We've said this last year and we'll say it again: 2016 was a bumper year for films. So much so we've had to delay this usual end-of-year list all the way to April, and here we are now, compiling the list of films of the recent yesteryear which we think ruled the roost in terms of storytelling, production value and overall great entertainment. Don't worry about HBO's movie-budget television series or Netflix's influx of well-received TV shows: Cinema is still King.

Much celebration must be had on the blog front too, with many new readers coming along the ride over the past twelve months to see me this writer either praising or slagging off what cinema has to offer. Curiously, our review of Emilia Clarke's Me Before You is our most popular write-up EVER, which had us pondering on what our potential core audience really is. Wonder if there are any new chic-flicks to review at this time of year...

For this year's selections, we're going for the unconventional's here, from massive blockbusters to small-time delights from around the world, and there's plenty of diversity in our magnificent seven (not including the actual Magnificent Seven remake) to make it feel like an all-you-can-eat international buffet, along with a dastardly duo of movies worth mentioning/avoiding. Enjoy...

The road to the 88th Academy Awards ends today. Which of the eight films nominated will walk away with the big prize as the best of 2015 cinema? Will Stallone finally win an Oscar after getting his first nomination almost 40 years ago? Speaking of potential first wins, can Leonardo DiCaprio finally end his Oscars hoodoo with The Revenant? Fret not, as we have the definitive (though questionable) cream of Hollywood's crops, only the one of thousands of best-of lists crowding the blogging-verse in this hectic week for Hollywood. Goes to show that cinema in this time and age isn't so dead after all.

Do note that the films listed below are entirely this writer's opinion on the 2015 films he's SEEN thus far, and boy have been plenty of them been home runs. There are still plenty of those, especially award favourites, that are yet to be seen by yours truly, including The Revenant, Brooklyn and The Big Short, and it'll sure be watched in due time. Also, some films this year have stood the test of time better than others, so don't be surprised if a film I've rated lower makes the list over another (hint: it a pretty furious film). 

With the ground rules firmly established, Without further ado, let's kick off our best 6 films of 2015!