A grumpy old veteran (Clint Eastwood) lets his young Hmong neighbour into his solitary life to profound effect.

Touching and full of subtle humour, this film explores how to challenge the prejudices that some people harbour for years. (Clint Eastwood, 2009)

A jewish woman turn's double agent against the Nazis in this Dutch WW2 thriller.

Paul Verhoeven at his best, it is gripping, provocative and stylish, complete with loathsome German officers and a frank examination of the post-war treatment of Nazi collaborators, in particular women. (Paul Verhoeven, 2006)

An unlikely bunch of men attempt to transport a wanted felon (Russell Crowe) across the county as his murderous gang seek to stop them.

A rare thing this film, a well made modern Western, beautifully shot with some gripping action sequences, it doesn't let down the original. (James Mangold, 2007)

A free-running criminal (played by the founder of parkour) and a cop must team up to foil a gang's plot to explode a bomb in a Parisian ghetto.

A hugely entertaining French action movie, featuring some astonishing parkour stunts all completed without wires or CGI, District 13 is as good as dumb thrill rides get. (Patrick Alessandrin, 2009)

A family breaks down in the middle of the desert and must try to survive a murderous clan of cannibals by any means necessary.

Wes Craven's terrifying tale is a horror cult classic with such direct and personal violence make it a difficult for all but those with a strong stomach. (Alexandre Aja, 2006)

A devastating and heartrending story of a enigmatic grizzly bear activist who was killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzlies in Alaska.

Herzog once again chooses fascinating subjects, leaving you to make your mind up on whether they are brave, mad or simply foolish. (Werner Herzog, 2005)

A French gangster and debt collector starts to question his seedy and brutal existence as he explores his talents as a pianist.

A stunning leading performance ties this atmospheric and threatening movie together into a real French classic. (Jacques Audiard, 2005)

A wrongly imprisoned woman is released and in turn goes on a journey of redemption and revenge on those who she thinks wronged her.

Part of the inimitable Old Boy series, this Thriller/Crime is as slick and violent as only Korean films seem to be, and is must-see for fans of the genre. (Chan Wook Park, 2005)

A critical look at the food production industry and all huge costs incurred that are kep a secret from the consumer.

Compelling, intriguing and most of all balanced, this is a fine expose that should be essential viewing for anybody really. (Robert Kenner, 2009)

In the middle of the Spanish Civil War, a young girl escapes the violence by seemingly imagining a bizarre fantasy world.

A masterfully original film from Guillermo Del Toro, it is a strage and brilliant story full of scenes you are not likely to forget. (Guillermo Del Toro, 2006)

Trapped in quarantine in a tenement building with something unspeakably horrible a group of people try to survive.

Told in mockumentary form, this is an absolutely terrifying Spanish horror that will either have you at the edge of your seat or hiding behind it. (Jaume Balaguero, 2007)

A young girl is rescued from the drudgery of her life by a mysterious wizard whose house can move as it pleases.

Visually spectacular as all Studio Ghibli films are, this is a thrilling animated tale full of rich characters and heart. (Hayao Miyazaki, 2005)

An early 1900's oil prospector faces numerous problems drilling in a new area, not least from the fanatical local preacher.

This is a true masterpiece, one of the most impressively made movies in memory, both visually and in its authenticity portraying the era. Daniel Day Lewis is an astonishing lead. (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007)

A prequel to the famous series, tracking the origin stories of all the main characters like Spock, Scotty and of course Captain James Kirk.

Although retaining the humour of the series, this brilliant action-packed sci-fi takes the franchise and makes it blockbuster with superb effects. (J.J. Abrams, 2009)

A couple of American teens backpacking through Europe find themselves in the Eastern Bloc, where their accomodation has some rather brutal hidden costs.

The film by Eli Roth that spawned the term "torture porn", this will have even seasoned horror heads wincing. (Eli Roth, 2006)

An old man goes on a adventure along with an unlikely companion to a paradise filled with talking dogs and prehistoric birds.

Pixar at their absolute finest, this heartfelt and funny examination of growing old and dealing with loss is one of the greatest animations of all time. (Peter Docter, 2009)

The extrordinary life of the troubled World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mike Tyson.

Told with both archive footage and intimate interviews, this is an engrossing movie about a man who had it all far too young and was on a path to self-destruction. (James Toback, 2009)

A Documentary following a French tightrope walker and his quest to traverse the gap between The Twin Towers.

The protagonist is a far richer and more interesting character than any you could invent and his unflinching passion for his art is contagious. (James Marsh, 2008)

A black comedy following a tangled web of CIA agents, gym workers and online dating enthusiasts as they all get the wrong end of the stick leading to some rather severe consequences.

Another Coen brothers star-studded classic with excellent comedic turns from Brad Pitt and George Clooney, look out for Tilda Swinton as well playing the worlds scariest paediatrician. (The Coen Brothers, 2008)

Adapted from a non-fiction book, this film delves into how organised crime in Naples is so endemic that it touches all corners of society.

A brillaint, visceral and difficult movie that holds nothing back while it portrays the frightful world of crime in Naples (Matteo Garrone, 2008)

A high school boy tries to find is estranged ex-girlfriend who is missing after getting mixed up with drugdealers.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a revelation, and the film is smart, cool and utterly engrossing. (Rian Johnson, 2006)

Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica to meet the people living in the least hospitable place on the planet.

A fascinating look at the least known continent and the characters it attracts, as much about human nature as zoological nature. (Werner Herzog, 2007)

The haunting tale of the palestinian massacre perpetrated in the first Lebanon war, as remembered by an Israeli soldier that was there.

Troubling and difficult, this is an original and striking take on a history lesson, as well as an examination on guilt and remorse. (Ari Folman, 2008)

An overblown and over-budget Vietnam movie is struck by serious production probems, so they drop the cast deep into Burma to try and salvage the film....with mixed results.

Although a little cliched (Jack Black's performance is nauseating) there are some brilliant scenes and an unbelievable turn from Tom Cruise, complete with fatsuit and fake hands, that makes the whole movie worth watching. (Ben Stiller, 2008)

An expose on the mass butchery of dolphins in Japan, and the story of the the activists trying to put a stop to it.

A worthy Oscar-winner, though decidely one sided, it plays out like espionage and leaves a decidely bad taste in the mouth when you learn that local schoolchildren are fed the results of the massacre. (Louie Psihoyos, 2009)

The last robot left cleaning up earth alone for the humans who destroyed it stumbles across a sprout of hope.

Never has such life been given to a machine, this is a funny and touching story that deserves its Oscar for tackling the question of our imapct on the world. (Andrew Stanton, 2008)

When the town's prize-winnning vegetables start going missing Wallace and Gromit discover that it is no normal vermin responsible.

Aardman are at their best with this exciting and original story featuring some charming voice-acting and limitless imagination. (Nick Park, 2005)

Poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young girl in Iran set during the Islamic Revolution.

Definitely one to watch when in the mood for something mature and challenging, it is thought provoking and charming. Not an easy watch though. (Vincent Paronnaud, 2007)

A Batman origin story, taking the character we know to new, darker places as Bruce Wayne must battle with his own demons before helping Gotham.

Christopher Nolan breathes new life into a world most thought people thought beyond redemption (George Clooney!?) with a stunning action movie. (Christopher Nolan, 2005)

The story of a Shaft-like martial art expert, ex-CIA Casanova cop, as he fights his way up the drug-dealing chain in flares and and an afro.

One of the funniest films of the last decade, it lovingly mocks the slew of 70s crime tv and cinema, with dozens of instant classic quotes, one pimp claims to be"smoother than cream corn, stick with me baby, I'll have you farting through silk". (Scott Sanders, 2009)

A family turning their new home into a place for disabled children mysteriously lose their own son.

Both poignant and terrifying, as well as being quite original, this Spanish horror will stay with you for a long time. (Juan Antonio Bayona, 2007)

Some thugs hiding out in the countryside near Paris choose the wrong back road hotel. This French film is dark and then some with violence that will disturb even a seasoned horror veteran.

Think Hostel with an inbred Nazi family who love torture and you're in the ballpark. (Xavier Gens, 2007)

A priest's life descends into a nightmare after participating in a medical experiment.

A fresh take on the vampire genre this fascinating Korean horror with all the gore that has become a signature of its country of original (Chan Wook Park, 2009)

Haunted house happenings told in a (then) uniquely intimate way through a couples home video.

Made for pennies this a real horror success story and has more thrills and tension than many hollywood attempts with 1000x its budget. (Oren Peli, 2009)

A South Korean army unit go looking for a missing platoon and find that war is not the only horror out there.

Atmospheric tension builds in this slow-burn picture that is deeply unsettling and a rare thing in horror, original. (Su-chang Kong, 2005)

A crafty fox thinks up a splendidly eloborate scheme to rob three dastardly farmers of their produce.

A brilliant imagining of the classic Roald Dahl tale told in gorgeous stop-motion with George Clooney voicing the title character. (Wes Anderson, 2009)

When a loveable stoner impregnates a girl way out of his league on a one night stand they do everything they can to make things work.

Seth Rogan is at his bumbling best in this thoughtful comedy with a hilarious supporting cast of future stars. (Judd Apatow, 2007)

A film set in present-day Johannesburg, except there is an alien population in the city from a broken spaceship in the sky. Trust us, it works.

With excellent effects, a gripping story and an incredible central performance from the unknown Sharlto Copley, this is one of the most original sci-fi films of the last ten years. (Neill Blomkamp, 2009)

In the future a solar power station on the moon is manned by just one worker (Sam Rockwell), and his lonely existance starts to make him doubt reality.

An excellent, personal movie, eerily shot and expertly imagined. (Duncan Jones, 2009)

Two skilled magicians (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman) form a destructive rivalry as each tries to outdo the other.

A brilliantly intelligent and engaging film from Christopher Nolan with an astonishing ending that will have you wanting to re-watch immediately. (Christopher Nolan, 2006)

A sharp and entertaining Documentary about the spectacular failure of Enron and those who perpetuated it.

A brilliant Documentary it will fascinate and outrage in equal measure while unravelling a complicated disaster. (Alex Gibney, 2005)

An inspired rodent chef teams up with a bumbling young busboy to create incredible cuisine in a Parisian restaurant.

Touching and hilarious in equal turns this is stellar Animation from Pixar that was well worth it's Oscar and will leave your stomach grumbling. (Brad Bird, 2007)

The Hollywood adaptation of Infernal Affairs it is the story of two moles (the human kind) in Boston, one in the mafia and the other in the police force.

The film that finally got Marty Scorcese his oscar, it is a tense and twist filled criminal Thriller/Crime full of brilliantly acted characters. (Martin Scorsese, 2006)

A dark French Thriller/Crime, following a man who has been led to believe his murdered wife is still alive.

Compelling cinema, with a heart-wrenching plot of shame and secrets, delivered with haunting suspense. (Guillaume Canet, 2009)

The tale of a serial womaniser who specialises in taking out girls post break-up for the worst dates of their lives to drive them back to their exes.

Excellent gross-out comedy, as long as you can put up with Dane Cook, who let's be honest is just AWFUL. (Howard Deutch, 2008)

A virus had killed almost the entire world and doctor Will Smith is the last man alive in Manhatten trying to find a cure, but he is not entirely alone....

Based on the sci-fi classic by Richard Matheson, this is a fantastic looking adaptation with a strong performance from Will Smith. (Francis Lawrence, 2007)

The story of a Stazi officer who becomes strangely fascinated by the East German artist he is spying on.

A bold and brilliant German film that looks at the human side of the endemic oppression in Eastern Berlin during the Cold War. (Florian Henckel-Donnersmarck, 2006)

Three nerdy kids determined to at least party hard once before college find it harder than you think.

An instant classic, launching the careers of all the young stars, this is real laugh-out-loud Yank comedy of the highest order. (Greg Mottola, 2007)

Who is the best in the world at the original arcade game Donkey Kong? Lets find out.

Strangely engrossing mainly due to the heartfelt passion of the competitors and the bizarre conspiracy behind the cultish following who regulate the competition. (Seth Gordon, 2007)

A serial killer in San Francisco leaves cryptic clues about his indentity that soon have two detectives obssessed in the quest to catch him.

A slow and tense Thriller/Crime that examines the toll that it takes when people let things take over their lives, with very strong acting too. (David Fincher, 2007)