Author Archives: Sam S-P
Remake Victim: Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven is an underrated filmmaker in Hollywood. Many think of him as simply a purveyor of trash, and it is true that he’s the man responsible for SHOWGIRLS and BASIC INSTINCT. But the Dutchman is also behind three of the smartest, most important American science-fiction … Continue reading
Blood in the Snow: Let the Right One In vs. Let Me In
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online September 2011. The remake vs. original debate is one of the oldest and most frequently occurring in the film industry. Whenever original ideas run dry, Hollywood often turns to the untapped well … Continue reading
Jurassic Park 3D: Spared No Expense
I’ve loved JURASSIC PARK since I first saw it in the cinema as a small child. It’s a magical experience for me, and shows the real majesty of special effects work (both animatronic and CGI) when they’re done well. I … Continue reading
The Best Film I’ve Seen This Year: The Way Way Back
You don’t often see comedies like THE WAY WAY BACK today, and that makes me sad. I’m tired with overblown, excessive, abrasive humour on film. The Way Way Back, co-written and directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon is pretty much the polar opposite of … Continue reading
Review: Cargo (2009)
This review was originally written for Subtitled Online August 2010. Switzerland’s first attempt at sci-fi, and writer-directors Ivan Engler/Ralph Etter’s feature film debut, CARGO harks back to numerous icons of science fiction cinema – from THE THING to THE MATRIX, and, most prominently, Ridley … Continue reading
Film Confessional #2: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
I have a confession to make…I like SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE. It’s nowhere near on par with the first two Christopher Reeve movies, but it’s considerably better than SUPERMAN III, and is unfairly seen as the absolute dud … Continue reading
Anti-Pixar Animation
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online September 2012. There are some great alternatives to both the style and content of the products of dominant American animation powerhouse studios like Disney and Pixar, DreamWorks Animation and Blue Sky Studios. Animation as … Continue reading
Review: Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
This review was originally written for Subtitled Online (now sadly closed) July 2010. It was my first full film review to be published online. Environmentalism, war and peace, pride and corruption, coming of age and redemption – it can only … Continue reading
10 Films That Made My Childhood
I was introduced to the world of film at an early age. Something was always on a screen at home in my early years. I was born in 1990, and was first taken to the cinema before I was three years old. My poor parents … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 
Ultron Legal
It was announced earlier that James Spader will play killer robot antagonist Ultron in Joss Whedon’s THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. This is a great choice. Spader is a fine actor well-versed in playing hyper-intelligent characters, and is no stranger … Continue reading →