Monthly Archives: September 2007

FILM REVIEW: Eric Barbier’s ‘The Serpent’

Posted on September 18, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Genuine thrillers, as opposed to gore fests, are few and between these days and, interestingly, France seems to be the only reliable source. In French director Eric Barbier’s too slick but still entertaining thriller “The … Continue reading →

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All about Alberto Iglesias in Almodovar’s film on stage

Posted on September 14, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Kevin Spacey’s tenure as artistic director of London’s Old Vic continues apace with a marvelous stage version of “All About My Mother” running through Nov. 24. Not least of its many charms is the film’s beautiful original … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: ‘All About My Mother’ at The Old Vic

Posted on September 13, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Great movies become good remakes almost never, but Samuel Adamson’s inventive, funny and touching play “All About My Mother,” based on Pedro Almo-dovar’s Oscar-winning 1999 film, makes a strong case at the Old Vic that … Continue reading →

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‘The Larry Sanders Show’ is a big plus on Sky

Posted on September 13, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett A big thank you to Sky Plus and ITV4 for making it possible to have a dozen episodes of “The Larry Sanders Show” ready and waiting after a lengthy trip on the road. The show, which aired … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Brian De Palma’s ‘Redacted’

Posted on September 10, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett Filmmaker Brian De Palma turns 67 on Tuesday so being handed the Silver Lion as best director for “Redacted” at the Venice International Film Festival was s timely gift. The director faces a lot of flack for his … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Ang Lee’s ‘Lust, Caution’

Posted on September 9, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – Ang Lee’s lugubrious spy epic “Lust, Caution” (Se jie)  brings to mind what soldiers say about war: that it’s long periods of boredom relieved by moments of extremely heightened excitement. There’s an extended and nasty … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Jose Luis Guerin’s ‘In the City of Julia’

Posted on September 6, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – Virtually a silent movie apart from the everyday sounds of the French city of Strasbourg, Spanish director Jose Luis Guerin’s lyrical tale of forlorn love, “In the City of Sylvia,” is a treat for romantics … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Nikita Mikhalkov’s ’12’

Posted on September 6, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE, Italy — Sidney Lumet turned Reginald Rose’s fine play “12 Angry Men” into a splendid movie in 1957 and it has been revisited on stage and television but never better than in Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov’s … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Johnny To and Wai Ka-Fai’s ‘Mad Detective’

Posted on September 6, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – Most really smart sleuths in crime fiction pick up on external clues, but Kowloon cop Bun (Lau Ching Wan, pictured) in “Mad Detective” identifies villains by recognising a person’s inner personality or personalities, as the … Continue reading →

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VENICE FILM REVIEW: Penny Woodcock’s ‘Exodus’

Posted on September 4, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett VENICE – Although director and writer Penny Woodcock’s post-apocalyptic fable “Exodus” wears its heart on its sleeve and occasionally staggers under the weight of its earnestness, it’s an engaging piece of work. Woodcock places the story from … Continue reading →

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