Author Archives: Sam S-P
Review in Brief: The Villainess (2017)
Creative fight choreography and full-on violence is one thing, but what really blew me away about THE VILLAINESS was the cinematography. I can’t even begin to imagine how they achieved some of these impossible shots. For once a POV action … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
HACKSAW RIDGE is firmly in Mel Gibson’s wheelhouse. It’s a brutal depiction of an inspiring true story with copious religious symbolism with a lot of Australians in it. From a very earnest beginning, the film becomes pretty horrific in its … Continue reading
Review: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
The more I think about KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, the less I like it. When I first came out of the cinema, I thought it was OK, but I’m getting increasingly frustrated at mulling over a film with next to … Continue reading
Review: It (2017)
Nobody does a slow build like Stephen King. In both THE STAND and IT, he’s still introducing new characters and concepts with 250 pages to go and he can spend chapter after chapter establishing history, geography, mood and layer -upon-layer … Continue reading
Review in Brief: The Discovery (2017)
THE DISCOVERY is quietly thought-provoking sci-fi, and more worth your time than a lot on Netflix. The premise: what would the world’s reaction be if scientists proved the existence of an afterlife? The debate over faith, the meaning of life … Continue reading
Review: God’s Own Country (2017)
I’ve wandered a fair bit around Brontë Country over the years, but I’ve never seen it quite as stunningly presented as in GOD’S OWN COUNTRY. Much like some of the best British films of the past few years, such as … Continue reading
Review in Brief: The Founder (2016)
THE FOUNDER could have easily been a shrine for brand worship, and this story of the birth of McDonald’s must have been signed off by the fast food franchise. The filmmakers largely avoid this by making a very clear (romanticised … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Lion (2016)
LION, the meaning of which is not revealed until the film’s closing moments is sometimes remarkable. There’s no denying this true story is remarkable. The script is punchy and well-judged, with very strong work from Dev Patel, and especially newcomer … Continue reading
Review: Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
In 1992 Paul Dini and Bruce Timm created Harley Quinn. Since then, the Joker’s abused girlfriend has been a popular but problematic character. In BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN, she’s finally over Mr J, a limited supply of his Joker venom … Continue reading
Review: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Nobody writes stupid as well as Shane Black. Much like his contemporary Aaron Sorkin, he doesn’t write people talking how people actually talk, but within his own distinct worlds his dialogue for bewildered characters crackles almost as much as Sorkin’s … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 