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Lion - Garth Davis (2016) Here's a film that I'd suggest you see with no prior knowledge of the content. The title gives no clue to the story, I initially had a vague idea that it was a film about lions. I thought it was great and even forgave the ten kleenex ending, as everything that had gone before made it the only logical way to end the remarkable film of an even more remarkable true story. Recommended.

Slide Hampton Cheapskate Tonya Harding

Paterson - Jim Marmusch (2016) Quite and contemplative, I loved it. I could have happily watched it again. Golshifteh Farahani is adorable. The Edge Of Seventeen - Kelly Fremon Craig (2016) Head and shoulders above the usual teenage angst stuff. Watched it mainly for Hailee Steinfeld, who was brilliant in True Grit, and it exceeded expectations. Reminded me a bit of Juno.

The Ikettes The Raelettes The Ronettes

The Ruggles Of Red Gap Barretts Of Wimpole Street The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

Denial - Mick Jackson (2016) A great cast working with a beautifully written script, I really liked this . Recommended.

Allied - Robert Zemeckis (2016) Thought the first part in France was interesting but it fell apart on return to UK. Devolved into a love story with implausibilities everywhere and the twist spotted a mile off. Marion Cotillard is always good but Brapi ( his Japanese nickname) very wooden and by the numbers. Underwhelming.

I liked the two new ones as much, if not more. The original was a classic but things went downhill after that.

Gene Tunney Charley Tuna Buster Crabbe

Hans Solo John Singleton Herman's Hermits

Miss Sloane - John Madden (2016) Jessica Chastain does Olivia Pope. Story of an obsessive Washington lobbyist was quite good, nowhere near as bad as some of the snooty reviews would have us believe.

Although I generally agree about the incomparability of Sarah, Ella, Billie, Dinah and Carmen, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Rene Marie sound pretty good to me

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Catherine Of Aragon Anne Of the Thousand days

Abominable Snowman Filthy McNasty The Hateful Eight

Loving - Jeff Nichols (2016) True 1950's story of a couple victimized by Virginia's vile apartheid laws. Too underpowered for me. I see what he director was aiming for but found it low key to the point of nonchalance.

Erroll Garner Terri Garr Andrew Garfield

Apple Scruffs Lemon Pipers Tangerine Dream

Buffalo Bill Wile E Cayote Bungalow Bill

Anything but bloody La La Land ! Overpraised, over rated mediocrity, this years ' Crash'. Should be a total shoo-in to sweep the board. Of the contenders that I've seen, Moonlight was the most impressive. Direction, acting, screenplay all superb plus that indefinable quality of connecting on a deeper level that makes a film a classic. That would be my pick for best film. However, the way Brokeback Mountain was snubbed suggests films about gay people are not likely winners, even though his sexuality was not the focus of the film. I liked Hidden Figures too but it has no chance of winning. Hacksaw Ridge was superb , visually, technically as good as it gets with a very strong message, well executed about the value of life and ones convictions. Still Hollywood hates Gibson so it has no chance. Manchester By The Sea was very good but will end up ignored as was his previous gem, Margaret. Arrival was great but they never give best film award to SF.

Jackie - Pablo Larraín (2016) Sombre portrait set in and around the assassination, framed as an interview with flashbacks. Natalie Portman is excellent in a complex, multi faced, chainsmoking performance. The wife and I both had a little trouble catching her throaty, breathy diction. Great music that reminded me of There Will Be Blood. A must see.

Mississippi John Hurt Sanders Of The Nile Rhinestone Cowboy

Pal Joey Buddy Guy Rupert Friend

Ginger Baker Mr Bean Soup Nazi

Desmond Drummond Desmond Dekker Karen Black

It had a problematic production history resulting in a theatrical version that left the director unhappy. A longer version was made available that was more coherent, fleshed out and better all round. I'm quite sceptical about the merits of ' extended versions' but in this case it is clearly better.