Monthly Archives: April 2007

Time for national treasure Kate Moss to help the workers

By Ray Bennett When Kate Moss was pilloried by the tabloids and began to lose contracts because of alleged drug use, CNN asked me on to talk about what she should do about it. There was a guy from People … Continue reading

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Recalling … a bumpy ride with Linda Gray

By Ray Bennett There’s a scene in an early episode of “Dallas” in which Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing in a long gown bumps downstairs on her backside. She wore jeans beneath the gown and in her back pocket was a … Continue reading

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Alexandre Desplat’s score enhances ‘The Painted Veil’

John Curran’s absorbing film of Somerset Maugham’s “The Painted Veil” starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, which opens today in the U.K., is worth seeing for several reasons but not least for French film composer Alexandre Desplat’s excellent score. Desplat … Continue reading

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FILM REVIEW: Michelle Rodriguez in ‘The Breed’

By Ray Bennett Michelle Rodriguez (pictured), whose treacherous ex-police officer was one of the more memorable feature roles on TV’s “Lost,” first attracted attention in “Fast and the Furious” in 2001. She’s in Stuart Townsend’s political drama “Battle in Seattle” … Continue reading

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FILM REVIEW: ‘Scott Walker – 30 Century Man’

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – “Scott Walker — 30 Century Man” is presented as a straight documentary about an American pop singer who had a couple of U.K. hits in the 1960s as a member of a boy band and … Continue reading

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TV REVIEW: Joanne Whalley in ‘Life Line’

By Ray Bennett Beautiful British actress Joanne Whalley (pictured with Ray Stevenson) makes an all too rare appearance tonight in a two-part BBC tale of the supernatural titled “Life Line.” It’s a shame no producer offered her career a lifeline … Continue reading

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And now for something different in Trafalgar Square

By Ray Bennett The sci-fi nuts were out in London’s Leicester Square Monday night for the U.K. premiere of “Spider-Man 3” but a block away on Trafalgar Square it was all about St. George and coconuts. As Monty Python’s famous giant … Continue reading

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‘Billy Elliot: The Musical’ still running after two years

I called Elton John and Lee Hall’s “Billy Elliot: The Musical” irresistible when it opened in March 2005 and so it has proved as the tuneful adaptation of the well-regarded 2000 movie celebrates its second anniversary at London’s Victoria Palace … Continue reading

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No British films in competition at Festival de Cannes

By Ray Bennett The U.K. Film Council has put on a brave face in reaction to the news that not one British movie will be shown In Competition or in the Un Certain Regard sidebar at the Festival de Cannes … Continue reading

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Helen Mirren wins Critics’ Circle’s top award

Helen Mirren was awarded with Critics’ Circle’s 2006 Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts at a lunch at the National Theatre on April 11. The star of the film “The Queen” and TV’s “Elizabeth I”has already won the Oscar, BAFTA, … Continue reading

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