My favourite films in 2011

With Oscars time fast approaching, here is a list of my favourite films watched at the (Australian) cinema in 2011. Not that I don't have some mighty issues with film rankings and awards! 

First: Confusion! I see so much and couldn't work out any fast rules, so these are just films I personally watched in 2011. And I liked them. So the list may include preview screenings of films not released to the Australian public until 2012 (eg The Muppets), and likewise there may be film festival films.

Also, please bear in mind that I’m really no film expert, at all.

My Top 10:

1. Melancholia

Heavy sadness made beautiful.

2. The Muppets

Joy and hope and childhood dreams. And catchy tunes.

3. Meek’s Cut Off

The squeaky wheel gets the oil, or something.

4. End of Animal

Apocalypse confusion now.

5. Higher Ground

Holy holy holy….good acting.

6. The Turin Horse

Mmmm, craving hot potato.

7. The Tree of Life

I have no idea what to say about this one – which says it all really. Well done Terrence, can we have another?

8. Incendies

Extraordinary storytelling weaved into some harsh reality. Also: War, what is it good for, absolutely nothing.

9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I cheered on the apes rising against their human oppressors. Also, why cookie Rocket?

10. Anonymous

Who was Shakespeare? Who knows? I’m just here for the costumes, historical sets and olde fashionened speakes.

I also very much enjoyed the following:

Take Shelter, Red Dog, The Help, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Tangled, Rabbit Hole, My Afternoons With Margueritte, How I Ended This Summer, Bridesmaids, Super 8, Toomelah, Puss in Boots, Snowtown, The Descendants, Biutiful, The Skin I Live In, Project Nim, Midnight in Paris, Bill Cunningham New York.

First Post

Hello dear reader. This is my very first blog post. I’m afraid I’m going to do an obligatory introduction and answering of those time old questions: Why a blog? What will be in this blog?

Please let me get my crayons out and draw you a quick picture of myself and Marshmallows and Coconut.

I live in Sydney, but I’m originally from Adelaide which is actually a very lovely place.

I’ve been a vegetarian since 2000 and was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2009. Finding yummy food that meets my requirements is a big part of my life as I’m strictly wheatless (and barley-less, rye-less and oats-less) and meatless.

I’ve been a life-long lover of cats and just lots of cute things in general.

Marshmallows and Coconut are two of my favourite flavours.

This blog will be a mish mash of some of the things I like:

Cute stuff – I'm in love with the world of kawaii. Kittens in tea cups, sweet strawberries, Hello Kitty, fluffy rabbits. Even some bugs are really cute, like caterpillars!

Cats – cats are cute (see ‘Cute stuff’ above). Sadly we aren’t allowed a pets in our apartment, so I have to make do with YouTube and other people’s cats.

Sewing – last year I made a foray into the world of sewing, with, quite frankly, glacial progress. That doesn’t stop me wasting hours reading other people’s sewing blogs and buying too much pretty fabric. I call it research!

Movie reviews  - my partner runs The Reel Bits film review site. He loves film. I love film. I may comment on the ones I particularly like.

Restaurants - vegetarian and gluten free.

Recipes – occasionally, very occasionally, I attempt cooking. With sometimes hilarious results.

Coeliac news – anything new on the horizon to save us from this wheat free existence.

TV reviews – I love TV. Maybe I love TV too much. 

Travel – I don’t travel as much as I’d like to, but would be quite happy to run away from home with just a suitcase and train ticket. My love of travel is only somewhat hampered by my massive fear of flying.