Author Archives: Sam S-P
Review: Under the Shadow (2016)
Horror works so well when tied to real and traumatic historical events. Guillermo del Toro is a master of this and you only need to watch the opening moments of THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE or PAN’S LABYRINTH for proof. UNDER THE … Continue reading
Review: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
This may well be the cleverest and most subversive film Warner Bros Animation have ever made, and it’s an animated followup to 1960s BATMAN TV show. I’m an Adam West fan and an appreciator of “camp” as an aesthetic for … Continue reading
Review: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
It becomes clear very quickly that KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS is a thematic title rather than a literal one, pretty much from the very first time you see the said instrument. The writers and animators at Laika know how … Continue reading
Review: Deepwater Horizon (2016)
I can’t say I was expecting to like DEEPWATER HORIZON. Turning real-world disasters, especially ones where we’re still feeling the impact today, into spectacle can go either way. It couldn’t be too maudlin or grandstanding, it couldn’t be propaganda. What … Continue reading
Top 4: Cinematic Experiences
One of the most common questions fired at a film buff is “what’s your favourite movie?” For most worshipers at the alter of digital and celluloid projection, it’s a near-impossible question to answer. Far easier to contemplate is top cinematic … Continue reading
Review: Captain Fantastic (2016)
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC practically screams “quirky”. I mean, just look at the still from the funeral scene above. But this isn’t quirk for the sake of it, but instead a heartfelt story promoting debate. Ben (Viggo Mortensen) lives in the woods … Continue reading
Review: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Who’d have thought one of the best films released in 2016 was a (sort of) sequel to CLOVERFIELD? Much like this year’s BLAIR WITCH this one has come to us by stealth, not revealing what it is until the very … Continue reading
Review: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
The run of great 2016 indie films continues. Light and shade are so key in telling compelling stories, and Taika Waititi’s impressively domestic and enjoyable latest offering is hard-hitting and hilarious. Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) arrives at the home of … Continue reading
Review: Sausage Party (2016)
Sorry, DEADPOOL, you’re going to have to return your 2016 bad boy award. SAUSAGE PARTY is even filthier, more anarchic and childish, but actually turns out to be about a bit more as well. That’s not a slight on Deadpool, … Continue reading
Review: Ratchet & Clank (2016)
I’m a big fan of Insomniac Games’ RATCHET & CLANK series. I played through them all on the PS2 and grew very attached to the characters, the high-octane action and the knowing sense of humour throughout. This year the original … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 