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I've read in various interviews with Nick Love that he admires the cinema of Michael Mann. Having seen Outlaw recently at a special preview screening I can see the similarities between the two filmmakers. Although Mann obviously works on a much larger canvas, Love shares the same interest in male relationships, and in taking the viewer deep into the hearts and minds of his characters. Depicting a world knee deep in crime and violence, Love (like Mann) creates an intense and searing experience channelled through the subjectivities of complex and often contradictory characters. I would urge all fans of crime cinema, and especially Michael Mann to get out this weekend and take a look at Outlaw. Although often underrated, Love, in my opinion is a genuine British auteur who is out there making cinema that challenges and entertains.

The fact that the Edinburgh International Film Festival bestowed their New Director award on Paul Andrew Williams is a solid enough indicator of the strengths and unique qualities of London TO BRIGHTON. Admittedly made on a shoe-string budget, and cast with relative unknowns, the film never once looks cheap or out of its depth. I was amazed when I saw it at Edinburgh by just how tough and unflinching a portrayal of the criminal underworld it is. The leads put in tremendous performances that will surprise many, and William's writing is exceptional. The film really zips along through its 90min length, and pulls the viewer in to a lock-tight embrace. In my opinion this film is one of the highlights of the year so far and a real find for the British film industry. For a first-time director working on a tiny budget, getting five star reviews in the Guarduan and Scotsman, and great praise from the Times is a hell of an achievement. I hope other people who love British cinema see it when it is theatrically released.

Come on - Pusher 3 is a perfect and very fitting end to an amazing trilogy of crime films that any self-respecting film fan will have seen. The performance of Buric as Milo is a masterful and surely one of the best in the trilogy. Refn never patronises his audience and always delivers. If more people could get beyond the subtitles they would be amazed at what they find. Pusher was a seminal film and casts a long shadow - however, Pusher 2 and 3 are very different films in terms of styling and shows a Refn maturing as a director and writer. It will be fascinating to see what he does after the Pusher series - word is that he is going to do a Viking picture with Mads Mikkelsen. That sounds pretty damn interesting to me, and proves that great European directors can create a body of work despite the difficulties they face with financing etc these days.