scream-of-consciousness;
"If you're trying to change minds and influence people it's probably not a good idea to say that virtually all elected Democrats are liars, but what the hell."
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Monday, April 09, 2012
Poirot
From
Sherlock to Poirot
“
After
I mentioned
my
addiction to Sherlock Holmes, I started to (mini) panic. I was
down to
the last 10 episodes, and required a back-up series, stat! After trying
several "Like Sherlock Holmes"
recommendations, I found Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Never read a Poirot book, nor watched any of the Masterpiece Theater
(PBS) episodes. Horry Clap! If anything, I like these
better than
Sherlock; and I love Sherlock. But now I'm down to the last
5 of
these on NetFlix (who offer only season one from 1989). HA! Amazon Instant Watch
has them all! (and a ROKU connection) The first time Amazon
has anything I can't get on NetFlix. I can now Poirot myself to
death.
You need to pace yourself. There is a limited amount of good entertainment available, so it is better to consume it slowly rather than gulp it down. :)
Poirot is a great series. I've been watching it for a long time. I even have an autographed picture of David Suchet as Poirot. Agatha Cristie was an awesome story teller.
"a limited amount of good entertainment available,"
RavingDave - do you belong to the entertainment chapter of the Sierra Club? I likes to gulp my agreeable culture. I mean what the hell? I was with Teddy at San Juan Hill, so what would I be saving for?
Poirot. Definitely. I watch 'em every time they come on. Not as true to the stories as Holmes was, but the ensemble cast is terrific! However... the final season sucked. Well, it was a big disappointment, anyway. They changed things, and not for the better. They muted the fun; and it got all, well, Catholic. They absolutely ruined "Murder on the Orient Express." The other seasons are still wonderful.
For a slightly more modern series (production-wise), see if you can find A&E's "Nero Wolfe" series (the Timothy Hutton\Maury Chaykin set). Just 27(ish) episodes, not in any sort of order, and glosses over some of the darker elements of the books (such as the death of Nero Wolfe's daughter), but brilliant portrayals of the Rex Stout books. Great ensemble casting (with several actors\actresses playing multiple roles throughout the series), extremely appropriate music, and their set and costume designers must have been having a field day.
I like to make an event out of watching movies. I gather friends and family around and we all watch it together. (And have a little wine at the same time.)
I have this one friend who insists on downloading movies and watching them by himself as soon as they arrive. He has watched everything, and always complains that there is nothing left to watch.
I tell him to Savor the experience. YMMV.
For what it's worth, if you haven't seen "Blackadder goes forth", I will describe it as some of the funniest stuff i've ever seen. It stars Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and Hugh Laurie (Dr. House) and it is set in the trenches of World War I.
For someone who's gone up San Juan Hill, you can really appreciate the terrifying nature of the later trench warfare. Whodathunk someone could make a comedy out of it?
I also enjoyed "Rumpole of the Bailey." series. Leo McKern was superb in the lead role. Yannow, the lawyer with the SWMBO - She Who Must Be Obeyed. Lt. Col. Gen. Tailgunner dick
How about "Morse", and "Doc Martin"? They're both very enjoyable and one of the things I like about both is no gratuitous sex or frat boy double entendre.
Ah, yes. Rumpole was always a staple in our household. I do have an affinity for Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsey series, and when you're tired of murder, there's always "All the Creatures Great and Small."
You need to pace yourself. There is a limited amount of good entertainment available, so it is better to consume it slowly rather than gulp it down. :)
ReplyDeletePoirot is a great series. I've been watching it for a long time. I even have an autographed picture of David Suchet as Poirot. Agatha Cristie was an awesome story teller.
"a limited amount of good entertainment available,"
ReplyDeleteRavingDave - do you belong to the entertainment chapter of the Sierra Club? I likes to gulp my agreeable culture. I mean what the hell? I was with Teddy at San Juan Hill, so what would I be saving for?
Boss,
ReplyDeleteHave you tried "Numb3rs" yet?? (Not a typo...)
Poirot. Definitely.
ReplyDeleteI watch 'em every time they come on. Not as true to the stories as Holmes was, but the ensemble cast is terrific!
However...
the final season sucked. Well, it was a big disappointment, anyway. They changed things, and not for the better.
They muted the fun; and it got all, well, Catholic. They absolutely ruined "Murder on the Orient Express."
The other seasons are still wonderful.
Rodger, if you like Poirot, then you will love "Midsomer Murders"
ReplyDeleteAn excellent modern day British murder mystery series!
For a slightly more modern series (production-wise), see if you can find A&E's "Nero Wolfe" series (the Timothy Hutton\Maury Chaykin set). Just 27(ish) episodes, not in any sort of order, and glosses over some of the darker elements of the books (such as the death of Nero Wolfe's daughter), but brilliant portrayals of the Rex Stout books. Great ensemble casting (with several actors\actresses playing multiple roles throughout the series), extremely appropriate music, and their set and costume designers must have been having a field day.
ReplyDeleteI like to make an event out of watching movies. I gather friends and family around and we all watch it together. (And have a little wine at the same time.)
ReplyDeleteI have this one friend who insists on downloading movies and watching them by himself as soon as they arrive. He has watched everything, and always complains that there is nothing left to watch.
I tell him to Savor the experience. YMMV.
For what it's worth, if you haven't seen "Blackadder goes forth", I will describe it as some of the funniest stuff i've ever seen. It stars Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and Hugh Laurie (Dr. House) and it is set in the trenches of World War I.
For someone who's gone up San Juan Hill, you can really appreciate the terrifying nature of the later trench warfare. Whodathunk someone could make a comedy out of it?
I also enjoyed "Rumpole of the Bailey." series. Leo McKern was superb in the lead role. Yannow, the lawyer with the SWMBO - She Who Must Be Obeyed.
ReplyDeleteLt. Col. Gen. Tailgunner dick
If you wonder what REALLY happened to Sherlock Holmes(You know, that falling down a waterfall...etc...)
ReplyDeletehttp://nonadventures.com/comics/2012-03-31-295.png
How about "Morse", and "Doc Martin"? They're both very enjoyable and one of the things I like about both is no gratuitous sex or frat boy double entendre.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. Rumpole was always a staple in our household. I do have an affinity for Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsey series, and when you're tired of murder, there's always "All the Creatures Great and Small."
ReplyDeleteJLW III
Go to "Touch of Frost" for some more good Brit mysteries. "Midsomer Murders" is good too - there are 30-40 of those.
ReplyDeleteMy all time best is the Inspector Morse series - watch them in order, though. The whole thing has a story arc...
jd
^ jd
ReplyDeleteGood recommendations!
Miss Marple, so-so.
I loved the Lord Peter Whimsey series, too.
Touch of Frost queued up on NetFlix - had to go to Amazon for Morse. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBelay that about Morse on Amazon -
ReplyDelete"Due to our licensing agreements this video is currently not available for purchase or rental."
One of my favourites - Inspector Foyle. Crime and murder with WW2 in Britain as background. Begins in 1940.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74YkUUCWPx4
Foyle's War rules. Best frigging detective series EVAH.
ReplyDeleteWhimsey is too wussy. Midsomer's okay (watched them all). Poirot: too boring. Dalglish (P.D. James) is excellent, but too short.
Luther: darkest detective show EVAH.
Kim