Category Archives: Reviews

TIFF FILM REVIEW: David Cronenberg’s ‘Maps to the Stars’

Posted on September 5, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett David Cronenberg has made some terrific pictures but his latest, “Maps to the Stars”, is not one of them. Filled with bile, it spins a risible yarn about two generations of a family who find that lust … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews, TIFF Toronto International Film Festival | Tagged 'Maps to the Stars', Bruce Wagner, David Cronenberg, Entertainment One, Howard Shore, John Cusack, Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Olivia Williams, Robert Pattinson, TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

Posted on July 26, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Simon Brett’s adaptation of “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Harold Pinter Theatre is not a straightforward production of the classic Oscar Wilde comedy as all the performers are far too old for their characters but … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'The Importance of Being Earnest', Cherie Lunghi, Christine Kavanaugh, Lucy Bailey, Martin Jarvis, Nigel Havers, Oscar Wilde, Sian Phillips, Simon Brett | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Richard Linklater’s ‘Boyhood’

Posted on July 11, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Richard Linklater’s latest film is about a mother and her son and daughter but he has titled it “Boyhood” and it becomes clear that he sees it as an exercise in nostalgia. It will strike a chord … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'Boyhood', Ethan Hawke, IFC, Patricia Arquette, Richard Linklater, Universal | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Noah’ (spoilers)

Posted on April 1, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Darren Aronofsky’s epic “Noah” is uproarious fun because it’s hard to tell if it’s an impressionist but serious take on the biblical tale or a giant piss-take. (Note: This review contains many spoilers.) It has splashy special effects, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'Noah', Anthony Hopkins, Clint Mansell, Darren Aronofsky, Darren Aronofsly, Paramount, Ray Winstone, Russell Crowe | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Scarlett Johansson in ‘Under the Skin’

Posted on March 14, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett The vivid old Scots word “eldritch” could have been coined for Jonathan Glazer’s spooky new film “Under the Skin” starring Scarlett Johansson as an alien on the prowl in Scotland. Based on Michael Faber’s novel of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'Under the Skin', Jonathan Glazer, Michael Faber, Scarlett Johansson, Studiocanal | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: The Coen Bros.’ ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’

Posted on January 19, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In the 1960s, the sign that it was time to leave a party was when the humourless bloke with the beard pulled out his guitar. The Coen Bros. make that guy the focus of “Inside … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Music, Reviews | Tagged 'Inside Llewyn Davis', Carey Mulligan, Coen Bros., John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Studiocanal | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’

Posted on January 16, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a blend of “Wall Street” without the great speeches, “Caligula” with the decadence and the porn and “Scarface” with the drugs but without the machine guns. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jonah Hill, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Martin Scorsese, Universal Pictures | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Robert Redford in ‘All Is Lost’

Posted on December 26, 2013 by admin

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”.

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'All Is Lost', J.C. Chandor, Robert Redford, Universal | Comments Off

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

Posted on December 21, 2013 by admin

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'American Hustle', Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Danny Elfman, David O' Russell, Entertainment Film Distributors, Jennifer Lawrence, Louie CK, Sony Pictures | Comments Off

FILM REVIEW: Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’

Posted on December 7, 2013 by admin

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews | Tagged 'Nebraska', Alexander Payne, Bruce Dern, June Squibb, Paramount Pictures, Stacy Keach, Will Forte | Comments Off