2009 Movies: The Dazzle Awards Part 2

Published: 3:07PM Wednesday December 23, 2009

By tvnz.co.nz's Darren Bevan

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We've already unveiled the first clutch of films to get a Dazzle Award - see which films made the cut here!

Now it's on with the awards...

Docos had a good year as well - but there are three which stand head and shoulders above the rest.

It's Dazzles to:

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls - a film that's as kiwi as hokey pokey ice cream, this doco on the Twins demonstrated how they've become such an integral part of Nu Zulland history. Intertwined with footage from gigs and comic moments, this told the story of Jools and Linda - and also a nation that grew. For every protest that we saw, there were the Topp Twins on the front line. Never hogging the limelight, the duo are our conscience. The doco only became personal at the end when it showed Jools' fight against breast cancer - to see her strong sister Lynda crumble in front of the camera was just heartbreaking. This is a film to be treasured - much like the Twins themselves.

The Cove: Another of those which premiered at the International Film festival, this doco about the killing of dolphins in Japan was always going to be a sensational call to action. But what we actually got from director Louie Psihoyos was a sensitive informed portrayal of events at the Killing Cove in Taiji. Its protagonist Ric O'Barry had spent years training dolphins for shows like Flipper, but ultimately realised he'd set in motion a chain of events which would condemn the race. And it's true - he's made a difference; since the release of this film, the pressure and spotlight on Taiji has seen a tide of change which has saved lives.

Trouble Is My Business - Who knew that the story of a South Auckland teacher who was fighting truancy and battling for his students would be so inspiring? Juliette Veber's non-intrusive fly on the wall style gave us a real insight into what's going on in our schools as well as how some, like teacher Garry Peach, are battling to fight their students' corners. If ever there was justification in the old adage, one man can make a difference, Trouble Is My Business is living proof.

As well as Trouble is My Business, New Zealand films showed a significant step up onto the stage; it really did feel like the quality had been raised this year. Leaving aside the blockbusters like Separation City and the remake of Under The Mountain, there was plenty to love.

Richly deserving of a Dazzle is Toa Fraser's Dean Spanley - the tale of a dean (played by Sam Neill) who regressed to a past life as a dog when supping an ancient Hungarian wine may sound like an odd film - and a bit of a hard sell at the box office. However, based on Lord Dunsany's novel, this tale of fathers and sons, masters and their pooches provided one of the year's most satisfying pay offs. With masterful turns from Neill and Peter O'Toole as the cranky father, Dean Spanley remains a wonderful treat. Stuck in limbo for a while, it's finally found a DVD dealer - and is deserving of your time over Christmas.

Also awaiting a DVD release and a little underappreciated at the time of release at the cinema was The Strength of Water - this tale of twins in the Hokianga and the community whose lives were irrevocably changed by one moment was unflailingly subtle and beautifully shot. The tale of bonds, community and heart didn't find the audience it should have done - which is a real shame because the way it's shot and how the story's told is captivating from start to finish.

It's the same with Samson and Delilah a powerful film but not an easy watch. The story of 2 Aborigine who head off their reservation to find a life which is not what they'd hoped for set all of Australia talking - and will continue to have you doing after you've watched it.

GET READY FOR THE FINAL BATCH OF THE DAZZLE AWARDS TOMORROW - AND STAND BY FOR THE DAZZIES, TVNZ.CO.NZ'S WORST OF THE YEAR!