Monthly Archives: March 2008

Royal Opera's 'Carmen' casts a spell

Posted on March 29, 2008 by admin

A long overdue visit to London’s Royal Opera House Friday was a revelation. The vast gorgeous white complex, overhauled in the 1990s, is breathtaking even before you enter the beautiful auditorium. The prices are jaw-dropping but when the production is … Continue reading →

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Widmark always a class act

Posted on March 28, 2008 by admin

Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie with John Wayne in ‘The Alamo’ Richard Widmark, who has died aged 93, made an indelible impression as a psychopathic criminal in Henry Hathaway’s 1947 Victor Mature vehicle “Kiss of Death” (middle photo). It won … Continue reading →

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'Carnage' lacks killer instinct

Posted on March 28, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Ken Stott, Ralph Fiennes, Janet McTeer and Tamsin Greig in ‘God of Carnage’ at the Gielgud thru June 14         Photo: Alastair Muir A civilized meeting of two married couples to discuss the misbehavior of one of their … Continue reading →

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'Jersey' boys storm the West End

Posted on March 20, 2008 by admin

Ryan Molloy (right) as Frankie Valli in ‘Jersey Boys’ thru Oct. 18 Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio from the real Four Seasons were on hand Tuesday night at the Prince Edward Theatre for the London first night of the musical … Continue reading →

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Scofield at his best with Lancaster

Posted on March 20, 2008 by admin

The great actor Paul Scofield, 1966 Oscar-winner for “A Man For All Seasons,” has died. He was 86. Reuters says he died peacefully at a hospital near his home in southern England, quoting his agent Rosalind Chato: “He had leukemia … Continue reading →

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'English Patient' director Minghella dies

Posted on March 18, 2008 by admin

Oscar-winning British film director Anthony Minghella, whose epic “The English Patient” won nine 1997 Academy Awards including best picture, has died. He was 54. Minghella’s agent said he died Tuesday morning of a brain hemorhage. “He was operated on last … Continue reading →

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BBC's 'Cranford' tops BAFTA TV noms

Posted on March 18, 2008 by admin

‘Cranford’ is a BBC Drama production in association with WGBH Boston The BBC and Channel Four dominated nominations for the British Academy Television Awards announced Tuesday with the Beeb’s period drama “Cranford” named in four categories including best drama serial … Continue reading →

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Reed finds 'Games' not so funny

Posted on March 14, 2008 by admin

Tim Roth takes a beating in Michael Haneke’s ‘Funny Games’ Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke’s American remake of his 1997 film “Funny Games,” which is out on limited release today in the U.S. and due in the U.K on April 4, … Continue reading →

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Coward's frightfully beastly 'Vortex'

Posted on March 14, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Dan Stevens and Felicity Kendal overwrought in ‘The Vortex’ thru June 7 Noel Coward wrote “The Vortex” in 1924 as a cautionary tale about the price to be paid for overindulging in the roaring ’20s, but his … Continue reading →

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Warner DVD treats 'Jesse' right

Posted on March 13, 2008 by admin

Brad Pitt stars in the splendid ‘Assassination of Jesse James’ There is great news for those who missed seeing “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” in its mystifyingly short U.K. theatrical run last year. Warner Home … Continue reading →

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