Since it’s the end of the year and various top ten lists are being bandied around in the pop culture ethos, why not YOMYOMF jumping on the band wagon too, right? Well, it’s more my own lists and I’ll write one up in these final weeks of 2011. But my lists will be a bit more eclectic, instead of something typical like listing THE DESCENDANTS or THE ARTIST and the usual movie lists that are baiting for award recognition (but, I’d urge you to watch these two films anyway, because they are both great). Instead, I’ll do my personal top ten stuff that I liked this year, ranging from movies, to music videos, you name it. Whatever tickled my fancy this year.

First off, here’s Part I of my top ten films you may have missed this year, ranging from microbudget indie fare to classic horror genres, to Euro cool crime thrillers — Now, these are particular titles that I’ve either watched or programmed at film festivals. Most of them either have some form of distribution or they will eventually be available via VOD, on DVD, or at a theater near you. These are films that I feel should be seen by as many people as possible, and the fact that the new normal of indie film distribution allows filmmakers to seek out alternative means of distribution (i.e. VOD, streaming video, iTunes, etc), makes this truly the Golden Age of indie cinema. It’s just that we’re so saturated by so much content out there, it’s hard to separate the good from the enormous crap out there. Hopefully, this list will be a good starting point.

10. SURROGATE VALENTINEThis is the one film that is doing indie distribution right. A pseudo-existential, buddy comedy road movie about a washed up actor who follows indie musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) for acting research, filmmaker Dave Boyle and his producers really took DIY distribution to heart and came up with a social media and distribution plan to market their film and monetize it. First off, they were able to get a world premiere at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival this past March, which is a perfect launch for a film about music. Then they went on the festival circuit and started selling DVDs after their screenings. Hey, captured audience that loves and supports indie cinema? Kaching! Goh also went on the road and performed his amazing music (you can check out Goh’s music at his official website). Goh also pressed some limited edition 7′ vinyls as well. By the time end of spring, they were able to make up over 30% of their budget just from DVD sales at festivals. The film has just been released on Video on Demand and is available on iTunes right now.

They had such a great time that they’ve already shot a sequel this past fall and are prepping to shoot a third one sometime next year. All because they did it at the microbudget level, garnered a loyal following and are slowly seeing the returns coming their way. Oh, and how’s the film? I’ve seen it three times and it keeps getting better after every new viewing. For me, Goh, who is an affable, chill but darkly funny Dude, really makes the film. To say it’s quirky, would be an injustice. I’ve already bought my DVD and soundtrack, which you can buy both directly at the film’s official website.

9. BULLHEADBULLHEAD is simply breathtaking. Belgium’s official foreign film entry to the Academy Awards, this is, by far, the best European film I’ve seen this year. Gripping, with dark imagery, moody cinematography, brooding performances and just a touch of sci-fi, this multi-layered crime drama from first time director Michael Roskam (a talent surely to watch) is apparently based on true events – A young cattle farmer named Jacky Vanmarsenille is approached by a veterinarian to make a shady deal with a notorious West-Flemish beef trader. But the killing of a federal police officer and an unexpected wrinkle in Jacky’s mysterious past set a chain reaction of far-reaching consequences. This heady, yet violent drama explores themes of destiny, crime and punishment, and yes, good and evil. And I guarantee, you’ll be googling “hormone mafia” after viewing this film. BULLHEAD has garnered numerous awards on the festival circuit, including big wins at Berlin and most recently, the AFI Fest.

Luckily, BULLHEAD has been picked up for US distribution and will be released by Drafthouse Films very soon.

8. SUNNYOn the opposite end of the spectrum, comes Korean box office hit, SUNNY, the epitome of female driven, girl power Korean melodrama, but done right. This weepy comedy about sisterhood reminds me of an era when Korean films were really great, at the height of hallyu about almost 10 years ago.

The story revolves kicks off in the 80s, where a ragtag bunch of misfit girls join forces and become the best of friends. But an incident breaks their union apart, as they walk their separate paths. 25 years later, Na-Mi, one of the girls, is now married to a successful businessman. One day, she runs into one of the “Sunny” girls at the hospital. She is gravely ill. She enlists Na-Mi’s help to find the rest of the Sunny girls so they can reunite one more time. The film is filled with cliches, ’80s nostalgia and even dance numbers, but this film is such a perfect concoction on why Korean melodramas work, it’s a crime! The film has been released in select US cities, and is readily available on DVD via YesAsia and your local Asian DVD retailer, but it’ll eventuall find its way onto Netflix soon.

7. THE INNKEEPERSI wrote about this film in my LA Film Fest wrap up report, and it’s still one of the best horror films of the year. The director, Ti West, is a true horror aficionado and he continues to honor the greats by using their bag of tricks. No fancy schmancy special effects here. It’s all done old school, with the right tropes and a great use of sound design.

This story about two slackers / wannabe ghostbusters who work during the closing weekend of a rickety old inn, unravels slowly but when it comes to scary time, West totally delivers. What I enjoyed about this film is that there’s no postmodern twist to it all. The story and the ghost behind the story is straight forward . I get that going old school was also out of necessity for West, who shot on a shoestring budget, but that’s even more admirable that what came of the small production was a funny and solid horror film that is just not made nowadays. Maybe it’s nostalgia sweeping over me, but THE INNKEEPERS is definitely one to watch if you are a fan of horror. The film is being released by Magnet and will be on VOD starting December 30 and theatrically in early February. Check out the film’s official website for details.

 6. SENNASpanning his decade-long career as a Formula One racer, SENNA explores the life and work of triple world champion Ayrton Senna, his physical and spiritual achievements on the track, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained. Far more than a film for F1 fans, SENNA unfolds a remarkable story in a remarkable manner, eschewing many standard documentary techniques in favor of a more cinematic approach that makes full use of astounding footage, much of which is drawn from F1 archives and previously unseen.

By far, one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in years, this film is absolutely thrilling and it’s even more amazing that it’s done through the power of editing archived footage. The director, Asif Kapadia, was never an F1 fan before he got the job to direct this documentary! It also gives you a glimpse of hero and celebrity worship outside the States and Ayrton Senna was a god among men. Like Pele or Yao Ming or even Michael Jackson on foreign soil, the feverish fervor and chanting whenever he was seen is a sight to see. SENNA is slowly rolling out in theaters across the country and will be released on VOD and iTunes very soon. Check out the official website for details.

And so this concludes Part I. Stay tuned for the second part, where I outline the Final Five…. And also look out for the coming weeks of other Top Tens including my favorite K-Pop music videos of the year and many more!