Until the Light Takes Us 2008

Mike Hale, New York Times: Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell's absorbing, low-key documentary "Until the Light Takes Us" recounts how a few Norwegian musicians hijacked an obscure offshoot of heavy metal and made it world famous. Read more

Steve Smith, Time Out: Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell's plainspoken music doc relies on firsthand testimony from band members and key observers. Read more

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic: In interviews with a few of the key players, the film desensationalizes the story without really demystifying it. It's an intriguing but shallow examination that never really finds a point of view about its subject. Read more

Joan Anderman, Boston Globe: Their dedication to giving the players their moment on the podium prevented Aites and Ewell from asking provocative questions, or, it would seem, any questions at all. Read more

Cliff Doerksen, Chicago Reader: This is worth seeing for its snapshot of countercultural delusion and the comedy of Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes, pompous crypto-Nazi and incarcerated murderer, whining that the media have distorted his subtle social critique. Read more

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: That's all fascinating as far as it goes, but to some degree Vikernes is playing his liberal American guests. Read more

Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail: Unfortunately, everything the neo-Vikings say is unchallenged. Read more

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice: Until the Light arrives a decade too late to add much. Read more