Hello, Internet Lovelies!
First, let me apologize for my inexcusable absence! I know all the both of you are so crushed (Mom and Dad), but while we wait for my next film critique video, I'll write something on television! So, on to it.
PBS is a magnificent, fantastic, lovely television privilege. At the very least, 50% of our DVR list per week is PBS. Such things like Great Performances, in which they show different concerts. The awesomeness doesn't end there! That's right! They hold different television specials, I know, boring, BUT! In those, they have tons and tons of clips. For instance, Victor Borge (which was my fav). Furthermore, they have a magnificent, lovely series called Masterpiece Theater.
Masterpiece Theater is basically the British miniseries, and sometimes films, that American television does not show on BBC America. Masterpiece consists of three different areas: Masterpiece Classic, Masterpiece Contemporary, and Masterpiece Mystery; Masterpiece Mystery being the most popular in our home. It is always important, in my opinion, to see things from other countries, even if it is just across the pond. The style is completely different and quite interesting.
The particular series of Masterpiece I will be talking about is a series called Sherlock on Masterpiece Mystery, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (actor info here) as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman (actor info here) as Dr. John Watson. Sherlock is a modernized look at the classic stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and created by Steven Moffat (info here) and Mark Gatiss (info here). Some of you Whovians may jump at those names. Steven Moffat, for those who may not watch the British hit television show, Doctor Who, is a writer for the sci-fi series. Mark Gatiss also writes for Doctor Who, and has actually acted in an episode. In fact, Mark Gatiss not only writes for Sherlock, but also plays Sherlock's older brother, Mycroft Holmes.
For those who have no clue of what I am talking about when I say "Sherlock Holmes," allow me to give you some background information, even though it is not necessary to know in order to watch the series, or anything Sherlock Holmes, for that matter. Anywho! Sherlock Holmes is a consulting detective (only one in the world), and when the police are completely out of their element and have not the slightest clue as to how to solve the case, they go to Sherlock. To put his gift simply, Sherlock Holmes is one of the quickest observers and thinkers in the UK. By one look, he can deduce nearly every detail about you; some details you may not even know about yourself. So, as he should, he put those skills to good use. Sherlock is a high-functioning sociopath, and gets bored very easily.
Now, I must go on with the critique.
I am certain I will critique individual episodes in the near future, but for now, let me speak of the series as a whole. Sherlock is a brilliant show that really brings Sherlock Holmes to the 21st century in a more deliberate, if I may, way than Fox TVs House did. There are six, one hour and thirty minute episodes of this series, and two seasons (three episodes per season). The series is magnificently cast with a tall, lengthy Sherlock Holmes, and a home-y, slightly average looking Doctor John Watson. Martin Freeman actually won a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for his interpretation of John Hamish Watson in the first season. One character, however, who held the attention of the whole audience, yet has so little camera time is Andrew Scott playing the arch nemesis, if I may, of Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty (or "Jim" in the 21st century).
When it comes to performance, Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely fantastic as Sherlock Holmes. Andrew Scott (who also won a BAFTA for his interpretation of Moriarty this year) takes risks and makes huge choices not to be missed by anyone. Martin Freeman was hilarious in The Office and Love Actually, but shows his amazing talent as a doctor who thought he'd seen just about everything. Laura Pulver, who plays The Woman, or Irene Adler, is absolutely stunning and played Irene with the class that made me want to bring a country to its knees. Pretty much what I'm saying is there are no weak performances.
The thing I really, really, REALLY love about this series is the fact that absolutely everyone makes big choices. Acting choices, directing choices, you name it. Another big thing with this show that everyone seems to love is the fact that text shows up on the screen as a character is, for instance, reading a text, typing on the computer, etc. It is quite interesting and has never been done like this before.
Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, and the other writer, Steve Thompson do a wonderful job at keeping all choices up to date while being true to canon. Obviously, liberties have been taken; the episodes are "based" on certain stories, and sometimes more than one. However, the series is sure to be loved by classic Sherlock Holmes fans.
In conclusion, Sherlock is a brilliant series brought to America by Masterpiece Mystery on the Public Broadcasting Stations. Sherlock can be enjoyed by lovers of the stories and new comers alike. I could not recommend it more, however not fit for younger children, really. They'd find it boring and there are some more mature themes. I hope you've not only learned about an awesome new series, but also all of the awesomeness that is PBS!
Any questions or comments, comment below, or tweet at me! Always free.
Thanks, lovelies!
MT
(image brought to you by this)
First, let me apologize for my inexcusable absence! I know all the both of you are so crushed (Mom and Dad), but while we wait for my next film critique video, I'll write something on television! So, on to it.
PBS is a magnificent, fantastic, lovely television privilege. At the very least, 50% of our DVR list per week is PBS. Such things like Great Performances, in which they show different concerts. The awesomeness doesn't end there! That's right! They hold different television specials, I know, boring, BUT! In those, they have tons and tons of clips. For instance, Victor Borge (which was my fav). Furthermore, they have a magnificent, lovely series called Masterpiece Theater.
Masterpiece Theater is basically the British miniseries, and sometimes films, that American television does not show on BBC America. Masterpiece consists of three different areas: Masterpiece Classic, Masterpiece Contemporary, and Masterpiece Mystery; Masterpiece Mystery being the most popular in our home. It is always important, in my opinion, to see things from other countries, even if it is just across the pond. The style is completely different and quite interesting.
The particular series of Masterpiece I will be talking about is a series called Sherlock on Masterpiece Mystery, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (actor info here) as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman (actor info here) as Dr. John Watson. Sherlock is a modernized look at the classic stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and created by Steven Moffat (info here) and Mark Gatiss (info here). Some of you Whovians may jump at those names. Steven Moffat, for those who may not watch the British hit television show, Doctor Who, is a writer for the sci-fi series. Mark Gatiss also writes for Doctor Who, and has actually acted in an episode. In fact, Mark Gatiss not only writes for Sherlock, but also plays Sherlock's older brother, Mycroft Holmes.
For those who have no clue of what I am talking about when I say "Sherlock Holmes," allow me to give you some background information, even though it is not necessary to know in order to watch the series, or anything Sherlock Holmes, for that matter. Anywho! Sherlock Holmes is a consulting detective (only one in the world), and when the police are completely out of their element and have not the slightest clue as to how to solve the case, they go to Sherlock. To put his gift simply, Sherlock Holmes is one of the quickest observers and thinkers in the UK. By one look, he can deduce nearly every detail about you; some details you may not even know about yourself. So, as he should, he put those skills to good use. Sherlock is a high-functioning sociopath, and gets bored very easily.
Now, I must go on with the critique.
I am certain I will critique individual episodes in the near future, but for now, let me speak of the series as a whole. Sherlock is a brilliant show that really brings Sherlock Holmes to the 21st century in a more deliberate, if I may, way than Fox TVs House did. There are six, one hour and thirty minute episodes of this series, and two seasons (three episodes per season). The series is magnificently cast with a tall, lengthy Sherlock Holmes, and a home-y, slightly average looking Doctor John Watson. Martin Freeman actually won a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for his interpretation of John Hamish Watson in the first season. One character, however, who held the attention of the whole audience, yet has so little camera time is Andrew Scott playing the arch nemesis, if I may, of Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty (or "Jim" in the 21st century).
When it comes to performance, Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely fantastic as Sherlock Holmes. Andrew Scott (who also won a BAFTA for his interpretation of Moriarty this year) takes risks and makes huge choices not to be missed by anyone. Martin Freeman was hilarious in The Office and Love Actually, but shows his amazing talent as a doctor who thought he'd seen just about everything. Laura Pulver, who plays The Woman, or Irene Adler, is absolutely stunning and played Irene with the class that made me want to bring a country to its knees. Pretty much what I'm saying is there are no weak performances.
The thing I really, really, REALLY love about this series is the fact that absolutely everyone makes big choices. Acting choices, directing choices, you name it. Another big thing with this show that everyone seems to love is the fact that text shows up on the screen as a character is, for instance, reading a text, typing on the computer, etc. It is quite interesting and has never been done like this before.
Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, and the other writer, Steve Thompson do a wonderful job at keeping all choices up to date while being true to canon. Obviously, liberties have been taken; the episodes are "based" on certain stories, and sometimes more than one. However, the series is sure to be loved by classic Sherlock Holmes fans.
In conclusion, Sherlock is a brilliant series brought to America by Masterpiece Mystery on the Public Broadcasting Stations. Sherlock can be enjoyed by lovers of the stories and new comers alike. I could not recommend it more, however not fit for younger children, really. They'd find it boring and there are some more mature themes. I hope you've not only learned about an awesome new series, but also all of the awesomeness that is PBS!
Any questions or comments, comment below, or tweet at me! Always free.
Thanks, lovelies!
MT
(image brought to you by this)
No comments:
Post a Comment