Europe 10 Holywood 0

Having just watched the excellent 'Goodbye Lenin', it only serves to confirm my faith in European cinema over the vast amount of gloop which spews out of Holywood.

Here then are my favourite ten European language other than English films of this century. The usual drill, don't forget, these are all gems, in my opinion and therefore in no particular order.

What they all have in common, however, is a first rate story, sharp, believable dialogue, excellent performances and direction. Unlike 99% of lala land.

1. Cache (Hidden) 2005 FRENCH

2. Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) 2006 GERMAN

3. Die Fetten Jahre sind vorbei (The fat years are past/ The Edukators) 2004 GERMAN

4. Sophie Scholl Die letzten Tage (Sophie Scholl, the last days) 2005 GERMAN

5. El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) 2006 SPANISH

6. Le fabuleux destin d' Amelie Poulain (Amelie) 2001 FRENCH

7. Le schaphandre et le papillion (The diving bell and the butterfly) 2007 FRENCH

8. Die Faelscher (The Counterfeiters) 2007 GERMAN

9. Mar adentro (The sea inside) 2004 SPANISH

10. Der Untergang (Downfall) 2004 GERMAN

Christopher Columbus and the Book Thief

Yes I know it's Hollywood...and I understand the concept of reduction...

As a film for a family night out, 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' works perfectly well. At times it's funny and the action sequences are entertaining.

The whole thing is of course completely ridiculous...I mean, who believes in Zeus these days...

Greek mythology is pretty fascinating however, though according to the feedback from the ladies in my life, check out your local library first.

Worryingly, the film only has a PG certificate. I'm not advocating it should have had a 15, rather that it should have been made a 15.

The first few minutes of dialogue comes straight out of the bumper book of cliches; 'where's my beer?' etc and is probably the scariest scene in the film.

Recently Pierce Brosnan was interviewed on the BBC. He seemed particularly evasive. I suggest this is because the embarrassment of his 'faxed' performance may have been the cause.

He has now become the new Anthony Hopkins.