Monthly Archives: April 2014

Review: The Raid 2 (2014)

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Sam S-P

Sometimes bigger is indeed better. Whereas Gareth Evans’ breakout film THE RAID astounded audiences and critics alike by giving them a visceral and pulse-pounding experience that made up for its modest budget with ingenious filming techniques and clever scripting. THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Action, Alex Abbad, Arifin Putra, Cecep Arif Rahman, Cok Simbara, Crime, Fikha Effendi, Film, Gareth Evans, Hardboiled, Iko Uwais, Infernal Affairs, James Bond, Julie Estelle, Martial Arts, Movies, The Godfather, The Raid, The Raid 2, The Raid 3, Thriller, Tio Pakusadewo, Very Tri Yulisman, World Cinema, Yayan Ruhian | 5 Comments

The First Step into a Larger-er World

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Sam S-P

At long last the cast for JJ Abrams’ STAR WARS EPISODE VII been revealed to the world, and I’m extremely excited about seeing this particular ensemble in action. Aside from the expected return appearances of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Comment | Tagged Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Attack the Block, Ben Burtt, Billy Dee Williams, Blockbuster, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Disney, Domhnall Gleeson, Fantasty, Film, George Lucas, Girls, Harrison Ford, JJ Abrams, John Boyega, John Williams, Kathleen Kennedy, Kenny Baker, Lawrence Kasdan, Lucasfilm, Mark Hamill, Max von Sydow, Movies, Oscar Isaac, Peter Mayhew, Pinewood Studios, Sci-fi, Star Wars, Star Wars Episode VII | Leave a comment

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Sam S-P

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 opens with a thrilling, emotional action sequence. Peter Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) parents, who left him on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle when he was a child before vanishing without a trace, attempt to flee … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Alex Kurtzman, Andrew Garfield, Campbell Scott, Chris Cooper, Dane DeHaan, Embeth Davidtz, Emma Stone, Film, Jamie Foxx, Marc Webb, Marvel, Movies, Paul Giamatti, Return of the King, Roberto Orci, Sally Field, Sinister Six, Sony, Spider-Man 3, Superhero Movie, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Warner Brothers, Watchmen, Zack Snyder | 12 Comments

Review: The Family (2013)

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Sam S-P

I was hoping this might be Luc Besson back on form after years of mediocrity, but disappointingly THE FAMILY is mostly more of the same. The Blakes aren’t like any other family. They spend their lives changing their name, moving … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Black Comedy, Dark Shadows, David Belle, Dianna Agron, Film, Gangster Film, Goodfellas, John D'Leo, Leon, Luc Besson, Martin Scorsese, Michelle Pfeiffer, Movies, Robert De Niro, The Family, Tommy Lee Jones, Topol | 2 Comments

Review: The Counsellor (2013)

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Sam S-P

For confused British viewers (including myself), THE COUNSELLOR is about a lawyer, not a therapist. Ridley Scott’s latest brings together a seemingly talented bunch of actors, craftsmen (including DARK CITY’s cinematographer and GLADIATOR’s editor) and the legendary Cormac McCarthy writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Cormac McCarthy, Crime, Dark City, Film, Gladiator, Javier Bardem, Michael Fassbender, Movies, Penélope Cruz, Ridley Scott, Rosie Perez, Sean Connery, The Counsellor | 1 Comment

The Next Stage in Superhero Movie Evolution?

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Sam S-P

What’s being called the final trailer for X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST made its debut online yesterday. From what we witness in just over 2 minutes, we’re in for something pretty darn spectacular. Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is our plot anchor … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Comment | Tagged 20th Century Fox, Avatar, Captain America: The First Avenger, Evan Peters, Film, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hugh Jackman, Jack the Giant Slayer, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Movies, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Superhero Movie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: The Last Stand | Leave a comment

Review: Frozen (2013)

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Sam S-P

The first half of FROZEN is pretty near perfect. It’s dark, soulful and bold, some of the best work Disney has ever produced. The film becomes more conventional as it goes on, but you can quite easily forgive any film … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Animation, Carrie, Chris Buck, Disney, Fantasy, Film, Frozen, Hans Christian Andersen, Idina Menzel, Jennifer Lee, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Les Misérables, Movies, Musical, Oscars, Tangled, The Lion King, Universal Horror | Leave a comment

Review: Noah (2014)

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Sam S-P

NOAH may well be the worst film Darren Aronofsky has ever made. But being the remarkable auteur that Darren Aronofsky is, being the worst film he’s made isn’t exactly an insult. Noah is dense, layered and beautiful – in short, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Anthony Hopkins, Biblical Epic, Darren Aronofsky, Disaster Movie, Emma Watson, Fantasy, Film, Jennifer Connelly, Logan Lerman, Movies, Ray Winstone, Russell Crowe | Leave a comment

Review: Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Sam S-P

Like they say in the opening number, sequels are rarely as good as the first film – does it make it less so if it’s pointed out in song? After singing about dull and pointless sequels, MUPPETS MOST WANTED threatens … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged Bret McKenzie, Comedy, Danny Trejo, Film, Flight of the Conchords, Jermaine Clement, Movies, Muppets Most Wanted, Musical, Ray Liotta, Ricky Gervais, The Muppet Show, The Muppets, The Seventh Seal, The Silence of the Lambs, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell | Leave a comment

My Favourite…Superhero Movie

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Sam S-P

My favourite superhero movie is X-MEN 2. It’s a bit of a tired analogy to use concerning a sequel, but it really is the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK of comic book films in that it’s bleaker (though still with welcome light … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Feature, Film Review | Tagged Aaron Stanford, Alan Cumming, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Bryan Singer, Cotter Smith, Dan Harris, David Hayter, Famke Janssen, Film, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelly Hu, Michael Dougherty, Movies, Mozart, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, Sam Raimi, Shawn Ashmore, Spider-Man, Superhero Movie, The Empire Strikes Back, X-Men, X-Men 2, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X2 | 2 Comments

Monthly Archives: April 2014

Review: The Raid 2 (2014)

The First Step into a Larger-er World

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Review: The Family (2013)

Review: The Counsellor (2013)

The Next Stage in Superhero Movie Evolution?

Review: Frozen (2013)

Review: Noah (2014)

Review: Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

My Favourite…Superhero Movie

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