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About SSP
Sam Sewell-Peterson
Writer and film fanatic fond of black comedies, sci-fi, animation and films about dysfunctional families.
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Fresh Thoughts on Film
Archived Thoughts on Film
Category Archives: Review in Brief
Review in Brief: The Dig (2021)
If it wasn’t on Netflix, THE DIG would be destined for Sunday afternoon TV circulation in perpetuity. That’s not to disparage the craft and passion that went into it, from Simon Stone’s steady direction to Mike Eley’s pristine cinematography and … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Cary Mulligan, Historical Drama, Lily James, Mike Eley, Netflix, Ralph Fiennes, Simon Stone, The Dig
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Review in Brief: Synchronic (2019/20)
Weird sci-fi wunderkinds Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead don’t quite drop the ball with their third feature but it’s certainly a less assured effort than something like THE ENDLESS. Still by no means lacking ideas or visual creativity, but more … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Aaron Moorhead, Anthony Mackie, Justin Benson, Sci-fi, Synchronic, The Endless
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Review in Brief: Archive (2020/21)
Indie sci-fi ARCHIVE wears its genre influences on its sleeve – MOON, EX MACHINA, SILENT RUNNING an iconic sequence lifted wholesale from GHOST IN THE SHELL. An engineer (Theo James) develops a series of increasingly sophisticated robot bodies to house … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Archive, Ex Machina, Ghost in the Shell, Moon, Sci-fi, Silent Running, Stacy Martin, Theo James
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Review in Brief: Pieces of a Woman (2020)
While some of its speeches might be a little too mannered and stagey (if still gamely performed by the cast) PIECES OF A WOMAN still comes out on the captivating side. How grief corrupts and deforms people is not sugarcoated … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Ellen Burstyn, Katia Wéber, Kornél Mundruczó, Pieces of a Woman, Vanessa Kirby
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Review in Brief: One Night in Miami… (2020)
In 1964, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown met at a Miami hotel and spent the night in Malcom X’s room. That’s what we know happened – director Regina King and writer Kemp Powers imagine what was … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Eli Goree, Kemp Powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr, One Night in Miami, Regina King
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Review in Brief: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Whatever went on behind the scenes, however the slow implosion of the DCEU effected its final, flawed form, I absolutely get what director Patty Jenkins was going for with WONDER WOMAN 1984. It’s a big, goofy and outlandish comics Silver … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Chris Pine, DC, Gal Gadot, Kristen Wiig, Patty Jenkins, Pedro Pascal, Superhero Movie, Warner Brothers, Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman 1984
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Review in Brief: Time (2020)
TIME is a must-see documentary about injustice and inequality in the US penal system, one that makes you wonder how much longer urgently-needed reforms can be avoided if films like this keep getting made and scores of victimised citizens’ stories keep … Continue reading
Review in Brief: Babyteeth (2019/20)
With a premise that could have either been maudlin or saccharine (teenager with cancer falls for a bad boy) BABYTEETH instead ends up being bittersweet, often joyous and lyrical. This is musical filmmaking without actually being a musical with its … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Babyteeth, Ben Mendelssohn, Drama, Eliza Scanlen, Essie Davis, Shannon Murphy
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Review in Brief: Mangrove (2020)
MANGROVE, Steve McQueen’s furious opening salvo in his SMALL AXE film anthology is powerful, poignant and essential Black British storytelling. The film remembers the Mangrove Nine and their very public 55 day trial for supposedly inciting a riot by protesting … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Drama, Malachi Kirby, Mangrove, Shaun Parkes, Small Axe, Steve McQueen
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Review in Brief: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Aaron Sorkin’s greatest strengths as a writer and a filmmaker are also his greatest weaknesses, but he’s probably the kind of idealistic voice the world needs right now. This is never truer than in watching THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Film Review, Review in Brief
Tagged Aaron Sorkin, Drama, Mark Rylance, Netflix, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
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