Francesca Rudkin

Francesca Rudkin's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
New Zealand Herald
Publications:
New Zealand Herald
Movie Reviews Only
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3/5 | 77% | Military Wives (2020) |
You know exactly what you're getting with Military Wives, but this doesn't detract from the fun of watching the story unfold. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Mar 12, 2020
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4/5 | No Score Yet | Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song (2013) |
[Romeo & Juliet] is a brave piece of film-making for those who appreciate the storytelling magic of music and can't resist the theatrics of a musical. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Feb 7, 2020
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4/5 | 98% | Beats (2020) |
Beats doesn't have anything more to say than previous films about dance culture, but with a visual style of its own and excellent music choices, it's a fitting tribute to an era etched in the memory of anyone old enough to have attended. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Feb 6, 2020
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36% | Seberg (2020) |
A stronger focus on Seberg may have made for a more satisfying film. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jan 30, 2020
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2.5/5 | 56% | Farming (2019) |
[T]his important story may have appealed to a broader audience if it wasn't quite so blunt and confrontational. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Nov 22, 2019
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4/5 | 100% | Bellbird (2019) |
Bellbird is a joy to watch - a warm, humorous, heartfelt film filled with loss, love and hope that had me laughing out loud one moment, and crying the next. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Nov 7, 2019
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3/5 | 68% | Ride Like a Girl (2019) |
While formulaic, at times cheesy, and avoiding much of the controversy that swirls around the racing industry, it's big on determination, grit and passion. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Oct 24, 2019
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4/5 | 98% | Maiden (2019) |
[T]his is a thrilling story filled with heart-warming ups and anxiety-inducing downs. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Oct 1, 2019
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4/5 | 82% | High Life (2019) |
You really need to see High Life to take in the mix of despair and violence, set against the dream-like, poetic voyage. [Claire] Denis once again confounds with her vision. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Sep 12, 2019
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71% | Danger Close (2019) |
[F]or those interested in the machinations of warfare Danger Close is an intense, exhausting and visceral experience. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Sep 5, 2019
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2.5/5 | 38% | Angel Has Fallen (2019) |
The father/son reunion attempts to add some heart to the chaos but, let's be honest, no one buys a ticket to these films to enjoy the family drama. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Aug 30, 2019
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2/5 | 24% | The Kitchen (2019) |
It feels like The Kitchen has been played around with so much that those involved lost sight of the film they set out to make. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Aug 29, 2019
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3.5/5 | 52% | The Lion King (2019) |
The Lion King doesn't tug on the heart strings as strongly as you'd expect but the mastery and technical brilliance goes some way in making up for it. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 25, 2019
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2.5/5 | 60% | Ophelia (2019) |
A lack of chemistry between characters and the mix of a fairy-tale medieval setting and modern vernacular, which occasionally sounds like it's out of a daytime soap, leaves you scratching your head and wondering what [Claire] McCarthy was hoping for. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 11, 2019
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4/5 | 95% | Little Woods (2019) |
Little Woods can be bleak, but it's a good choice if you're looking for some substance among the Hollywood blockbusters out this season. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 2, 2019
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3.5/5 | 65% | Annabelle Comes Home (2019) |
If you enjoy the genre, and a yelp, [Annabelle Comes Home] certainly delivers. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 2, 2019
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3/5 | 57% | The Hummingbird Project (2019) |
The result is mixed. To the good, this a story told with great attention to detail, and it's worth noting that the documentary style may lead you to think it's based on a real story... On the downside, it's underwhelming. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted May 24, 2019
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3/5 | 47% | The Chaperone (2019) |
The film might be set in a different period, but its themes resonate today, with Louise and Norma showing the transformation of two quite different women living through a period of cultural change. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted May 2, 2019
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4/5 | 100% | The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps (2019) |
This is a story of a musical genius, honest and insightful and beautifully told, and rounded off with stunning images of the local landscape. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted May 2, 2019
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2.5/5 | 34% | Wonder Park (2019) |
While Wonder Park does the darker moments well, it pales in comparison to Inside Out; lacking depth and memorable characters as it races through action pieces to a predictable ending. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Apr 25, 2019
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2.5/4 | 30% | Red Joan (2019) |
A story that could have been thrilling but is instead a nice, repetitive and slightly dull period costume drama. Thank goodness for Dame Judi Dench. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Apr 23, 2019
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4/5 | 97% | Woman at War (Kona fer í stríð) (2019) |
Everything about this film is mesmerising; incredible landscapes, the performance of its lead character, the hipster band, a relevant topic and the idea one person's single-minded pursuit of what they believe in can make a difference. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Apr 4, 2019
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3/5 | 52% | Five Feet Apart (2019) |
Richardson and Sprouse are delightful and go a long way to holding together this slightly drawn out romantic drama; their chemistry covering much of the clichés and predictability. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Mar 29, 2019
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3.5/5 | 60% | Daffodils (2019) |
Musicals aren't my thing, but I left this celebration of our music and Kiwi-ness with a smile; it's a delightful romp through the decades and it's easy to get caught up in this bittersweet love story. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Mar 21, 2019
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2.5/5 | 54% | Swimming with Men (2018) |
While predictable and a bit flat, it's still an underdog sporting flick, which is the very best kind, so while hardly memorable Swimming with Men manages to be pleasant viewing. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Feb 28, 2019
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3.5/5 | 82% | Ben is Back (2018) |
This is hardly an upbeat, feel-good, festive film. Ben is Back is full of raw emotion, desperation and hope but comes with a layer of gloss that attempts to give the gritty subject a sheen for a broader audience. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Feb 5, 2019
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4.5/5 | 79% | Mary Poppins Returns (2018) |
For family viewing these holidays, Mary Poppins Returns is a must; thanks largely to Emily Blunt's utterly charming performance. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 19, 2018
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4/5 | 65% | Vice (2018) |
It's edgy, good fun and to this day the subject and his legacy remain relevant and controversial. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 19, 2018
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4.5/5 | 97% | Free Solo (2018) |
This isn't just a sport story, it's a drama about man verses dramatic landscape, beautifully captured by adventurer, mountaineer, and photographer Jimmy Chin. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 13, 2018
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4/5 | 98% | Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) |
This is a neat little film bringing to light Israel's fascinating story, with excellent performances making it an enjoyable literary romp. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 6, 2018
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32% | The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) |
It's lovely to see a film make bold choices, such as including ballet performed by the remarkable American ballerina Misty Copeland, as both a tribute to its origins and a novel way of telling the story. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Nov 26, 2018
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3/5 | 36% | Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) |
It's a darkly lit and moody period fantasy mixing lightning-fast action scenes with gently paced conversations that reveal small snippets of information, topped off with a few big clangers, all aimed at encouraging you to line up for the next film. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Nov 15, 2018
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4/5 | 80% | Yellow is Forbidden (2018) |
Numerous story threads keep the interest, and Pei makes for delightful company -- you don't need to be interested in fashion to enjoy this visual feast of a film. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Oct 31, 2018
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No Score Yet | Born Racer (2018) |
Those who love motor sport will lap all this up... And if you're not a fan you'll still leave with a new respect for IndyCar racing, and appreciation for what Dixon has achieved. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Oct 24, 2018
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3.5/5 | 93% | RBG (2018) |
This isn't a definitive documentary, rather it's an enlightening and entertaining film taking us behind the scenes of a remarkable woman; it will appeal to audiences who know her as a social media meme, and to long-time supporters. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Sep 27, 2018
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3.5/5 | 72% | Christopher Robin (2018) |
Christopher Robin is feel-good, merging Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and the gang into the live action seamlessly, often with slapstick and crazy antics. It's also essentially a moving and uplifting story about a man having a mid-life crisis. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Sep 24, 2018
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3.5/5 | 100% | McKellen: Playing the Part (2017) |
What a treat it is to have the Oscar-award winner telling his own story in his own words. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Sep 5, 2018
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3.5/5 | 68% | On Chesil Beach (2018) |
On Chesil Beach isn't the cheeriest of romances, and if you have read the book then the screen version isn't quite as lyrical. Rather, it's a contemplative slow burner that lingers with you for days. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Aug 30, 2018
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3/5 | 58% | LBJ (2017) |
Harrelson captures Johnson's dogged, hardworking approach to politics... He injects pace, energy and colour into a familiar storytelling approach that flicks back and forth across the period. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Aug 9, 2018
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3.5/5 | 88% | Whitney (2018) |
Slickly presented, cohesive and moving. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 26, 2018
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3.5/5 | 79% | Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) |
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again isn't as uplifting and hilarious as the original but this sun-kissed, wonderfully cheesy celebration of 70s' Scandi-pop works a slightly different kind of magic. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 20, 2018
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3/5 | 70% | Double Lover (L'amant double) (2018) |
You've got to admire Ozon for presenting a frivolous film with such a serious approach, but it's easy to miss that he's in on the joke. Double Lover should be viewed with a smirk. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 5, 2018
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3/5 | 62% | Edie (2019) |
Not a lot really happens in Edie; the pace is gentle and the story familiar, but it's a pleasant, easy experience - aided by the dramatic mountain footage. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Jul 2, 2018
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3.5/5 | 100% | Number One (Numéro une) (2017) |
This is a film about misogyny, equality and diversity; but the female roles are better written and the actresses make the most of it. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted May 17, 2018
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4/5 | 87% | Tully (2018) |
Tully comes with both bitingly sharp on-the-nose observations and a touch of fantasy, each handled with a mix of intensity and light heartedness - it moves and uplifts, and reminds us we're not alone. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted May 15, 2018
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3.5/5 | 70% | Finding Your Feet (2018) |
Following in the footsteps of films such as Calendar Girls and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel comes another charming, if somewhat predictable, crowd-pleaser about embracing life in your later years. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Feb 23, 2018
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3/5 | No Score Yet | Let Me Go (2017) |
While the tone feels uneven, Let Me Go is handsomely shot and filled with brave subject matter - and, thanks to strong performances by Stevenson and Bertling, it leaves you with plenty to ponder. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 26, 2017
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3.5/5 | 84% | Borg Vs. McEnroe (2018) |
Both characters are presented sympathetically - which may surprise when it comes to the belligerent McEnroe - and makes the tournament's final match that much more exciting for those unaware of what happened; for those who do, it's still worth reliving. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 26, 2017
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3.5/5 | 79% | The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) |
Just like Stevens as Dickens, The Man Who Invented Christmas is immensely likeable, and undoubtedly will having you leaving the theatre feeling more festive than when you entered. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 26, 2017
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3.5/5 | 63% | Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017) |
Director Simon Curtis ... sends a pertinent warning about sharing our children's lives with the world. - New Zealand Herald
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| Posted Dec 26, 2017
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