"Brothers of the Head", directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe

Movie, 2005

Gritty film about the rise of a pub/punk rock band fronted by Siamese twins. The film pulls off the trick of being sympathetic, critical and non-exploitative, partly through using narratives - most prominently the mockumentary mix of interviews and Ken Russell's fictional cinematic take. The story is, however, tried and tested. Sex, drugs and rock and roll are reeled out and held for criticisms and critiques. As cliches, they're used to reflect on the plight of the twins, but they're cliches all the same; ironically, the interest in the film is in the voyeuristic view of the twins. Not a bad film, though not great. 

"What We Do in the Shadows", directed Jermaine Clement, Taika Waititi

Film, 2014

Mockumentary about four flat-sharing vampires and their interactions with two newcomers, one of whom is turned into a vampire and one - the hilariously popular Stu - who isn't. This preposterous set up sits on top of some occasionally almost understated humour and some amusing scenes, most notably in the face-off between the vampires and a werewolf gang. There's plenty of gore giving a contemporary feel, and although this is very neat, controlled and full of genre jokes, this is a blood and guts gentle comedy which is full of laughs.