In 2007, director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody teamed up on the indie film Juno, which became a big critical and commercial success, with Cody awarded an unexpected Oscar for her original screenplay.

The two have joined forces again for Young Adult. Their quirky sense of black humour is not for the light-hearted, having caused film critic Tom Long to write: "Young Adult may be the year's most engaging feel-bad movie."

Mavis Gary (Theron) is an alcoholic writer of young adult novels featuring, of course, vampires. But the title of the film refers not to the books but rather to Mavis herself as she returns to the small town of Mercury, Minnesota where she grew up, to relive her glory days as a teenaged queen bee and reunite with her old (now married) boyfriend (Wilson).

Co-starring with Theron is the obscure but excellent character actor Patton Oswalt. His character Matt Freehauf has no glory days to relive - as a teen Matt was crippled by a homophobic attack, despite not being gay - but Matt in a sense also still has some growing up to do (his hobby is making his own action figures).

Mavis is a deeply unlikeable character at the beginning of the movie, and even more so at its conclusion. What saves Young Adult from being a depressing endurance contest is the mordant wit of Matt, epitomised by some fantastically wicked lines far too grown up to print. Yes, despite its title, Young Adult is not suitable viewing for younger young adults.

From British director Steve McQueen (Hunger) comes Shame, an explicit look at human sexual desires and addiction.

Michael Fassbender (Fish Tank, X-Men: First Class) plays Brandon Sullivan, a New Yorker and sex addict who is losing control and is unable to manage his urges. When his troubled younger sister, Sissy Sullivan, played by Carey Mulligan (An Education, Never Let Me Go) turns up in New York and forces her presence on him, Brandon's world spirals out of control.

Shame is a somewhat appropriate title for this movie. Describing this film as intense and explicit is an understatement; it shocks and offends the senses as it takes the viewer through the highs and lows of Brandon's world and his addiction as it consumes his life.

Enhanced by its stunning cinematography and stirring soundtrack, the film strives to evoke a feeling of unease and discomfort, with some empathy. Shame was shown in competition at the Venice Film Festival, with McQueen and Fassbender receiving many accolades for the daring direction and performance.

Michael Fassbender, who has received praise for past films, truly stands out in this movie. His pure and very human portrayal highlights the strength of his acting capabilities and encourages audiences to expect more from him in the future. Shame is absolutely not a film for children.