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The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Review


Good

A badly under-developed script leaves a fine cast without much to do in this sequel to the 2012 hit. Reuniting in India, the actors find moments of comedy and emotion that help make the film watchable, and the big Bollywood-style finale leaves the audience with a smile on its face. But the simplistic plot-threads never amount to much at all, which leaves the project feeling like a missed opportunity to deepen the characters and push the premise in more interesting directions.

Business at the hotel in Jaipur is booming, so managers Sonny (Dev Patel) and Muriel (Maggie Smith) are looking for investors to expand into a second property. But this distracts Sonny from his upcoming wedding to Sunaina (Tena Desae), and she's not too happy about that. There are also two new guests (Richard Gere and Tamsin Grieg) who may be important. Meanwhile, Evelyn (Judi Dench) is offered a new job just as she realises she might like to pursue a relationship with Douglas (Bill Nighy), whose ex-wife (Penelope Wilton) turns up unexpectedly. Madge (Celia Imrie) is struggling to choose between her many suitors. And Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are having relationship issues due to their lack of communication.

All of these momentous plots, and a few more, swirl around over the course of about a week, which means that none ever has a chance to develop. It also means that the characters are all so busy with their own stories that they don't interact very much, and what contact they do have feels rather contrived. As a result, the film feels like an awkward mix of disconnected slapstick, farce and melodrama. That said, these high-powered actors can hold together even the flimsiest scene. Dench and Nighy generate some lovely emotional resonance in their contrived storyline, while Smith finds some quiet pathos in Muriel's own journey, even if the filmmakers seem to have forgotten to hire someone to do her costumes, hair and make-up.

Continue reading: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Review

'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' Captures Magic Of Its Predecessor


Richard Gere Dev Patel Judi Dench Celia Imrie Maggie Smith

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel had a tough act to follow. Its predecessor remains of the best loved British movies of recent times and its subtle casting, genuinely funny script and heart-warming narrative saw it gross over $130 million on a budget of just $10 million.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold HotelRichard Gere joined the cast for The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The sequel - out in cinemas this week - follows the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel) who has his eye on a promising new property now that his Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a success. Judi Dench, Bill Nighty, Celia Imrie and Maggie Smith all return for Second Best, while Richard Gere and Tamsin Greig are among the new arrivals.

Continue reading: 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' Captures Magic Of Its Predecessor

At 80 Retirement Is "The Rudest Word In The Dictionary" For Dame Judi Dench


Judi Dench Maggie Smith Bill Nighy Richard Gere

Dame Judi Dench has described “retirement” as “the rudest word in the dictionary”, as she promotes her latest film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Speaking to The Telegraph, the 80 year also revealed she doesn't allow the word “old” to be used in her house and as for “vintage”, well that’s on the banned list too.

Judi DenchJudi Dench in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“I don't want any of those old words,” the actress told the newspaper. “I like 'enthusiastic' and I like the word 'cut' because that means you've finished the shot.”

Continue reading: At 80 Retirement Is "The Rudest Word In The Dictionary" For Dame Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench Considering Getting A Tattoo For 80th Birthday


Judi Dench Benedict Cumberbatch

She may have been in showbusiness for almost sixty years, but Dame Judi Dench is still young at heart, if her latest interview is anything to go by. Gracing the cover of the March edition of Good Housekeeping, the Oscar-winning actress said that she was considering marking her 80th birthday by getting a tattoo.

Dench turned 80 on December 9th last year, and despite the landmark she declared that she has no intention of retiring or slowing down just yet. “All I wanted was the people I love around me, I didn’t want a fuss. The words old, eight-oh and retire are banned in my house,” the Philomena and Skyfall actress said. “The prospect of no work on the horizon makes me a bit edgy. I have no particular ambitions – I just want to be employed!”

Judi Dench Emma Watson
Dame Judi Dench, picture here with Emma Watson, is considering getting a tattoo

Continue reading: Dame Judi Dench Considering Getting A Tattoo For 80th Birthday

Emma Watson And Dame Judi Dench Win Britannia Awards


Judi Dench Emma Watson Beverly Hilton Hotel Robert Downey Jr Mark Ruffalo

Emma Watson and Dame Judi Dench were among the British movie stars to be honoured at the Britannia Awards. The annual ceremony was hosted by BAFTA at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles on Thursday evening.

Judi Dench Emma Watson
Dame Judi Dench and Emma Watson were both honoured at the Britannia Awards on Thursday

Dame Judi was given the Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment, a gong named after the legendary James Bond movie producer. Presented with her award by Dustin Hoffman, she said: "I'm rather overwhelmed by [the award], because I didn't ever expect to have a film career at all.”

Continue reading: Emma Watson And Dame Judi Dench Win Britannia Awards

Judi Dench Joins Benedict Cumberbatch In BBC's Shakespeare Adaptations


Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatchhave joined the cast of the BBC's adaptation of a trilogy of classic Shakespeare plays. Cumberbatch will play Richard III in the third part of the Wars of the Roses Hollow Crown series.

Judi DenchJudi Dench in 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2'

Dench will play the role of Cecily, Duchess of York after Cumberbatch asked her to appear alongside him when she appeared at the Hay Festival earlier this year. Elsewhere, the Downton Abbey Hugh Bonneville will play the Duke of Gloucester in the first of two Henry VI instalments. Sally Hawkins, who most recently starred opposite Cate Blanchett in Woody Allen's excellent Blue Jasmine, will play Bonneville's wife.

Continue reading: Judi Dench Joins Benedict Cumberbatch In BBC's Shakespeare Adaptations

'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' Looks Fantastically Watchable [Trailer + Pictures]


Richard Gere Judi Dench Bill Nighy Maggie Smith

Forget The Avengers, The Hunger Games and The Hobbit, for it was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that ruled supreme as the true box-office success story of 2012. Fox were never expecting much when producers Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin pitched the idea of a movie about a group of British retirees travelling to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel - maybe a tidy little profit and a healthy top up in DVD sales.

Judi DenchJudi Dench in 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2'

Though Broadbent and Czernin acquired an extraordinary cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Celie Imrie - and a clever, funny script. The movie took $136 million worldwide, on a budget of just $10 million. It was a hugely impressive comedy that paved the way for an immediate sequel.

Continue reading: 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' Looks Fantastically Watchable [Trailer + Pictures]

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Trailer


Set eight months after the 2012 original film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sees the majority of the cast return India for this sequel from director John Madden. In the run up to Sonny's (Dev Patel) wedding to Sunaina (Tena Desae), he is struggling to find the time to work at his hotel. With only one room left in the hotel, Sonny is confronted with an interesting situation when two new arrivals turn up - Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). With help from Murial (Maggie Smith) acting as the co-manager, will Sonny will be able to juggle his personal and working lives?

Continue: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Trailer

Angela Lansbury "Very Proud" To Be Made A Dame


Angela Lansbury Queen Elizabeth II Judi Dench Maggie Smith

Angela Lansbury has today been bestowed with the honour of being made a dame by Queen Elizabeth in a special ceremony. The 88 year-old actress, who had previously been known as Angela Lansbury CBE, will now be known as a Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire after having received the very special honour at Windsor Castle in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions.

Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury Was Today Made A Dame At A Windsor Castle Ceremony.

Dame Angela was joined by her son, his wife and her niece as she collected the award for her services to drama as well as charitable work and philanthropy. "It is a very proud day for me to be recognised by the country of my birth, and to meet the Queen under these circumstances is a rare and lovely occasion," she commented, via Sky News.

Continue reading: Angela Lansbury "Very Proud" To Be Made A Dame

'The Good Life' & 'As Time Goes By' Writer, Bob Larbey, Dies Aged 79


Judi Dench Geoffrey Palmer Felicity Kendal Michael Williams

Bob Larbey, the co- writer of the classic British sitcom The Good Life, has died. Larbey's agent confirmed his death to the BBC on Saturday (5th April). Larbey died in London on 31st March at the age of 79.

Larbey worked alongside his comedy writing partner John Esmonde (who died in 2008) for over thirty years and collaborated on a number of shows which have come to be regarded as quintessentially British classics. The Good Life which starred Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal as a couple who, whilst living in suburbia next to their nosy and materialistic neighbours (played by Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington), attempt to lead a self-sufficient, natural life. The series became Larbey and Esmonde's most successful series, running for over three years and attracting audiences in their millions.

Read more: Felicity Kendal: "I Regret Losing Touch With Richard Briers".

Continue reading: 'The Good Life' & 'As Time Goes By' Writer, Bob Larbey, Dies Aged 79

Dame Judi Dench's Failing Eyesight Leaves Her Unable To Read Scripts


Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench says her failing eyesight had left her unable to read scripts or watch movies. The actress, 79, has age-related macular degeneration, which affects more than 600,000in the UK and is the cause of more than half of the registrations for blind and partially sighted people in the country.

Judi DenchJudi Dench Is Losing Her Eyesight

"I can't read anymore," she told the Hollywood Reporter. "I can't paint like I used to. I try to watch movies, but it's quite difficult.

Continue reading: Dame Judi Dench's Failing Eyesight Leaves Her Unable To Read Scripts

Judi Dench Cannot Read Scripts Due To Failing Eyesight


Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench recently revealed she is suffering from a health issue that has to be very concerning for someone in the movie industry.

The 79 year-old's eye sight is failing as she has a condition called macular degeneration, which is an age-related defect that causes the gradual loss of vision.

But even with this illness the Brit shows age is just a number after her latest performance in 'Philomena', for which she has received her seventh Oscar nomination.

Continue reading: Judi Dench Cannot Read Scripts Due To Failing Eyesight

A Week In Movies: Dame Judi In Star Wars? Jack Ryan And Milla Jovovich Hit London, While Trailers Promise Vampires, Spies, Aliens And Hunks


Judi Dench Jj Abrams Chris Pine Keira Knightley Milla Jovovich Tom Hiddleston Tilda Swinton Anton Corbijn Sullivan Stapleton Eva Green

Star Wars

The best rumour this week is that Judi Dench may play Mon Mothma in Star Wars Episode VII, which director Jj Abrams starts shooting in the UK this spring. The character is a rebel leader in both III: Revenge of the Sith and VI: Return of the Jedi, but there's no foundation to this story. Rumours have been rampant over recent weeks and are bound to get even more inventive in the coming months. The original Luke Skywalker Mark Hamill has been keeping his lips tightly sealed when being quizzed about 'Star Wars VII'.

The year's first blockbuster, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, held its UK premiere this week before the spy adventure's British opening this weekend. Stars Chris Pine, Keira Knightley and Kenneth Branagh (who also directed) were joined on the red carpet by an array of local almost-celebrities. Browse through our 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' UK premiere' photo gallery.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Dame Judi In Star Wars? Jack Ryan And Milla Jovovich Hit London, While Trailers Promise Vampires, Spies, Aliens And Hunks

A Week In News: Globes And Oscars Mania, Prince Finds His Funny Bone, Lena Dunham Gets A Vogue Make-Over


Steve McQueen Lena Dunham Justin Bieber Cate Blanchett Kim Kardashian Kanye West Matthew Mcconaughey Bruce Dern Judi Dench Christian Bale June Squibb Alfonso Cuaron Spike Jonze Jared Leto Lupita Nyong'o Prince Zooey Deschanel Elisabeth Moss Jacqueline Bisset Haim Arctic Monkeys Adam Driver John Turturro Woody Allen

Matthew McConaughey

Golden Globes Glory: Last weekend's Golden Globe awards set hearts racing ahead of March's Oscars with plenty of deserving winners next to a few jaw-dropping snubs. 12 Years A Slave predictably came out on top with the big gong but a few unpredictabilities set award odds and Oscars speculation askew. Newbie comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine saw off rivals to claim two awards whilst Blue Jasmine's Cate Blanchett took the leading lady award alongside Dallas Buyers Club's  for the men.

Gravity's Alfonso Cuarón stole Best Director from Steve McQueen whilst Breaking Bad and Behind The Candelabra snatched the big TV awards. The surprise wins also made for some truly memorable speeches too, with Elisabeth Moss exclamation of "Oh s**t!" and Jacqueline Bisset's sweary ramble marking two particular highlights. Read about all the winners here.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Globes And Oscars Mania, Prince Finds His Funny Bone, Lena Dunham Gets A Vogue Make-Over

Judi Dench Leads Veteran Oscar Nominees June Squibb And Bruce Dern


Judi Dench Bruce Dern June Squibb Cate Blanchett Amy Adams Meryl Streep Sandra Bullock

Dame Judi Dench has been nominated in the Best Actress category ahead of this year's Academy Awards for her lead role in the British film Philomena, which has also been nominated for Best Film. The nomination marks Dench's seventh Oscar nomination, having won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 1998's Shakespeare In Love.

Dame Judi Dench
Judi Dench Has Been Nominated For Her Seventh Oscar.

Dench, 79, heads up a promising league of talented older actors at this year's Oscars, which also includes Nebraska stars Bruce Dern, 77, and June Squibb, 84, who have been nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively.

Continue reading: Judi Dench Leads Veteran Oscar Nominees June Squibb And Bruce Dern

The Baftas 2014: Predicting Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director And Best Supporting Categories


Chiwetel Ejiofor Jennifer Lawrence Tom Hanks Steve McQueen Michael Fassbender Amy Adams Judi Dench BAFTA

Award season has been grumbling away like Smaug inside Erebor for the last few months; but dragon is slowly awakening. Since the Gotham awards last year, the perennial question of ‘who’ll win what?’ has echoed around the Internet, and the recently announced BAFTA nominations promise to shed some light on the eventual academy recipients.

GravityGravity is leading the way with 11 Bafta nominations

With that in mind, and with some tightly contested categories to work through, it’s time to start predicting who’ll take home the golden masks, before we start predicting who’ll take home the golden statuettes, you see.

Continue reading: The Baftas 2014: Predicting Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director And Best Supporting Categories

Baftas 2014: 'Gravity' Pulls In The Nominations While Chiwetel Ejiofor Stands A Great Chance


Sandra Bullock Chiwetel Ejiofor Tom Hanks Leonardo Dicaprio Martin Scorsese Emma Thompson Judi Dench Jennifer Lawrence Bradley Cooper David O Russell Steve McQueen Amy Adams Bruce Dern Cate Blanchett Woody Allen Julia Roberts Oprah Winfrey Christian Bale Sally Hawkins Paul Greengrass

The Bafta nominations didn’t really throw up any surprises, with many of the year’s top actors, directors and films being recognised. The constant metronome of: ‘Gravity,’ ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘American Hustle’ still chimes away; the Oscar favourites are set to do battle.

GravityGravity is leading the way with 11 Bafta nominations

So 'Gravity' leads the way with 11 nominations; it’ll go up against '12 Years a Slave' in the Best Film Category as well as 'American Hustle', 'Captain Phillips' and 'Philomena', a film the Alfonso Cuaron space thriller must also beat to win Outstanding British Film gong. 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom', 'Rush', 'Saving Mr. Banks' and 'The Selfish Giant' make up that category.

Continue reading: Baftas 2014: 'Gravity' Pulls In The Nominations While Chiwetel Ejiofor Stands A Great Chance

The 10 Worst Films Of 2013


Charlie Sheen Mark Wahlberg Dwayne Johnson Justin Timberlake Ben Affleck Cliff Richard Judi Dench Luc Besson Robert De Niro Michelle Pfeiffer Tommy Lee Jones Status Quo Jeff Bridges Adam Sandler

10. A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III
10. A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III - 
Charlie Sheen exploits his bad-boy image in this fractured comedy in which he plays a paranoid idiot who thinks his ex is trying to kill him. But the story is wafer-thin, and the film is almost overpoweringly indulgent.
Read more about 'A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III' here

Pain & Gain

9. Pain & Gain - Michael Bay's comedy may feature enjoyably offhanded performances from Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson, but it's also the year's most offensive movie. Playing a true-life murder for laughs is only the first mistake.
Watch the trailer for 'Pain & Gain' here
Read the full review for 'Pain & Gain' here

Continue reading: The 10 Worst Films Of 2013

Jude Law As 'Henry V' Is (Probably) The Best Acting Performance Of 2013


Jude Law Judi Dench Daniel Radcliffe Ben Whishaw Sheridan Smith David Walliams Michael Grandage

The latest stage version of William Shakespeare's historic epic Henry V is currently playing to packed-out audiences at the Noel Coward Theatre on London's West End, with critics being particularly taken by lead man Jude Law, who portrays the embattled monarch in Michael Grandage's take on the show.

Jude Law
Jude Law is being roundly praised for his depiction of Henry V

The last instalment of the Michael Grandage Company’s season on the West End, it may also be the best too, thanks largely to the star performance from its lead performer. After a successful 15-month season, consisting of five plays each performed at the Noel Coward Theatre, Henry V marks the end of Grandage's triumphant run, but he couldn't have ended things on higher note. Whilst praise has been distributed to the direction and stage design for the show, it is Law's lead performance that has captured critics and audiences alike, as the Dom Hemingway actor continues his good run of form as a critically acclaimed acting talent.

Continue reading: Jude Law As 'Henry V' Is (Probably) The Best Acting Performance Of 2013

Review Round-Up: 'Philomena' Receives High Praise From Critics


Judi Dench Steve Coogan

Philomena, starring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, is due to be released in US cinemas today (22nd November). Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. 

Judi Dench
Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in Philomena.

The biopic, based on a true story and adapted from Martin Sixsmith's book The Lost Child Of Philomena Lee, follows one woman's attempt to find the child she was forced to give away. Lee fell pregnant in Ireland in 1952 and was taken to a convent as a 'fallen woman'. She was forced to give up her son for adoption. The film shows Lee's journey to the US in order to find her child. She was aided by journalist Sixsmith, whose account the film is based on.

Continue reading: Review Round-Up: 'Philomena' Receives High Praise From Critics

Judi Dench - Dame Judi Dench Surrey, England - and her daughter enjoy a day at Sandown Park Racecourse, where her horse, Smokey Oakey, finished in last place Thursday 28th May 2009

Judi Dench

Judi Dench - Dame Judi Dench Wednesday 4th February 2009 at Grosvenor House London, England

Judi Dench

Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, Judi Dench and Robbie Coltrane - Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judi Dench, Alan Rickman, Celia Imrie, Imelda Staunton, Richard E Grant, Robbie Coltrane, Patrick Doyle and daughters, Emma Thompson, Scott Davies, Sir Derek Jacobi, Jannis Kelly, Anatolij Fokanov, Adrian Lester, Mike Newell, Dan Hill Sunday 28th October 2007 at Royal Albert Hall London, England

Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, Judi Dench and Robbie Coltrane
Judi Dench

Judi Dench Quick Links

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Judi Dench

Date of birth

9th December, 1934

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Female

Height

1.55


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Judi Dench Movies

Victoria & Abdul Movie Review

Victoria & Abdul Movie Review

Essentially a sequel to the 1997 hit Mrs Brown, this film returns Judi Dench to...

Murder on the Orient Express Movie Review

Murder on the Orient Express Movie Review

The latest adaptation of Agatha Christie's 83-year-old classic whodunit, this lavish, star-studded film is old-style...

Victoria And Abdul Trailer

Victoria And Abdul Trailer

Queen Victoria was one of the United Kingdom's most loved monarchs. She ruled over her...

Murder On The Orient Express Trailer

Murder On The Orient Express Trailer

It's the 1930s and a group of strangers from different walks of life board a...

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Movie Review

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Movie Review

Ransom Riggs' bestselling novel is appropriately adapted into a movie by Tim Burton, the gothic...

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children Trailer

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children Trailer

Jake has always been an ordinary boy but when he finds himself on a small...

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Review

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Review

A badly under-developed script leaves a fine cast without much to do in this sequel...

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The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Trailer

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Trailer

Set eight months after the 2012 original film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sees...

Philomena Movie Review

Philomena Movie Review

Based on a true story, this warm drama uses sharp humour to keep from tipping...

Philomena Trailer

Philomena Trailer

Judi Dench stars as Philomena Lee in the emotionally moving and shocking true story based...

Run For Your Wife Movie Review

Run For Your Wife Movie Review

British farces work on stage, but usually feel agonisingly stupid on screen. And this is...

Skyfall Movie Review

Skyfall Movie Review

Things get very personal for 007 in this high-quality thriller, which keeps us gripped even...

Skyfall Trailer

Skyfall Trailer

James Bond, the legendary MI6 spy we all know and love, is starting to struggle...

Skyfall Trailer

Skyfall Trailer

James Bond struggles with his career, experiencing lassitude and depression concerning his MI6 role as...

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