Category Archives: Comment

Notes ahead of the 2017 Academy Awards

Posted on February 26, 2017 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Repeat screenings of the Academy Awards nominees serve to reinforce original impressions so while I doubt that it will win, my choice for best picture remains Denis Villeneuve’s profound sci-fi picture “Arrival” (pictured). Kenneth Lonergan’s … Continue reading →

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My Top 10 Movie picks for 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett In a year that has featured many fine films with splendid performances by women, the movie I enjoyed the most was Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” starring Amy Adams (pictured). In my review from the Toronto International Film Festival, … Continue reading →

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Six things we learned from the 88th Academy Awards

Posted on February 29, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – There were not many surprises at the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday but we did discover a few things about Oscar, predictions, balloting, marketing, music, and sentimental choices. 1/ Hollywood will always protect the brand.

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Academy Awards diversity: a look at the numbers

Posted on January 29, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In the discussion about diversity in the top prizes of the Academy Awards, the depth of the problem for the Academy is clear as in the 14 awards from 2001 to last year, on the AMPAS … Continue reading →

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Why Jon Stewart should listen to Johnny Carson

Posted on February 13, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett Count me among those who will hate to see Jon Stewart walk away from “The Daily Show” and I wish he could have heard what Johnny Carson told me about his own temptations to quit “The Tonight … Continue reading →

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My interview with rock star Gene Vincent did not go well

Posted on February 11, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett Rockabilly star Gene Vincent, who was born on this day 80 years ago and died on Oct. 12, 1971, had a huge influence on my musical tastes with ’50s tracks such as “Be-Bob-a-Lula” and “Right Here on … Continue reading →

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My picks for the best in film in 2014

Posted on December 31, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett My Top 10 Films of 2014 Grand Budapest Hotel, Under the Skin, Birdman, Into the Woods, The Imitation Game, Big Eyes, Nightcrawler, Only Lovers Left Alive, The Theory of Everything, Pride.

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Upcoming movies: The winners

Posted on December 22, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett A snapshot preview of some of the movies to be released over the holiday period and into the New Year. These are the ones that work.

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Upcoming movies: The losers

Posted on December 18, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett A snapshot preview of some of the movies to be released over the holiday period and into the New Year. These are the ones that don’t work.

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FILM REVIEW: ‘American Sniper’ and ‘Unbroken’

Posted on December 3, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Upcoming Hollywood war films “American Sniper” and “Unbroken” are long and grim with a great deal of violence and suffering and they just seem … empty. Directed by Clint Eastwood, “American Sniper” tells of Chris Kyle (Bradley … Continue reading →

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