Fargo and Orphan Black: Amazing TV

from finance.yahoo.com, oddly enough

"Fargo" is a television re-imagining of the thematic elements and the atmosphere of the 1996 Coen Brothers' film of the same name. The TV show isn't set in Fargo, and only alludes to the events of the film, but it's a wonderful homage or follow-up to the film that stands on its own two feet as one of the best shows of the year. 

Martin Freeman, with an amusing Minnesota accent, plays Lester Nygaard, the put-upon, oppressed and bullied insurance salesman who crosses paths with devilishly entertaining bad guy Lorne Malvo, played brilliantly by the incomparable Billy Bob Thornton, which sends Lester's life into a spiral of deception and danger. I came for Martin Freeman, but I'm staying for Billy Bob Thornton. He is unpredictable, diabolical, and amazing.

White Fire Delivers on the Promise of Pendergast

Five qualities of a really good mystery/thriller are:

1. Draws readers in and doesn't let go
2. Has compelling characters that readers can become passionate about
3. Tells a captivating story that's exciting and interesting, suspenseful and scary
4. Surprises readers
5. Leaves readers wanting more

Oh. My. Awesome. I am Sherlocked.

My sons and I finished the second series of BBC's amazing "Sherlock" tonight and the final episode was, in a word, brilliant!! So good. I can't find words to describe the awesomeness. Except... awesome.

Moriarty returns as Sherlock's nemesis and taunting villain, with new tricks up his sleeve, oozing smarmy superiority and intelligence and wickedness-- he's one we love to hate. Oooh and we do despise him.

This series (season) continues the subtle, very effective character development, as Sherlock begins to recognize and act on the value of his few real relationships, in his own way. He has moments where he's almost human, but he is still very much the same old Sherlock, deducing, assessing, noticing and comprehending things beyond we simple thinkers, taking jabs and insulting people without thinking. He seems to be learning to follow John's good instincts, though, sometimes. Now and then...

As with the first season, I love the various usage of modern technology, especially the texting. It's rather amusing that Moriarty (along with other characters) sends Holmes text messages, and that Watson's blog is so much more popular than Holmes' is also funny. I don't know what Sherlock Holmes purists think of this show, I'm not one, but I love that it's modern while still staying true to the essence of the characters, and the spirit of the mysteries.

Also, as with the first season, my favorite character is John Watson. I love Mrs. Hudson (sometimes she threatens to steal scenes-- wonderful stuff) and I get a kick out of Mycroft and LeStrade and Molly-- her interactions with Sherlock are surprising in how insensitive and even cruel he can be, but quite funny at the same time. And of course, Benedict Cumberbatch (whose name is just fun to say) is also perfectly cast, and incredibly fun to watch. But my favorite is Watson, who (as I think I said in this blog before) is played perfectly by Martin Freeman. His long-suffering, bemused, frustrated, and sometimes deeply emotional expressions are so good that I forget completely that I'm watching an actor. He is very, very good, and I can't wait for "The Hobbit" later this year.

My favorite scene, I think, was Sherlock wearing nothing but a sheet as he's called to Buckingham Palace. He and John are shown sitting on a sofa and they both burst out laughing, demonstrating that they've developed a true friendship, in spite of Holmes' biting comments and prickly nature. I love the chemistry of the two leads-- not romantic chemistry, though, which is good. It's continually humorous that the "public" thinks the two are a couple, but I like that the writing and the acting very effectively demonstrates how a good business partnership/friendship and brotherly affection is possible without the requirement of a romantic relationship. It's very good stuff.

Sometimes the dialogue goes so fast I miss things- the accents don't help, but I don't care. It's just a good reason to go back in the future and watch them again. And I will. I will also bemoan the fact that Series 3 will probably not be available to watch for about a year. Especially with the doozy of a cliffhanger at the end of the third episode.

Pardon my English...

Aaahhh, the British.  They create some wonderful, entertaining TV and have lent us some brilliant talent over the decades for our films and stage and TV shows.  A few months ago, the BBC aired a great little show that made its way across the pond to PBS beginning in October.  It aired as part of their "Mystery" show.  Its name was "Sherlock". 

After Robert Downy Jr.'s disappointing film, I was leery of another Sherlock adaptation, but when I happened to catch a commercial for this show on PBS in September, I just had that feeling-- you know, that feeling that you just KNOW you'll like that show.  It happens from time to time.  Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Castle, Psych... some shows are gems to be savored.  So I had an inkling that this would be a good one to catch.

But we disposed of our Dish bill, and that meant bidding farewell to our DVR, which in turn meant no more recorded shows for me.  Which translates to:  if I can't remember to look it up online, I don't see it.  I simply don't have time to sit down and watch live TV.  So "Sherlock" slipped from my radar and I missed it.

Until last week.  I got a laptop for Christmas, and I was enjoying catching up on a few shows on Hulu.com, and up popped "Sherlock"!  I was so excited!  And my initial impression was spot-on.  It is very entertaining.  A modernized view of Sherlock and Watson-- cell phones, laptops, DNA, etc. and it WORKS!  It is very, very good.  I have only seen Benedict Cumberbatch (what a name!), who plays the title role, in one film before (Amazing Grace), and he is perfect as the egotistical, exceptionally clever detective, who describes himself thus: "I'm not a psychopath, I'm a highly functioning sociopath." It's as if the role were written for him.  And I am especially fond of Martin Freeman, who I first enjoyed in "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", and whose chemistry with Cumberbatch is perfect.  He is a great Dr. Watson.  I love the modernization of the story-- and normally I don't like that kind of thing.  But it just really clicks.

No, the special effects aren't all "top drawer", and there are a few lulls in the 90-ish minute episodes that could easily have been trimmed out, but the writing is witty, the casting is inspired and the acting is brilliant.

I sat up late on Christmas night, watching all the episodes.  Well, all three episodes.  Which brings me to my only complaint.

If the BBC is going to release such fantastic entertainment for my (yes, my) enjoyment, what would possess them to only order 3 episodes!?  In England, they call a "season" of TV a "series".  Series 1 of "Sherlock" is now available on DVD.  Which includes 3 episodes, along with some making-of feature.  That's it.  I guess that's what we yanks call a "mini-series".  Or more appropriately a "mini-mini-series".  Tsk tsk...

Dear BBC, please make more episodes of "Sherlock" and beam them to America post-haste!  Sincerely, a disgruntled but thoroughly dedicated fan.

Oh, and P.S.  Martin Freeman has been "confirmed" on various internetical sites (which, I'm sure are fully reliable sources) as having been cast as Bilbo Baggins for "The Hobbit".  While I hope this is true because I think he'd be fantastic, I sincerely hope it doesn't mean "Sherlock" will be back-burnered in order for filming of "The Hobbit" for a year in some far-off place on the other side of the world...