Author Archives: Sam S-P
Review in Brief: Bad Neighbours 2 (2016)
It may open with Rose Byrne vomiting into Seth Rogen’s face during sex, but as comedy sequels go, BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 isn’t all that bad. I liked the first film well enough, but I actually think this sequel makes some … Continue reading
Review in Brief: The Witch (2015/16)
The first half of THE WITCH – slow, rich, slow, unforgiving, slow, naturalistic, and did I mention slow? – is far more successful than the second. There’s a gradual, creeping dread and very little of note that is actually happening. … Continue reading
Review: Manchester by the Sea (2016)
The Oscars are almost upon us and once again I’ve only managed to see about half of the movies in the running. LA LA LAND might be the bookies’ favourite, but MANCHESTER BY THE SEA is my pick to take … Continue reading
Review in Brief: My Scientology Movie (2016)
I’m not the least bit surprised Louis Theroux chose this topic for his first documentary feature. Nobody combines disarming politeness, stillness and causing mild annoyance in his subjects as interview techniques quite like Theroux. The film spotlights what is widely … Continue reading
Review: The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
The opening gambit in THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE has Will Arnett’s gravelly Caped Crusader passing comment on the logos of all the production companies involved, and this made me wish he could do the same for some of the Oscar … Continue reading
Review in Brief: The Girl with all the Gifts (2016)
It’s THE LAST OF US meets 28 DAYS LATER, and features the politest, most adorable zombie ever committed to film. Considering the scale of the production, its unavoidable Britishness, the joins occasionally show, but mostly THE GIRL WITH ALL THE … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Jane Got a Gun (2016)
JANE GOT A GUN is a boring movie. That’s not a comment on shootouts being few and far between – UNFORGIVEN and THE HOMESMAN took their time, but it got deep into what made their characters. Here we have Natalie … Continue reading
Netflix Original Triple Bill
You have to say this for Netflix: their original films are an eclectic mix of stories. Here’s my take on just three examples to be found on the ever more interesting and diverse streaming service. TALLULAH (2016) Is TALLULAH anything … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
MISS PEREGRINE is jam-packed with ideas, particularly on an aesthetic level (typical Tim Burton). It’s nice to see Burton acknowledge that other colours exist, and the world he has created with author Ransom Riggs is vivid and pleasingly warped. He … Continue reading
Review: 13th (2016)
Anyone under the misapprehension that film can’t impact the real world, that it’s escapism and nothing more, should take note of the moment in Ava DuVernay’s documentary highlighting how DW Griffith’s THE BIRTH OF A NATION not only revitalised the … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 