Category Archives: Music

My chaotic encounter with composer Ennio Morricone

Posted on July 10, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett  LONDON – The late Ennio Morricone was a giant in film music but the Italian composer could be a difficult man as I found out when I went to interview him in London. He was in town … Continue reading →

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When Kenny Rogers welcomed me to Los Angeles

Posted on March 20, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett We flew into LAX from Toronto, checked into the Sportsmen’s Lodge in the Valley, went directly to the then open-air Universal Amphitheater and were led to seats in the front row just as the biggest entertainer in … Continue reading →

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BAFTA to keep theatrical eligibility and add casting prize

Posted on August 7, 2019 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – BAFTA announced today that, following what it calls a “broad consultation”, eligibility rules regarding the theatrical release required for a film to qualify for the EE British Academy Film Awards will not change for 2020. … Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Natalie Portman in ‘Vox Lux’

Posted on May 3, 2019 by admin

By Ray Bennett TORONTO – Just as in ‘Jackie’ two years ago, Natalie Portman gives a scintillating performance of a driven and complicated woman in a not very successful picture. Director and screenwriter Brady Corbet’s ‘Vox Lux’, which opens today … Continue reading →

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Argentina’s Daniel Tarrab takes time to tango

Posted on April 20, 2019 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Argentinian composer Daniel Tarrab, who has had a long and successful career writing film scores, has released an album of jazz-influenced tango pieces titled ‘Otra Mirada (Another Look)’ on Silva Screen Records.

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Tomboy Barbara Mandrell loved to be called sexy

Posted on December 27, 2018 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Barbara Mandrell, who turned 70 on Christmas Day, was country when country wasn’t cool but in 1981, when she was 32, she loved it when I told her I thought she was a knockout. “Well, … Continue reading →

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TIFF FILM REVIEW: Bradley Cooper’s ‘A Star Is Born’

Posted on September 8, 2018 by admin

By Ray Bennett TORONTO – Enjoyment of Bradley Cooper’s reimagined ‘A Star is Born’ depends almost entirely on having a taste for the singing of Lady Gaga. Her many fans will surely love it. For those less enamoured, probably not. … Continue reading →

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KFMF18: From video games to James Bond

Posted on June 4, 2018 by admin

By Ray Bennett KRAKÓW – David Arnold and his music for the James Bond film “Casino Royale” made sure the 11th Kraków Film Music Festival ended on a high note Sunday night as he played the iconic 007 guitar theme … Continue reading →

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KFMF18: Celtic, Nordic and Hispanic funk and folk fill the night

Posted on June 2, 2018 by admin

By Ray Bennett KRAKÓW – Music and songs from Icelandic film and television composer Atli Örvarsson’s band Torrek and the movies of Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar enlivened the night on June 1 in a funk and funk concert called Dance2Cinema: … Continue reading →

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KFMF18: The sound of music, Polish style

Posted on June 1, 2018 by admin

By Ray Bennett KRAKÓW – Often in minor chords and melancholy but then again rousing, lush and hopeful, the music of Polish cinema filled the newly named Krzysztof Penderecki Hall at ICE Kraków Thursday night as the Film Music Festival … Continue reading →

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