One Must Have One's BBC

If you haven't yet caught the BBC shows "Sherlock" and "Being Human", you're missing a couple of treats! I recommend you try them both; they're available on DVD.

"Sherlock" is a present-day take on the iconic detective. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock, a much younger, though still quirky character. Martin Freeman plays his faithful, hapless sidekick, Dr. Watson. As an aside, Freeman will take on the role of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's film version of The Hobbit. Took me a while to connect the name with the actor, but I was thrilled to death when I did! Believe me, Martin Freeman will make the perfect Bilbo, better even than the incredible Ian Holm.

"Sherlock" is modern, funny, and fast-paced. The main character appears to be much more active, due to a more physical actor, than the usual media conception of Holmes, though I adored Jeremy Brett in the role. Cumberbatch brings much of the endearing qualities of Brett's Holmes.

The music for this show ( and I wish I could recall the name of the composer, dang it! ) is absolutely perfect, an upbeat, modern, toe-tapping theme that, oddly enough, reminds me of belly-dancing music.

"Being Human" is about a young woman's ghost who ends up living with a hot, young vampire full of angst and a young man who's a werewolf and still coming to terms with what he's become. It's a riot, but can also be chilling. All three principles are engaging, sympathetic characters. And by the by, Aidan Turner, who plays the vampire, Mitchell, will also play a role as one of the dwarves in The Hobbit movies!

I cannot wait to see The Hobbit, Parts 1&2. According to PJ, it's going to be a couple years at least! Ah, well---in the meantime I think you'll definitely find it worthwhile to check out "Sherlock" and "Being Human".

God bless the BBC!

MRTighe

Creating " The Hobbit"

If you're a big fan of the movie version of "The Lord of the Rings" ( as I am ), you probably can't wait for the two-part movie version of "The Hobbit", which is being directed by Peter Jackson. From what I've seen and heard about these films so far, we are in for a treat.

Ian McKellen is reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey, as is Hugo Weaving as Elrond. At one point I had heard that Orlando Bloom would return as Legolas ( he is a Wood Elf, after all! ), but at this time I haven't been able to confirm that info. I can, however, confirm that Evangeline Lilly ( Kate of "Lost" ) will play a female Wood Elf, and Stephen Fry has been cast as the Mayor of Laketown and has been shooting his scenes. I follow Stephen ( Bones, Black Adder, Fry and Laurie, etc. ) on Twitter.

Of great interest to me as an artist is the painstaking recreation of Rivendell and Bag End---quite a feat! Those were extraordinarily beautiful sets. Reconstructing Bag End must've been particularly complicated as several versions in various scales had to be constructed in order to make dwarves and hobbits appear to be smaller than Gandalf, when all the actors are approximately the same size.

Much as I can hardly bear the wait, I want the creative folk involved to do their utmost to make these two movies up to the same level as the first three. I have every confidence they'll do their absolute best!

All for now,

MRTighe