Reviews by Leanne McGrath

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  Letter For The King (2008)

  Review preview for Letter For The King

  Has a refreshing, low-tech approach and does not rely on special effects or 3D to impress viewers, focusing instead on the story.

  A medieval teenager has to undertake a quest before he can become a knight.
• 
  Dog Sweat (2010)

  Review preview for Dog Sweat

  Shot in an unobstrusive, ‘cinema verite’, documentary style, the film never pushes its politics down the viewer’s throat, rather presents a picture of the conflicts ordinary people deal with daily.

  Six Iranian youngsters rebel against Islamic rule in Tehran.
• 
  Who Am I? (2010)

  Review preview for Who Am I?

  The budget is low with no special effects but it boasts a gripping story, sincere acting, plot twists and beautiful cinematography.

  Mystery surrounds a man with memory loss and a dead body found with no identification.
• 
  An African Election (2011)

  Review preview for An African Election

  The documentary is well balanced and never presents either party in a more favourable light than the other.

  Documentary charting the 2008 presidential election in Ghana.
• 
  Submarine (2010)

  Review preview for Submarine

  This British indie gem deserves to become a cult classic.

  An imaginative 15-year-old is as interested in losing his virginity as he is in saving his parents’ marriage. Plus read our interview with Richard Ayoade.
• 
  Despicable Me (2010)

  Review preview for Despicable Me

  Funny, clever and beautifully animated with memorable, imaginative characters.

  A super-villain plots to steal the Moon.
• 
  Sins Of My Father (2009)

  Review preview for Sins Of My Father

  Neither Entel nor Sebastian promote drugs as a lucrative trade - it may have made Escober millions but it ultimately cost him his life and ruined the lives of his loved ones.

  The story of Pablo Escobar - as recounted by his son and widow.
• 
  How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

  Review preview for How to Train Your Dragon

  Beautifully written, animated and executed.

  A young viking becomes an unlikely dragon master.
• 
  The Last Days Of Emma Blank (2009)

  Review preview for The Last Days Of Emma Blank

  Offers lashings of humour alongside its damning critique of greed and manipulation.

  An elderly woman drives her 'servants' to distraction as they wait for her to die.
• 
  I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured: Identity Crisis At The Cape Of Good Hope (2009)

  Review preview for I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured: Identity Crisis At The Cape Of Good Hope

  The narration is informative, detailing the major segregation policies of Apartheid to cater to a mass audience and not just those with existing knowledge.

  examination of the legacy of Apartheid in South Africa from the viewpoint of the Cape Coloured, the majority population.
• 
  Kismet (2008)

  Review preview for Kismet

  The movie, which has its roots in the film noir genre, moves at a very slow but steady pace and director Abdullah Oguz keeps things tense throughout.

  This Turkish crime drama follows a married couple whose island break turns into a bloody nightmare.
• 
  The Last Wheel (2009)

  Review preview for The Last Wheel

  There is no dialogue, just strong visuals.

  A tattoist offers prisoners a chance at freedom.
• 
  Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty (2008)

  Review preview for Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty

  The animation is excellent - computer generated 3D in muted tones for granny’s world, vibrant colour in 2D for the fairytale.

  A bedtime story is a lot more grim than a little girl expects.
• 
  From Time To Time (2009)

  Review preview for From Time To Time

  This haunting ghost story is an old-fashioned family film that will delight both kids and adults. S

  Ghostly goings on ensue when a youngster is sent to live with his grandma at Green Knowe.
• 
  Music On Hold (2009)

  Review preview for Music On Hold

  It’s not an original scenario but Music On Hold’s charm is in its characters and humour, not its plot.

  A charming but predictable romantic comedy about pretence, pregnancy, piano and plagiarism.
• 
  Socarrat (2009)

  Review preview for Socarrat

  Darkly humorous and brilliantly crafted.

  Meet Spain’s most dysfunctional family.
• 
  Do It Again (2009)

  Review preview for Do It Again

  It may be a little self-indulgent but any music fan will appreciate and share his joy.

  A documentary following a middle aged journalist's quest to reunite The Kinks.
• 
  The White Ribbon (2009)

  Review preview for The White Ribbon

  The White Ribbon is tough but engaging, thought-provoking viewing and boasts flawness technical achievements most directors can only dream of.

  Tensions in a German town on the eve of the First World War.
• 
  Black (2009)

  Review preview for Black

  The breaking of genre boundaries is surreal but one of many enjoyable elements of Black.

  After a bank heist goes south, the surviving robber tries to get rich quick in Senegal, only to fall foul of a millionaire who is morphing into a snake and gaggle of other weirdos vying for power.
• 
  La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (2009)

  Review preview for La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet

  While the result is visually flawless, the film is often very confusing.

  Documentary steps behind the scenes of one of France's cultural institutions.
• 
  Invictus (2009)

  Review preview for Invictus

  Matt Damon gives one of the best performances of his career.

  Nelson Mandela's attempt to unite his nation with the help of the rugby world cup.
• 
  Astro Boy (2009)

  Review preview for Astro Boy

  The intricate detail of the colourful computer animation will wow viewers.

  Science-fiction, CGI animation tracing the adventures of a young robot with super powers.
• 
  Love Happens (2009)

  Review preview for Love Happens

  The most romantic thing about this movie is the lovingly shot images of Seattle.

  A florist falls for a bereaved self-help guru... but will love blossom?
• 
  Amelia (2009)

  Review preview for Amelia

  The script is weak, relying heavily on travelogue-style scenes of Earhart’s flights, passages from her diaries and newsreel footage and headlines.

  Biopic of pilot Amelia Earhart.
• 
  Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

  Review preview for Where The Wild Things Are

  A breathtaking fantasy world with stunning live-action puppetry, flawless CGI and a talented voice cast.

  Mischievous lad learns how tough it is to be a parent when he is crowned king of a family of magical monsters.
• 
  Little Red Riding Hood (1997)

  Review preview for Little Red Riding Hood

  Sinister, stylized and sexually-charged.

  A black comedy version of the classic fairytale.
• 
  The Code (2009)

  Review preview for The Code

  Ridiculous doesn’t quite cover it.

  A renowned thief enlists the help of a petty thief to pull of one last heist.
• 
  The Proposal (2009)

  Review preview for The Proposal

  Follows a standard rom-com formula and there won’t be anything you haven’t seen a hundred times before.

  In order to get leave to remain in the US, a boss bullies her assistant into agreeing to marry her.
• 
  Rebirth Of A Nation (2007)

  Review preview for Rebirth Of A Nation

  While Spooky does a good job of exposing the racism, the film does this without his help.

  A deconstruction of DW Griffith’s controversial film.
• 
  The Soloist (2009)

  Review preview for The Soloist

  Foxx gives a vivid and incredibly moving portrayal of this troubled genius.

  A writer forms a friendship with a homeless musical prodigy.
• 
  The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

  Review preview for The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3

  The original Pelham was a tense affair but this modern version cranks up the edge-of-your-seat factor even further.

  A group of armed men hold a crowded New York City subway train to ransom in this remake of the 1974 thriller.
• 
  Friday The 13th (2009)

  Review preview for Friday The 13th

  Butchers the memory of the Eighties horror classic as brutally as any of its victims.

  Jason Vorhees is back... and he's angry.
• 
  Imagine That (2009)

  Review preview for Imagine That

  There is plenty of toilet humour for the kids but adults will struggle to raise a smile.

  A struggling executive gets some help from his daughter's imaginary world.
• 
  Up (3D) (2009)

  Review preview for Up (3D)

  The characters are beautifully drawn and the landscapes are some of the studio’s finest work yet - the detail in the jungle and ocean is breathtaking.

  A grouchy OAP has an action-packed adventure in the rainforest after flying there in his balloon-powered house.
• 
  Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (2009)

  Review preview for Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans

  Offers far more visually than it does narratively.

  Prequel chases the origins of the feud between vampires and werewolves.
• 
  Stuck (2007)

  Review preview for Stuck

  The gore factor is rammed to the max, with some truly stomach-churning scenes.

  A young woman hits a man with his car – and drives off with him dying in her windscreen rather than call for help.
• 
  The Sick House (2007)

  Review preview for The Sick House

  Like all slasher movies, you know the cast will be picked off one by one in increasingly disturbing ways.

  The spirit of a murderous doctor continues to kill kill kill from beyond the grave.
• 
  Strays (1997)

  Review preview for Strays

  Diesel has to carry the whole film but struggles under the weight.

  A streetwise twentysomething seeks a more meaningful life than drugs, drink and womanising on the mean streets of New York.
• 
  The Niklashausen Journey (1970)

  Review preview for The Niklashausen Journey

  But while visually striking at times, narratively the film often plods along and the revolutionary rants tend to get repetitive.

  A shepherd claims the Virgin Mary has ordered him to start a revolution against the Church and upper classes. Out to own now on the RW Fassbinder Commemorative Collection: Vol 1.
• 
  Fear Of Fear (1975)

  Review preview for Fear Of Fear

  Fassbinder’s technical skill is, as always, flawless.

  A German housewife fears she is going insane following the birth of her second child. Out to own now on the RW Fassbinder Commemorative Collection: Vol 2.
• 
  Heroes: Season One (2006)

  Review preview for Heroes: Season One

  The scripts are tight and engaging, the characterisation in-depth, the acting exemplary and the action and effects more than impressive.

  A group of people discover they have special abilities – and fate soon draws them together to save the world.
• 
  House Of Bamboo (1955)

  Review preview for House Of Bamboo

  This was the first Hollywood film shot on location in Japan and Fuller makes the most of the opportunity.

  A comic book romp about a rat pack-type gang who run Tokyo's post-war underworld.
• 
  A Little Trip To Heaven (2005)

  Review preview for A Little Trip To Heaven

  Director Baltasar Kormakur’s gripping thriller is inspired by classic noir - the cinematography is as bleak as the story and there is no neat happy ending.

  An insurance investigator probes the suspicious death of a conman whose sister and dodgy hubby inherit $1million after his demise.
• 
  Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2006)

  Review preview for Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

  An affectionate, thoroughly enjoyable biography and tribute.

  Documentary about one of rock's most enigmatic and influential heroes.
• 
  The L Word (2005)

  Review preview for The L Word

  Has plenty to satisfy gay and straight, male and female audiences.

  The loves, lusts and laughs of lipstick lesbians in LA.
• 
  Molly's Way (2005)

  Review preview for Molly's Way

  Mairead McKinley is a sensation as Molly.

  A young Irish woman goes to Poland to search for the father of the child she is carrying.
• 
  Elena Et Les Hommes (1956)

  Review preview for Elena Et Les Hommes

  Although there is a heavy political story, the film lightens the tone with plenty of music and comedy, particularly slapstick.

  A Polish princess tries to persuade a lovestruck general to carry out a coup in 1880s France. Currently out to own as part of the seven-disc Jean Renoir Collection.
• 
  The Making Of A Film Idol (2005)

  Review preview for The Making Of A Film Idol

  This hilarious documentary is car crash viewing at its very finest.

  Documentary about a talent competition to find extras for a gangster film.
• 
  Satan (2006)

  Review preview for Satan

  At times hilarious, at others stomach-churning and always exceptionally weird, Sheitan is destined to become a cult hit.

  Oversexed teenagers and Satanic rituals in a remote farmhouse.
• 
  Rosita (2005)

  Review preview for Rosita

  Horrific, heart-breaking and yet also hopeful, Rosita is a must-see piece of film-making.

  Documentary about a Nicaraguan girl aged nine who gets pregnant after being raped and has to fight for an abortion.