Category Archives: Comment

Walter Salles has it right about violence and silence

Posted on September 17, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Walter Salles, whose new film “Linha de Passe”, about a mother and her four sons struggling to get by in Sao Paulo, Brazil, opens in the U.K. Friday, says there are two things that bother him about … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Coen Bros’ ‘Burn After Reading’

Posted on September 4, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – When Randy Newman was writing the score for the Mel Gibson western “Maverick,” director Richard Donner asked him if he could write some funny music. “Funny music? What’s funny music?” asked Newman. “I could stick … Continue reading →

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‘Gone With the Wind’ musical to close

Posted on June 1, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON — To no one’s great surprise, Trevor Nunn’s West End production of a new musical version of “Gone With the Wind” will soon be just that and plans for a New York production have been shelved. … Continue reading →

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CANNES FILM REVIEW BRIEF: ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’

Posted on May 18, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett CANNES – Woody Allen and cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe (“The Sea Inside,” “The Others”) make the most of the scenery in the comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, which screened Out of Competition at the Festival de Cannes, but the … Continue reading →

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Olivier Awards performances rock the joint

Posted on March 10, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The joint was jumping at the Olivier Awards Sunday night with performances from the nominated musicals and a tribute to the works of lifetime achievement honouree Andrew Lloyd Webber. Most unforgettable was the reaction of … Continue reading →

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Berlin 2008: Too much moss on Scorsese’s Stones

Posted on February 7, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – The Rolling Stones’ concert documentary “Shine a Light,” which had its world premiere tonight at the Berlin International Film Festival, is a major disappointment for anyone who hopes to see a film that captures the … Continue reading →

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Suzy Bogguss on the road in the UK

Posted on January 21, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Country music radio in the United States has never known what to do with its mavericks, as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle can attest, and among the brightest talents to suffer from its blinkered ways … Continue reading →

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Oscar clues among the Golden Globes winners

Posted on January 14, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett No acting prizes for “Atonement” (pictured) in the Golden Globes but its richly deserved win as best film drama makes an Oscar nomination appear certain although last year’s Globes winner, “Babel,” lost to “The Departed” at the … Continue reading →

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Year in Review 2007: Film Acting

Posted on December 30, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Brad Pitt (above) is my choice as best actor with Casey Affleck as best supporting actor for “The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford.” Laura Linney is best actress for “The Savages” with Romola … Continue reading →

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Year in Review 2007: My Top 10 picks

Posted on December 29, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Top 10 1. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 2. The Band’s Visit 3. I Served the King of England 4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly 5. Atonement 6. Michael Clayton 7. … Continue reading →

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