The movies are an empathy machine, drawing us into other lives, allowing us to identify with those of other races, genders, occupations, religions, income levels or times in history. Good films enlarge us, and are a civilizing medium. Bad films narrow us. No films at all impoverishes us.

—Roger Ebert

This year I’ve seen more movies than I have in the last few years. And I must say that after a long period when I felt films were bad (mainly because so many people were experimenting with visual effect eye candy at the expense of a good all-rounded film experience), I find recent films of the last few years refreshing and pretty good.

Although I still don’t watch that many films a year, I found it hard to resist repeated viewings of The Dark Knight, Wall•E and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Of course there are films (mostly good ones) that I saw only once, too.

Here’s hoping that there will always be good films coming out in future. After all, good films can take us to different places, helps us discover more of ourselves and make us better people.