Sheffield DocFest — A–Z of films

With such powerful subject matter it would be difficult to make a film that didn't leave an impression.

Neither beautiful nor inspiring.

Where these genius guys who put All Tomorrow’s Parties together succeed beyond expectation is in capturing the fierce and beautiful commitment of everyone involved.

American: The Bill Hicks Story provides us with a wonderful glimpse behind the curtain of performance and lets us see the sensitive, warm, patriotic and fiercely intelligent man we all suspected lay beneath the act.

Courtin-Wilson's approach is graceful, impressionistic and with the heart of a poet.

Not just for Troll 2 fans, it comments on the much wider culture surrounding the love of bad movies.

In sheer entertainment terms this is Moore's best yet.

Scratch the good-looking surface and The Cove's contentions start to look very wobbly.

A stunning little film.

The subject matter is serious and the filmmakers have attempted to illustrated it with a man on the run, rather than investigate clinically.

By trying to make the views expressed by commentators and members of the public seem natural, spontaneous and heartfelt, the debate has been dumbed down to sub primary school level.

The argument at the heart of Kallenberg's film is a very strong one, succinctly put.

Director Moby Longinotto finds moments of extraordinary beauty in a family's ordinary existence.

It is a wonderful comment on the French as a nation that they can take something like this so very, very seriously.

Being blind isn't all about needing help, and the film deftly avoids patronising its subject.

It is easy to engage with this family, who seem totally relaxed with the presence of cameras.

Notes On The Other unfolds like a fairytale and will leave you wondering long after the credits have rolled.

Given that it has so much to say for itself, it's a shame this isn't more involving for the viewer.

The overall, very sad message of the film is that here is a nation of people freed from the gruelling work patterns of the past, but who now find themselves trapped in dull, monotonous and soul-destroying jobs.

As well-constructed documentary, this contains emotion but avoids cheesiness.

In my job I see a lot of beautifully shot films, but the cinematography in this one is simply breathtaking.

This soon begins to feel like a good idea stretched too thinly.

When I watched this film, many in the audience were in tears.

There is a concrete sense of just how true and harrowing this testimony is.

Whilst it's important that the film itself be enough of a slog to help us identify with Rachel's internal struggle and the physical challenges she faces, it repeats itself too often and relies too much on a charisma its subject doesn't have.

Definitely one of the best pieces of ‘non-fiction cinema’ i’ve seen in a long while.

A disarmingly and deliciously unexpected celebration of matriarchs with attitude.

A film which makes you rethink your perceptions and encourages you to ponder deeper questions of humanity.

This gentle, observational film comes as close as is possible to exploring its subject's world without passing judgement.

Wagner knows just where to place his camera to get the most interesting shots and just how long to leave it there.

The direction is pedestrian and, though Jack is an intriguing subject, this approach to him isn't particularly insightful.