Category Archives: Television

VENICE FILM REVIEW: Penny Woodcock’s ‘Exodus’

Posted on September 4, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – Although director and writer Penny Woodcock’s post-apocalyptic fable “Exodus” wears its heart on its sleeve and occasionally staggers under the weight of its earnestness, it’s an engaging piece of work. Woodcock places the story from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Exodus', Bernard Hill, Daniel Percival, Margate, Penny Woodcock, Venice International Film Festival | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: David Morrissey in ‘Viva Blackpool!’

Posted on June 9, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The BBC has taken the U.S. title of its flamboyant musical crime miniseries “Viva Blackpool!” for a 90-minute special follow-up to a show it originally called just “Blackpool.” David Morrissey returns as the charismatic if … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Viva Blackpool', BBC1, David Morrissey, Megan Dodds, Peter Bowker | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: Lee Evans in ‘The History of Mr. Polly’

Posted on May 7, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON — The fanciful style that H.G. Wells employed for his 1910 comic novel “The History of Mr. Polly” is difficult to transfer to the screen but ITV has done a good job with its new version … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged 'The History of Mr. Polly', Anne-Marie Duff, H.G.Wells, Lee Evans, Richard Coyle | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: David Suchet in ‘Maxwell’

Posted on May 4, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett David Suchet (left), who is very good in the title role of the drama “Maxwell” tonight on BBC2 , says that he researched the life of Robert Maxwell for other characters he’s played. He used the flamboyant … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Maxwell', 'Poirot', David Suchet, Robert Maxwell | Comments Off

Recalling … a bumpy ride with Linda Gray

Posted on April 29, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett There’s a scene in an early episode of “Dallas” in which Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing in a long gown bumps downstairs on her backside. She wore jeans beneath the gown and in her back pocket was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Dallas', Linda Gray, Lorimar Television, TV Guide Canada, UK Gold | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: Joanne Whalley in ‘Life Line’

Posted on April 24, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Beautiful British actress Joanne Whalley (pictured with Ray Stevenson) makes an all too rare appearance tonight in a two-part BBC tale of the supernatural titled “Life Line.” It’s a shame no producer offered her career a lifeline … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Life Line', BBC, Joanne Whalley, Ray Stevenson | Comments Off

The BBC to broadcast ‘Live Earth’ concert around the world

Posted on April 10, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett The BBC will be host broadcaster of “Live Earth — The Concert For a Climate In Crisis,” set to take place at the new Wembley Stadium in London July 7. Headliners will include the Black Eyed Peas, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Television | Tagged 'Live Earth - The Concert for a Climate in Crisis', BBC, Black Eyed Peas | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: The new ‘Doctor’ prognosis is excellent

Posted on March 31, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett “All the world’s a stage,” says the doctor. “Hmm,” says the playwright, “I might use that.” As the playwright is William Shakespeare, you know he will. One of the pleasures of the reinvented “Doctor Who” series, returning … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged Anne Reid, BBC1, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Freema Agyeman, Russell T Davies | Comments Off

TV REVIEW: Sally Hawkins in ITV’s ‘Persuasion’

Posted on March 30, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett ITV’s excellent new version of “Persuasion” airing Sunday is the best of the U.K. commercial channel’s season of new Jane Austen adaptations. All three were coproductions with WGBH Boston and will be seen in the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Television | Tagged 'Persuasion', Adrian Shergold, ITV, Rupert Penry-Jones, Sally Hawkins, Simon Burke, WGBH Boston | 1 Comment

Delivering ‘Northanger’ romance at Lismore Castle

Posted on March 25, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett The daunting edifice in “Northanger Abbey,” ITV’s new version of the Jane Austen novel that aired tonight starring Felicity Jones and JJ Feild (pictured), is actually Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. Andrew Davies, who wrote the … Continue reading →

Posted in Notes, Places, Television | Tagged 'Northerner Abbey', 'Pride and Prejudice', Andrew Davies, Chatsworth, Felicity Jones, ITV, Jane Austen, JJ Field, Lismore Castle | Comments Off