Author Archives: Sam S-P
Oscar Review: Boyhood (2014)
BOYHOOD is not a masterpiece. And yet it’s probably still worthy of an Oscar in 2014, a pretty patchy year in film overall. Judging by the pattern awards shows so far seem to be following it’s all-but a shoe-in for … Continue reading
Review: Gone Girl (2014)
GONE GIRL is a solid mystery, a satisfying examination on the ins and outs (mostly outs) of relationships, but it’s a truly great film about the power of the media image and its complete and utter dominance in contemporary society. … Continue reading
Review: Lucy (2014)
Well, I guess I should be grateful that it was all in focus and the film itself was mercifully short. Aside from that, LUCY, Luc Besson’s latest attempt to return to his 1990s form fails in spectacular fashion. Lucy (Scarlett … Continue reading
Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014/15)
Matthew Vaughn has delivered another very enjoyable action-comedy that never quite reconciles certain tonal dissonances, but makes up for it with energy, style and confidence in abundance. Eggsy (Taron Egerton) has a tough life. His dad died when he was … Continue reading
Review: Maleficent (2014)
MALEFICENT’s opening narration: “Let us tell an old story anew and see how well you really know it” might as well be the House of Mouse’s filmmaking mantra at this point in time, and basically gives them license to do … Continue reading
Snowpiercer: A Continuing Frustration for UK Bong Joon-ho Fans
Film fans who reside in the United Kingdom are still yet to be allowed watch Bong Joon-ho’s English-language directorial debut – the dirty, violent dystopian sci-fi parable SNOWPIERCER – without dealing with the frustration of DVD imports lacking English subtitles … Continue reading
Review: Foxcatcher (2014)
Director Bennett Miller’s movies tend to take a sideways view on real life. Everything about his filmmaking style is restrained, but the stories he chooses to tell (or re-tell) are so odd and remarkable you really couldn’t make them up. … Continue reading
Review: Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Often the films that are not entirely successful end up being the most interesting, especially when they are attempting something new. BIRDMAN is one such creature, an ambitious and sometimes jarring exploration of the id and the ego filmed as … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 
Spidey Slings Home…Sort-of
The last few hours have had the internet in a frenzy. It was announced earlier that at long last, Sony has brokered a deal with Marvel/Disney to allow Spider-Man and associated characters to appear as part of the Marvel Cinematic … Continue reading →