Anna Smith
Anna Smith's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer when
published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
BBC.com,
Empire Magazine,
Film4,
Time Out,
IGN Movies UK,
Empire Magazine Australasia
Movie Reviews Only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 73% | Patti Cake$ (2017) |
The tone balances realism and optimism with the accent on the latter; ultimately Patti Cake$ has the kind of uplifting, defiant-misfit mood that's easy to compare with fellow Sundance hit Little Miss Sunshine.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Aug 17, 2017
|
| 2/5 | 45% | Everything, Everything (2017) |
You'd have to be very young and naive not to see the twist coming, but perhaps that is the point.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Aug 16, 2017
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| 3/5 | 40% | The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) |
'The Hitman's Bodyguard' is not exactly killing it, but coasts on the charisma of its central stars.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Aug 16, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 69% | The Wall (2017) |
The increasingly impressive Taylor-Johnson dominates the screen time.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Jul 25, 2017
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| 3/5 | 46% | Wilson (2017) |
The film's bouts of slapstick and sentiment sit slightly oddly with its downbeat tone, but Harrelson is consistently funny.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Jun 5, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 64% | Detour (2017) |
Sheridan, Cohen and Powley are a terrific trio in a stylish crime thriller that takes us on a trip through the seedy side of California and beyond.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 25, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 75% | Miss Sloane (2016) |
Hard to root for but mesmerising to watch, Sloane is expertly portrayed by Chastain in this dialogue-heavy lobbyist thriller that should please fans of both actor and genre.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 15, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 59% | The Light Between Oceans (2016) |
Vikander and Fassbender are riveting in a handsome period drama that begins beautifully, but becomes increasingly contrived as it tries to wring as much drama as possible from its set-up.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 2, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 94% | Ethel & Ernest (2016) |
If the first 15 minutes of Up were set in London, animated by Raymond Briggs and stretched into a feature-length film, it might look a bit like this.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 27, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 84% | Imperium (2016) |
The most memorable scenes come from True Blood's Sam Trammell as a warm, cultured family man who explains his racial hatred in a matter-of-fact manner: particularly chilling in the current political climate.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 27, 2016
|
| 4/5 | 83% | Julieta (2016) |
A slick, stylish melodrama with an involving story and a cracking cast. Star Adriana Ugarte is a real find.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Aug 25, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 73% | The Carer (2015) |
Cox will always be watchable, and goes for it here, but the film's makers seem not to know the potential of their own film.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Aug 4, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 65% | Nerve (2016) |
Other films -- including David Fincher's The Game (1997) -- have done this better, but with its engaging story, energetic soundtrack and slick production values, Nerve is an easy watch for restless young minds.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Jul 26, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 74% | The BFG (2016) |
Giant expectations may lead to tiny disappointments in this two-hander that's slow in parts. But it still offers magic and visual delights, and the final act is a treat.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jul 21, 2016
|
| 4/5 | 24% | The Silent Storm (2014) |
Riseborough steals the show in a moody period drama loaded with atmosphere and tension.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 19, 2016
|
| 4/5 | 100% | Chicken (2016) |
An enjoyable, involving British drama with an impressive turn from newcomer Scott Chambers.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 19, 2016
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| 4/5 | 85% | Departure (2015) |
A sensitive, sensual and occasionally amusing portrait of teenaged obsession with a winning turn from Lawther.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 19, 2016
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| 3/5 | 87% | Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) |
A fizzy, funny, period dramedy with top-notch performances, Florence Foster Jenkins doesn't take many risks but it's a very entertaining experience.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 21, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 48% | How To Be Single (2016) |
Aiming squarely at Carries, Mirandas, Charlottes and Samanthas, How To Be Single is familiar but fun.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 18, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 52% | At Any Price (2013) |
[A] handsome, slow-burning thriller ...‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 7, 2016
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| 4/5 | 90% | A War (Krigen) (2016) |
A terse tale of men in crisis.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Jan 6, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 94% | Chemsex (2015) |
Taking a non-judgemental approach, the makers gain access to sex parties and explore the attraction and the dangers in interviews with NHS counsellor David Stuart.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 3, 2015
|
| 2/5 | 18% | Love the Coopers (2015) |
There's too much going on and too little character development for this to become a Christmas classic.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 3, 2015
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| 3/5 | 55% | The Dressmaker (2016) |
Melodramatic episodes sit oddly with the dark comedy. But it's still a giggle ...‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 12, 2015
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| 3/5 | 70% | Miss You Already (2015) |
Miss You Already feels like chick lit for the big screen: a frothy, contrived confection with careful doses of sexy, silly and sad. But those sad bits will get you in the end.‐ Time Out
Read More | Posted Nov 4, 2015
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| 3/5 | 91% | Dohee-ya (A Girl at My Door) (2015) |
It's an atmospheric, thought-provoking, melodramatic debut from July Jung.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 17, 2015
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| 4/5 | 98% | Iris (2015) |
Late director Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter) beautifully captures her personality and her passion for creativity.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jul 30, 2015
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| 4/5 | 77% | London Road (2016) |
All cast and crew do an impressive job in making this unlikely proposition such an engaging, thought-provoking and darkly funny watch.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jun 7, 2015
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| 4/5 | 89% | Advanced Style (2014) |
A highly enjoyable glance at Gotham's veteran haute couturists.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 10, 2015
|
| 3/5 | 69% | Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of (2015) |
Fans will eat this up, though others will wish it delved further into the dark side. ‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 20, 2015
|
| 4/5 | 55% | Woman in Gold (2015) |
Even with a starry cast, the stirring true story is this drama's standout feature. ‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Mar 30, 2015
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| 3/5 | 75% | Suite Française (2015) |
Sterling performances lift the occasionally soapy storyline in this semi-successful adaptation.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Mar 13, 2015
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| 2/5 | 63% | Hinterland (2015) |
Some winning performances but the astonishingly low budget and shaky script does make for distracting viewing at times.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 26, 2015
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| 5/5 | 96% | The Artist (2011) |
Uplifting, heart-warming, hilarious... not necessarily words you'd expect to apply to a black and white silent French film. But The Artist is no ordinary movie.‐ Daily Mirror (UK)
Read More | Posted Feb 17, 2015
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| 3/5 | 50% | Snow in Paradise (2014) |
Not just another gritty London crime drama, this is compelling and credible with a convincing star turn from Frederick Schmidt.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 12, 2015
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| 3/5 | 77% | Beyond Clueless (2014) |
A '90s nostalgia fest with some interesting points to make.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 22, 2015
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| 3/5 | 42% | The Face of Love (2014) |
A soapy but stirring romance with two committed leads.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 11, 2014
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| 2/5 | 16% | Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey? (2014) |
A preposterous romp with little for adults to enjoy beyond Wootton's manchild gurning. To say this is slightly better than Nativity 2 is damning with faint praise.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 13, 2014
|
| 3/5 | No Score Yet | Kuro shitsuji (Black Butler) (2014) |
Much of the dialogue and performances are stilted, but as a kitsch cult watch it has its charms.‐ Guardian
Read More | Posted Oct 21, 2014
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| 3/5 | 29% | Love, Rosie (2015) |
Likeable leads and the odd good joke makes this romance an amiable time-passer.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 20, 2014
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| 2/5 | 73% | Gone Too Far! (2013) |
An occasionally engaging but often hamfisted urban fable.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 9, 2014
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| 3/5 | 67% | Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) |
A little long and rambling but it'll cheer up anyone still recovering from The Cove.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 2, 2014
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| 4/5 | 100% | Night Will Fall (2014) |
Night Will Fall isn't simply a film about the war, it documents the power of emerging technologies to reveal and publicise war crimes - something that also feels acutely relevant today.‐ Daily Telegraph (UK)
Read More | Posted Sep 18, 2014
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| 3/5 | 45% | Wish I Was Here (2014) |
It may be entertaining, but Wish I Was Here is far less profound than it thinks it is.‐ Daily Telegraph (UK)
Read More | Posted Sep 18, 2014
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| 2/5 | 35% | The Giver (2014) |
While Thwaites has visual appeal, he struggles to give us the layered, conflicted hero this film needs. Without it, The Giver is little more than stylish but saccharine entertainment for teens.‐ Daily Telegraph (UK)
Read More | Posted Sep 18, 2014
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| 3/5 | 78% | Ballet Boys (2014) |
While the dancing depicted is often beautiful, this is more about the boys' friendship: a nostalgic insight into the kind of intense relationship that can occupy a teenager's world, but be all but forgotten in a few years' time.‐ Daily Telegraph (UK)
Read More | Posted Sep 11, 2014
|
| 4/5 | 75% | The Boxtrolls (2014) |
While the plot is straightforward, characters are well-drawn, many defined by ironic delusions.‐ Daily Telegraph (UK)
Read More | Posted Sep 11, 2014
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| 3/5 | 89% | The Guest (2014) |
It all escalates into an arch, knowing throwback to 80s horror-thrillers that's muddled in parts but never less than entertaining: think a trashier version of last year's Stoker.‐ Guardian
Read More | Posted Sep 4, 2014
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| 3/5 | 56% | White Settlers (2014) |
A decent watch for the genre, with suspense and a promising turn from rising star McIntosh.‐ Guardian
Read More | Posted Sep 4, 2014
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| 5/5 | 100% | The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari) (1920) |
This freshly 4K-ed masterpiece of German Expressionism deserves to be seen on the big screen. Track it down and be rewarded with possibly cinema's first ever twist ending.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Aug 25, 2014
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