Posts by Michael Leader

Robot Dreams review – a wordless wonder

By Michael Leader

A dog creates a robot friend for himself in Pablo Berger's intricate, amazing silent animation.

review

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

By Michael Leader

Nintendo and Illumination team up to give everyone's favourite fictional plumber an animated makeover, with soulless results.

review

Marcel the Shell with Shoes on

By Michael Leader

A sentient shell sets out to find his family with help from a documentary filmmaker in Dean Fleischer-Camp's effortlessly charming feature debut.

review LWLies Recommends

The Velvet Underground

By Michael Leader

Todd Haynes directs this definitive chronicle of the fabled avant-garde rock group, taking in everything from doo wop to pop art.

review LWLies Recommends

The Velvet Underground – first-look review

By Michael Leader

Todd Haynes’ first documentary takes a thrilling, cautiously ambivalent look at the NY art-rock demigods.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

By Michael Leader

Fists and bullets fly in this amped-up, consistently entertaining action thriller from Korea’s Lee Won-tae.

review

The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil – first look review

By Michael Leader

A welcome dose of crooked cops and violent crims spices up the dying days of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.

The Lighthouse – first look review

By Michael Leader

Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe are on top form in Robert Eggers’ stark maritime nightmare.

Lords of Chaos

By Michael Leader

Jonas Åkerlund attempts to debunk the various myths surrounding the Norwegian Black Metal scene.

review LWLies Recommends

One Cut of the Dead

By Michael Leader

This madcap meta-horror from Japan’s Shin’ichirô Ueda breathes new life into the zombie genre.

review LWLies Recommends

Mirai

By Michael Leader

Mamoru Hosoda returns with a charming time-bending tale about two siblings.

review LWLies Recommends

The Mountain – first look review

By Michael Leader

Jeff Goldblum plays against type to unsettling effect in this zany road movie from writer/director Rick Alverson.

Mirai – first look review

By Michael Leader

This delightful Japanese anime is one of the highlights of this year’s Directors’ Fortnight programme.

How we launched Studio Ponoc by Yoshiaki Nishimura and Hiromasa Yonebayashi

By Michael Leader

The creative minds behind Japan’s newest animation house share their vision for the future.

Big Fish & Begonia

By Michael Leader

This stunning animated fantasy from Chinese pair Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun rivals Studio Ghibli.

review

Lu Over the Wall

By Michael Leader

Masaaki Yuasa’s second film of 2017 proves he’s one to watch in the anime world.

review

Fireworks

By Michael Leader

Despite some initial promise, this striking looking anime from director Akiyuki Shinbô quickly fizzles out.

review

Napping Princess

By Michael Leader

This entertaining animated adventure imagines a near-future powered by machines.

review

In This Corner of the World

By Michael Leader

This Japanese anime from Sunao Katabuchi doesn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of Studio Ghibli.

review

A Silent Voice

By Michael Leader

Don’t miss this quietly affecting coming-of-ager from anime director Naoko Yamada.

review LWLies Recommends

Charlie Brooker: ‘Once you’ve f**ked a pig on the telly, you’ve shifted the bar for what’s acceptable’

By Michael Leader

The Black Mirror writer discusses the show’s switch to Netflix, and why he loves torturing his characters.

When Marnie Was There

By Michael Leader

A magical coming-of-age story by one of Studio Ghibli’s most talented filmmakers.

review

How Spielberg’s gentle alien killed the video game industry

By Michael Leader

Did E.T. really cause the 1983 Video Game Crash? Michael Leader goes in search of a pop culture myth.

Big Hero 6

By Michael Leader

Disney’s first Marvel-infused animation is a charming and heartfelt story of boy-meets-bot.

review

Beginners

By Michael Leader

Despite a stand-out performance from an old pro, Beginners keeps the audience at a distance.

review

Little White Lies Logo

About Little White Lies

Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.

Editorial

Design