Category Archives: Film Review
Review in Brief: Moana (2016)
MOANA is colourful, energetic and heartfelt, and enriches its world with Polynesian cultural influences in a far less patronising manner than was attempted in POCAHONTAS with Native American folklore. It’s also very safe in its storytelling, falling back on Disney … Continue reading
Review in Brief: When Marnie Was There (2016)
WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE works so well on multiple emotional levels, and can be read in a number of ways. One of those ways is a little creepy, but I think I we’ll skip that. Anna (Sara Takatsuki) is a … Continue reading
30 Years On: Withnail and I (1987)
There are few films out there that will make me laugh myself to tears every time I watch them. Monty Python does, as does Mel Brooks, but as I’ve mentioned before, I also have to add the gem that is … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Eye in the Sky (2016)
It might be about as subtle as an airstrike, but drone warfare thriller EYE IN THE SKY fields an interesting debate. Just how far can you push “For the greater good”? In the moment, if you could save more lives, … Continue reading
Review: The Host (2006)
To shamelessly appropriate and warp the catchphrase of a beloved cartoon character, THE HOST is smarter than the average monster movie. I stumbled on this one on DVD years back, and it’s since become a firm favourite along with the … Continue reading
Review: Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Out of the two unnecessary live-action remakes released this month, I’ll take the one with some evident passion behind it. Mamoru Oshii’s anime GHOST IN THE SHELL worked because it allowed you time to think. For every iconic image, brutally … Continue reading
Review in Brief: I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)
I think the best thing I can say about Macon Blair’s debut as writer-director is that it’s a curiosity. For years he’s been a game regular as an actor in grisly genre fare (collaborations with Jeremy Saulnier stand out) and … Continue reading
Review: Legion: Season 1 (2017)
LEGION is bonkers and brilliant. If you were ever disappointed that Chris Claremont’s more out-there comic book stories weren’t adapted into the movies, look no further than this TV show to correct that. Although they still don’t go to space, … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Blood Father (2016)
BLOOD FATHER opens with a teenager (Erin Moriarty) being refused sale of cigarettes but able to buy ammunition, because America. There is genuine pain to Mel Gibson’s latest comeback performance and frustration at a broken justice system in addition to … Continue reading
Review: Power Rangers (2017)
Let’s be clear from the outset: I have nothing invested in POWER RANGERS at all. I never watched the show, I never had the toys, I know nothing about this property beyond the fact that they re-edited a janky Japanese … Continue reading
SSP Thinks Film 