Contributions from Michael Leader | Little White Lies

Contributor Michael Leader

Illustration of two anime characters sitting on a bridge surrounded by flowers and scenery.
Review

A Silent Voice

by Michael Leader

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

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Illustration of a bespectacled young person against a cityscape with a firework display in the sky.
Interviews

Makoto Shinkai: ‘You can’t be Miyazaki, you can only be the second Miyazaki’

by Michael Leader

Meet the Japan­ese direc­tor behind the ani­mé smash hit Your Name.
Illustration of a man in a suit holding a pink pig, set against a hexagonal black background on a bright blue backdrop.
Interviews

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.
A traditional Japanese house with blue-framed windows, surrounded by lush greenery and a stone wall. A child stands in the foreground, facing the house.
Review

When Marnie Was There

by Michael Leader

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

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Damaged and torn tabloid newspaper amongst rubble and rocks.
Long Read

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.
Childlike cartoon character - large, spherical white robot hugging a small child with dark hair.
Review

Big Hero 6

by Michael Leader

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

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Close-up of a couple embracing intimately, gazing at each other.
Review

Beginners

by Michael Leader

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

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect