This review was first published on Steven’s website Popcornaddiction.com. We love it, you should definitely check him out. When Davy (George MacKay) and Ally (Kevin Guthrie) return from deployment in Afghanistan, their friend having been injured in a roadside attack, they find it difficult to adapt to civilian life. Liz (Freya Mavor), Davy’s sister and…

In celebration of Burns Night, we at Best for Film have compiled our favourite Scottish films, whether they be set in Scotland, or made by Scottish directors, all these films have made a name for themselves internationally as well as domestically, proving that Scotland has a rich cinematic history. In no particular order, these films are all worthy of a watch, or a second watch if you’ve already seen them. With so much to be patriotic about, ol’ Rabbie Burns would be proud.

“Oh good! A British rapper making his film debut!” said nobody, ever. But stay that hand from killing – Ashley Thomas (‘Bashy’ to his fans) is actually pretty good in The Man Inside. Sadly, not everyone else is pulling their weight in this patchy underworld thriller.

A merciless exploration of rage, shame, paralysis and bitterness, Tyrannosaur would be nigh on impossible to watch if it wasn’t also absolutely hypnotic. Staggering central performances from Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman add powerful weight to a sparse, unpretentious script – a debut piece for writer/director Paddy Considine. Enjoyable might be the wrong word, but this is vital viewing all the same.

First adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s book into a play by Nick Stafford, the story of War Horse has now been set loose on cinema audiences in Steven Spielberg’s latest epic. Having divided critics upon its release, we decide to make like a horse and canter towards a sunny meadow of consensus. And clover.

GO ON GARY

Sadly, it’s not actually about dinosaurs.

In his debut as a major director and screenwriter Paddy Considine brings us a film about two seriously troubled individuals who just so happen to find and, in a sense, save each other. If you’re a big fan of deep, realistic dramas, and simply don’t mind, gritty violence and hardcore swearing then please do read on.

Director Peter Mullan serves up a gritty account of life in Glasgow in the 1970s, aided by a brilliant cast and savvy music choices. The tale follows a young innocent slowly drawn into the violent world of the Neds (non-educated delinquents), its just a shame the director didn’t pick up any of the ever-present knives and slash away at the overly flabby screenplay.