to the Future (1985) as the film I was most pleased to see back on the big screen. For me, it's the perfect film and the Blu-ray trilogy is something I'll be watching for years to come.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
I didn't see many documentaries this year but Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff was a fascinating look at one of Britain's film heroes. With a career behind the camera spanning nine decades, this tells the story of a true artist. They really don't make 'em like Jack anymore.
BEST FILM SET IN BRIGHTON
Down Terrace barely got a theatrical release at all which is a shame because this low-budget British drama has a lot to recommend it. Set almost entirely in a family house, this is possibly the most low-key crime film you'll ever see. Great script, gripping performances and a disturbing blend of comedy and horror make this well worth a look.
BEST HORROR
Having missed out on the highly rated Buried and Frozen, my choice in this genre is a Mexican film called We Are What We Are. As it's about a family of cannibals, I'm still annoyed it wasn't called We Are What We Eat but will let it pass as it's interesting, darkly comic and surprisingly moving for such a horrific subject matter. Can I say it's an acquired taste? No? Fine, do your own jokes.
BEST BAD FILM
No contest here as first (and last?)-time writer director James Nguyen appeared on the scene to bring us Birdemic: Shock and Terror. An homage to (i.e. hopeless remake of) Hitchcock's The Birds, when I saw the trailer I couldn't believe it was for real, that's how bad it is. Seeing the whole thing didn't improve it any but seeing it in a cinema with an up-for-it audience was utterly hilarious and one of my highlights of the year, especially when a section of those present got up and started to dance. So bad it's good, keep an eye out for the DVD release.