Top 10 movies of 2013

Posted on December 26, 2013 by admin

All Is Lost 3

By Ray Bennett

It’s a very tough call to rank the best movies of 2013 as the top bunch are all so good, but here’s my list: Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Top 10 movies of 2013

FILM REVIEW: Robert Redford in ‘All Is Lost’

Posted on December 26, 2013 by admin

Universal 'All Is Lost' cliff

By Ray Bennett

Robert Redford gives a career-best performance as a man alone in peril aboard a sailing craft in the Indian Ocean in J. C. Chandor’s first-class thriller “All Is Lost”. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on FILM REVIEW: Robert Redford in ‘All Is Lost’

FILM REVIEW: David O’ Russell’s ‘American Hustle’

Posted on December 21, 2013 by admin

'American Hustle' Cliff

By Ray Bennett

The jazziest American filmmaker since Robert Altman, David O’Russell makes it three top-flight jams in a row with his rambunctious and hugely enjoyable comedy “American Hustle”.

Like Altman, Russell assembles expert side-men and women, provides the key notes and lets everyone riff as he leads them through solos and harmonies to a rousing payoff. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on FILM REVIEW: David O’ Russell’s ‘American Hustle’

34th London Film Critics’ Circle Awards nominations

Posted on December 17, 2013 by admin

Fox '12 Years a Slave' Cliff

British director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” (pictured), which 20th Century Fox will release in the UK on Jan. 10, has claimed nine London Film Critics’ Circle Awards nominations including best film.

Other films with multiple nominations include “Philomena” with five, and “Blue Jasmine”, “Filth”, “Gravity” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” with four. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, News | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 34th London Film Critics’ Circle Awards nominations

FILM REVIEW: Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’

Posted on December 7, 2013 by admin

Paramount 'Nebraska' Cliff 4

By Ray Bennett

Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” is as rich and engaging as its monochrome images of the American northwest are crisp and daunting. A road picture about dashed aspirations and misguided dreams with some kind of redemption, it’s like a walk in brisk winter that ends at the warmest of hearths. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on FILM REVIEW: Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’

FILM PREVIEW: Will and Ben: funny men

Posted on December 6, 2013 by admin

Fox The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

By Ray Bennett

American comedian Will Ferrell gives fans what they want in December with a return to his cult alter ego Ron Burgundy in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” while Ben Stiller fulfils a long held dream to re-make “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, News, Previews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on FILM PREVIEW: Will and Ben: funny men

FILM REVIEW: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

Posted on November 22, 2013 by admin

Lionsgate 'The Hunger Games Catching Fire'

By Ray Bennett

LONDON – Prince Philip once landed at Heathrow and someone asked him how was his flight. The Prince said, ‘Have you ever been on a plane? It was like that.” Much can be said of movie sequels. If you saw the first “Hunger Games”, the second one is like that.

Not to say that’s a bad thing. Almost two and a half hours of Jennifer Lawrence (pictured) onscreen is no bad way to spend cinema time and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has lots of splashy visuals and exciting action. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on FILM REVIEW: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

‘Life of Pi’ tops World Soundtrack Awards

Posted on October 20, 2013 by admin

TCFHE 'Life of Pi' Cliff

By Ray Bennett

GENT, Belgium – Canadian composer Mychael Danna was named best film composer of the year and won the best original film score award for “Life of Pi” at the World Soundtrack Awards. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Music, News | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Life of Pi’ tops World Soundtrack Awards

Re-mastered James Dean movies due on Blu-ray Disc

Posted on October 11, 2013 by admin

Warner Bros. 'East of Eden' x405

By Ray Bennett

Warner Home Video said it will release all three of James Dean’s movies re-mastered for Blu-ray Disc in an “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” on Oct. 28.

“East of Eden” (pictured with the late Julie Harris), “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant” will be on a limited and numbered 6-disc set along with three feature-length documentaries about the actor who died aged 24 in 1955, screen tests, wardrobe tests, commentaries and features on each film. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Re-mastered James Dean movies due on Blu-ray Disc

Conversation with Nicolas Roeg set for Oct. 24 at the Idler

Posted on October 4, 2013 by admin
Donald Sutherland in Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now" (1973)

Donald Sutherland in Nicolas Roeg’s “Don’t Look Now” (1973)

By Ray Bennett

Think of Rome and Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” comes immediately to mind. Think of Vienna, it’s Carol Reed’s “The Third Man”. In Venice, it’s Nicolas Roeg’s “Don’t Look Now”. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Conversation with Nicolas Roeg set for Oct. 24 at the Idler