Category Archives: Notes

It’s the ‘Royal Toy Story’ for Harry and Meghan

Posted on January 16, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In ‘Toy Story 4’, the beloved cowboy action figure contemplates leaving the old gang to go off with a beautiful outsider. In the United Kingdom’s version, the monarchy, a much-loved prince wants to do the … Continue reading →

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TIFF18 BRIEFS: ‘Colette’, ‘Non-Fiction’, ‘American Woman’, ‘The Front Runner’, ‘Red Joan’, ‘The Old Man and the Gun’, ‘Vita & Virginia’, ‘Destroyer’

Posted on September 14, 2018 by admin

From the Toronto International Film Festival

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World Soundtrack Awards showcase best film music

Posted on October 23, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett It’s a measure of the authority of the World Soundtrack Awards that while the Academy Awards last time nominated two of the best film scores from last year, the Ghent event has nominated all four plus one … Continue reading →

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TIFF: Sunshine, music and Liona Boyd at the CFC picnic

Posted on September 11, 2011 by admin

One of the treats at the Toronto International Film Festival is Norman Jewison’s annual picnic at the Canadian Film Centre and it was a pleasure there today to meet the London-born Canadian classical guitarist Liona Boyd. We have Notting Hill, … Continue reading →

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A good man down: Brian Vallée dies

Posted on July 23, 2011 by admin

By Ray Bennett My good mate Brian Vallée died Saturday in a Toronto hospital after a fight with cancer. He was 70. That’s him in the centre of the photo with me and another great chum Ron Base on the … Continue reading →

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Thinking of Renée on her birthday

Posted on November 21, 2010 by admin

Renee Rich and I had happy days in the 1980s and we spoke regularly all the years afterwards. She died at home in Memphis on Christmas 2006. Where I walk, and life is warm Sun and breath, hopefully here All … Continue reading →

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Recalling my great friend Mark Schwed on his birthday

Posted on September 23, 2009 by admin

From too much love of living, From hope and fear set free, We thank with brief thanksgiving Whatever gods may be That no man lives for ever; That dead men rise up never; That even the weariest river Winds somewhere … Continue reading →

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‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’ villain Hugh Millais dies at 79

Posted on July 17, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Hugh Millais, who utters the fateful line that changes everything for John McCabe in my all-time favorite movie, Robert Altman’s “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971), has died aged 79. As the menacing Butler, who comes to … Continue reading →

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George Fenton Q&A to kick off LSO concert at Barbican

Posted on June 6, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Director Stephen Frears will join composer George Fenton for a conversation with film music expert Tommy Pearson ahead of the London Symphony Orchestra concert of Fenton’s movie scores at the Barbican on Sunday. The Q&A begins … Continue reading →

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MUSIC REVIEW: ‘Filmharmonic’ at the Royal Albert Hall

Posted on May 10, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Filmharmonic concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday night kept a large crowd of film music enthusiasts entertained with scores by top composers including John Williams, Maurice Jarre, John Barry, Lalo … Continue reading →

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