Movie Gazette

Reviews Featuring Peter Mullan

The Magdalene Sisters

A simultaneously dark and light tale, told with minimum fuss and maximum effectiveness. Just be warned – Sister Act it ain’t.

My Name Is Joe

Poignant, gritty and realistic, but also extremely tough on the eye.

Trainspotting

Gritty and raw but appealing and even entertaining examination of wasted lives and drug addiction. Not to be missed.

Young Adam

A well-made and well-acted film with a distinct indie feel to it. Just a pity David Mackenzie couldn’t find a better tale to give his big screen adaptation treatment to.

Young Adam

After 'The Last Great Wilderness', 'Young Adam' consolidates David Mackenzie's reputation as a director of mature, original and uniquely British films. He deserves, along with Lynne Ramsay ('Ratcatcher', 'Morvern Callar'), to be recognised as a national treasure. 'Young Adam' is a finely crafted, elliptical, evocative work of art that uses suggestion rather than action to snake its way into your mind and stay entwined there long after the film is over. And Tilda Swinton proves as effortlessly extraordinary as ever, even in the drabbest of rôles.

Braveheart

It might be a load of nonsense from an historical point of view, but ‘Braveheart’ still produces the goods entertainment-wise. But does it really have to be so long??

Shallow Grave

Tuck yourself in the loft and watch this little cracker in the dark. That’s if the cable on your DVD player will stretch that far. Otherwise you’re probably better off just watching it in the living room. Actually, it’s probably more comfortable there too.

Criminal

Tense and twisty grifter remake - but so close to the original, it's criminal.

Children of Men

With an involving story, realistic setting and well executed action scenes, Children of Men is one of the best Dystopian movies out there.

War Horse

Diabetes-inducing sappy drama from Spielberg that fails to capture the imagination. A real missed opportunity of a unique premise.