"Free Fire," directed by Ben Wheatley

Movie, 2016

A film with one fairly hackneyed idea, which is pushed to breaking point, but is ultimately rescued by some great and at time over the top acting and a possibly dubious sense of fun at having every protagonist n the film getting battered by their rather dishonest trade. A parable, possibly, about power and guns and evil corrupting and leading to anarchy. It is, however, possibly too easy to read anything into this film because of its almost crass simplicity. A little repetitive, though watchable and, oddly, surprisingly well-paced. 

"Submarine," directed by Richard Ayoade

Movie, 2010

Charming, compassionate coming of age film on the one hand, though thankfully, and despite an appropriately juvenile cast, not at all gloopy. Some fairly major themes are tackled in an off-kilter way at times, though the effect is to appreciate the resilience and decency of the teenagers in the film rather then either pity or rail against them. Some funny set pieces, again looking at serious themes (bullying, family breakdown) as well as some oddball humour which never entirely alienates. Overall, pretty decent.