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Sarah Watt
Sarah Watt's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at Tomatometer-approved publication(s).
Movies reviews only
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The Seagull (2018) |
It is a credit to Bening that while she, too, plays the excessively vain Irina "big", her screen-time provides the best moments in an otherwise middling affair. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 18, 2018
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Selma (2014) |
There have been surprisingly few cinematic renderings of Martin Luther King Jr's legacy, but despite the lack of competition, British actor David Oyelowo's embodiment of the great man is simply superb. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 04, 2018
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McQueen (2018) |
As incredible, luscious and painful as McQueen's legacy, this is fashion history well worth studying. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Sep 07, 2018
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Māui's Hook (2018) |
Of course, the nature of its subject matter makes Māui's Hook a double-edged sword for potential viewers: it is at once inevitably painful to acknowledge this tragedy that regularly leaves families and communities reeling, and an essential watch. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jul 16, 2018
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Upgrade (2018) |
And yet, for... the very occasional clumsiness in its execution, Australian director Leigh Whannell (co-creator of the Saw franchise) has incredibly managed to fashion a heap of gruesome fun, with a script and action that feels fresh and exhilarating. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted May 29, 2018
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Tully (2018) |
It is strikingly refreshing to see women relating to one another nicely on screen, and Marlo and Tully's burgeoning relationship and candid banter present a surprisingly empathetic and extremely well-observed discussion of life... - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted May 07, 2018
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To the Bone (2017) |
The only thing more interesting than watching how someone turns into a superhero is seeing them lose that power. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Mar 08, 2018
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Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017) |
... for all its unlikely and fantastical nature, Film Stars is a lovely love story. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Mar 06, 2018
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The Party (2017) |
[Director Sally] Potter has hit a more crowd-friendly jackpot with The Party, not just because of her top-drawer cast, but writing witty, fast-paced dialogue to be spat out by unlikeable and yet intoxicating characters... - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Feb 26, 2018
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Lady Bird (2017) |
The naturalistic depiction of relationships is Gerwig's evident strength. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Feb 21, 2018
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Loving Vincent (2017) |
Loving Vincent is stunning in a whole new way, although the amount of work and length of time taken to produce it may render it a one-hit wonder. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Feb 15, 2018
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Phantom Thread (2017) |
You know, I don't even want to try to understand how Paul Thomas Anderson knows what to do to make exquisite films. Watching Phantom Thread, I just want to let him get on with it. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Feb 05, 2018
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Molly's Game (2017) |
The film makes little pretence of being high-brow or particularly cinematic in its crafting (though its editing matches the speedy dialogue), but as a pacey tell-all it's a fascinating and entertaining watch. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Feb 05, 2018
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Downsizing (2017) |
But the movie which starts with incredible promise and is utterly engrossing then morphs inexplicably into a completely different film halfway through. And so here we are, disappointed and bewildered, reading a three-star review. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jan 30, 2018
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I, Tonya (2017) |
Thanks to sharp writing, the talents of Robbie and Janney, and, at heart, compassion for its subject, I, Tonya is frequently hilarious, crucially revealing and resoundingly enjoyable. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jan 30, 2018
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The Shape of Water (2017) |
... while there are several beautiful, aquatic set-pieces, the story shuffles predictably towards its conflict and conclusion. For those who want look and feel, this may be enough. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jan 18, 2018
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Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) |
... it doesn't take itself too seriously, and for the most part it's just a jolly entertaining romp of a revenge flick. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jan 03, 2018
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Their Finest (2016) |
Their Finest is a prime example of the Brits doing humour as they do it best. All the actors seem to be having a whale of a time, and it's impossible not to feel the same way. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 28, 2017
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Pitch Perfect 3 (2017) |
Pitch Perfect 3 is not exactly the epitome of 21st century, post-Weinstein, feminist cinema. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 21, 2017
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Call Me by Your Name (2017) |
... Call Me By Your Name can only be described as a perfect film. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 21, 2017
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Breathe (2017) |
... Breathe turns out to be quite charming and frequently delightful. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 15, 2017
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) |
Thankfully The Last Jedi won't be the last Jedi movie, but it should be your next. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 13, 2017
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Borg vs. McEnroe (2017) |
... a fascinating exposé of the behind-the-scenes psychology that drove these world-class players and gave them the reputations they've carried for life. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 04, 2017
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The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) |
The best of all the Christmas movies coming out on the dot of December, The Man Who Invented Christmas is the tale of Charles Dickens coming up with his classic story A Christmas Carol. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 27, 2017
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Daddy's Home 2 (2017) |
... Daddy's Home 2 is for the most part thuddingly unfunny and ultimately obnoxious. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 22, 2017
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Human Traces (2017) |
This is Christchurch filmmaker Nic Gorman's feature debut as writer-director - and what intelligent writing and directing it is. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 16, 2017
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Justice League (2017) |
... Justice League is enjoyable, smart and interesting, with touches of humour, an almost overwhelmingly high-calibre cast, and plenty going on. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 15, 2017
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The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) |
... one of the most brilliantly original and exhilarating films of the year. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 10, 2017
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Murder on the Orient Express (2017) |
Murder on the Orient Express' biggest draw is probably its opportunity for wish fulfilment for anyone who's ever played those murder mystery dinner games or dreamed of living the (early 20th century) high-life on a train across Europe. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 08, 2017
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Detroit (2017) |
Far from being the biopic of a city, Detroit is at any rate a dark chapter in its history. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 08, 2017
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Only the Brave (2017) |
... thankfully Only the Brave eschews sentiment and manipulation to deliver a well-acted, informative and ultimately heartfelt movie. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Nov 08, 2017
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Maudie (2016) |
It tells the poignant true story of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, whose famously naïve, but charming paintings garnered the humble native of Nova Scotia world-wide celebrity. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 18, 2017
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Waru (2017) |
... the overall impact of Waru is stunning and it is impossible not to be moved and impressed in equal measure. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 12, 2017
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The Mountain Between Us (2017) |
... even though the characters are in the most perilous of circumstances, the viewer manages not to feel a thing. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 11, 2017
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The Changeover (2017) |
With top-notch sound design, music well-chosen for a teen audience and, most importantly, really sharp acting from all involved, The Changeover is a worthy addition to the cinematic YA genre which can proudly boast a local edge. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 05, 2017
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Blade Runner 2049 (2017) |
Villeneuve has taken the double-edged sword of the update and created a Blade Runner 2049 worthy of honouring its ancestor, while bringing it appropriately into the mid-21st Century. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 05, 2017
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Mountain (2017) |
This documentary is simple to its core in its premise and construction, yet hugely affecting. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Oct 05, 2017
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Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) |
It is the endearing cast of Kingsman: The Golden Circle who elevate what might otherwise be merely a three-star, mediocre, cashing-in sequel to a ludicrously popular breakout hit. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Sep 28, 2017
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I am not your negro (2016) |
Incomplete and unpublished by the time of his death eight years later, the letters have been picked up by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck who brings Baldwin's typically insightful and beautifully articulated words to life... - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Sep 21, 2017
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6 Days (2017) |
Yet, despite ostensibly doing everything "right", for most of its run-time the film doesn't quite manage to deliver the thrills. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Aug 31, 2017
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An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) |
So who is Al Gore's follow-up to the Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth for? As it turns out, very compellingly: you and me. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Aug 24, 2017
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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) |
If you're after light entertainment, heavy spectacle and a tinge of crazy cinematic magic, Valerian will deliver. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Aug 16, 2017
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(undefined) |
You may have seen Terminator 2 a million times, but this is one true classic that never gets old. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Aug 16, 2017
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Atomic Blonde (2017) |
Unfortunately, Atomic Blonde turns out to be nothing more than a series of sometimes visually impressive, but perpetually banal sequences in a story that lacks interest or coherence, played out by characters who have no substance. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jul 27, 2017
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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) |
Sadly, the promising start soon falls flat, and we're left with an unmemorable attempt to replace Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, both of whose tales about the boy-superhero far surpass this one. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jul 15, 2017
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The Journey (2016) |
Spall and Meaney are fantastic, Spall's seemingly overblown portrayal of the blustering Bible-basher Paisley more on-point than you would care to believe, with Meaney selling McGuinness as a thoroughly nice chap. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jul 13, 2017
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My Cousin Rachel (2017) |
Daphne du Maurier may not seem like the most relevant author to be plundering for a 21st Century film script, but this accomplished cinematic rendering proves her moody, slightly confusing, dark and desperately romantic tales still have their place. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jun 29, 2017
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Rough Night (2017) |
A bit like The Hangover peopled by the fairer sex, Rough Night boasts five terrific performances from its leading ladies and produces a comedy of errors which delivers more laughs-out-loud than I've had in months. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Jun 15, 2017
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Zootopia (2016) |
Much of Zootopia's charm results from its wonderful animation and captivating energy, but at heart it's the witty, insightful script around deeper socio-political issues which makes it truly satisfying for any grown-up who goes to see it. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 30, 2016
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La La Land (2016) |
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are shaping up to be today's equivalent of Garland and Rooney, this third outing (after Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad) demonstrating yet again their chemistry and endearing camaraderie. - Stuff.co.nz
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| Posted Dec 30, 2016
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