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ABOUT
sneer
To show cynical contempt
snipe
To attack, criticise
Sneersnipe Flm Review
The film website that, despite the name, really quite likes film
Sneersnipe Flm Review vies to highlight interesting films, no matter their origin. South American minimalism, the odd British comedy excursion or maybe the latest South Korean export: it all might turn up here.
Sneersnipe emerged from the sargasso of online film journalism a few years ago. Conceived as a reaction against the vast overwhelming tide of crap that assaults one as you type a film’s title into a search engine, it offers a startling glimpse of contemporary world cinema a little removed from the mainstream.
Sneersnipe Film Review is not affiliated with any other organisation and is proud of its independence and lack of advertising. That isn’t to say that we can’t be bribed though.
Updated roughly every three weeks the website currently
receives in excess of 450 unique visitors a day. Encompassing a selection
of individual modern views on contemporary world cinema the site is well
linked with MRQE (Movie Review Query Engine) giving it prominent search
engine listing.
CONTACT
Editor
David Perilli
enquiries@sneersnipe.co.uk
Frequently Asked
Questions
Last Updated: 21 January 2006
2. How do you say ‘sneersnipe’?
3. What does ‘sneersnipe’ mean?
4. How often is the site updated?
5. How old is Sneersnipe Film Review?
6. How many people visit Sneersnipe Film Review?
7. How do I contact the editor?
8. Why are some films reviewed on Sneersnipe Film Review whilst others are not?
9. Why the focus on film festivals?
10. Why the focus on Cambridge?
11. Why are the reviews so long (or so short)?
12. Why are there no release dates?
13. What’s the site’s policy on spoilers?
14. I’ve seen a film reviewed on your website, where can I watch/buy it?
16. I don’t agree with something I’ve read on the site…
18. Can you link to my website?
19. I want to use your content…
20. How can I write for Sneersnipe Film Review?
21. I want to promote my film using Sneersnipe Film Review…
22. Can I advertise on Sneersnipe Film Review?
23. I’ve just received some spam email from a sneersnipe email address…
1. So what’s this site?
This is Sneersnipe Film Review the film website that,
despite the name, really quite likes film.
Sneersnipe Film Review vies to highlight interesting new films, no matter their origin. South American minimalism, the odd British comedy excursion or maybe the latest South Korean export: it all might turn up here.
2. How do you say ‘sneersnipe’?
Sneer-Snipe. As in ‘sneer’ and ‘snipe’.
3. What does ‘sneersnipe’
mean?
The name was chosen as a play on the reputation some critics have for belittling
the medium they describe. Arguably the name is a misnomer for the actual
mindset of the site because the contributors like films and would rather
talk about them than cruelly dismiss them.
4. How often is the site updated?
Roughly, every three weeks. As a casually approached film website there
is no set agenda or regular update schedule. When there is more to talk
about there will be more updates. When there is less there will be less
frequent updates. Unlike a commercial website or publication when there
is nothing to talk about Sneersnipe Film Review prefers not to talk.
5. How old is Sneersnipe Film Review?
The site was started in 2001.
6. How many people visit Sneersnipe
Film Review?
450 unique visitors a day, 150,000 hits per month.
7. How do I contact the editor?
The editor is David Perilli. You can contact him by email at editor@sneersnipe.co.uk.
8. Why are some films reviewed on Sneersnipe
Film Review whilst others are not?
The rationale behind the site is to discuss interesting new films that may
not have received much coverage in the general press. Due to this the site
has a bias towards smaller or less publicised films. Mainstream films are
generally covered where the contributor feels they have something different
to say. In addition each of the contributors has their own particular interest
areas that are reflected by the films the site covers. The editor is particularly
interested in UK films for example.
9. Why the focus on film festivals?
Film festivals are a great way of watching new and/or interesting films
hence the large number of reviews from and articles about film festivals.
Cambridge (see below) also has its own film festival which is in part responsible
for the existence of the website.
10. Why the focus on Cambridge
The editor lives in Cambridge.
But the focus on Cambridge is not just down to where somebody happens to live. For a small provincial city in the UK, Cambridge is remarkably well provided for cinema-wise having its own prestigious film festival and a great arts cinema, the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, in addition to the normal multiplexes and video rental chain stores.
11. Why are the reviews so long (or
so short)?
Part of the inspiration behind the creation of the
site was as a reaction to other film websites in the late 1990s and very
early 2000s that wanted to review as many films as possible often using
as few words as possible. Amongst other things this is very hard to do –
see Four World Film Review (http://www.fwfr.com/).
The rough inspiration for the review format is Sight and Sound, the British Film Institute film magazine. Unlike there, Sneersnipe Film Review doesn’t have a separate synopsis for each film. All reviews are intended to be 400 words or longer.
12. Why are there no release dates?
For a website with an international audience, carrying domestic release
dates is a little pointless. There are some dates scattered about the site
though.
13. What’s the site’s policy
on spoilers?
The site exists to discuss films not to market them. The twists, turns and
endings of a film are part of this dialogue. If a spoiler in a review is
considered critical to the enjoyment of a film then a warning may be issued
but this is a personal decision on the part of the editor. If you want a
film sold to you then try another film website. There are some good ones
out there.
14. I’ve seen a film reviewed
on your website, where can I watch/buy it?
This totally depends on the film in question. A good
place to start is Amazon, eBay or the online rental firm of your choice.
MovieMail is always a good place to look.
Some of the films reviewed on the site are special screenings at film festivals with extremely limited release (if any). In these situations the editor is willing to provide limited information about where the film was seen and anything else that may be helpful.
15. I’ve spotted a mistake…
Please inform the editor and it will be rectified.
16. I don’t agree with something
I’ve read on the site…
Please feel free to write in with your response. At the time of writing
a comment system for the reviews is slowly being set-up.
17. Can I link to your site?
Yes. It is much appreciated.
18. Can you link to my website?
Does your website fit with the theme of Sneersnipe Film Review or are you
just trying to increase your linkage? Any site that has original content
about film is probably worthy of a link at the discretion of the editor.
19. I want to use your content…
Please do provided that whatever form it ends up in
it refers to Sneersnipe Film Review and mentions the author. Prospective
content linkers/appropriators/stealers should respect the spirit of the
site.
As the internet is all about linking information and the content of Sneersnipe Film Review is free for all to access this isn’t a problem. Prominent film review portal sites including the Movie Review Query Engine and Rotten Tomatoes currently link to the reviews on Sneersnipe Film Review.
20. How can I write for Sneersnipe
Film Review?
In the first instance prospective contributors should send the editor a
sample film review that is at least 400 words. Sample film reviews should
be sent to reviews@sneersnipe.co.uk
with a short email detailing why you want to write for the site.
21. I want to promote my film using
Sneersnipe Film Review…
The site exists to discuss new and interesting films. If your film is new
and interesting there may some scope for collaboration at the discretion
of the editor. Contact the editor (editor@sneersnipe.co.uk)
for more information.
22. Can I advertise on Sneersnipe Film
Review?
Not at present - but the editor is interested in any such enquiries. At
the time of writing the website is advertisement free but the situation
is constantly being appraised.
23. I’ve just received some spam
email from a Sneersnipe email address…
No you haven’t. Some spamming wags have recently started spoofing
email addresses from the sneersnipe domain name. Although it’s not
my fault I recognise that it is annoying and I am currently investigating
ways of counteracting it.