David Parkinson

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Empire
For 400 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 39% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 57% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 7.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

David Parkinson's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Sansho the Bailiff
Lowest review score: 40 Tommy's Honour
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 239 out of 400
  2. Mixed: 161 out of 400
  3. Negative: 0 out of 400
400 movie reviews
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    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    How Green Was My Valley
    Winning Best Film at that year's Oscars, this John Huston film typically epic with a faithful screenplay to Richard Llewellyn's famous novel. Strong performances from Crisp and O'Hara although McDowall as the young lead, gives a particularly memorable performance while the setting shows Wales at its most beautiful.
    • 95 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    A Separation
    Powerful art cinema that challenges political and social unity in Iran.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Wild Grass
    A typically poignant lifestory illuminated by strong turns from Dussollier and Azéma, Alain Resnais' latest is one to stir the brain as well as the heart.
    • 98 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    The Lady Vanishes
    The formula of an innocent thrust into a nightmare would fascinate Hitch for decades to come, but here he packs the tale with strong characters and important details.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    The Blue Room
    Taut, tense and teasing, this fascinating exercise in screen storytelling keeps viewers guessing whether the prime suspect might just be a victim.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Maiden
    Instructive, insightful and inspiring, Maiden is a rousingly riveting record of a remarkable accomplishment that says as much about British bloody-mindedness as it does about feminist fortitude and underdog pluck.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Blackfish
    Impassioned and disturbing, this documentary matches "The Cove" for marrying cool intellect with real fire.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Half Moon
    An unflinching and affecting depiction of the region’s tragic lunacies.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Call Me Kuchu
    As angry and unflinching a piece of documentary filmmaking as you'll see this year.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Radio Days
    Humane and perceptive memoir from Allen, with a pleasant visual nostalgia and the usual slew of impressive performances.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Room at the Top
    Although time doesn't flatter the film much, it remains engaging and insightful.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
    Complex and sophisticated, this genre-defying crime story is spellbinding viewing.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    The Time That Remains
    A touching and insightful black comedy that gracefully spans sixty years.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    My Winnipeg
    Witty, moving and visually dazzling.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Flanders
    Harrowing and complex, this study in terror is not for the faint of heart.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Roman Holiday
    Witty, warm and beautifully filmed by Franz Planer and Henri Alekan, it remains an unabashed romantic delight, with Hepburn particularly luminescent. [Review of re-release]
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Robinson in Ruins
    Keiller's follow up to his cine-essays London and Robinson In Space is another intelligent, thought-provoking piece of filmmaking.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Tarnation
    For all the courage and ingenuity of this extraordinary film, it's clear that Caouette has actually resolved few issues and that his life is still very much a work in progress.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Lady Macbeth
    This intelligently scripted and imposingly played costume noir revisits the conventions of Victorian melodrama to comment on modern attitudes to oppression, prejudice and morality.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Both Sides of the Blade
    Despite the almost caricatural Frenchness of the premise, this is a superbly acted and intricately directed drama that makes a virtue of its very human feelings and follies.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Junebug
    The scenario may be overly familiar, but the low-key approach and engaging performances make this an unexpected delight.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Corpo Celeste
    Quietly compelling, the cerebral slice of social realism is well worth hunting down.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Life of Riley
    A final opportunity to see a master at work in this mischievously melancholic delight.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Dreamcatcher
    A sensitive, sincere and humbling profile which is truly inspirational.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
    An explosion of garish colour, wacky detail and surreal complications, Almodovar’s very funny, urban comedy overflows with the unexpected. See it!
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    The Bad and the Beautiful
    Douglas' teeth-clenched, dimple-thrusting megalomaniac is among his best work, while the gossipy screenplay (another Oscar winner) is served wonderfully by Minnelli's lush melodramatics.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Wadjda
    As simple and charming as you could wish for, this is a genuinely pioneering debut from a female Saudi filmmaker and a striking piece of work by any standards.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Young Mr. Lincoln
    A rose-tinted look at American history, certainly, but still a very entertaining one.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Oliver Twist
    Evocative and endearing - a worthy string to the Lean bow.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 David Parkinson
    Hell and Back Again
    A tough but deeply rewarding watch. Search it out.
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