Category Archives: Film Feature
When Russian Film Came in From the Cold: Night Watch and Day Watch
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online July 2012. The Russian fantasy blockbusters NIGHT WATCH (2004) and DAY WATCH (2006), written and directed by Timur Bekmambetov and based on the novels by Sergey Lukyaneko, are far more relevant to Russian filmmaking … Continue reading
Film Confessional #3: The Wicker Man (2006)
I have a confession to make…I like THE WICKER MAN remake. It’s not the icon of pagan horror the original British film was, but I still found it a fairly diverting and eerie way to spend 100 minutes. The one question … Continue reading
The World Cinema Monster Spotter’s Survival Guide
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online March 2013. Ever feel like there are just too many things that go bump in the night to keep track of? Do you need help in recognising exactly what is making you … Continue reading
My Clichés! I Can’t See Without My Clichés!
There are a few plot, dialogue and aesthetic elements that are used time and time again in movies that drive me to despair. Whether it’s through lazy screenwriting, lazy direction or just because filmmakers think they have to conform to what … Continue reading
Rush: Two Perspectives
This review of RUSH (2013) was written by Sam Sewell-Peterson and special guest writer Stefan Mackley. Stefan’s personal blog is Motorsportmadness. The Film Buff’s Take I’m not a sporty person, and am not particularly familiar with Formula 1, past or present. … Continue reading
Remake Victim: Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven is an underrated filmmaker in Hollywood. Many think of him as simply a purveyor of trash, and it is true that he’s the man responsible for SHOWGIRLS and BASIC INSTINCT. But the Dutchman is also behind three of the smartest, most important American science-fiction … Continue reading
Blood in the Snow: Let the Right One In vs. Let Me In
This article was originally written for Subtitled Online September 2011. The remake vs. original debate is one of the oldest and most frequently occurring in the film industry. Whenever original ideas run dry, Hollywood often turns to the untapped well … Continue reading
Jurassic Park 3D: Spared No Expense
I’ve loved JURASSIC PARK since I first saw it in the cinema as a small child. It’s a magical experience for me, and shows the real majesty of special effects work (both animatronic and CGI) when they’re done well. I … Continue reading
The Best Film I’ve Seen This Year: The Way Way Back
You don’t often see comedies like THE WAY WAY BACK today, and that makes me sad. I’m tired with overblown, excessive, abrasive humour on film. The Way Way Back, co-written and directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon is pretty much the polar opposite of … Continue reading
Film Confessional #2: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
I have a confession to make…I like SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE. It’s nowhere near on par with the first two Christopher Reeve movies, but it’s considerably better than SUPERMAN III, and is unfairly seen as the absolute dud … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 