Over the last few years Absinthe movies have taken over as the movie everyone is waiting to see, due in no small part to riders like Gigi, Rüf, Nicolas Muller and Wolle Nyvelt. This year sees freeride legend Jeremy Jones and TTR champ Kevin Pearce join the fold; the anticipation factor just went through the roof.

Best Track:‘Hey Ya!’ – Shawn Lee’s Ping-Pong Orchestra (it may be on the credits, but it’s the icing on the cake)
Best For:Packaging (controversial but they get the nod for 100 percent recycled box)
Score:8/10
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Standard films are as traditional as Christmas, having been in the game since the early 90s. Their reputation is built on capturing big lines in Alaska, though recent films have attempted to tap into the freestyle market with mixed success. Seeing as they’ve stolen the title of this year’s film from an Austrian shred crew, the signs aren’t good. But make no mistake – Aesthetica is a banging return to form.

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Best Track:Eric Jackson opens up proceedings with a sick section and an inspired tune: ‘Rockin in the Free World’ by Neil Young.
Best For:Torstein techiness
Score:9/10
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The biggest name in filming and the biggest names in snowboarding celebrate 20 years of MDP with and absolute banger of a movie. Every single rider shreds their socks off, while some great little interludes explore the history of the sport (and classic Mack Dawg moments). This gem is an absolute must have.

Best Track:‘Motorin’ by The Saturday Knights is the first track to drop. Combine this with some great editing and you are almost wetting your pants waiting for Eero to throw some shapes.
Best For:Overall quality (and collectability)
Score:9/10
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Two years in the making and with a near Hollywood budget, this movie has to be the most eagerly anticipated movie since the dawn of time – maybe even before then. Travis Rice stars alongside Terje, Nico Müller, Jeremy Jones, Mark Landvik, Scotty Lago and John Jackson. In short, some of the best riding talent to bless this planet. And he upstages them all.

Best Track:It’s a tough call but ‘Call To Arms’ by Exodus is kicking
Best For:Sheer Quality. Will this film ever be bettered?
Score:10/10 (if we had an 11 it would get one)
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The Burton Snowboards team movie! I don’t really need to say anything else, do I? The best team in the world, riding absolutely everywhere, and captured for our pleasure. In fact they visited so many places we are generously supplied with two DVDs – one for the northern hemisphere and one for the southern.

Best Track:The Southern Hemi lays out its stall from the kick off with a funky number called ‘Safety First’ performed by Adham Shaikh.
Best For:Extras, you get a whole second DVD
Score:7.5/10
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Following on from the Burton and Rome movies, Forum is the next brand to showcase its team. After last season’s free downloadable film, Forum have completely changed direction – including a whole box of goodies with your DVD purchase.

Best Track:‘Evil Wars’ by Black Mountain
Best For:Free gifts – including a whole other DVD
Score:7/10
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Just as a piece of meat bearing the Bernard Mathews name is guaranteed to contain 14 different types of arsehole, you can be confident that an MDP film will contain nothing but quality riding. Down With People has that raw edge as the crew push it to the limits. This is Double Decade with tight pants.

Best Track:It’s got to be ‘Cross Town Traffic’ by Jami Hendrix. I can’t believe this hasn’t been used before.
Best For:Soundtrack.
Score:7/10
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Having pretty much invented the mini shred, Think Thank Productions consistently buck the trend to create their own. Each season asks the question, ‘will they conform?’ and each film brings the answer, ‘hell no!’ Balls of steel -combined with an unbelievably unique eye for the alternative – create something completely different and yet 100% legit.

Best Track:‘Someone, Somewhere’ performed by Luke Temple
Best For:Imaginative jibs
Score:7.5/10
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Autumn Line have been making movies for a while now, but this year has seen Mark Wiitanen and brothers Matt and Adam Porter take their game to new heights. Regular visitors to the Transworld site last season will be well aware of this year’s offering, thanks in no small part to the dose of weekly video offerings. This additional hype is necessary and justified for a movie that brings quality filmmaking and fresh talent to the table.

Best Track:The Cigarettes They’re back again, here they come’ for a taste of English punk-rock .
Best For:Different faces
Score:6/10
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A self styled rock n’ roll brand, the Rome snowboard movies are suitably alternative with a soundtrack to match. Raw filming style and burly riding come together to create a great movie that will make you wish you were born in the seventies.

Best Track:‘You got it wrong’ by The Hives
Best For:Rock
Score:6.5/10
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This video is European, and what a breath of fresh air it is. The stupidly funny skits, the sketchy street spots and the amazingly creative but rough around the edges animations: all result in an energetic, original production that makes you proud to be a Euro. UK pro Tyler Chorlton is also in there so buy a copy now!

Best Track:The track for the Tyler section is great; I’ve no idea what it’s called, sorry.
Best For:British riding
Score:8/10
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