Starred Up is an intense & surprisingly emotional prison flick that balances its brutality with a desperate search for redemption. Mackenzie (director) goes with the raw & claustrophobic approach & he directs his actors supremely. Jack O'Connell is a powerhouse as Eric, a 19yr old 'starred up' / prematurely sent to the big boy big house for being hyper-violent. Ben Mendelsohn is absolutely incredible as Nev, his big-faced institutionalized pops. A sliver of hope shines through the half-kanga & his therapy sessions that seek…

"Well, that'd be a good theory except for the fact that we lost control because one of those big a$$ son of a b!tches was in the cockpit!! Yeah. & I take it kinda personally".

😂

Despite the terrible pacing & low budget, Tail Sting possesses a genuine, undeniable B-movie charm. The execution is laughable right from the opening frames - oof, those credits [shudders]. The visual effects are a glorious disaster, sporting rubbery creature props & digital arachnids that look like they…

"Ladies - do watch what you flush."

Alex Garland is back, & as to be expected, he has something to say about mankind & our ongoing battle with natural order in a rapidly shifting world. His overarching theme is usually explored through narratives that are rooted in the present (& how we got here from the past), but take place in hypothetical futures accelerated by illusions of choice & misuse of power.

Men, however, is set in the present; it is less imaginary…