Cosmo Landesman
Cosmo Landesman's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
Times (UK)
Sunday Times (UK)
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Love Actually (2003) |
Now, though, Curtis, England's most successful comic screenwriter, has shown that when it comes to Hollywood pap, the English can teach Hollywood a treacly trick or two. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 05, 2019
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American Dreamz (2006) |
The overriding problem here is that Weitz doesn't have much to say about his subject, other than that television, politics and terrorism are all part of show business. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Apr 01, 2019
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In the Cut (2003) |
What we end up with is a triumph of style over confused content. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Apr 01, 2019
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The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004) |
Anderson never manages the difficult art of switching from put-on to pathos. And even the straight-faced performances of Wilson and Blanchett don't help. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Apr 01, 2019
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Step Brothers (2008) |
This is a 15-minute sketch - based on crude humour -- stretched out to the length of a feature film. For Ferrell fans only. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Mar 30, 2019
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Clash of the Titans (2010) |
Stuffed with special effects and numerous battle sequences, it's a film that has no magic and no personality of its own. Not even 3D can save it. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Mar 28, 2019
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Across the Universe (2007) |
Those beautiful Beatles songs have been given a bland Broadway makeover that robs them of their power. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 14, 2018
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Chicago (2002) |
You know you have just witnessed a good musical when you leave the theatre or cinema with one, or more, of its songs still ringing in your head.... But after seeing Chicago, I did not whistle or tap my way home. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Feb 25, 2015
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The Artist (2011) |
Instead of inviting us sophisticated moderns to look back and laugh, it insists that we look back and rediscover something we have lost. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Feb 17, 2015
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) |
I think this is the best Potter film yet, for one simple reason: it's not like a Harry Potter film. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 08, 2014
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Shrek 2 (2004) |
Don't get me wrong. I'm not sulking. I liked Shrek 2. Honest. Kids will like Shrek 2. Most mums and dads will like Shrek 2. My problem is this: I didn't love it the way I loved Shrek. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 06, 2014
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I, Anna (2012) |
Barnaby Southcombe makes a distinguished directorial debut with this stylish and atmospheric film noir. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 10, 2012
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Iron Man 2 (2010) |
There's an outdated feel to it all, from its cold-war view of America to the AC/DC soundtrack. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Jul 06, 2010
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The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) |
The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a timely reminder that you can make a terrific film with only three characters, a two-bedroom flat (well, mostly) and a bit of imagination. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Jul 06, 2010
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Kick-Ass (2010) |
Despite the violence and the swearing, Kick-Ass has something you don't usually see in superhero films: charm. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Apr 14, 2010
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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2009) |
If only The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo provided the food for thought the novel gave us, it would be a far better film. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Mar 15, 2010
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A Single Man (2009) |
The private tragedy of George is never transformed into the gripping stuff of public drama; his story doesn't become our story. While A Single Man may dazzle the eye, it leaves the heart untouched. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Feb 16, 2010
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Beyond the Pole (2009) |
This is a small British mockumentary with some good laughs and two likeable leads in Mangan and Thomas, but you can't escape the feeling that it is best seen at home on DVD, with a nice takeaway. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Feb 12, 2010
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The Road (2009) |
It's one of that rare breed of remarkable films - like Mel Gibson's Apocalypto - that, once you've seen it, you would be quite happy never to see again. Then again, it's so good you won't need to. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 15, 2010
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Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010) |
This film is a British celebration of outsiderdom - be it the creative or the crippled - that is never sentimental. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 15, 2010
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It Might Get Loud (2008) |
For guitar freaks and fans of these guys, the film gives you a unique chance to hang out with some real guitar heroes. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 08, 2010
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Avatar (2009) |
When all the hype and hullabaloo about Avatar calms down, we will be left with a film that's no masterpiece, but still well worth seeing. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2010
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Nine (2009) |
It has the sleek, superficial stylishness of a fashion magazine shoot set in La Dolce Vita Italy. Instead of dazzle, we get the dull drizzle of Guido falling apart. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2010
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Nowhere Boy (2009) |
Taylor-Wood has opted for a natural realism, free of arty flourishes - a style as sensible and conservative as Aunt Mimi. She is happy to provide a canvas on which her talented cast can shine, and they do. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2010
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Sherlock Holmes (2009) |
It's a good-looking film that is fun and comic, with fine performances from Law, Downey and, especially, Strong. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2010
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Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) |
The trouble with his new film, though, is not its lack of grit, but its lack of ambition and originality. It's one of those films that you've seen before - even before you've seen it. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2010
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Cracks (2009) |
It's a film without much resonance - there is no way of knowing what lasting effects the pupils' experiences will have on them - but it's smoothly made by Jordan Scott. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 11, 2009
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Me and Orson Welles (2008) |
For theatre buffs who know about that era, this is a treat. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 11, 2009
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The Box (2009) |
The acting is stiff, the special effects look cheap and the dialogue is unintentionally funny. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 11, 2009
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Planet 51 (2009) |
A charming spoof of cold-war alien paranoia, this is visually inventive and full of action, but could do with more humour. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 11, 2009
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Bunny and the Bull (2009) |
The film isn't funny enough or serious enough to be of substance, and often sinks into the quagmire of its own quirkiness. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 04, 2009
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Paranormal Activity (2007) |
Paranormal Activity is a remarkable achievement, but ultimately it's just not scary enough to be considered a horror classic. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Dec 04, 2009
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A Serious Man (2009) |
The human comedy as portrayed in this film was never so cruel - or so funny. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 27, 2009
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Bright Star (2009) |
Bright Star is an admirable film made by a superb craftsman, but for me, Campion fails to deliver the big emotional punch she hopes to land. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 13, 2009
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The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) |
Too shallow for satire and not funny enough for comedy, the infantile Goats is really just a silly absurdist movie trying to pass for an antiwar film. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 13, 2009
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Starsuckers (2009) |
Atkins deserves credit for a lively and thought-provoking documentary on a subject more suitable to a book than a film. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 06, 2009
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An Education (2009) |
An Education offers plenty to enjoy and admire. It's full of first-rate performances. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Nov 06, 2009
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Johnny Mad Dog (2008) |
What end does a harrowing and horrifying film like this serve? Understanding? Political awareness? I'm not sure. One thing is certain: you won't forget it in a hurry. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 30, 2009
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Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) |
It offers yet another celebration of difference and a lesson on the importance of being yourself. But it does leave you thinking: isn't it time that children's films put children first? - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 30, 2009
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Coffin Rock (2009) |
he quiet, understated setup of the first part of the film is an honest and thoughtful exploration of male ego and infertility. Then Glasson turns up the horror heat and his film becomes another bunny-boiler look at obsession. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 30, 2009
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Couples Retreat (2009) |
Couples is so formulaic, so fake and relentlessly bland, it's hard to care if any of these pairings get a divorce, drown or are eaten by sharks. It has neither the ring of truth nor the fun of fantasy. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 20, 2009
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Zombieland (2009) |
After the mandatory splatter scenes, Ruben Fleischer's film becomes more character-driven and enjoyable. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 16, 2009
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Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (2009) |
Think Spinal Rap. A likeable and sporadically funny film, it's rather slight for a theatrical release. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 16, 2009
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Up (2009) |
A hugely enjoyable work, whose care, craftsmanship and creative courage are rarely found in mainstream films - animated or otherwise. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 16, 2009
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The Invention of Lying (2009) |
The Invention of Lying is an underdeveloped work from an overindulged comic. - Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 04, 2009
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Toy Story (1995) |
It doesn't enhance the experience, because the film's timeless appeal is down to great characters and wonderful storytelling; a classic that doesn't need goggles or gimmicks. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 04, 2009
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Vinyan (2008) |
Vinyan is a fine example of art-house horror. It's rich in spooky atmospherics, but it's not really scary. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 04, 2009
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Spell (2009) |
The script is appalling, the dialogue is flat, the acting is unforgivable and the horror scenes are unintentionally comic. Yes - in Carey Jones, Britain has produced its own Ed Wood. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Oct 04, 2009
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District 9 (2009) |
The film's tone moves easily from the comic to the cruel, and the alien creatures look authentic. From the start, the film promises a fresh and thoughtful slice of Swiftian sci-fi. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Sep 07, 2009
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(500) Days of Summer (2009) |
Too timid to be truly cynical about love and too eager for box-office success to try to be a really new kind of romantic comedy, the film fails the ultimate romantic-comedy test: not only does it lack enough laughs, but you're never emotionally involved. - Sunday Times (UK)
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| Posted Sep 07, 2009
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