May

Angela Bettis as May

May is a disturbing film full of weirdos but almost none of them is the real deal, apart from the central character of May herself. In a world where people play-act at being strange to make themselves seem interesting, May is properly odd. Lucky McKee’s solo debut came out in 2002, to a little acclaim, but has become a cult over the years, loved by people who admire its aslant world view, its focus on its lead character and its position on pseuds who make false claims on weirdness. May was born with a lazy eye and has been brought up cosseted by her mother. She grew up – or rather didn’t grow … Read more

Red

A dour Avery Ludlow in wide brimmed hat

Pausing momentarily from a binge-watch of the TV show Succession to watch something else with Brian Cox in it – Red, a 2008 movie which went largely unnoticed. For good reason, it turns out, though there is a good film lurking in here somewhere. It was beset by problems – original director fired, Cox’s original co-star also fired – which is how come it’s Trygve Allister Diesen behind the camera and Kim Dickens in front of it with Cox (Cox is also an executive producer so might, Logan Roy style, have ordered the firings, or might not have – speculate away). It’s a John Wick-before-John Wick story of a guy whose dog gets killed, which … Read more