Jack O’Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend, Peter Ferdinando, Sam Spruell

David Mackenzie

Anyone that watches movies for a living must constantly keep their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in cinema, but it’s easy for one to slip through the cracks, which is why it’s so exhilarating when a small indie like “Starred Up” comes out of nowhere and knocks you flat on your ass. Penned by first-time screenwriter Jonathan Asser, who spent time working as a therapist within the British prison system, the film is scary in just how realistic it feels at times. From the cell block politics, to the crooked authorities supposedly in charge of keeping the peace, “Starred Up” doesn’t pull any punches in its tough and gritty depiction of prison life.

The movie’s title refers to the act of transferring a young offender from a juvenile detention center to an adult penitentiary prematurely, and in the case of 19-year-old Eric Love (Jack O’Connell), he’s been relocated two years early due to the frequency and severity of his violent outbursts. When his volatile temper quickly earns him enemies among both the guards and fellow inmates, Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist (Rupert Friend) about attending his anger management class, which he believes will provide hope to the young man that he can someday function normally in society. But while his estranged father Neville (Ben Mendelsohn), who also happens to be doing time in the same prison, encourages him to accept the free help, his constant meddling causes Eric to wonder whether he’s actually there to protect him or contribute to the abuse.

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The Mitsubishi Outlander has been in the market for a few years now, and the one thing that you can count on is this vehicle getting better with every model year. We tested the redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE and really didn’t know what to expect at first, but after a week behind the wheel, we found a solid vehicle at a reasonable price.

The new 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE has sharp looks with an edgy design. Our rally red test model looked uncluttered and sleek for a SUV that is generally better known for utility advances. The 18-inch alloy wheels, super-wide HID headlights, chrome front grille surround, chrome belt line molding, fog lights, rear LED tail lights, rear spoiler and exhaust finisher spiced up the overall appearance. The look of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE is practical and smart.

Don’t look for luxury to be in the vocabulary when you’re driving a $25,820 as tested SUV, but roominess will fall right into place. Standard features such as climate control, air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, high contrast meters and full color multi-information display were well thought out and placed. We also thought the 710w Rockford Fosgate Premium sound system with nine speakers was high quality and powerful. Cabin and utility space are solid without needless gadgets that can get in your way.

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UGG continues to expand their dynamic offerings for both men and women, and Bullz-Eye was fortunate enough to sample a pair of each. From the moment you take a pair of UGGs out of the box, there is no mistaking the quality and superior styling that this brand continues to produce. In order for men to look their best, we want our number one lady to look and feel great, as a couple in sync is always preferred.

The UGG Australia Women’s Claudine Boot is the perfect boot for the fall and colder months, as the subtle sheen of a full-grain leather upper is counterbalanced by decorative whipstitch detailing, sleek ankle strap and full medial zip with UGG polygon pull. The whipstitch really pops and elevates the overall appearance of these classics. Comfort is also well thought-out with a foam-cushioned, leather-lined heel with a 7mm curly UGGPure forefoot, a heat-embossed logo on the heel and an outsole that consists of a 3-inch stacked leather wrapped heel and 1/4-inch platform with molded rubber forefoot with leather-like finish and UGG feather logo on the arch. Nudge your girl towards the Claudine or just go out and buy her a pair for around $300.

Now that your significant other is taken care of, you’ll need to step up your shoe game for the fall as well, and the UGG Men’s Scribner wingtip-styled boot, featuring brogue detailing and round cotton laces, is the perfect choice. The soft leather twinsole boot construction was clearly designed with the comfort and quality synonymous with UGG, making it perfect for the casual yet important meeting or just looking your best when hanging out with friends. UGG hits the mark with comfort and understated swagger with the Scribner for a very reasonable price point of $175.

UGG continues to impress with some of the freshest designs, and as we march towards winter, we’ll be back with a few more suggestions to bolster the luxury boot options for you and your main squeeze!

Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on Facebook and Twitter with your friends.

WHAT: Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Co. continue to struggle for survival as they face a whole new set of challenges, including a deadly virus and the vengeful return of the Governor. But when the group is forced to flee the safety of the prison, the survivors get separated from one another and head for a sanctuary called Terminus.

WHY: The fourth season of “The Walking Dead” may be plagued by many of the same problems as previous years, but while its tendency to let plotlines drag on for too long causes the show to grind to a halt at times, the renewed focus on keeping the story moving even when its characters aren’t plays a huge part in its success. Though the first half of the season is bogged down by the silly virus storyline, the Governor’s return (from the pair of episodes detailing his whereabouts, to his eventual assault on the prison) serves as the impetus to the much stronger second half. It was a pretty gutsy move on the part of the writers to split up the group dynamic that makes the series so compelling, but it’s probably the best thing they could have done, because it’s refreshing to spend certain episodes focused on a handful of characters. Not only does it allow for more character development, but it gives some of the more peripheral characters their chance to shine. That may result in less thrills, but Season Four seems to have finally struck the perfect balance between zombie action and human drama, and although audiences love the former, there aren’t many shows that do drama better than “The Walking Dead.”

EXTRAS: In addition to cast and crew audio commentaries on four episodes, the Blu-ray set includes “Inside ‘The Walking Dead’” and “The Making of ‘The Walking Dead’” featurettes for each episode, some deleted scenes and additional featurettes on the parallels between the comic book and TV series, visual effects and more.

FINAL VERDICT: BUY

WHAT: Just as Jax (Charlie Hunnam) is beginning to legitimatize the motorcycle club’s business ventures, SAMCRO is targeted by a tough-as-nails district attorney (CCH Pounder) when the weapon used in a school shooting is traced back to them. Meanwhile, Clay (Ron Perlman) attempts to save his skin by striking a deal with the Irish, and Gemma (Katey Sagal) and Tara (Maggie Siff) butt heads once again.

WHY: Why: Ask any “Sons of Anarchy” fan what their least favorite season is and many will probably list the oft-criticized third season (AKA the Ireland one). But while the series has had enough crazy plotlines over the years to justify why some might view the show as nothing more than a male soap opera, it’s always backed them up with great characters and writing. That is, until Season Six, when it finally became too ridiculous for its own good. Though the biker drama’s penultimate season has plenty of things worth celebrating (including a larger role for Mark Boone Junior and excellent guest stars like CCH Pounder, Donal Logue and Walton Goggins), a lot of the conflict this time around seems to be less about driving the narrative than shocking the audience, none more so than the death of Maggie Siff’s Tara. While fans have been waiting to see Clay’s demise for years (and rightfully so), Tara’s murder-by-carving-fork comes across more like a desperate attempt at a cool cliffhanger than a fitting end to her season-long arc. Tara was destined to die, but not like this, and the treatment of that character is just one of the reasons why this season is the most disappointing to date.

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes cast and crew commentaries on the season premiere and finale, deleted scenes, a gag reel, character goodbyes and all three episodes of the post-show specials “Anarchy Afterword.”

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

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Reebok is bringing back the uber-successful Blast basketball shoe from the 90s, mainly worn by the great point guard Nick Van Exel, aka Nick the Quick. The Blast has reached celebrity status with its reverse contrast and OG style, and now history is about to repeat itself, because the best of the 90s is back.

We tested a pair to be sure that the 90s were as good as everyone remembers them, and these kicks stand the test of time, guaranteed to give all Bullz-Eye ballers out there both the style and lift they’re looking for when on or off the court. The Blast features Hexalite cushioning and a supportive cut, allowing players to explode to the hoop without worrying about rolling an ankle, while the stark contrast of the black and white with a touch of red really pops.

On Friday, August 29, 2014, limited pairs of the Blast (white/red/excellent red) will be available in adult sizing for $119.99 at retailers including Finish Line, Champs, Eastbay, Jimmy Jazz, Footaction, Villa and Reebok.com.