Richard Jobson, director/writer of 2008’s “New Town Killers,” is someone to watch for in the future.  The way he composes shots, in a kinetic, rapid-moving fashion, in New Town Killers, reminds me somewhat of Danny Boyle.  It’s similar thematically to “The Most Dangerous Game”–which I haven’t seen, and “Surviving The Game”–which I have.

“16 Years of Alcohol,” also directed and written by Richard Jobson, feels authentic to the experience of a man who’s path to ruination begins with a trauma in childhood that forms his entire life, and dogs his steps.  The film seems very much enamored of Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange,” though the violence is committed more against the central characters, as opposed to others. Mr. Jobson takes the time to linger over images, sometimes engaging in very tight close-ups, in order to drive a point home.  It’s a technique that can be interpreted as indulgent if not done properly, but he pulls it off.

Such attention to seemingly small details is a welcome change, especially when most movies’ goals appears to be to get you through the experience as quickly as possible, as if they don’t believe in their vision, and don’t want to give you the opportunity too, either.

Probably not too coincidentally, “16 Years of Alcohol” stars Kevin McKidd and Ewan Bremmer, both of Danny Boyle’s “Trainspotting.”

And on another “16 Days of Alcohol”-related note, featured in the film are the songs “Family Life,” and “Happiness,” both from The Blue Nile in his movie.

If you haven’t heard any of their work, they’re worth a listen.

He also directed “The Purifiers,” in 2004, which I tried to watch once.  I gave up because it appeared to take place in a future that was so vaguely drawn that, while stylistic, didn’t feel all that futuristic.  Though the review from IMDB makes it sound like a copy of Walter Hill’s “The Warriors” so that’s got my curiosity going.