Tag Archives: Berlin International Film Festival

BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Nick Oceano’s ‘Pedro’

Posted on February 8, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – With the story of Pedro Zamora, the Cuban-born youngster who contracted the HIV virus at age 17 and told his story on MTV’s “The Real World” before dying young, “Pedro” is a film that wears its … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Yoav Shamir’s ‘Defamation’

Posted on February 7, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir tackles the thorny and provocative issue of anti-Semitism in his documentary “Defamation” and finds a deep divide between Jews who see it everywhere and Jews who find it nowhere, least of … 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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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: ‘Lemon Tree’ by Eran Riklis

Posted on February 9, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – Taking its cue from the old song, the fruit of Eran Riklis’ wise and poignant film “Lemon Tree” is as unpalatable as the age-old and relentless friction between Israel and the West Bank. It’s a … Continue reading →

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Berlin 2008: Too much moss on Scorsese’s Stones

Posted on February 7, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – The Rolling Stones’ concert documentary “Shine a Light,” which had its world premiere tonight at the Berlin International Film Festival, is a major disappointment for anyone who hopes to see a film that captures the … Continue reading →

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