2011 is well and truly over. It's that time of the year when every blogger, Youtuber.... EVERYBODY does a list of their favourite films or releases of the year. I thought that since I have already done this on Youtube I would do a kind of follow up on the blog. For anyone who hasn't watched the video or any of my videos I will embed it down below for you guys to check out (subscribe if you haven't done so already or your 2012 WILL definitely be over!). In a nutshell, this year has been OK for releases. A lot of stuff didn't interest me. A lot of stuff was too expensive. A lot of stuff became hard to find but I am pretty happy with how my collection of titles released this year. They didn't make the list but one of my favourite labels this year has to be the mighty Arrow. I could have filled the list with Arrow titles but I though... EVERYONE loves Arrow so they didn't make it. So without further or do, let's get started.
5. BFI Dual Format release of Alice directed by Jan Svankmajer (1988)
This is at number 5 because I actually haven't got round to watching it yet. Yes, starting off with a title I own but haven't watched yet. Why is it on the list you ask? It's packed full of special features and short films, it looks amazing on the shelf and from the clips I have seen, it looks and sounds gorgeous. The BFI release so many great, high quality editions of some fantastic films. Everything from the Post Office documentaries of war time England to recent European gems. The BFI is great full stop and this will not be the last film I pick up from their back catalogue.
4. Camera Obscura DVD release of Libidomania by Bruno Mattei (1979)
5. BFI Dual Format release of Alice directed by Jan Svankmajer (1988)
This is at number 5 because I actually haven't got round to watching it yet. Yes, starting off with a title I own but haven't watched yet. Why is it on the list you ask? It's packed full of special features and short films, it looks amazing on the shelf and from the clips I have seen, it looks and sounds gorgeous. The BFI release so many great, high quality editions of some fantastic films. Everything from the Post Office documentaries of war time England to recent European gems. The BFI is great full stop and this will not be the last film I pick up from their back catalogue.
4. Camera Obscura DVD release of Libidomania by Bruno Mattei (1979)
I bloody adore this film! As soon as I found out that there was a proper release of this film coming out, I had to pre order it as soon as possible and boy was I right to do so. This is one of Bruno Mattei's fantastic mondo films and in my opinion, the greatest mondo film of all time. What makes this release so special is the love and effort gone into it. Packed full of features like deleted scenes, trailers, an essay and an amazing audio commentary. It is also one of the nicest looking packages I have seen for a while with it's fantastic contemporary looking slipcover art. The picture and sound is really nice as well, especially for a film like this. One of the greatest things I have bought all year!
3. Blue Underground 2 disc bluray of Zombie by Lucio Fulci (1979)
Another one of my all time favourites. Fulci for me is one of the greatest directors of all time. This is one of the greatest films of all time and Blue Underground have created one of the finest horror bluray's from this year. This film has never looked or sounded so good. Packed to it's undead rim with special features (most of them ported from different releases) and presented beautifully with a great cover design and an amazing slipcover. This is a must for all horror fans. Especially due to the fact that it's a multi region blu and is also on DVD so everyone can enjoy it. Take note all you labels out there. This is how it's done!
2. Distribpix 2 disc DVD of Radley Metzger's The Private Afternoons Of Pamela Mann (1974)
This is a special title for me. Not just because this was kindly given to me for review from Ste at Distribpix but because this now one of my all time favourite adult features from porn's greatest era. This is a sublime release that again, companies should take note. This is how you release a film full stop. Especially all you companies that distribute "legitimate" films. This presented beautifully. Packed again with some amazing special features (I mean come on! Porn commentary tracks!? Yes please!) and not not only that but it looks and sounds fantastic. A restoration done right. The film itself is just as amazing. A real gem in my collection and boy I can't wait for the release of Naked Came The Stranger now! Not for everyone but all my fellow classic smut fans... you HAVE to buy this!
1. Blaq Out 3 disc set of Rubber by Quentin Dupieux (2010)
That's right gang. Rubber takes the top spot. I adore this film. This film is probably the best film I have seen in recent years. Terribly underrated and horribly misunderstood by the majority of the people who watched it. I really got this film, I enjoyed the wackiness, I enjoyed the awesome special effects. I found this film genuinely funny and totally appreciated the satire and message. Not only that but it is shot beautifully and has a great soundtrack from Quentin and Gaspard Auge. If you love Oizo, then you will truly appreciate this. The edition I picked up is just amazing. It works as a great edition and also as a great design piece thanks to brilliant artwork from SO ME. This French edition totally wipes the floor with the generic American and UK release. The third disc is Quentin's first film; Nonfilm which again I love. Nice special features too including the best interview I have ever seen. Words can't describe how much I love this addition to my collection. It just had to have top spot!
So there you have it guys. There is my top 5 releases from 2011. I'd do some honourable mentions but that would take all bloody day! For anyone who is interested, feel free to check out my video version of this list. Go out and buy them all. You have to!
PDx
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