ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

bombersflyup Local Hero is a watchable, but fairly mediocre drama that doesn't try to be anything.I didn't dislike it, it just doesn't really go anywhere. The comedy is also too sparse to be labelled such. Lancaster isn't in much of the film and Riegert was a pretty weak lead in my opinion. I Couldn't understand what the Victor character who came late in the film was saying most of the time, needed subtitles. I would of liked them to explore more of the Marina/Oldsen pairing, could of been something there.

breeko This has to be the most deceptive movie ever made. On initial viewing it appears to be simply a quaint, sweet and beautiful movie, but with no real depth. I will blame my lack of perception for this. I had to watch it again and again to properly get it, and enjoyed and appreciated it more each time. This is a film that makes people the stars. Not plot, excitement, romance or derring-do This is about how essentially, decent people, with different objectives and lifestyles can come together and reach a common good. The interactions are brilliantly portrayed, and what would appear initially as not much going on, is actually human beings really respecting who the others are and allowing them their eccentricities and personalities without judgement. It is telling us that we need outside stimulus nowhere near as much as we need each other. This means that in every scene, no matter how subdued, it is actually reaching far deeper than an exciting, though contrived action sequence would ever do. Bill Forsyth says to the audience. There isn't any need for real drama, just let people come together and watch them tell the story. This they do, to powerful effect, and when combined with a witty script, beautiful music and stunning scenery, you end up with quite simply, a superb creation.

seaquestration This is a lovely film that comes out of nowhere and captures your imagination. Films of the same ilk are Trout Fishing in the Yemen, Waking Ned Devine, the Decoy Bride, and Field of Dreams. If you like these, you will like this film. It takes a subject of little interest to most, the capitalization of an isolated village in Scotland for profit, and because of brilliant characterization and dialog, creates something lasting that you can comment on 25 years after you watched it for the first time. I don't know why I chose to see this move initially. I do know why I rank it as one of my favorite films. The soundtrack is haunting, with Mark Knoffler at his creative prime. The characters are truly unique, the script natural and intelligent. I loved seeing a senior Burt Lancaster at his very best. That is saying something for a man that stole the scenes in so many great films over his career. The scenery is spectacular and filmed in such a way to convey the both the harshness and the vulnerability of Northern Scotland. - Daryl P.

Tweekums When Houston oil executive Mac is told to go to northern Scotland to buy the village that stands where Knox Oil wants to build its new refinery he doesn't think it is an important job; he believes he could do it just as well via telex. When he gets there he initially maintains that view as local lawyer, and hotelier, Gordon Urquhart, tells him that he thinks the locals could be persuaded to sell if the price is right... the truth is they are all keen to sell and understandably want to make sure they get the best price. During his stay there he goes to like the place and its people... but not enough to change his mind about the project; that would be overly cliché. Mac is accompanied by Scotsman Danny Oldsen who works at the company's Aberdeen office and he does end up somewhat conflicted when he falls for marine researcher Marina who believes Knox wants the site to build a research facility not a refinery.This is a delightful film populated by a fine array of characters including Felix Happer, an oil executive who is more interesting in finding comets; Marina, a web-footed marine researcher; Happer's psychiatrist who believes he is paid to insult his employer; Ben, an old man who lives on the beach and could scupper the project and just about everybody in the town. Director Bill Forsyth did a great job keeping the story fun without slipping into sentimentality... the fate of Mac and Danny's pet rabbit is anything but sentimental; it is funny though! This isn't just a visual treat; the sound is great too with a haunting score from Mark Knopfler, the regular peeping of shorebirds and the occasional roar of RAF Jaguar jets that shatters the tranquillity in a way that stops us from thinking the village is perfect. Peter Riegert puts in a nicely understated performance as Mac which went well with Burt Lancaster's and Denis Lawson's performances as the larger than life Happer and Urquhart and Peter Capaldi is good as Danny. I'd certainly recommend this; the plot might not be deep but it is all the little moments that make it great.