The Year in Film Review

stories at the top of the hour. Now on BBC News it's time for The

Power at 400% capacity. How about that?

2012, another year of comic book blockbusters fuelling the box

office. That seems excessive. British film franchise that did

Several smaller films with original stories triumphed. And there were

I am looking for someone to share in an adventure. I am ready.

Hello and welcome to this look back at the year in film. I am Tom Brook.

2012 in creative terms hasn't been bad. Hollywood has continued to

underserve the adult audience with engaging fare but there had been

triumphs an one of the biggest was James Bond. More to the point,

Skyfall, the latest film in the There was strong action in Skyfall

but also a compelling story. MI6 itself was under attack. M was in

peril. The villain was waging cyber warfare. There is a psychological

depth to characters and their relationships, the product of a

strong writing team and the director who comes from a

background in theatre. Bond. James Bond. Daniel Craig was busy selling

the film on the basis of its script. We started this with a great script,

a good storyline and that gives everybody such a good preparation

time that I think the movie has real depth. Sam came in and

directed it, so it's a real dramatic depth but it still remains

a Bond movie. This is your third Bond film and you look really

comfortable in the role. Do you feel that you really own the part

now? I feel really comfortable to where we got to and the way we are

now making these movies. It thrills me. Craig is sa much revered man

now. He has signed on for two more Bond films and received a lot of

praise for his work in Skyfall. Although there was a little bit of

criticism. Fans mindful of Bond's sophisticated martini sipping image

were disappointed he had stooped to sipping beer because of a lucrative

deal with Heineken. Bond is supposed to have a 54 Dom Perignon

perfectly chilled. A fantastic Aston Martin. I can't help but

think it's selling out a little bit. What are your views on on product

placement? You know, it's a necessity and people make such a

big deal out of it, but it - you know, it's unfortunate but we get

the movies made and that's all that matters. We get the movie made and

so what, everybody wins. Tpwu won't be Bond's time with beer that fans

remember most from this movie, not perhaps the action, unusually for a

Bond film, it's the relationships that linger, especially the one

between Bond and M which is far closer than many of us knew. For

reasons that will become clear if you watch the film, 2012 marked the

last time that Dame Judi Dench will appear in the films unless the next

picture ventures into total fantasy. When you look back at your

involvement with the films how do you view that? I view that as being

very lucky. I feel really lucky. I thought - I had no idea that the

part might go on. I had no idea at all when I was asked to play it, I

thought it would be just one. It had never occurred that she might

go on. I thought she would be fired in Goldeneye but now suddenly seven

films later I am thrilled to have done them and they appeal to a much

younger audience and maybe that audience - all I am really

interested in is getting people into the theatre and that audience

may in fact now come to the theatre. That would be good. Do you expect

me to talk? No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die die. Skyfall arrived in

the same year that marked the 50th anniversary of the movies. The

series has had many highs and lows, at in 2012, having netted around

�600 million around the world and having picked up glowing reviews

James Bond at the cinema is stronger than ever.

The big news at the Oscars this year was that for only the second

time in history a silent film won for Best Picture, it was The Artist.

It went into the awards with ten nominations and took home five

Oscar trophies. The picture you will recall is a

French-made tribute to Hollywood during the silent era. I wanted to

share that experience very specific experience, the cinematic

experience from watching a silent movie in a theatre which is a very

special. It's a very sensual experience. I mean, you don't have

the dialogue. It seems like it's not important but it is important

actually because there's a lot of room for the audience and you

really participate in the story- telling process. Action.

The Artist was very effectively promoted to Oscar voters by that

master of campaigning movie impresario, Harvey Weinstein. It

made voters feel good about what they do. The director thinks it

helps it was made bay European, an -- by a European, an outsider.

movie is in a way sell - it celebrates a part of American

history and American cinema and I am not sure American directors can

do it easily. I think it's easier when you are outside of the thing.

I mean, you can have nostalgic eye or a nice look on Hollywood when

you are not part of Hollywood. office this year was driven very

much by comic book blockbusters, by The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-

Man and Men In Black III. They had strong artistic visions of their

directors. Of course, the arrival of The Spider-man film give birth

to a new international star, Andrew Garfield who has a British

background and took on the title role that originally belonged to

observy Maguire. -- Toby. How much did you know about Spiderman?

I was three years old it was my first Hallowe'en costume and the

first hero of mine. As I grew up and realised more and more - in

different ways I related to him, like how deeply I feel like coy

have been him means that I felt such a great responsibility when it

came to be offered the role because I then had to really live up to

what I know this symbol is. What did it feel like the first time you

put the outfit on? Everyone asks me. A special moment? It was a a

special moment before I put it on and after it was itchy and

uncomfortable and annoying. The fantasy that we all have and I

realise that I think everyone's asking because everyone wants to

put the suit on at some point, is I think Andrew Garfield makes a

solid Spiderman. Is he that different to Toby Maguire? Not

especially, he is more breeding, a little less -- brooding. Maybe he

is hunkier, I don't know, maybe I am not qualified to answer that

question. He does a solid job. He believes in the character. He's

talked at length about how much he loves Spiderman and that comes

across in his performance. You can feel this guy is really giving his

Hollywood rules the the roast in internationally but in 2012 came

the suggestion China may have the upper hand. The Chinese movie

market has been expanding and Hollywood wants a piece of the

action. It will do almost anything to make sure it gets it. Case in

point the film Red Dawn, an American movie shot with Chinese

villains invading the US. It was criticised resorting to old racist

stereotypes, once the Chinese got wind of it there were complaints.

Fearful that that distribution deals would be jeopardised, in an

unprecedented move the Chinese villains were removed and replaced

with North Koreans. Once we committed to doing it, to make the

changes involved a new credit sequence that we had to do to paint

out propaganda posters and flags on uniforms and that type of thing.

There was work we had to do to change Chinese to North Korean

dialogue. Doesn't it in a way set a dangerous precedent? You are a

producer, a respected producer in the industry where you can have a

country like China that objects to the content of a film and Hollywood

rolls over and complies with their request? That's a topic I think for

other people to talk about. That's not something - I can do do

anything about. A lot of people put a lot of work into this movie. Our

cast, the director, the crew, I felt like we owed it to them to

show off their work and these are the things I had to do to make that

happen. Two lessons to be learned from this

rule. China has some say in the international industry is the main

one. I have to select one courageous young man or woman to

represent their district. One big money earner was this best-selling

adaptation of a best-selling American teen novel. American fans

camped out hoping to meet the stars of a film they just could not wait

to see. I am so excited, I can't wait. I bought the tickets the

moment they went on sale. I am coming down. It is a post

apocalyptic vision of North America where children from different

districts in North America compete in gladiatorial type competitions.

This actress plays the film's protagonist. The think that the

violence is the most important part of our story. It is a violence that

ignites and up rising and a revolution. It is the sickest

reflection of us. The hunger game brought young viewers as well prong

female protagonist. Films with strong females became at trend in

several 2012 films. This pecks are animation proper as a plucky

Scottish heroin. Will lady must not please her weapons on the table.

mum! -- heroine. Then this film shows women, one woman in

particular at the heart of a search for Osama Bin Laden. In this area

of powerful screen women it can be seen as presenting a female

character in a new light. confidence. The Usually we see the

lead characters in films, if the other women, if they are heroes

they are also suffering from something, an illness or a mental

problem but they are never just, never a woman who is just a true

hero and very capable. I think it Film festivals this year brought in

some relatively low-budget British triumphs. This extravaganza held in

the snowy mountains of Utah had several UK films. Director James

Marsh unveiled his excellent Northern Ireland set film Shadow

Dancer. There are secrets to be discovered and there are surprises

and dearer people who are paid to be what they are. It works on and

narrative level as a gripping story, I hope. There is no moral compass

that we want to offer you or judgments that we invite. There was

something going on, more than meets the eye. He could not speak English

without an accent. In the documentary competition at deep

festival was the Impostor. An Algerian man living in Spain who

convinced a Texas family that he was there missing teenage son. When

we first hear about the events and before you meet any of the

characters, on paper you think they is something deeply wrong. How

could a mother not know her own son, how could a sister not know her own

brother, how could so many people be taken in. I think that is what

makes the film interesting. It was the only British film in D dramatic

Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Two brothers from a

British Egyptian family living on a rough housing estate. The way we

are plain yet it is more specifically about one of them

coming of age and one of them coming out, that is when the

conflict arises. They it was a coming of age for both brothers. It

is really them facing each other, confronting each other, to overcome

their differences of opinion. It is unconditional love. This film about

the triumph of unconditional brotherly love in that bleak

landscape is nicely portrayed by underdog characters not often seen

in British cinema. We make a lot of movies about privileged classes,

that is a fact. I do not think there is enough of a voice for

these kind of characters in the cinema. That is one of the reasons

why this movie is very important. bought it did not meet with

astounding commercial success, the film won many strong reviews. Its

cast and director were put firmly on the map. Also unveiled was this

film, among film aficionados it was one of the most talked-about of the

year. Everything smacked about originality, including relocation.

It is set in Louisiana. In a swampy The Dub place. It is a town cut-off

from the world. There is a giant levy that separates it from the

civilised world and the people are living completely self-sufficient

leave. The pool their food out of the water and make everything out

of scraps. Living this way it is like a perpetual feast. Abundance

and celebration, it refuses to be maintained by the civilised world.

The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just

right. At the centre of the film is a young girl, it is her story.

are under siege, their way of life is under threat, there is a storm

and rising floodwaters. Mythical beast like figures are on their way.

I am here to take care of you, OK? The little girl's father is dying.

What is remarkable about the picture are the performances,

particularly the little girl who was six years old when the film was

shot, she clearly admires her character. She is a beggar and

fearless little girl who is suing her muscles. How concerned were you

when you were starting on this film about whether or not you would be

able to do it? You are in almost every frame in the film. It is

something I wanted to drive. A little kid sometimes does not get

additions, it is something I had to try. There is much that could be

construed as bleak in this picture, as a culture living on the margins,

at the mercy of nature. Ultimately it does show a group of people with

a spirit that is triumphant. lived with her daddy in the Bath

tub. The there were some disappointments at the box-office.

John Carter was a huge financial disaster. There were some films

which did well commercially but fell short in terms of audience

expectations. The Hobbit was a case in point. Here are my choice of 10

top films this year or ring -- ranked on professionalism and

A James Bond film just as it should be. And this film from a new voice

in British cinema. Two brothers in British cinema. Two brothers

movingly coming-of-age together. And the coming of age film, a heart

stopping picture with memorable In 7th place a great documentary

with a strong story. At Detroit musician who became huge in South

Africa and was hardly known of in his native USA. At number six Kiera

Knightley and Jude Law in Tolstoy's classic tale of love and adultery.

Ingenious staging in a mocked-up data that not everyone liked. In

5th place from a director that is well known, a boy trapped in a

lifeboat for days. Stunning use of 3D. The film had great ambitions.

At number four and original energetic and independent film made

with great passion that took you to another disturbing world and gave

you hope. In third place, a Hollywood movie that really works

starred and directed by this man. Extremely well made and

entertaining. In second place a master/servant relationship, almost

a love story. A dense and tough to fathom film but one which many

found very rewarding. And in first place from an Austrian director at

the story of ageing and love starring a veteran French actor. As