Brotherhood (2016)

Adulthood (2008) proved that Sam (Noel Clarke) was a character worth exploring. In Brotherhood he's ten years older and, thankfully, somewhat wiser. His current role is one that he takes seriously, but his methods, although not for wholly selfish reasons, are damaging in their own way.
As before, an element of Sam's past is responsible for the external conflict, pressuring him to call upon his violent side in order to make things right again. That's all well and good in theory, but it's presented as cockney gangster scenes that were, frankly, a terrible mistake. When Clarke sticks to what he knows, when he respects his own limitations, there's some REALLY powerful stuff to be found. It's a patchy but worthwhile end to the trilogy.

3 airs of "unlikability" out of 5

Adulthood (2008)

A sequel to Kidulthood (2006) that's set six years after the tragic event that ended the first film. Sam has matured but the streets haven't; youths who are willing to embrace violence as a way of life are still plentiful. To bury his former life Sam must confront his past one more time, which means going face to face with the people that his previous action left most affected.
Not all of the actors are memorable, but writer/director/actor Noel Clarke does fantastic work in his triple role. The aura of regret and sadness that surrounds Sam is never overplayed, keeping relevant the acknowledgement that physical and emotional scars can change a person deep down. The middle section could've been tighter, but the last third drives home the desperation and need for acceptance that a life forged on the streets can lead to.

4 bargaining tools out of 5

Kidulthood (2006)

A hard-hitting drama set in the suburbs of west London, exploring what daily life is like for a small number of teenagers in mid-2000s era Britian, most of whom are approximately fifteen-years-old. Many folks, especially parents, will be offended or even outraged by the use of language, violence, drugs and sex in the film, but that doesn't mean it isn't an accurate reflection of what's actually happening on the streets outside their front door.
The activities and friends are spread out over a small area and a few short days, culminating in the kind of unsupervised party that rarely goes off without a hitch. For at least two of the youths it's a build-up and event that's nothing short of life-changing in the most unforgettable ways.

4 thick bloods out of 5

DOGHOUSE [2009]

Director Jake West's Doghouse seems like another pip-pip's attempt at recreating the brilliant horror/comedy of Shaun Of The Dead.
Scripted by Dan Schaffer, creator of the Dogwitch comic book series, the film is just as bad as Lesbian Vampire Killers with it's blatant misogyny and vapid sense of humor.  Stupidity and lack of originality aside, I found myself chuckling in a few brief moments and quite enjoyed the way West made use of the tiny set.  However, if you're looking for something that will be as much fun as Shaun, then look elsewhere...
...Cockneys Vs. Zombies perhaps?

2 armies of pissed off, man-hating, feminist cannibals out of 5