Jeff Who Lives At Home
Kings of mumblecore, the Duplass brothers, returned in 2012 with another dark character study.
Jeff is along similar lines to the brothers’ critically acclaimed previous film, Cyrus .
As with Cyrus , two actors typically known for their comedy roles take on more layered turns (there, Jonah Hill and John C Reilly; here, Jason Segel and Ed Helms).
But here, there’s a lot more warmth to what’s ostensibly a story about two losers getting through life.
Jeff Who Lives At Home is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Read Jeff Who Lives At Home review .
CLICK HERE TO SEE TOTAL FILM'S TOP 50 MOVIES OF 2012
If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle
This powerful Romanian prison drama doesn’t feature a single break-out attempt.
Yet it was still one of the most gripping films of the year, with its emotional centre a young man coming to the end of his sentence, facing up to the realities of going home.
It might not get the pulse racing as much as A Prophet , but it’s just as rewarding.
If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle is available on DVD.
Read If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle review .
CLICK HERE TO SEE TOTAL FILM'S TOP 50 MOVIES OF 2012
A Royal Affair
Denmark's official submission for the Foreign Language Film category of the 85th Academy Awards, and featuring several actors from the Danish telly shows so beloved by the BBC and boxset collectors, we're surprised that A Royal Affair didn't find more of an audience.
Perhaps people were turned off by a costume drama that sounds like Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette without the post-punk, but that does Affair a disservice.
It’s a mesmerising film about a queen who marries an insane king, before falling in love with an ordinary man.
A Royal Affair is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
CLICK HERE TO SEE TOTAL FILM'S TOP 50 MOVIES OF 2012
Your Sister's Sister
The very definition of a hidden gem, Your Sister’s Sister came and went from cinemas in June, failing to build the cult following it definitely deserved.
The dialogue’s so perfectly observed it’s hard to believe that it was almost entirely improvised, and the performances so warm and natural you feel as though you’re intruding on the three main players’ most private moments.
Your Sister's Siste r is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Read Your Sister's Sister review .
CLICK HERE TO SEE TOTAL FILM'S TOP 50 MOVIES OF 2012
Return
It’s not often that one of the stars of Scooby Doo out-acts the always incredible Michael Shannon, but Linda Cardellini does just that as Kelli, a National Guard soldier readjusting to post-war life.
Cardellini’s layered performance is as impressive as anything Shannon’s ever done, it’s a huge shame it’s gone relatively unnoticed.
Return is available on DVD.
CLICK HERE TO SEE TOTAL FILM'S TOP 50 MOVIES OF 2012
Damsels In Distress
Whit Stillman’s first film since 1998’s The Last Days Of Disco couldn’t help but feel like a throwback to the period in the ‘90s when indie cinema ruled Hollywood which, for us, was a big part of its charm.
But it appeared to turn general audiences off, which is a real shame – Greta Gerwig’s charming central turn deserved to be seen by more people.
There’s no denying it’s divisive – but those who fall in love with these Damsels will feel that way forever.
Damsels In Distress is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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