Nicolas Winding Refn, USA, 2011The Driver lives a double life. By day, he works as a film stunt driver, by night he hires out as a getaway car driver for armed heists. However, his life undergoes a radical change when he meets his beautiful neighbour Irene, who lives with her young son whilst her husband is in prison.

A stunning film, violent, bloody and intense, that has viewers on the edge of their seats from the opening scene to the end.

Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins, EEUU, 1961In the poor tenements of West Side in New York in the early-60s, two rival gangs of youths, the Sharks and the Jets, are fighting it out for supremacy on the street. One night, violence breaks out when the gangs clash at a dance.

The winner of 10 Oscars, this superb updated version of Romeo and Juliet is considered one of the most outstanding musicals in movie history.

Jeff Nichols, USA, 2011

Curtis LaForche lives in a small Ohio town with his wife and young daughter. He begins to have terrifying dreams about an encroaching, apocalyptic storm and decides to protect his family by building a storm shelter in their backyard. But he is assailed by doubt: what is he protecting them against – the supposed storm, or himself?

This enigmatic, disturbing film features a superb performance by Michael Shannon. One of the most pleasant surprises amongst recent US indie movies.

Wes Anderson, USA, 2012Años 60, Estados Unidos. Dos amantes adolescentes huyen de su pueblo y hacen despertar antiguas historias de amor y odio entre sus This film is set in the United States in the 1960s. Two teenage lovers flee their homes, awakening old stories of love and hate amongst the neighbours and relatives who turn out to look for them.

Superbly made, Moonrise Kingdom takes us back to teenage days, to first love, with humour, sensitivity and a generous helping of director Wes Anderson’s trademark surrealist touch.

Billy Wilder, USA, 1972Wendell Armbruster, an American businessman, is forced to travel to Italy when his father dies in a car accident there. On his arrival, he discovers that his father had a mistress, a revelation that turns his world up-side down. Things get even more complicated when the mistress’s daughter enters the scene…

A delightful, superbly-plotted Billy Wilder comedy featuring superb performances from the leading actors.

Duncan Jones, USA, 2011Captain Colter Stevens awakens in the body of a time traveller whose mission is to live through a train bombing over and over again until he discovers who is responsible. Complications set in when he becomes emotionally involved with a fellow passenger on the train…

After Moon, his successful debut, David Bowie’s director son surprises us with this imaginative mind game in which the spectator must discover the “source code”.

Philippe Falardeau, Canada, 2011Bechir Lazhar, a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, is hired by a Montreal school to replace a teacher who has died in strange circumstances. In his new job, he begins to employ unusual teaching methods with a class of shaken but endearing kids, changing their lives.

In this blend of comedy and tragedy, infused with poetry and elegance, Monsieur Lazhar’s wisdom and ability go beyond teaching his pupils to awaken the viewer’s conscience.

Orson Welles, USA, 1941“Rosebud” is the last word uttered by Kane, a major US magnate, on his death-bed. This enigmatic valediction causes a media frenzy, and a group of journalists begins investigating with a view to solving the mystery.

Orson Wells’ masterpiece, considered one of the greatest films in cinema history.

Richard Kelly, USA, 2001Donnie is a smart, imaginative young American boy who, having survived almost certain death, begins to have a series of hallucinations that take him into a strange world unlike anything in his wildest dreams.

A fascinating psychodrama that has quickly become a cult film, particularly amongst young spectators.

This year’s surprise movie …. a surprise. Be surprised by a film memorable title.