Empire Magazine Australasia
Tomatometer-approved publication
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
4/5
I Am Mother (2019)
When you get down to it, I Am Mother's ambitions aren't in its ideas, but in its craft, and this is an extraordinarily well-made SF thriller.
Posted Jun 5, 2019
2
4/5
Kill Your Darlings (2013)
3
4/5
A lively document of a revolutionary band on tour in Canada - and a stark reminder of what a music documentary should do.
Posted Sep 3, 2014
4
3/5
A fascinating, if workmanlike, insight into the life of a legend.
Posted Feb 22, 2013
5
3/5
Paris Manhattan (2013)
As light and airy as a soufflé, but not without charm. Taglioni and Bruel are both convincing as the reluctant lovers who just might embrace the inevitable.
Posted Dec 18, 2012
6
3/5
Love Is All You Need (2013)
A deceptively light-hearted romp that blends English and Danish with a touch of Italiano, for a lively, likeable view of the complexities of life and love.
Posted Dec 18, 2012
7
3/5
The Man With the Iron Fists (2012)
A vacuous but fun exercise in chop-sock style over substance.
Posted Dec 7, 2012
8
4/5
Love Story (2011)
Smartypantsy, fresh, brave: a rom-com experiment that will have you smiling on hitherto unknown levels.
Posted Dec 7, 2012
9
4/5
End of Watch (2012)
A terrifyingly real, surprisingly moving buddy-cop action-thriller that doesn't let up. Informed and open, Gyllenhaal and Peña are both magnificent.
Posted Oct 31, 2012
10
4/5
Argo (2012)
11
4/5
Crossfire Hurricane (2012)
Nothing terribly new, but great fun, all the same. Morgan has assembled a hugely enjoyable, tightly edited journey through the Stones' creative heyday.
Posted Oct 23, 2012
12
2/5
Nobel's Last Will (2012)
Lukewarm Swedish crime thriller sorely lacks the geo-genre's signature narrative filth-plus-flawed hero.
Posted Sep 20, 2012
13
4/5
Bright, colourful and fun.
Posted Sep 13, 2012
14
4/5
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
A visually sumptuous, thematically astute, heartwarming triumph.
Posted Sep 13, 2012
15
3/5
Love (2011)
Impressionistic, DIY sci-fi suffers from a lack of cohesion but is a finely crafted debut from a gifted director.
Posted Aug 30, 2012
16
4/5
Holy Motors (2012)
Beautifully bonkers. Lavant lurches from one extreme to another, with the limousines themselves having their own say on proceedings. Cannes loved it.
Posted Aug 24, 2012
17
3
A frothy French fancy with a warm heart at it's core.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
18
3
The Innkeepers (2012)
An enjoyable chiller that isn't afraid to show less.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
19
4
The Muppets (2011)
Marvellous. The Muppets manages to revitalise the family classic to create a hilarious and life-affirming delight.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
20
3
Dr Seuss' The Lorax (2012)
Bright and breezy and slightly preachy, this modern Lorax entertains but never soars.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
21
3
American Reunion (2012)
A nice slice to finish the pie.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
22
3
Swerve (2013)
A solid Aussie thriller that doesn't quite live up to its early promise.
Posted Jun 27, 2012
23
4/5
Declaration of War (2012)
Donzelli's film is an incredibly brave one, given its subject matter and biographical nature, and is presented in a creative yet digestible way.
Posted May 27, 2012
24
8/10
Silent Souls (2011)
The finale may leave some unfulfilled, but this is an intuitive visual essay that begs to be experienced.
Posted May 20, 2012
25
4/5
Mad Bastards (2011)
The Australian film renaissance continues in style.
Posted Jul 12, 2011
26
4/5
Blame (2010)
27
The Hangover Part II (2011)
One drink too many, The Hangover Part II relies too much on its talented cast and not enough on the laughs.
Posted Jul 12, 2011
28
2/5
Sleeping Beauty (2011)
Pretentious piffle.
Posted Jul 12, 2011
29
3
Insidious (2011)
For all its creaky-old-dark-house cliches, Insidious is a fun ghost-train ride, full of truly terrifying moments. But once it's over, it's forgotten.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
30
5
The Snowtown Murders (2012)
It's almost impossible to describe how distressing, intense and finely crafted this undeniably controversial drama is. Proceed with caution.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
31
4
Get Low (2010)
Highly unusual drama - with black comedy elements - which allows Duvall to showcase his refined skills.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
32
3
Here I Am (2010)
Here it is, a solid and heartfelt debut.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
33
4
34
2
The Tree of Life (2011)
Apart from a middle section which reveals moments of clarity and actual emotion, this is a bloated, self-indulgent bore of fine imagery.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
35
3
The Last Circus (2011)
A one-of-a-kind experience that will confound, befuddle and amaze.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
36
3
Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)
Feathery fun, you know, for kids. And penguins.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
37
4
The Trip (2011)
Rejoice, Coogan and Brydon fans.
Posted Jul 4, 2011
38
5
Super 8 (2011)
Super 8 is an unapologetic joy from beginning to end that will thrill and engage kids, both old and new.
Posted Jun 9, 2011
39
3/5
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
A largely entertaining and compelling paranoid thriller only let down by its final scenes.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
40
4/5
Griff the Invisible (2011)
Superhero films have been messed with before, but this Australian twist on DIY crusading becomes a lingering conundrum about unusual assistance.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
41
4/5
Barney's Version (2011)
Giammatti is on the top of his game in this Pitch black comedy.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
42
4/5
Rango (2011)
Brilliantly bonkers, this animated Western weirdo should scare little kids while dazzling adults with its inspired approach to demented homage.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
43
2/5
Limitless (2011)
Fine cast and premise sullied by soulless handling. Frustratingly limited in its power to entertain and engross.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
44
1/5
Red Riding Hood (2011)
Twilight without any heat, feeling, fun or sparkly skin. Yes, it's that lame.
Posted Apr 13, 2011
45
3
A film about people discussing people, which attempts to do something different? Believe it - or not.
Posted Mar 25, 2011
46
4
The Company Men (2011)
Takes an unpopular group - upper management! - and humanises their involvement in screwing the world. Quite the achievement, really.
Posted Mar 25, 2011
47
3/5
Tangled (2010)
Cool images and zippy performances flattened by lacklustre accessories.
Posted Jan 4, 2011
48
4/5
Blue Valentine (2010)
Not first-date material, this sombre portrait of failed dreams is buoyed by excellent leads and a yearning heart.
Posted Dec 27, 2010
49
4/5
Somewhere (2010)
Ever wanted to know what it's like to be an actor? Somewhere is the intoxicating answer.
Posted Dec 27, 2010
50
5/5
The King's Speech (2010)