Monthly Archives: November 2007

National's 'Troy' a timeless tale of sorrow

‘Women of Troy’ at the National thru Feb. 27. Photo: Stephen Cummiskey By Ray Bennett LONDON — There are moments in Katie Mitchell’s staging of Don Taylor’s version of “Women of Troy” when the fate of all women condemned to … Continue reading

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British indie awards under 'Control'

Viggo Mortensen wins best actor for ‘Eastern Promises’ The Joy Division biography “Control” was the big winner at the British Independent Film Awards Wednesday night with five prizes including best picture. Anton Corbijn was honored twice as best director and … Continue reading

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A 'Compass' with no sense of direction

Eva Green keeps her eye out for daemons in ‘The Golden Compass’ Philip Pullman’s trilogy of secular children’s adventures, “His Dark Materials,” was a welcome antidote to the religiosity of C. S. Lewis’ “Narnia” books although equally difficult to read … Continue reading

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'Sleuth' remake loses the plot

Jude Law and Michael Caine in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Sleuth’ The “Sleuth” remake was slaughtered by U.K. critics when it opened Friday, but it seemed more like open season on Kenneth Branagh than a reasonable assessment. Mind you, it didn’t find … Continue reading

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Anderson's 'Darjeeling' has limited appeal

Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Adrien Brody riding the rails “The Royal Tenenbaums” is big favorite of mine and I enjoyed “The Life Aquatic” in all its ramshackle disarray but I can’t abide Wes Anderson’s new film “The Darjeeling Limited,” … Continue reading

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'Susan' desperately needs a sound check

LONDON — Pumped up and shrill, the sound system almost overwhelms some decent performances (by Emma Williams, left, and others) of classic Blondie songs in the new stage musical based on the film “Desperately Seeking Susan.” Setting screenwriter Leora Barish’s … Continue reading

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Remembering Renée

I met Renée Rich by the pool at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City in 1982. We married in England and lived in Toronto, Los Angeles, Boise, and West Palm Beach. We were divorced one April in Franklin, Tennessee. Afterwards, … Continue reading

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There will be groans as well as 'Blood'

Daniel Day Lewis awaits an oil gusher in ‘There Will Be Blood’ Daniel Day Lewis offers a typically fascinating performance as an early 20th century oilman and sociopath in “There Will Be Blood.” Director Paul Thomas Anderson does a fine … Continue reading

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Going back to Dreamland in 'Exodus'

Daniel Percival leads the ‘Exodus’ on Channel 4 tonight at 10 VENICE, Italy — Although director and writer Penny Woodcock’s post-apocalyptic fable “Exodus” wears its heart on its sleeve and occasionally staggers under the weight of its earnestness, it’s an … Continue reading

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Magorium' is fun; great music in 'Kite,' 'Things'

Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman cut loose in a magical toy store Fun at the Empire Leicester Square this morning at screening of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” with my mate Rachel and her two little ones, Lily and Archie. They … Continue reading

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