Oscar Predictions 2013.

The Oscar's are tomorrow - or today if you're in America. As usual, I do my predictions and always tend to get them wrong. This year is probably going to be no different, but I still like to think I have a chance. So, here goes...

Bold - Will Win
Italics - Should Win
Underlined - Bernadette's Choice

Best Picture
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
Lincoln
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Amour
Django Unchained
Argo

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Denzel Washington, Flight
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master

Best Actress
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Alan Arkin, Argo
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Best Supporting Actress
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Amy Adams, The Master

Best Original Song
"Before My Time," Chasing Ice
"Pi’s Lullaby," Life of Pi
"Suddenly," Les Miserables
"Everybody Needs A Best Friend," Ted
"Skyfall," Skyfall

Best Animated Feature Film
Frankenweenie
Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph
Paranorman
Brave

Best Foreign Language Film
Austria: Amour
Chile: No
Canada: War Witch
Denmark: A Royal Affair
Norway: Kontiki

Best Director
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Michael Haneke, Amour
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Original Screenplay
John Gatins, Flight
Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Michael Haneke, Amour
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom

Best Adapted Screenplay
Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Chris Terrio, Argo
Tony Kushner, Lincoln
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
David Magee, Life of Pi

Best Cinematography
Seamus McGarvey, Anna Karenina
Robert Richardson, Django Unchained
Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi
Janusz Kaminski, Lincoln
Roger Deakins, Skyfall

Best Costume Design
Jacqueline Durran, Anna Karenina
Paco Delgado, Les Misérables
Joanna Johnston, Lincoln
Eiko Ishioka, Mirror Mirror
Colleen Atwood, Snow White and the Huntsman

Documentary Feature
5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers,
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for Sugar Man

Documentary Short
"Inocente," Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine
"Kings Point," Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider
"Mondays at Racine," Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan
"Open Heart," Kief Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern
"Redemption," Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill

Film Editing
William Goldenberg, Argo
Tim Squyres, Life of Pi
Michael Kahn, Lincoln
Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers, Silver Linings Playbook
Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg, Zero Dark Thirty

Makeup and Hairstyling
Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel, Hichcock
Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell, Les Miserables

Best Original Score
Dario Marianelli, Anna Karenina
Alexandre Desplat, Argo
Mychael Danna, Life of Pi
John Williams, Lincoln
Thomas Newman, Skyfall

Best Production Design
Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, Anna Karenina
Dan Hennah, Ra Vincent and Simon Bright, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson, Les Miserables
David Gropman and Anna Pinnock, Life of Pi
Rick Carter and Jim Erickson, Lincoln

Best Animated Short
"Adam and Dog," Minkyu Lee
"Fresh Guacamole," PES
"Head over Heels," Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly
"Maggie Simpson in 'The Longest Daycare,'" David Silverman
"Paperman," John Kahrs

Best Live Action Short
Asad, Bryan Buckley and Mino Jarjoura
Buzkashi Boys, Sam French and Ariel Nasr
Curfew, Shawn Christensen
Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw), Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele
Henry, Yan England

Best Sound Editing
Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn, Argo
Wylie Stateman, Django Unchained
Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton, Life of Pi
Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers, Skyfall
Paul N.J. Ottosson, Zero Dark Thirty

Best Sound Mixing
John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia, Argo
Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes, Les Misérables
Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin, Life of Pi
Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins, Lincoln
Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson, Skyfall

Best Visual Effects
Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R. Christopher White, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott,Life of Pi
Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick, Marvel’s The Avengers
Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill, Prometheus
Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson, Snow White and the Huntsman

Ten Films I Should Have Already Seen.

One of my New Year's Resolutions - in fact, there are only two - for the year 2013 is to get through as many of my Criterion films as possible. The other resolution is to watch some of the films which I really should have seen. There are a fair few that I haven't watched that as a film lover I should have seen - everyone has that group of films that they really should get around to watching and they just don't. 

This list is a set of ten films that as a film lover I need to watch. They're films that have shaped cinema and have made a huge impact on cinema. 

Citizen Kane - I've seen a great amount of this film. The first forty five minutes to be precise. I loved what I saw, but I never finished watching it and I'm not sure why. 

Rosemary's Baby - As a huge Mia Farrow fan, and a fan of Polanski's films, and also a horror lover, it's really surprising that I haven't seen Rosemary's Baby. I know the story, I know what happens, but that doesn't stop the fact that I haven't seen this classic.

Mean Streets - Early Scorsese, early De Niro, and an early classic. It's a crying shame I haven't gotten around to watching this, but I will this year. 

Gone With the Wind - Like Rosemary's Baby, I know what happens, and I've seen the finale of this film more than I should, but I really do need to watch the whole film. 

Notorious - As a Hitchcock fan I'm still amazed I haven't seen what many consider one of his best. I guess I just don't want to see a Hitchcock film that many consider better than Vertigo. I don't see how that is possible, but it still worries me a little.

Seven Samurai - Again, like many of the films on this list, I should have seen this and I know what happens. But that's what happens when your film is a genre-defining classic. 

Scarface - I've recently been going through De Palma's late 70's, early 80's films and I've not made the leap to watching his most referenced film Scarface. It's iconic for a reason I'm sure.

The Seventh Seal - Besides being mocked in Bill & Ted, this is also one of those arthouse films which gets beaten so much that the horse has died, been reincarnated and then died again. 

Schindler's List - Bernadette would argue that The Colour Purple should be on this list, but regardless, Schindler's List is a Spielberg film that I should have seen. It's his first major Oscar winning film and no doubt a brilliant film. 

It's A Wonderful Life - This one probably is the most disappointing miss for me. I've meant to watch it for a long time, but I've just never gotten around to it. Surprisingly though, I'm still relatively in the dark as to what happens.

And ten more that I should have watched:

The Wages of Fear
The Last Picture Show
Tokyo Story
The Rules of the Game
Amarcord
The Godfather: Part II
In the Mood for Love
City Lights
M
The Leopard

Top 25 Films of 2012.

Most Disappointing:

1. Moonrise Kingdom - This film is almost the worst film of 2012. An interminable mess of a film. Wes Anderson needs to stop accepting donations from Louis Vutton.
2. The Dark Knight Rises - I've gone on at length about how poor this film is. Heck, even a quick google search will bring up most of my complaints. But, I guess my main one is that I never thought I'd see a Batman film where it would make The Dark Knight obsolete (seriously, The Dark Knight Rises is just a direct sequel to Batman Begins). 
3. Killing Them Softly - I love Andrew Dominik's films. Visually he's one of the most creative directors around. Sure, he's not prolific or anything, but when he does release a film it's great. Killing Them Softly falls on the bad side of good - some moments of this are some of the best work he's ever done, but the other eighty minutes of the film are appalling.
4. The Avengers - How can you turn one of the biggest film franchises into a major dud? The first ninety minutes of this film is some of the worst cinema of 2012. However, the last hour contains one of the best action sequences of the year - and two of the best gags of the year thanks to Hulk. 
5. Wish You Were Here - 2012 was a very poor year for Australian cinema. Not for lack of trying though - Not Suitable For Children was probably the best Australian film of 2012. Wish You Were Here is a film which rubbed me the wrong way - if you're six months pregnant, do not go to Cambodia. I'm not saying pregnant women can't travel, just choose where you go a little better ok? Or fuck it, just go to Bali instead. Stupid white people.
6. Brave - I had high hopes for this one. The first Pixar film to have a female lead. Visually this is the best thing they've ever done, story wise it's very minor. Maybe I would react differently if I was a girl, or had a daughter, as I've heard many people say that they felt differently about it because of those reasons. Either way, it's above Cars and Wall-E in terms of enjoyment, but way below Up or The Incredibles.
7. The Innkeepers - I keep wanting to see a good ghost story. But they just don't exist anymore. I don't get Ti West's films. I really don't. I understand minimalistic filmmaking, but The Innkeepers and The House of the Devil take minimalistic to somnabulistic levels. I don't want to almost fall asleep in a film simply because somebody is wandering through a house in the dark - that is not fear. That said, the piano sequence is great.
8. Wreck It Ralph - I liked Wreck it Ralph a lot, it's a fine animated film. And really I'm only having the last three films here to round out the list. I guess for a film about video game characters, I was surprised that they essentially drop the video game element halfway through the film. Seriously, if you came in late and missed the first half hour, you'd struggle to realise it was a film about video game characters. Bring on the sequel though! (But, that said, an anti-complaint is that for a film about video game characters it doesn't fall into the trap of feeling like you're watching a video game).
9. Argo - Argo is ridiculously good, but it's not the same level of Gone, Baby, Gone or The Town. I can't see myself rewatching this more than once. 
10. Looper - Looper's in my top 25, and I like it a lot, but I really wish I loved it. 

Film I Couldn't Rate:

Take This Waltz

Worst Film: 

The Artist - I can't even begin to comprehend the love and admiration for this film. I've been vocal about Crash's win and how Brokeback should have won, we all know that. But at least with Crash, Ang Lee won Best Director. The mere fact that The Artist sweeped the awards and beat out Hugo is beyond me. Hugo is a film which champions film preservation and restoration and respects the history of cinema. 
The Artist on the other hand is a film that despises the history of cinema. It constantly throws down the beginnings of cinema and has a pure hate for silent cinema. I honestly can't see how people see this as a love letter to silent cinema at all. 
Total Recall - The difference between The Artist and Total Recall is that Total Recall never tried to be a good film. So whilst it's easy to beat up on Total Recall for being a film just to keep Kate Beckinsale in the industry, it's also not as bad or as offensive as The Artist is.

Best Actor 2012 

Matthew McConaughey - Killer Joe, Bernie, Magic Mike

Best Actress 2012 

Charlize Theron - Young Adult, Prometheus

25. Chronicle

It's slightly disappointing when the best super hero film of the year is a completely original film. But, then again, it's a completely original film which has some amazing characters. It's just a pity that the studios are currently fucking up the sequel.

24. Holy Motors

Having read about Leos Carax a bit further after seeing this I want to rewatch it after I've seen a few more of his films. Definitely one of the most visually impressive films of the year and thematically it's very deep. Also, this has more heart and soul and respect for cinema than The Artist could ever dream of.

23. Cosmopolis

This is minor Cronenberg, but it's still very good Cronenberg. Pattinson proves that he's not a one trick pony. I've said a lot more about this over an argument with my wife over overpriced sausages which I won't repeat. 

22. Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

This is the first of the Paradise Lost films that I've watched, and I'm aware that they deal with the crime in different ways. Fortunately enough for Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory it deals with the most recent aspects of the trial and does it in a perfect manner. This is difficult viewing, but very worthwhile.

21. John Carter

I feel so sorry for John Carter, and doubly so for Taylor Kitsch. Disney kinda fucked it over. This is actually a heck of a lot of fun and has one brilliant little fight scene in the middle of it. It's obvious that Disney are still trying to grab money back from this as the Bluray is still $45 months after release. Do yourself a favour and watch one of the most underrated gems of last year. 

20. Looper

Rian Johnson is a good director, there's no doubt about that. And the universe that he creates in Looper is great - one where the idea of time travel is plausibly represented. Joseph Gordon Levitt is great as Bruce Willis. I have problems with the film - the ending for example - but overall this is a great sci-fi film. 

19. Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths is almost - almost - on par with In Bruges. Colin Farrell has finally found a director who understands him and can create a brilliant character for him to portray. The in jokes and film jokes in this are great - especially the underwritten female roles. Would work well as a double feature with Rubber.

18. Compliance

I didn't really know the story of this film prior to watching it, and I'm glad I didn't. Dreama Walker is great in her role here, but the best performance is Ann Dowd. A terrifying true story portrayed very well.

17. Kill List

The ending of this film is one of the most terrifying endings in a British horror I've ever seen. A perfect companion to The Wicker Man. If you have a fleeting interest in horror films, then watch this but don't read anything about it. 

16. Woody Allen: A Documentary

At just under four hours, this is the most comprehensive article on Woody Allen. Fortunately the fact that the directors had access with Woody makes the film even more interesting. And the mere fact that he's happy to talk about things which you'd think would be off limits - namely, Mia Farrow. After this, it just made me respect him even more and love his sense of humour and cement him as a hero.

15. Headhunters

Alongside Cabin in the Woods, Headhunters is the most tonally uneven film of 2012. It's all over the place. At once it's a heist film, then it's a romance, then it's an all out comedy, and then an action film. Another film where you really shouldn't know anything about it going in. 

14. Margin Call

I'm not an economics expert. Margin Call has dialogue which is just economic talk constantly. So it's in its favour that the performances and the story is strong enough to come through the economic talk. Kevin Spacey has never been better than in this. At once it's terrifying in its inevitability of the stock market crash. 

13. Bernie

Take away the Before films, and this is Richard Linklater's best film by far. Jack Black also has never been better - and I can guarantee that if he weren't Jack Black, he'd be nominated for an Oscar. Matthew McConaughey once again proves why he's the best actor of 2012.

12. Killer Joe

I will never look at a fried chicken leg the same way again. And for the first time, a film truly has changed my perspective on something. This is nuts, but so brilliantly nuts. 

11. The Perks of Being A Wallflower

I was skeptical about this film prior to seeing it. I thought, oh no, not another film about teenager's complaining about being young and unloved. And yes, it is a film about teenager's being young and growing up and the pains of growing up, but it's also the best film about that period of life I've seen since The Breakfast Club. 

10. Once Upon A Time in Anatolia

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a film which proves that viewing films in a cinema is a must. It's the most beautiful film of the year by far - the stunning vista's, the apple that rolls down the hill, the beautiful darkness. The finale of the film is depressing, but it's depressing in a way which is intriguing and humbling. 

9. Prometheus

I saw this film the most last year. I have no doubt that it's a flawed film, but that doesn't matter to me. The mythology of the film - weed smoking scientist and all - is so strong and interesting that I can't not love it. Visually it's beautiful. Noomi Rapace was miscast, but that doesn't stop me from loving her character - a genuinely flawed human. Michael Fassbender is just brilliant as well. Hater's are going to hate, but that doesn't matter, I love it. 

8. The Raid: Redemption

I hope that the success of this film educates any director in Hollywood who wants to direct action. The action in this is understandable, well thought out, brutal and most importantly, it feels real. And it's also got a great lead character as well. 

7. Hugo

The best 3D film of 2012 by far. It's so nice to see a film director like Martin Scorsese use a device like 3D intelligently. It's also great to see a film which respects the history of cinema and does it in a way that not only entertains, but educates.

6. Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild has a lot of heart, and it knows how to show it intelligently. Hushpuppy is one of the most fully realised characters in 2012. 

5. The Master

It feels funny to be calling such a film like The Master that deals with grand themes as a minor PTAnderson film, but it is. It boasts Philip Seymour Hoffman's finest acting by far, and Joaquin Phoenix is always brilliant. A truly challenging film, but an impressive one none the less.

4. Margaret

Anna Paquin gives the finest performance of her career in this grand epic. I could easily watch this again in a heartbeat. It's challenging, deep and distressing. Allison Janney gives her finest performance - even though she's only on the screen for such a short period of time. Alongside There Will Be Blood, Margaret is a great addition to American Cinematic Literature. I wouldn't be surprised if in decades to come this is more widely discussed as a classic. 

3. Young Adult

Thanks to Foxtel, I've rewatched this a fair few times recently and it just keeps on getting better. Charlize Theron's Mavis Gray is my favourite character of 2012. Her cynicism is brilliant. The comedy in this film is spot on and filled with the right amount of blackness. 

2. Les Miserables 

Just like Prometheus, more people hated this film than loved it. Whether it was their love of the stage musical, or the text, who knows, but Tom Hooper's direction definitely put people off enjoying and loving this film. Which is unfortunate because Anne Hathaway gives the best performance she's ever done, and Hugh Jackman as the heart of the film is astounding. Even Russell Crowe is great as well. 

1. The Cabin in the Woods

I'm not going to write a whole spiel about why you should watch The Cabin in the Woods. Just ask you why you haven't watched it yet? This is one of the horror genre's greatest films - and it's even a film which people who don't like the horror genre will love. If you only see one Joss Whedon film from 2012, then sure as fuck watch The Cabin in the Woods.

Top 10 Albums & Songs 2012.

1. Charmer - Aimee Mann

Best Track - Labrador

Hands down Aimee Mann's best release since the brilliant Lost in Space - an album which should have been career defining, but unfortunately didn't launch her into whatever stratosphere she deserves to be in. This is the most infectious pop record of last year by far. Exceptionally catchy tunes. Heck, even something like Gamma Ray which threatens to be the next Superball turns into an amazing track. Nothing overstays its welcome. Just brilliant all round.

2. Neck of the Woods - Silversun Pickups

Best Track - Mean Spirits

I won't lie. I listened to this album more than any other album this year. For most of the time I kept thinking that 'damn, that girls got a good voice' and then someone kindly pointed out to me that no, that's a man. That fortunately didn't change my opinion of the album. This is one of the best albums ever in my opinion. The guitar work in this is fantastic and the way each song evolves is astounding. 

3. Journey - Austin Wintory

Best Track - Threshold

It's not often I'll instantly buy a game soundtrack as soon as it's available, but sure enough, as soon as Journey's soundtrack was available I was there. Not only is this the best game of 2012, but it's also got the best soundtrack - film or game - of last year. There's a reason this is nominated for a Grammy. The music is half of what makes the game work and Austin Wintory's work is amazing, the beauty in Threshold is astounding. 

4. The Plot Against Common Sense - The Future of the Left

Best Track - Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop

I was mourning the lack of a new McLusky album one day last year and that spurred me onto finding out what happened to the guys from McLusky. Well, good news, McLusky is alive and well, just flounting itself around as a different band. Future of the Left's album is nuts. It's just fucking nuts. It's 50 minutes of lyrical insanity. If you don't have a massive grin on your face after listening to Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop, then I'm not sure what I can for you. 

'Pirates of the Caribbean 47,

Johnny Depp stars as the robot pirate,

Who loses his wife in a game of poker,

And tries to win her back with hilarious consequences,

At least Harry Potter has a proper story,

Where the characters at least craves an ending,

If only to release poor Billy Corgan,

From his role as the titular characters nemesis.'

5. I, Awake - Sarah Blasko

Best Track - I, Awake

Sarah Blasko's last album is in my top ten albums of all time. It's a massive album which constantly amazes me with its intricacies. I was slightly concerned to hear she'd gone solo on her latest release, but really, why should I have been worried? I, Awake is almost on par with As Day Follows Night. It's the perfect companion album. Blasko's ability to combine beautiful lyrics with orchestral music proves that she's not only the best female voice Australia has to offer, but alongside Gareth Liddiard and Paul Dempsey, she's one of the finest songwriters Australia has. 

6. Gomez Live Volume 3 & 4 - Gomez

Best Track - Vol 3 - Options

Vol 4 - Other Plans

I'd say I'm cheating here, but I can't be. These two live releases from Gomez last year prove that Gomez are not only the finest band around, but hands down the best live band around. You can keep your Pearl Jam's and Foo Fighter's but the supreme intensity that Gomez deliver night after night is shown in these two live releases. Not only that but both of these releases show that even though Gomez can still play their old songs brilliantly, they do it with such style and lack of fear of changing things around a little bit to create even better music. 

7. Beasts of the Southern Wild - Dan Romer & Behn Zeitlen

Best Track - Once There Was A Hushpuppy

Just like Journey above, half of the film of Beasts of the Southern Wild is made up of brilliant music. Take the music away and it could be one of the most depressing films of the year, but with the music you see the hope and spirit of Hushpuppy. It's a pity the score hasn't received more acclaim, but who really cares when your first time film scores a Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress nomination? 

8. An Awesome Wave - Alt-J

Best Track - Breezeblocks

I'm a little late to the game with this album. I honestly only picked it up a couple of weeks ago and it was simply because it was $10 that I grabbed it. I'm glad I did. Given how high it got in the Hottest 100 recently I was ready to pass it off as hokum, but this is a deep album. The mix of styles is truly jaw dropping. One second there's harmonising, the next there's deep bass, then there's a little electronica thrown in for good measure. 

9. Locked Down - Dr John

Best Track - Locked Down

I wouldn't have even looked at this album if it weren't for Dan Auerbach's involvement. Which would have been a major disappointment because this is one heck of a blues album. Dr John's busy collecting pension cheques, but hopefully this album is a sign that with Auerbach's involvement he could be pumping out great albums like this for a few more years. Now to check out his 70's stuff...

10. Leave Your Soul to Science - Something for Kate

Best Track - Private Rain

This is a very difficult album. It hardly feels like a Something for Kate album. I'm still not sure if I should have it on this list, especially given it opens with quite possibly the worst Something for Kate song ever - Star Crossed Citizens (a song I hoped would sound better live, but no, it doesn't). But then you skip past that first track and hear the first single Survival Expert and realise that Something for Kate are still there, they've just changed a little bit. And then you hit the third song, Private Rain, and you realise that Private Rain is quite possibly one of the best Something for Kate songs ever produced. It's my song of the year and never gets old. It's the strength of Private Rain that puts this album on the list - and if it didn't have Star Crossed Citizens on it it'd be much higher. Private Rain, for the record, is a great motherfucker live too. 

(For a reference, here's my top five Something for Kate songs:

1. Feeding the Birds and Hoping for Something in Return

2. Back to You

3. Private Rain

4. Deja Vu (iTunes version)

5. Captain (A Million Miles an Hour)

Honourable Mentions:

Smokey's Haunt - Urthboy

The Haunted Man - Bat for Lashes

This Was Tomorrow - Seth Sentry

The Rubens - The Rubens

Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen

Top 20 Songs of 2012

1. Private Rain - Something for Kate - See above.

2. Karmageddon - Abbe May - No. 2 song of the year from 2013's album of the year.

3. Robocop 4 (Fuck Off Robocop) - Future of the Left - Lyrically brilliant.

4. Labrador - Aimee Mann - A beautiful pop song.

5. Mean Spirits - Silversun Pickups - The break at the end is what gets me.

6. Threshold - Austin Wintory - Stunning.

7. Laura - Bat for Lashes - Simplicity at its best.

8. Stories - Urthboy - The best hiphop track of 2012.

9. Not Giving In - Rudimental - These guys are going to be Gnarls Barkley big.

10. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Gomez - Best cover of 2012.

11. Youth Without Youth - Metric - Oddly enjoyable.

12. Locked Down - Dr John - Funkalicious.

13. Charmer - Aimee Mann - The best track lyrically on the album.

14. I, Awake - Sarah Blasko - Best opening track of 2012.

15. Survival Expert - Something for Kate - One of Something for Kate's better singles.

16. A Change is Gonna Come - The Herd (Feat. Radical Son, Nooky & Sky'High) - If Tony Abbott gets in as PM, you at least know there'll be a brilliant Herd album not far behind.

17. Breezeblocks - Alt-J - If this is the future of music, I'm interested.

18. Skin Graph - Silversun Pickups - A crescendo of brilliance.

19. Once There Was a Hushpuppy - Dan Romer & Behn Zeitlin - The best film theme of 2012.

20. God-Fearing - Sarah Blasko - Like a haunting carol.

Somebody buy me a fucking thesaurus, I've said the word brilliant/brilliance way too much.