Malc-3

I still hold firmly to the belief that the last episode of this landmark show is the best 40 mins of British TV drama ever. Any number of storylines coming sharply to a head, the terrific wedding reception with its toilet sex and terrible dancing, darkest secrets coming horrifyingly to light and the legendary punch. But how sad! If we'd known then that there would never be another series we would have stormed the BBC ourselves. But think positive. The show is endlessly rewatchable, and its influence has lived on in Queer as Folk, Attachments, Teachers, Metropolis, Tinsel Town and most contemporary drama since.

Just please, please publish the damn scripts!

Bizarre, beautiful and quite unique; The Disappearance of Finbar is a difficult film to classify, starting out as a straightforward tale of teenage friendship turned to rivalry, transforming suddenly into a slow-burning, quiet but frequently wonderful oddyssey as Danny sets off on his trek through Sweden's stunning snowfields in search of the long-lost Finbar. Rhys-Myers is an unpredictable ball of energy while maintaining just enough of an air of mystery and distance, contrasting with Griffin's subtle Danny. The landscapes are to die for, the music grows on you and the film has a lingering, haunting quality. A little seen gem, this is the kind of movie that'll be adored and detested in equal proportion. 8/10

Brian Elsley's enormously commendable adaptation of Iain Banks' brilliant but seemingly unfilmable complex novel benefits from a witty, beautifully literate script and a strong cast, spearheaded by an immensely charismatic Joe McFadden as Prentice, the young Scot with the large, quirky circle of family and friends who gradually unravels a web of dark secrets. Bill Patterson is also worthy of note as the story-weaving, staunchly aetheist father, and the whole is a gripping, quietly stunning example of just how good BBC drama serials can be.