Author Archives: Sam S-P
When Russian Film Came in From the Cold: Night Watch and Day Watch
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online July 2012. The Russian fantasy blockbusters NIGHT WATCH (2004) and DAY WATCH (2006), written and directed by Timur Bekmambetov and based on the novels by Sergey Lukyaneko, are far more relevant to Russian filmmaking … Continue reading
Film Confessional #3: The Wicker Man (2006)
I have a confession to make…I like THE WICKER MAN remake. It’s not the icon of pagan horror the original British film was, but I still found it a fairly diverting and eerie way to spend 100 minutes. The one question … Continue reading
Review: The Hunt (2012)
Thomas Vinterberg’s frank and intelligent discussion of society’s instinctive, well-intentioned, but sometimes damaging reactions to reports of child abuse is immediately recognisable as a Vinterberg film. Like his breakout Dogme 95 masterpiece FESTEN (1998), The Hunt dares to tackle a … Continue reading
The World Cinema Monster Spotter’s Survival Guide
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online March 2013. Ever feel like there are just too many things that go bump in the night to keep track of? Do you need help in recognising exactly what is making you … Continue reading
My Clichés! I Can’t See Without My Clichés!
There are a few plot, dialogue and aesthetic elements that are used time and time again in movies that drive me to despair. Whether it’s through lazy screenwriting, lazy direction or just because filmmakers think they have to conform to what … Continue reading
Rush: Two Perspectives
This review of RUSH (2013) was written by Sam Sewell-Peterson and special guest writer Stefan Mackley. Stefan’s personal blog is Motorsportmadness. The Film Buff’s Take I’m not a sporty person, and am not particularly familiar with Formula 1, past or present. … Continue reading
Hammond’s Dream Goes Global
We now know that Colin Trevorrow’s fourth JURASSIC PARK film, to be released in the 2015 “summer of death” with be called the suitably imposing JURASSIC WORLD. It’s a major event when any information is released about a film stuck … Continue reading
Review: Festen (1998)
This review was originally written for Subtitled Online August 2010. FESTEN was the first film released following the Dogme 95 “Vow of Chastity”. The rules included technical restrictions (cameras to be low quality and handheld, no sound or music to … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 
Werewolves, Crawlers, Romans…Trolls
Neil Marshall is set to direct the American remake of André Øvredal’s Norwegian found footage horror TROLL HUNTER (2010), and pre-production is expected to begin shortly. The Brit is known for well-constructed and stylish genre films such as the mortifyingly claustrophobic … Continue reading →