This ambitious attempt to explain the unexplainable nature of life itself is one of the most unique films of the past decade. People who experienced its dreamy, trippy meditations on how our memories shape us either loved it or hated it with a passion. There was no in-between. Like Kubrick’s 2001 : A Space Odyssey, if you fall under its spell, a masterpiece appears before you.

People who know film will immediately recognise the stylistic influences at work in Drive - particularly the spartan spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone and the sleek, steely crime opuses of Michael Mann - but will also appreciate the uncommon assurance and original flair with which they have been applied. Star Ryan Gosling is a 21st century Clint Eastwood.

A stunning work of modern science fiction from the hyper-talented British filmmaker Duncan Jones (Moon). Working brilliantly as both a work of deep thought and direct excitement, this gripping thriller repeatedly looped through the same 8 minutes of a fatal train journey. Each pass became more compelling than the last.

A fitting end to a decade of movies that had the whole world believing in magic. The magnificent closing act of the picture - which also provides many beloved characters from past Potter adventures to make one lasting contribution to the tale - achieved the perfect goodbye.

The best documentaries not only draw their subjects in fine detail. They also draw the fascination and respect of viewers who could not have cared less about those subjects before. Who’d have thought a no-frills profile of the late Formula One ace Ayrton Senna would become one of the most moving and compelling films of the year?

A sublime coming-of-age comedy set in a coastal town in Wales in the 1980s, effortless speaking the universal truth of what it is like to be a teenager. First-time writer-director Richard Ayoade (a name to watch in coming years) achieves a perfect balance between the bizarre and the bittersweet that is utterly irresistible throughout.

Impressively directed, brilliantly acted and a complete work of focused, brutal power, Snowtown stands as the one of most impacting works ever made in this country. A superb cast of unknowns and amateurs lend the film gut-wrenching authenticity and damaged grace that cannot be denied.

2011 was a big-ticket year for brilliant documentaries, and this bizarre tale of a beauty queen-turned-kidnapper just had to be seen to be believed. With the duplicitous and alluring Joyce McKinney participating all too enthusiastically in the film, there was no way the truth was going to get in the road of a good story.

The best mainstream movie comedy of 2011might have cranked up the female-raunch factor to a level that will made many a male blush. Nevertheless, there is a universal appeal to the story that obliterates any audience division along gender lines. Leading lady (and screenwriter) Kristen Wiig is a star player in the making.

The perfect film for old-school sports lovers who, deep, deep down, loathe the brash new world of commercialised competition. Another killer script from the great Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and another soulfully nuanced performance from the under-rated Brad Pitt.

11. True Grit

12. Black Swan

13. Hanna

14. Red Dog

15. Jane Eyre

16. We Need to Talk About Kevin

17. Midnight in Paris

18. The Guard

19. Rango

20. The Ides of March

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The dreaded return of that calamitous comedy franchise where FBI Agent Martin Lawrence goes undercover as a 300kg cross-dresser. Once seen, cannot be un-seen. Ever.

This zestlessly zany made-in-QLD comedy gave away the ham so freely it almost triggered the collapse of the entire Australian pork industry.

Abysmally pretentious and seedy affair, where the young heroine (Emily Browning) took money to take a snooze while old gents took a “good look” at her. Ugh.

A drippy Australian comedy that delivered all the feelgood fun of a big fall down some small stairs. Time for a blanket ban on all home-made “quirky” smalltown farces.

Proof positive that Twilight-approved pin-up Taylor Lautner shall never learn to act in his, yours, or any other lifetime. A next-gen Keanu Reeves. Think about that. And be afraid now.

Sarah Jessica Parker reveals how tough household life can be when all you have is a six-figure salary, a nanny and a rich, supportive husband. What a saint.

Comedy is still dead to Rowan Atkinson. If anyone out there has a time machine, might you warn us if Atkinson dares make a Johnny English Reincarnated?

One day, someone will explain why the turgid rom-com weepie One Day felt like it took one year off the end of our lives.

Another TV-to-cinema transition bites the dust. What made you laugh on the small screen, made you want to hurl on the big screen.

The little Aussie ethnic comedy that couldn’t. So dated, dumb and dim. Unless zany histrionics, bad pidgin Italian and old men in their underwear is what sharpens your cutting-edge.

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The last stand at Hogwarts in Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

The ascension to the afterlife in The Tree of Life

Red Dog’s caravan park shown with Red Cat in Red Dog

The food poisoning at the dress fitting in Bridesmaids

Natalie Portman’s dance to the death in Black Swan

The first trip from new Paris to old Paris in Midnight in Paris

The last race at San Marino for Ayrton Senna in Senna

A killer flu sweeps the world in Contagion

Tom Cruise dangles from the world’s tallest building in Mission : Impossible - Ghost Protocol

James Franco amputates his own arm in 127 Hours

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Bella Swan gives birth to a mutant vampire in Twilight : Breaking Dawn

The Easter Bunny poops jelly beans in Hop

Red Riding Hood bonds with the Big Bad Wolf in Red Riding Hood

The scratch’n’sniff scenes in Spy Kids 4

The very unconvincing shark attacks in The Reef

The very unconvincing shark attacks in Shark Night

The musical numbers in Glee 3D : The Concert Movie

The stage banter in Glee 3D : The Concert Movie

The clock strikes twelve in New Year’s Eve

James Franco amputates his own arm in 127 Hours

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Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain in The Tree of Life

Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard in Midnight in Paris

Emma Stone and Viola Davis in The Help

Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter

Saoirse Ronan and Eric Bana in Hanna

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan in Source Code

Kristen Wiig and Chris O’Dowd in Bridesmaids

Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in Jane Eyre

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in The Adjustment Bureau

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball

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Adam Sandler and Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill

Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan in I Don’t Know How She Does It

Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins in Abduction

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in One Day

The Cowboys and the Aliens in Cowboys and Aliens

Santa and his apprentice in Santa’s Apprentice

Any couple - take your pick! - from New Year’s Day

Cher & Christina Aguilera in Burlesque

Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in Larry Crowne

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake in Bad Teacher

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Limitless

Paranormal Activity 3

Barney’s Version

Our Idiot Brother

Super 8

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The Hangover Part II

The Hunter

The Eye of the Storm

Paul

Sanctum

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Tilda Swinton in We Need to Talk About Kevin

Ryan Gosling in Drive, Ides of March

Mia Wasikowska in Jane Eyre

The cast of Snowtown

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Koko the dog in Red Dog

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Mel Gibson in The Beaver

Amanda Seyfried in Red Riding Hood

Isabel Lucas in A Heartbeat Away

Jack Nicholson in How Do You Know

Natalie Portman in Your Highness

Mel Gibson’s hand puppet in The Beaver

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Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit

Daniel Henshall in Snowtown

Jessica Chastain in Tree of Life, The Help, The Debt

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Matthew McConaughey in The Lincoln Lawyer

Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole

Noah Taylor in Submarine, Red Dog

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Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English Reborn

Harrison Ford in Morning Glory

Jim Carrey in Mr Popper’s Penguins