About Sam S-P
Writer and film fanatic fond of black comedies, sci-fi, animation and films about dysfunctional families.
Something is changing at a grass-roots level, even if the Hollywood establishment don’t quite seem ready to accept it. On Sunday night at the 2015 Jameson Empire Awards, the film awards voted for entirely by the public, Andy Serkis was … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Comment
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Tagged Andy Serkis, Avatar, Blockbuster, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Empire Awards, Empire Magazine, Film, Hollywood, Motion Capture, Movies, Oscars, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Superhero Movie, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings, YouTube
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It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I have a confession to make…last night I watched FIELD OF DREAMS, and I don’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s one of those movies that a … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Feature
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Tagged Amy Madigan, Burt Lancaster, Drama, Fantasy, Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner, Phil Alden Robinson, Ray Liotta, Sports Film, Timothy Busfield
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It’s true what you’ve heard, THE BABADOOK is very good. But is it really all that scary? I’m not so sure. Set in suburban Australia, The Babadook follows working mother Amelia (Essie Davis) who is left caring for her child … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged Daniel Henshall, Drama, Essie Davis, Film, German Expressionism, Haley McElhinney, Horror, Jennifer Kent, Movies, Noah Wiseman, Psychological Drama, Snowtown, The Babadook, The Exorcist, William Friedkin
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WE ARE THE BEST! should really be compulsory viewing for pre-teen girls worried about their self-image or “fitting in”. It probably won’t be encouraged by many parents though, considering our three thirteen-year old protagonists get called, and call others the … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged Comedy, Drama, Film, Liv LeMoyne, Lukas Moodysson, Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin, Movies, We Are the Best!, World Cinema
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AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER. Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night. The End. The above was posted last Thursday on Terry Pratchett’s Twitter … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Comment, Literature
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Tagged Books, David Tennant, Discworld, Disney, DreamWorks, Eileen Atkins, Fantasy, Film, Game of Thrones, Going Postal, How to Train Your Dragon, Maisie Williams, Mark Rylance, Movies, Sam Raimi, Terry Gilliam, Terry Pratchett, The Lord of the Rings, TV
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The following contains spoilers for the film and stage versions of EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. A couple of Saturdays ago I indulged in a night of culture when I finally got to see Matthew Bourne’s impeccable dance adaptation of Edward Scissorhands. I … Continue reading →
Posted in Dance, Film, Film Feature
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Tagged Adaptation, Caroline Thompson, Dance, Danny Elfman, Edward Scissorhands, Film, Frankenstein, Johnny Depp, Matthew Bourne, Movies, Pinocchio, Terry Davies, Tim Burton, Vincent Price
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In a world where we already have ROBOCOP, then why do we need actually need a CHAPPIE? Not only was the morality of robotic law enforcement already explored in fine fashion in Paul Verhoeven’s classic (and somewhat undermined in the … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged Chappie, Dev Patel, Die Antwoort, District 9, Elysium, Film, Hans Zimmer, Hugh Jackman, Movies, Neill Blomkamp, Ninja, Paul Verhoeven, RoboCop, Sci-fi, Sharlto Copley, Sigourney Weaver, Yolandi Visser
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Not for a single moment was I in any doubt that I was in another time, observing these real people going about their real lives. That’s Mike Leigh’s greatest strength as a filmmaker, the convincing portrayal of the world we … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged BAFTA, Biopic, Cannes, Dick Pope, Dorothy Atkinson, Drama, Film, JMW Turner, Joshua McGuire, Marion Bailey, Mike Leigh, Movies, Paul Jesson, Period Drama, Ruth Sheen, Timothy Spall
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Adam Wingard is a filmmaker to watch. He clearly adores lowbrow genre flicks, and his career aim seems to be to be to produce some very polished examples of his own. His films are recognisable, but always with a little … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged Adam Wingard, Brendan Meyer, Dan Stevens, Film, Horror, Leland Orser, Maika Monroe, Movies, Sheila Kelley, Simon Barrett, The Guest, Thriller, You're Next
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The latest from Disney is a colourful and undemanding superhero romp. Much like the film’s main draw Baymax, BIG HERO 6 is bouncy, endearing and funny, but perhaps doesn’t offer much extra once its fairly limited aims have been satisfied. … Continue reading →
Posted in Film, Film Review
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Tagged 30 Rock, Animation, Asimov, Big Hero 6, Damon Wayans Jr, Daniel Henney, Disney, DreamWorks, Film, Frankenstein, How to Train Your Dragon 2, I Robot, Movies, Oscars, Pixar, Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Superhero Movie, The Boxtrolls, The Iron Giant
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SSP Thinks Film 
All Hail Caesar and His Empire!
Something is changing at a grass-roots level, even if the Hollywood establishment don’t quite seem ready to accept it. On Sunday night at the 2015 Jameson Empire Awards, the film awards voted for entirely by the public, Andy Serkis was … Continue reading →