Monthly Archives: March 2007

TV REVIEW: Michael Sheen in ‘Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!’

Posted on March 13, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Kenneth Williams, whose sucked-in cheeks, rolled eyes and stretched vowels were known best internationally from the cheerfully vulgar “Carry On” comedies, was born a princess who longed for a Prince Charming but was far too … Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Anne Hathaway in ‘Becoming Jane’

Posted on March 13, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett The new Austen biography, “Becoming Jane,” provided the lone oasis of moderate pleasures in the Top 5 U.K. box office at the weekend. Eddie Murphy’s latest embarrassment, “Norbit,” claimed the top spot with $3.8 million with noisy … Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Zack Snyder’s ‘300’

Posted on March 12, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Federico Fellini famously made his glorious films with no sound and added voices and Foley in post-production. In his new comic-book film “300,” director Zack Snyder apparently has shot only the actors and added everything else in … Continue reading →

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In praise of the UK’s hottest rocks

Posted on March 10, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett I love London for its astonishing array of arts and entertainment and for the sheer zest of living in the capital, but when I get away I go in search of old stone. I am enthralled by … Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Steven Soderbergh’s ‘The Good German’

Posted on March 10, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett If ever there was an example of false advertising it is to place on current paperback editions of Joseph Kanon’s terrific novel “The Good German” the key art for Steven Soderbergh’s wretched vanity film version. Why Soderbergh … Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Sean Bean, Bob Hoskins in ‘Outlaw’

Posted on March 9, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Sean Bean (pictured), Bob Hoskins and Lennie James deserve better than to play dimwitted vigilantes in an absurd Nick Love action picture. But, like most people in the film business, they do what’s offered and do it … Continue reading →

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An Irish eye for Austen film ‘Becoming Jane’

Posted on March 9, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Production notes provided by film companies to journalists are often full of bumpf and drivel but the press pack for “Becoming Jane” has lots of good stuff about the movie’s locations. Julian Jarrold’s film treats Jane Austen … Continue reading →

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‘The Lives of Others’ in Human Rights film festival

Posted on March 8, 2007 by admin

The 11th annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, which runs March 21-30 at several London cinemas, offers the chance to see three of the best foreign-language film nominees at this year’s Oscars including the winner, “The Lives of Others.” … Continue reading →

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John Inman, who died today, an unlikely hit in Memphis

Posted on March 8, 2007 by admin

Among the more curious things I discovered living in Tennessee in the mid-1980s was that one of the most popular entertainment figures in Memphis was the English comedy actor John Inman, who died this morning aged 71. It was very … Continue reading →

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David Hare honours playwright John Osborne

Posted on March 7, 2007 by admin

With the 50th anniversary production of John Osborne’s “The Entertainer” opening at London’s The Old Vic tonight, I am reminded of the passionate and illuminating address that fellow playwright David Hare made in Osborne’s defence at the Hay Literary Festival … Continue reading →

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