Monthly Archives: February 2008

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other’

Posted on February 29, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett We all know about silent movies, but a silent play? Peter Handke’s “The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other” at London’s National Theatre is mercifully not mime and it’s not completely silent, but it is wordless … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: Pinter’s ‘The Lover’ and ‘The Collection’

Posted on February 27, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter has long been fascinated by the tension that exists between two men who love the same woman. It got out of hand in the recent film version of Kenneth Branagh’s … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: Spacey, Goldblum in ‘Speed the Plow’

Posted on February 22, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – David Mamet’s 20-year-old play “Speed-the-Plow,” which uses the ruthless setting of a Hollywood studio to explore male chicanery and misogyny, looks fresh and scintillating in Matthew Warchus’ new Old Vic production starring Kevin Spacey and … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

Posted on February 20, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Decorated with more quotable lines than any play has a right to, Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” is given a sprightly revival at London’s Vaudeville Theatre with the women, for once, having the … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’

Posted on February 15, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – Anne Boleyn was the one who managed to stay alive married to England’s King Henry VIII for 1000 days but her sister Mary in “The Other Boleyn Girl” would have been his queen if only … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Madonna’s ‘Filth and Wisdom’

Posted on February 13, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN — The message in pop star Madonna’s first outing as feature film director, “Filth and Wisdom,” is that all of us can find peace of mind and happiness if we just get in touch with our … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Mike Leigh’s ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’

Posted on February 13, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN — No one expects confection from British sobersides Mike Leigh and so his light-as-air new film “Happy-Go-Lucky” is as surprising as it is delicious with an indelible performance by new star Sally Hawkins (pictured). As breezy … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Jose Padilha’s ‘The Elite Squad’

Posted on February 12, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – In Jose Padilha’s crude and violent film “The Elite Squad,” the pope is visiting Rio de Janeiro and he needs a good night’s sleep so the local police commander sends his crack troops into the … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: ‘Heavy Metal in Baghdad’

Posted on February 12, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – The fate of four would-be head-bangers in the crazy world of Iraq may not add up to a hill of beans but it’s fodder for an engaging documentary by Canadian filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Penelope Cruz in ‘Elegy’

Posted on February 11, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – With some fine naturalistic acting, Penelope Cruz just about saves Isabel Coixet’s gloomy drama “Elegy” from drowning in the drippy male fantasies of author Philip Roth, on whose short novel the film is based. Cruz … Continue reading →

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