Monthly Archives: July 2010

Songwriter Margaret Ann Rich dies

Posted on July 23, 2010 by admin

  By Ray Bennett Country music songwriter Margaret Ann Rich, widow of singer Charlie Rich, died Thursday at her home near Memphis, TN, following a struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 76. Charlie recorded several of her songs including “Life … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: Howard Brenton’s ‘Danton’s Death’

Posted on July 23, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A guillotine towers over the stage at the end of the National Theatre’s production of “Danton’s Death” as several French revolutionaries are executed. It’s a terrific illusion and it’s just a shame no blade was … Continue reading →

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For 3D at home, it’s bring your own glasses

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett Technology firm XpanD is marching its active-shutter 3D systems around the world and partnered with several top manufacturers it’s heading into the home with universal glasses. When you invite your friends over to watch a big game … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: Neil Simon’s ‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’

Posted on July 14, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Neil Simon’s 1971 play “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” is set against the economic slump of its day so given current circumstances the Old Vic’s West End revival would appear timely. Instead, it feels merely … Continue reading →

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KVIFF FILM REVIEW: Frederic Sojcher’s ‘Hitler in Hollywood’

Posted on July 8, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic – The premise of Frederic Sojcher’s mockumentary “Hitler in Hollywood” is more amusing than the film turns out to be. It is that the United States government conspired with Hollywood to destroy the … Continue reading →

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KVIFF FILM REVIEW: Daniel Burman’s ‘Brother and Sister’

Posted on July 8, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic – Daniel Burman’s “Brother and Sister” is a tale of an ageing single man dominated by two overbearing women that could easily have become misogynistic but is instead an absorbing and forgiving character … Continue reading →

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THEATRE REVIEW: David Hirson’s ‘La Bete’

Posted on July 8, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “La Bete” is a 1991 American play by David Hirson set in 17th century France and besides being extremely funny it has a lot say about the dumbing down of art and entertainment. Mark Rylance … Continue reading →

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KVIFF FILM REVIEW: ‘There Are Things You Don’t Know’

Posted on July 7, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic – Iranian filmmaker Fardin Saheb Zamani has titled his film about a taxi-driver’s ordinary encounters in the 10 days before a predicted earthquake in Tehran “There Are Things You Don’t Know.” By the … Continue reading →

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KVIFF FILM REVIEW: Catherine Martin’s ‘Mourning for Anna’

Posted on July 6, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic – The power of nature and art in helping to heal emotional damage in humans is at the heart of Catherine Martin’s somber but affecting “Mourning For Anna”. Guylaine Tremblay plays a woman … Continue reading →

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KVIFF FILM REVIEW: Tomas Masin’s ‘3 Seasons in Hell’

Posted on July 6, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic – Tomas Masin’s “3 Seasons in Hell” tells of the terror that ensued in Czechoslovakia in 1948 when, having just emerged from the hell of Nazi occupation, the country was overrun by the … Continue reading →

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