Philip De Semlyen
Philip De Semlyen's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer when
published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
Empire Magazine
| Publications: | Empire Magazine |
Movie Reviews Only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 93% | The Other Side of Hope (Toivon tuolla puolen) (2017) |
Maverick as ever but fully engaged with the modern world, Kaurismäki dials back his trademark absurdism with a wry allegory of human struggle, empathy and connection.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 25, 2017
|
| 2/5 | 36% | Snatched (2017) |
A winning double act never quite gels in a fish-out-of-water road-trip caper - think 'National Lampoon's Gringo Vacation' - that leans hard on its stars' charms and very lightly on coherent plotting.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 18, 2017
|
| 4/5 | 90% | Frantz (2017) |
Ozon's latest is a twisty-turny post-War mystery - think 'A Very Long Bereavement' - that boasts a kaleidoscope of quiet emotions. It unfolds slowly, but rewards patience with strong performances and a swooning third act.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 15, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 73% | The Sense Of An Ending (2017) |
A handsome and well-acted rumination on memory, boyhood and ageing that sees Ritesh Batra deliver a solid rather than inspired interpretation of Julian Barnes' prize winner.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 3, 2017
|
| 4/5 | 94% | Neruda (2016) |
An unusual and richly enjoyable love letter to a fellow artist and Chilean, Neruda further marks out Larraín as a director of serious range and ambition.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 3, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 42% | A Cure For Wellness (2017) |
A high-altitude horror - think a Bram Stoker reworking of *The Shining* or Shutter Highland - of real craft. Ultimately, though, the plot turns out to be thinner than the air.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 20, 2017
|
| 3/5 | 80% | Patriots Day (2017) |
The third part of Berg's unofficial Americans-in-crisis trilogy will play better for US audiences than overseas, but it's still a pacy and often enthralling disaster movie.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 20, 2017
|
| 4/5 | 87% | Hacksaw Ridge (2016) |
Occasionally soapy on the homefront but cataclysmic in combat, this is a worthy addition to the WWII canon.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 23, 2017
|
| 5/5 | 96% | Manchester by the Sea (2016) |
Masterfully told and beautifully acted, Manchester By The Sea is a shattering yet graceful elegy of loss and grief.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 9, 2017
|
| 4/5 | 72% | The Birth of a Nation (2016) |
An unapologetic, impassioned biopic, The Birth Of A Nation begins quietly but ends in a howl of rage. It might not be perfect, but it's powerful enough to stay with you.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 5, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 64% | The Unknown Girl (La fille inconnue) (2016) |
The Unknown Girl may be a middling effort by the Dardennes' high standards but it's still an involving, thoughtful watch.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 5, 2016
|
| 2/5 | 60% | Allied (2016) |
Zemeckis' old-school romance has its moments and Cotillard gives it her all, but it lacks the zip and chemistry to truly spark.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 21, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 87% | My Scientology Movie (2017) |
Theroux's first big-screen doc is an entertaining affair, peppered with surreal moments and wry wit, but its elusive subject remains out of reach.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 4, 2016
|
| 4/5 | 98% | Little Men (2016) |
Following up Love Is Strange with another slice of urban bohemia, Sachs' latest is another gem that's full of heart and warmth.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 22, 2016
|
| 2/5 | 63% | The Magnificent Seven (2016) |
Slick but forgettable, Fuqua's suicide squad is a macho posse movie that could use a jab of fun. It's The Magnificent Seven, but the "magnificent" is silent.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 11, 2016
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| 4/5 | 88% | The Childhood of a Leader (2016) |
The ending doesn't quite land, but this timely right-wing allegory promises there's much more to come from Corbet.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Aug 14, 2016
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| 4/5 | 90% | Suburra (2015) |
A stylish crime thriller that dissects Italian society with a cool eye and an itchy trigger finger.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jun 30, 2016
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| 2/5 | 46% | Knight of Cups (2016) |
For a director who's tackled big themes so often, Malick finds little worthy of his gifts in the field of male solipsism.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 28, 2016
|
| 5/5 | 96% | Son of Saul (2015) |
A story about morsels of humanity rescued from an unspeakable hell. If there's a film to feel trapped in, this is it.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 28, 2016
|
| 2/5 | 16% | Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015) |
The franchise squeaks past with a so-so sequel that barely improves on what came before. Our only hope is that at some point they'll have to hibernate.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 11, 2016
|
| 3/5 | 74% | Youth (2015) |
An Alpine study of ageing and creativity that's as fresh and bracing as the mountain air, although occasionally just as chilly.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 28, 2016
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| 3/5 | 60% | Joy (2015) |
As the opening credits establish, this kinda-biopic is "inspired by the stories of daring women", and Lawrence's name increasingly belongs on any such list.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 10, 2015
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| 4/5 | 97% | Red Army (2015) |
The interviews are as entertaining as the slick interplay on the ice.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 8, 2015
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| 3/5 | 20% | The Reflektor Tapes (2015) |
The enigmatic band gives virtuoso music-video director Kahlil Joseph access to its Haitian influences but keep the audience rather more at arm's length from their creative process.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 22, 2015
|
| 4/5 | 93% | The Diary Of A Teenage Girl (2015) |
Minnie's inner life, a fantasia of animations appearing Crumb-like around her, is dazzling, and there's plenty of naked emotion amid the sex, drugs and hand-drawn penises.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Aug 3, 2015
|
| 4/5 | 95% | Amy (2015) |
A vibrant, haunting documentary, and a poignant tribute to a free spirit.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jun 29, 2015
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| 3/5 | 57% | White Bird in a Blizzard (2014) |
A more restrained effort from Araki than the headrush of Kaboom, there's plenty of fun to be had in Eva Green's Joan Crawford-esque turn as the vanished lady.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Mar 5, 2015
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| 4/5 | 84% | Kon Tiki (2013) |
A big-spirited and inspiring boy's own adventure.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Dec 18, 2014
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| 5/5 | 99% | Leviathan (2014) |
Frustrating, funny at points, heartbreaking and quite magnificently shot throughout, Leviathan is one of the films of the year.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 3, 2014
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| 4/5 | 78% | Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (2014) |
It might veer towards hagiography at times, but its subject is so entertaining you don't even care.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jul 17, 2014
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| 4/5 | 93% | Le passé (The Past) (2013) |
A bold, honest film about family life that showcases a terrifically unpeppy turn from Bejo.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Mar 16, 2014
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| 4/5 | 96% | Muscle Shoals (2013) |
A stomping good doc.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 21, 2013
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| 2/5 | 70% | The Croods (2013) |
Bold visually but thumpingly ordinary storytelling.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Mar 22, 2013
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| 4/5 | 82% | De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone) (2012) |
Another triumph from Audiard and a Cotillard masterclass, this bruising, tender melodrama lingers long in the memory.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 29, 2012
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| 2/5 | 50% | Into the White (2013) |
Ponderous pacing makes this true-life tale a lot less enthralling than it might have been.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Sep 28, 2012
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| 4/5 | 67% | Ted (2012) |
Crass, supremely silly and very, very funny, Ted is the comedy of the summer.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jul 30, 2012
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| 2/5 | 36% | Iron Sky (2012) |
Insert your own 'lunar' pun here - this is a true space oddity.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 15, 2012
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| 2/5 | 34% | Battleship (2012) |
Miss.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 10, 2012
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| 4/5 | 88% | Titanic (1997) |
With a 3D conversion from the medium's pioneer-in-chief, Titanic is a big-screen romance that's every bit as epic as you remember.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 4, 2012
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| 2/5 | 46% | Anonymous (2011) |
It's more of an interesting curio to a blockbuster career but there's fun to be had here if you look hard enough.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 24, 2011
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| 4/5 | 85% | The Yellow Sea (Hwanghae) (2011) |
A violent thrill-ride to a dark new corner of Asian cinema.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Oct 18, 2011
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| 3/5 | 91% | Fire in Babylon (2011) |
A treat for cricket fans who'll thrill to this nostalgic look back at one of sport's greatest teams.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted May 16, 2011
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| 4/5 | 100% | TT3D Closer To The Edge (2011) |
Rev up those whiteknuckle thrillride clichés, you're going to need them.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 18, 2011
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| 4/5 | 90% | Armadillo (2011) |
Moving, complex and brutal, it's an outstanding film about men at war.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 4, 2011
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| 3/5 | 51% | Brighton Rock (2011) |
Greene fans will raise a sceptical eyebrow, but it's an adaptation brimming with enough ideas to justify this second stick of Rock.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Jan 31, 2011
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| 3/5 | 89% | An Ordinary Execution (2010) |
Always mesmerising, Dussollier's Stalin is a portrait of a leader whose frailties are matched only by his capacity for evil.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Nov 29, 2010
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| 3/5 | 53% | Agora (2010) |
Always intelligent and thought-provoking, it's a welcome return from Amenábar.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 22, 2010
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| 4/5 | 92% | City of Life and Death (2011) |
Passionate and expertly crafted, this black-and-white opus is well worth seeking out.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 15, 2010
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| 2/5 | 22% | Repo Men (2010) |
While Forest Whitaker's conflicted thug brings languid menace, there's little to up the tension. And among all the film's icky incisions, there's a feeling a better film is lying on the cutting room floor.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Apr 15, 2010
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| 4/5 | 94% | The Unloved (2009) |
Poignant, perceptive and unrelenting, this may be bleak, like all great drama, it is ultimately uplifting as well.‐ Empire Magazine
Read More | Posted Feb 19, 2010
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