Each year, around this time, podcasters and website content makes all ponder what has been the best, the worst, the surprising and so forth of all the films, television shows, video games, books and so on. Its never an easy task and usually people try to come up with a Top 10. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well not when you have seen hundreds of films or played dozens of games over the past twelve months. But its a fun task that as hard as it it, we all enjoy doing.
Best British Film: Rise of the Footsoldier Part 2
I had puzzling anticipation for this film. I wanted to watch it but felt that the first film (Rise Of The Footsoldier) was self contained. How could they carry it on? Well quite simply by telling us more about the life of Carlton Leach. Very different in style to the first film, Rise 2 ups its game and reminded me more of Nil by Mouth and Bad Lieutenant than it being another film focusing on gangsters. Brilliantly directed by Ricci Harnett in his directorial debut and another fine notch on the belt of film company Carnaby International who for the second that in the same year have taken a troubled production and allowed it and helped it recover for the fans to see.
Honorable Mentions: Rise/Fall of the Krays
Rise Of The Krays and Fall Of The Krays were filmed back to back but released months apart (Fall Of The Krays hits DVD in March) and together they tell the Rise and Fall (its all in the title folks) of two of the countries most notorious crime bosses. Brilliant performances by Kevin Leslie and Simon Cotton in the lead roles alongside a wonderfully written script that doesn’t just give us the highlights that we all know but give us some great backstory of Ronnie and Reggie Kray.
Best Director: Ricci Harnett
First time director (Ricci also wrote the script) Ricci Harnett has done a fantastic job with the next chapter of Rise Of The Footsoldier Part 2 which takes us back into the life of real life Carlton Leach. Following on from the killings in Essex 95, We see Carlton Leach in what I feel would be his darkest and most self destructive time. The film is tough to watch and the performances are brutal, but the film is handled perfectly by Ricci Harnett who not only held directing duties but of course appeared on screen for most of the film.
Best British Performances: Ricci Harnett, Simon Cotton & Kevin Leslie