‘American Hustle’, ‘Gravity’ top Oscar nominations

Posted on January 16, 2014 by admin

American Hustle 2 x650

By Ray Bennett

“American Hustle” and “Gravity” picked up 10 nominations apiece including best picture to lead the pack in the Academy Awards to be presented on March 2. Continue reading →

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’12 Years a Slave’, ‘American Hustle’ win Golden Globes

Posted on January 13, 2014 by admin

Sony : Entertainment 'American Hustle' cliff

By Ray Bennett

Steve McQueen’s epic “12 Years a Slave”, released in cinemas here on Jan. 10 by eOne, was named best film drama at the Golden Globe Awards and “American Hustle”, which Entertainment released in cinemas on Dec. 20, won as best film comedy. Continue reading →

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‘Gravity’ leads Bafta film awards nominations

Posted on January 8, 2014 by admin

Gravity for cliff

By Ray Bennett

LONDON – Warner Bros.’ space thriller “Gravity” leads the British Academy Film Awards nominations with 11 including best picture, best director for Alfonso Cuaron and best actress for Sandra Bullock. Continue reading →

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Top 10 movies of 2013

Posted on December 26, 2013 by admin

All Is Lost 3

By Ray Bennett

It’s a very tough call to rank the best movies of 2013 as the top bunch are all so good, but here’s my list: Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Robert Redford in ‘All Is Lost’

Posted on December 26, 2013 by admin

Universal 'All Is Lost' cliff

By Ray Bennett

Robert Redford gives a career-best performance as a man alone in peril aboard a sailing craft in the Indian Ocean in J. C. Chandor’s first-class thriller “All Is Lost”. Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: David O’ Russell’s ‘American Hustle’

Posted on December 21, 2013 by admin

'American Hustle' Cliff

By Ray Bennett

The jazziest American filmmaker since Robert Altman, David O’Russell makes it three top-flight jams in a row with his rambunctious and hugely enjoyable comedy “American Hustle”.

Like Altman, Russell assembles expert side-men and women, provides the key notes and lets everyone riff as he leads them through solos and harmonies to a rousing payoff. Continue reading →

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34th London Film Critics’ Circle Awards nominations

Posted on December 17, 2013 by admin

Fox '12 Years a Slave' Cliff

British director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” (pictured), which 20th Century Fox will release in the UK on Jan. 10, has claimed nine London Film Critics’ Circle Awards nominations including best film.

Other films with multiple nominations include “Philomena” with five, and “Blue Jasmine”, “Filth”, “Gravity” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” with four. Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’

Posted on December 7, 2013 by admin

Paramount 'Nebraska' Cliff 4

By Ray Bennett

Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” is as rich and engaging as its monochrome images of the American northwest are crisp and daunting. A road picture about dashed aspirations and misguided dreams with some kind of redemption, it’s like a walk in brisk winter that ends at the warmest of hearths. Continue reading →

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FILM PREVIEW: Will and Ben: funny men

Posted on December 6, 2013 by admin

Fox The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

By Ray Bennett

American comedian Will Ferrell gives fans what they want in December with a return to his cult alter ego Ron Burgundy in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” while Ben Stiller fulfils a long held dream to re-make “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

Posted on November 22, 2013 by admin

Lionsgate 'The Hunger Games Catching Fire'

By Ray Bennett

LONDON – Prince Philip once landed at Heathrow and someone asked him how was his flight. The Prince said, ‘Have you ever been on a plane? It was like that.” Much can be said of movie sequels. If you saw the first “Hunger Games”, the second one is like that.

Not to say that’s a bad thing. Almost two and a half hours of Jennifer Lawrence (pictured) onscreen is no bad way to spend cinema time and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has lots of splashy visuals and exciting action. Continue reading →

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