Reviews by Scott Macdonald

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)

  Review preview for Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

  An enormously satisfying adventure, made with skill and care.

  A training cruise for Kirk turns deadly with the return of an old enemy.
• 
  Watchmen (2009)

  Review preview for Watchmen

  At two and a half hours, Watchmen is enough to test patience and possibly bladders, while, on the other hand, it's not enough time to appreciate the rich, complex world of Moore's diseased creation.

  An adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel in which self-proclaimed heroes fight for the good of humanity - or for what they interpret as such.
• 
  Wanted (2008)

  Review preview for Wanted

  Reality checks, don't leave them at the door - bury them in a lead-lined vault guarded with wolves.

  Comic adaptation about an ordinary young man who becomes an elite agent of justice.
• 
  Oktapodi (2007)

  Review preview for Oktapodi

  Performances are so good that you could easily watch it with the sound down and still adore every bit of its squishy heroes adventures.

  Octopi in love!
• 
  Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009)

  Review preview for Confessions Of A Shopaholic

  I can hardly remember a movie more spectacularly ill-timed.

  Ditzy farce about fiscally irresponsible journalist.
• 
  Role Models (2008)

  Review preview for Role Models

  There's nowt of substance, or wit to last more than a 30-minute sitcom, but the script's tone is affectionate and likable.

  A pair of misanthropic manchildren learn mentoring responsibility.
• 
  Flawless (2007)

  Review preview for Flawless

  The film boasts at least one lovely switcheroo plot twist.

  A janitor and a disgruntled manager attempt to pull off a diamond heist.
• 
  Baraka (1992)

  Review preview for Baraka

  Exhilirating cinema, simply and purely stated with rich, detailed live action photography.

  A journey of rediscovery across the world.
• 
  Beauty And The Beast (1991)

  Review preview for Beauty And The Beast

  The sheer craftsmanship, through script, story, song, and unadulterated uplifting emotion is nearly peerless.

  Modern animated classic based on the famous fable. Will be given a re-release 3D makeover in June 2010.
• 
  Death Of A Salesman (1985)

  Review preview for Death Of A Salesman

  A sterling, if uncinematic adaptation, without pretence or frippery which could dilute the potency of performances or writing.

  The definitive telling of Arthur Miller's classic play.
• 
  Never Apologize (2007)

  Review preview for Never Apologize

  A good evening's entertainment which, for an Anderson newbie like myself, provides a decent primer in his work.

  Malcolm McDowell's one-man memoriam for his mentor, Lindsay Anderson.
• 
  Vertigo (1958)

  Review preview for Vertigo

  My pick for the greatest film ever made.

  A detective becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman who reminds him of someone else.
• 
  Madame Tutli-Putli (2007)

  Review preview for Madame Tutli-Putli

  The art direction is simultaneously gorgeous (beautiful lighting and well-crafted sets), yet lumpen, curved and ugly, as though exorcised from an exaggerated Expressionistic dream.

  A woman boards a train with all her worldly goods.
• 
  The Crumblegiant (2007)

  Review preview for The Crumblegiant

  Inquisitive and bright children of all ages will surely love the lusciously produced and imaginative animation.

  Half-remembered charcoal dreams from childhood.
• 
  Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight (2007)

  Review preview for Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight

  The animation is exquisitely timed for terrific comic impact.

  A businessman reaches the end of his tether.
• 
  High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)

  Review preview for High School Musical 3: Senior Year

  The writing is unanimously superfluous bubblegum dribble. Yet Zac Efron displays a startling magnetic star quality and rises above it.

  Big-screen outing for the Disney Channel kids.
• 
  Judge Dredd (1995)

  Review preview for Judge Dredd

  A simple piece of mindlessly gratifying entertainment.

  Comic-book adaptation of 2000AD hero.
• 
  Zombie Strippers! (2008)

  Review preview for Zombie Strippers!

  Not quite enough braaaaaains to go round.

  You need a one liner after reading the title?
• 
  Pineapple Express (2008)

  Review preview for Pineapple Express

  What you expect from a bunch of stoners, but done well enough so you won't care.

  Stoner comedy about a dude and his dealer on the run.
• 
  Jurassic Park (1993)

  Review preview for Jurassic Park

  Extraordinarily exciting and often disturbing PG-rated stuff.

  A trip to a dinosaur theme park turns deadly.
• 
  Dark City: Director's Cut (1998)

  Review preview for Dark City: Director's Cut

  A stylish and engrossing mystery - an immature, yet energetic explosion of storytelling ideas.

  Extravagant sci-fi fantasy about a hunted man struggling with his memory gets a directorial polish.
• 
  The Dark Knight (2008)

  Review preview for The Dark Knight

  An outstanding achievement: a rich, dark and complex movie

  The Caped Crusader isn't the only batty one in Gotham... The Joker's also in town.
• 
  Geriatrics: The Musical (2007)

  Review preview for Geriatrics: The Musical

  It made me shudder every time it eked out a chuckle.

  Stop-motion claymation musical about four geriatrics in a ward.
• 
  Empty Space (2008)

  Review preview for Empty Space

  It was a bore, and, thankfully, it was short.

  A construction worker tries to escape from reality.
• 
  Outcasts (2008)

  Review preview for Outcasts

  The scripting and performances are well-judged and Ian Clark keeps things running like clockwork.

  Disabled misfits kidnap a singer.
• 
  A Riff for Lazaro (2007)

  Review preview for A Riff for Lazaro

  Superbly photographed.

  A young trumpet player searches for the mouthpiece which brought his long lost father fame.
• 
  Jesus Christ Saviour (2008)

  Review preview for Jesus Christ Saviour

  Jesus Christ Saviour is more a challenging and interesting curio for fans of Kinski and Herzog's collaborations than a movie in its own right.

  Klaus Kinski (so immortally captured in Werner Herzog's My Best Fiend) gives a showstopping performance with a defiant monologue.
• 
  Mum And Dad (2008)

  Review preview for Mum And Dad

  A savage deconstruction of Thatcherite beliefs in family.

  Brit horror, sees an airport worker face the perils of a close-knit family. In cinemas and on DVD this Boxing Day. Plus read our exclusive interview with Perry Benson.
• 
  Stone Of Destiny (2008)

  Review preview for Stone Of Destiny

  A brief trip into shortbread-tin Scotland.

  If Ealing were still alive... they'd probably grab this script and run with it!
• 
  Slingshot (2007)

  Review preview for Slingshot

  The technical expertise and fast turnaround in this movie is stunning.

  Close-up and personal view of the slums using hidden cameras and brilliant editing.
• 
  California Dreamin' (Endless) (2007)

  Review preview for California Dreamin' (Endless)

  The single greatest problem with California Dreamin', is that it has been released in an unfinished two hour 20 minute assembly - due to the director Cristian Nemescu's untimely death.

  A NATO transport train becomes detained at a rural station.
• 
  Losing Myself: Stewart (2006)

  Review preview for Losing Myself: Stewart

  Inspiring, effective and wonderfully evocative

  Artist's reflection on past and present, in spite of dementia.
• 
  Nowhere, No One (2006)

  Review preview for Nowhere, No One

  Burbled dialogue and snappy tempers doesn't substitute as drama.

  A man picks up a stranger in the woods.
• 
  Laid Off (2006)

  Review preview for Laid Off

  Zam Salim's direction and control of his short tale is exemplary

  Being dead is a killer.
• 
  River Child (2007)

  Review preview for River Child

  Elegantly shot.

  Awakening sexuality versus heroism.
• 
  Semi-Pro (2008)

  Review preview for Semi-Pro

  A strange, tepid mixture of basketball drama and comedy set in what television and dull popular culture remembers as being the 70s.

  Basketball comedy with a loud mouth.
• 
  Diary Of The Dead (2007)

  Review preview for Diary Of The Dead

  Youthful, energetic and lively as ever - George A Romero's cinematic resurrection is a cheerful and thoughtful horror delight.

  Film students try to record the end of civilisation as they know it when the dead begin to walk. Plus read our exclusive interview with George A Romero.
• 
  Shrooms (2006)

  Review preview for Shrooms

  I'm questioning a movie that just positively begs someone to watch while consuming a large wad of illegal hallucinogens - I should give up asking for sense.

  A trip too far...
• 
  Saw IV (2007)

  Review preview for Saw IV

  So utterly repugnant, so self-absorbed and without entertainment value that it is akin to putting your face into a pail of four-day-old warmed-over innards and being forced to take deep breaths.

  The Jigsaw starts to grate.
• 
  Great Expectations (1946)

  Review preview for Great Expectations

  One of the finest book to film adaptations of all time.

  Classic adaptation of Dickens' novel about a orphan who finds a mystery inheritance propels him into high society.
• 
  Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

  Review preview for Leaving Las Vegas

  Cage and Shue transform [their characters] into believable people you feel you could talk with - transcending the usual boundaries of the screen and your heart.

  A sensational, if doomed romance between a prostitute and a suicidal drunk.
• 
  Superbad (2007)

  Review preview for Superbad

  I honestly wish I'd written this movie, and I suspect a handful of people my age feel the same way.

  An ode to friendship in the final night of high-school leads to a party never to be forgotten.
• 
  Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

  Review preview for Run, Fatboy, Run

  A stronger hold on the material, including some judicious cutting, would pare down the movie's soggy midsection.

  Comedy about an unfit bloke's marathon.
• 
  Aliens (1986)

  Review preview for Aliens

  Blends a premise of high-tech firepower, adventure, excitement, terror and a human story, and makes all the threads gel.

  Ripley is back in another alien-killing spree.
• 
  Planet B-Boy (2007)

  Review preview for Planet B-Boy

  Well-made and great to look at - but strictly for fans only.

  Documentary looking at the world of breakdancing.
• 
  Knocked Up (2006)

  Review preview for Knocked Up

  Judd Apatow has marked himself out as the leader of the pack when it comes to delivering effortless and believable raunchy comedy.

  Comedy about an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand.
• 
  Death Proof (2007)

  Review preview for Death Proof

  Death Proof is as much an experience as it is a movie for those who love movies.

  Quentin Tarantino's glorious grindhouse send-up.
• 
  The Song Of The Cricket (2006)

  Review preview for The Song Of The Cricket

  It intrigues and delivers on the promise of the character-based suspense.

  An ETA militant tries to cut the ties with his past. Showing at the EIFF as part of European Shorts 1.
• 
  The Substitute (2006)

  Review preview for The Substitute

  The substitute of the title is a delirious, rictus-grinning comic creation.

  Comedy about the supply teacher from hell. Showing at the EIFF as part of European Shorts 1.
• 
  Milan (2007)

  Review preview for Milan

  The storytelling is crisp, clever and doesn't waste a moment with superfluous plot.

  A game of hide and seek has tragic consequences for two brothers during the 1999 bombardment of Yugoslavia. Showing at the EIFF as part of European Shorts 1.