OK, there was a lot of jostling to get into these coveted slots, but here are the lucky few which made it. The trophies are on their way to some doubtless pleasantly-surprised directors.

10. Children of Men

(Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)

Wow. Chilling tale, wonderful pacing, a relatively unrecognised gem. In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child’s birth may help scientists save the future of humankind. IMDb summary

9. In The Loop

(Armando Iannucci, 2009)

Some industrial strength swearing from Malcolm, but there was a lot more to this film than that. Well, a bit more. The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war. But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing. The US General Miller doesn’t think so and neither does the British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster. But, after Simon accidentally backs military action on TV, he suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington, DC. IMDb summary

8. Looking for Eric

(Ken Loach, 2009)

Just like Mike Leigh (qv), Ken Loach comes out with a quite uplifting drama. I loved every moment. Eric Bishop, a middle-aged postman working for the Manchester sorting office, is going through a dreadful crisis. Having lost all his bearings, Eric soliloquizes face to the poster of his idol, another Eric, French footballer Eric Cantona, when the latter appears just like the genie out of Aladdin’s lamp. IMDb summary

7. Music and Lyrics

(Marc Lawrence, 2007)

Gloriously silly, disposable movie with Hugh’n'Drew doing exactly what they do best, and some hilarious eighties pop reconstructions. Cheery Alex Fletcher lives comfortably in Manhattan off the residuals from his 80’s pop success and reprising his hits at school reunions, theme parks, and state fairs. But those gigs are declining, so he jumps at the chance to write a song and record it with reigning teen idol Cora Corman. Trouble is, he’s good at melodies but needs a lyricist and has less than a week to finish. IMDb summary

6. Team America: World Police

(Trey Parker, 2004)

What were they thinking? A Thunderbirds puppet-based movie which takes the piss out of just about the entire world? Genius. No other word for it. Team America follows an international police force dedicated to maintaining global stability. Learning that power hungry dictator Kim Jong Il is out to destroy the world, the team recuits Broadway star Gary Johnston to go undercover. With the help of Team America, Gary manages to slip into an arms dealer’s hideout to uncover the plan to destroy the world. IMDb summary

…and you’ll have to come back tomorrow for the top five…