Monthly Archives: April 2009

Films about newspapers, like newspapers, are a dying breed

By Ray Bennett Watching the final edition of The Los Angeles Herald Examiner roll off the presses in November 1989 remains one of the most haunting memories of my life and it’s a tragedy that more papers are going bust. … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Tim Firth’s ‘Calendar Girls’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – It’s not a musical, but screenwriter Tim Firth’s stage version of his script for the hit 2003 Nigel Cole film “Calendar Girls” takes aim squarely at the audience that flocked to see “Mamma Mia!” and … Continue reading

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FILM REVIEW: J.J. Abrams’s ‘Star Trek’ reboot

By Ray Bennett LONDON – To put a much-loved but over-the-hill vehicle back in shape takes more than a new battery and a lick of paint. It demands a full-bore refit, and that’s exactly what J.J. Abrams has given “Star Trek.” … Continue reading

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MUSIC REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: A Musical Journey’ at the O2 Arena

By Ray Bennett LONDON – If you think the world doesn’t need another variation on “Star Wars” on top of the six films, assorted animations, videogames and toys, you forget the extraordinary force of the music John Williams wrote for … Continue reading

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MUSIC REVIEW: ‘The LSO: A Life in Film’ at the Barbican

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The London Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 70-plus years of making music for movies with a sold-out concert at Barbican Hall on April 4 that ended with an enthusiastic standing ovation. The warm response was sparked … Continue reading

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