Liz Beardsworth
Liz Beardsworth's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
Empire Magazine
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Freedom Uncut (2022) |
Absorbing if not quite insightful, due to a fair degree of self-editing, this remains a moving, often melancholic document of a fabulous songwriter and singer whose legacy becomes ever more obvious as the years pass. A must for fans. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jun 24, 2022
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A-ha: The Movie (2021) |
Far from a puff piece, a no-holds-barred, melancholy, often surprising examination of Norway’s most famous — and underrated — musical export. A must for fans — but prepare to brace. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 19, 2022
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Tove (2020) |
A solid if slight look at the quicksilver, complex character behind one of children's literature's most beloved creations. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 10, 2021
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Cherrybomb (2009) |
Strong turns from Grint and Sheehan, and a punchy storyline elevate this from TV drama to something powerfully cinematic. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 13, 2020
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Military Wives (2019) |
Not as good as The Full Monty or Brassed Off but better than Swimming With Men and Fisherman's Friends, Military Wives is a familiar, entertaining hymn to the power of people coming together in adversity. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Mar 04, 2020
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Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991) |
Feeling at times carefully orchestrated, if you can accept this as part of Madonna's 'any publicity is good publicity' campaign, you'll be fine. And the concert footage is top value. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 16, 2019
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(undefined) |
...a glorious depiction of the Material Girl when she was mad, bad and dangerous to know. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Sep 24, 2019
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Destination Wedding (2018) |
Reeves and Ryder work very hard to make Destination Wedding work, but deeply unlikeable characters and a clunky script means there's no escaping the fact it's a disappointing misfire. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 09, 2019
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Tolkien (2019) |
Karukoski's entertaining film boasts flair and narrative ambition, but ultimately fails to completely break free of its traditional biopic frame. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Apr 30, 2019
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Ben Is Back (2018) |
Ben Is Back begins with nuance but is let down by its familiar Drugs Are Hell tropes. Still, the pairing of the ever-excellent Roberts and Hedges keep it a largely compelling watch. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Mar 11, 2019
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Love Sonia (2017) |
An excoriating, urgent look at the sordid world of global sex trafficking, anchored by a head-turning performance from newcomer Mrunal Thakur. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jan 28, 2019
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Lizzie (2018) |
An absorbing, well-acted psychological thriller that loses its grip as it slips into sensationalism. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Dec 18, 2018
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C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) |
Fantastic performances, sharp wit and a raw honesty breathe new life into the rites-of-passage drama. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Sep 17, 2018
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Swimming With Men (2018) |
Swimming With Men is let down by slight characterisation, by-the-numbers plotting and heavy-handed jokes that desperately need arm bands. A missed opportunity. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 05, 2018
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On Chesil Beach (2017) |
An opulent, well crafted and acted tale of emotional repression that captures the head more than the heart. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 15, 2018
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Wonder (2017) |
It sometimes over-plays its hand but, anchored by a terrific Jacob Tremblay, Wonder is a warm persuasive argument for tolerance. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Dec 03, 2017
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Battle of the Sexes (2017) |
A light, funny, blissfully entertaining flick about heavy, sadly still relevant themes. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Nov 27, 2017
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Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (2017) |
An engaging, visually striking attempt to uncover the 'real' Grace Jones which is only partially successful in those terms. Nonetheless, it's still a fitting tribute to a music icon. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 26, 2017
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Dina (2017) |
Sickles and Santini's documentary is intimate, unvarnished and hugely touching, finding universal truths in its two subjects' unconventional romance. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 21, 2017
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Maudie (2016) |
The only fireworks here are of the indoor kind, but this sensitive, beautifully acted film lingers long after the final frame. And the Newfoundland locations are breathtaking. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Aug 03, 2017
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The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) |
A compelling story bolstered by engaging performances from Jessica Chastain and Daniel Brühl, let down by occasional awkward tonal shifts and clumsy plotting. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Apr 23, 2017
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One Last Heist (2017) |
Uniformly likeable leads can't save plotlines heading nowhere, leaving it a film with its fun moments but more frustrating ones, and too little detail to be anything other than forgettable. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Apr 13, 2017
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Certain Women (2016) |
A languid, leisurely paced drama. Not much happens, but Reichardt's light touch and the performances of the leads make it soar. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Feb 20, 2017
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Born to Be Blue (2015) |
Touched by resonant tragedies amongst his own friends and learning to play the trumpet for the role, Hawke is compelling, offering a magnetic portrayal of an exasperating but deeply charismatic, engaging figure. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 29, 2016
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Dheepan (2015) |
Once again Audiard articulates big themes within a mosaic of everyday struggles. A painful yet rewarding tale of social strife and uplifting resilience. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Apr 07, 2016
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Victoria (2015) |
Full of twists that feel authentic and believable characters, it grips from the first compelling frame to the last. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Mar 31, 2016
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The Intern (2015) |
As you'd expect, Meyers handles the material with assurance and charm, and there's fun to be had in the odd-couple dynamic at her film's heart. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Sep 23, 2015
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Comet (2014) |
The complex machinations of the concept become confusing at times but this is still an ambitious and promising debut. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jun 29, 2015
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Moomins on the Riviera (2014) |
A treat for the whole family. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 18, 2015
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Futuro Beach (2014) |
Karim Anouz's film is a beautifully shot, melancholy meditation on identity, loneliness and love. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 04, 2015
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Before the Winter Chill (2013) |
An affecting midlife mood piece. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Apr 07, 2015
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Laggies (2014) |
Lynn 'Humpday' Shelton takes a sideways look at the challenges of growing up. Not, perhaps, her very best but still very watchable. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Nov 03, 2014
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The Way He Looks (2014) |
Touching and well-acted, Brazil's Best Foreign Film entry is a worthy Oscar candidate. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 20, 2014
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Boyhood (2014) |
Linklater's beautiful film is an extraordinary achievement - tender, funny, wise and wistful, full of warmth and humanity. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 06, 2014
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Stranger by the Lake (2013) |
Beautifully crafted, sinister, frightening, erotic and thought-provoking, Alain Guiraudie's multi-faceted Cannes triumph is already one of the most provocative, intriguing films of the year. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Feb 17, 2014
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The Crash Reel (2013) |
Another memorable piece of storytelling from the Oscar-winning director. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Dec 22, 2013
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One Chance (2013) |
A fluffy but fun telling of a rags to riches story. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 21, 2013
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Popular (2012) |
Offers plenty of easy nostalgia and Duris charm. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 27, 2013
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Ping Pong (2012) |
The sight of this elderly bunch hobbling around the table may well make you laugh, but the passion with which they play each game as if it might (and probably will) be their last will also make you cry. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 01, 2012
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2 Days in New York (2012) |
Full of wit, intelligence and flair, once more Delpy has created a delightfully irresistible sort-of-romantic comedy. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted May 14, 2012
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The Woman in the Fifth (2011) |
An ambitious thriller from Pawlikowski assisted by excellent performances from Hawke, Kulig and Scott Thomas. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Feb 12, 2012
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Like Crazy (2011) |
Felicity Jones shines in Drake Doremus' deceptively simple romance, a refreshing take on an age-old dilemma. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jan 29, 2012
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The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011) |
While it assumes a fair bit of knowledge of the social changes exploding in sixties America, there's a wealth of fascinating material and punchy insights into an earth shaking movement. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 17, 2011
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We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) |
Guaranteed to haunt you for days, and possibly prompt a rethink on your position on parenthood. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 17, 2011
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West Is West (2010) |
Eleven years on but without a great deal more to add, DeEmmony's saga runs out of gas. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Feb 22, 2011
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Barney's Version (2010) |
While perhaps a touch overlong and with plot strands that don't hang together as well as they might, this is remains a triumph, illuminated by a terrific leading man turn from Paul Giamatti. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jan 26, 2011
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New York, I Love You (2009) |
As with Paris, Je T'Aime, New York, I Love You works as both romance film and seductive travelogue, but some will find its 'arty' posturing more maddening than magical. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Oct 06, 2010
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Made in Dagenham (2010) |
While the political grit behind the saga is somewhat sidelined, this is a fun watch enhanced by its stellar British cast. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Sep 29, 2010
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Letters to Juliet (2010) |
The film unravels in a dispiriting morass of clichés and cringy lines. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 06, 2010
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Leaving (2009) |
A vital, if slight, study of selfishness and fractured relationships, Leaving is illuminated by the odd, off-balancing twist. - Empire Magazine
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| Posted Jul 06, 2010
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