Category Archives: News

Stars turn out for new National Theatre season

By Ray Bennett Oscar winners Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave and Juliette Binoche plus Ralph Fiennes, Claire Higgins and Simon Russell Beale are among the stars to perform and the fabulous “War Horse” will return in the new season at London’s … Continue reading →

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Oscar clues among the Golden Globes winners

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: My Top 10 picks

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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Dan Fogelberg dies

By Ray Bennett Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Lang Syne” helped define the soft-rock era, and who used to play now and then in Detroit back in the day, died … Continue reading →

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European Film Awards strike up the ‘Band’

By Ray Bennett Eran Kolirin’s delightful “The Band’s Visit” picked up the discovery of the year award at the European Film Awards Saturday night and Sasson Gabai (pictured with Ronit Elkmbetz), who plays the leader of an Egyptian ceremonial police … Continue reading →

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British Independent Film Awards winners

By Ray Bennett The Joy Division biography “Control” was the big winner at the British Independent Film Awards Wednesday night with five prizes including best picture. Anton Corbijn was honored twice as best director and best first-time director while Sam … Continue reading →

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Oscar won’t visit ‘Band’ but audiences certainly will

The delightful film “The Band’s Visit” (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret), starring Ronit Elkebetz and Sasson Gabai (pictured), which was a hit at the Festival de Cannes, opens at the Curzon Mayfair on Friday and in the United States on Dec. 7. The … Continue reading →

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Clint Mansell’s ‘The Fountain’ tops World Soundtrack Awards

By Ray Bennett GHENT, Belgium – “This is really great, fantastic,” said British composer Clint Mansell as he struggled for words when he accepted his World Soundtrack Award  for best original score from three-time Oscar-winner Maurice Jarre. “Speak up, son,” encouraged … Continue reading →

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Gabriel, Desplat, Arnold honoured in BMI London awards

By Ray Bennett Peter Gabriel was in a philosophical mood as he accepted the accolade of BMI Icon in London this week. The British music industry crowd gave him two standing ovations as he spoke of what the honour means … Continue reading →

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Charles Strouse earns his applause at the ASCAP awards

By Ray Bennett LONDON – No matter their age nor how well they sing, there is something magical in songwriters performing their own tunes. Broadway veteran Charles Strouse (pictured), who turns 80 next year, proved that at the 2007 ASCAP … Continue reading →

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