NinadeL

Tommy & Tuppence were born right after the Belgian miracle. The opportunity finally came for Francesca Annis and James Warwick to star in the film, and they had already proven that they felt at home in Agatha's world. So they burst onto the scene and became Tommy & Tuppence as naturally as possible in the 1980s. After a great pilot, there were ten delightful episodes recounting the best-loved chapters from their adventurous year 1924. The Affair of the Pink Pearl is a great introduction to the tales from the office bearing the name of Blunt's brilliant detectives. Tommy & Tuppence are happy in their marriage, but I fear that buying new hats would probably tire Tommy out in time, and so it was really necessary to occupy Tuppence with something new. But of course, it had to be reckoned that a little advertising in the hat shop would be quite essential for the new business. The House of Lurking Death was quite an action-packed case, and even Tuppence almost lost her life, but of course, Tommy intervened in time and even at the right time and place to prove to his other half that his grey cells have their place in the detective team. Unlike its predecessors, The Sunningdale Mystery was a fairly brief affair in book form, which is why I was excited that they added a few ideas in the series version. In the end, Agatha solved the entire case over milk and cheesecake during her lunch break, but in the series, Tommy & Tuppence investigated the crime scene themselves and even found a few moments for a romantic adventure at a hotel by the golf course. And honestly, what is a better prelude than a logical deduction? ;) For a change, The Clergyman's Daughter introduced us to Tommy & Tuppence as excellent actors in that they performed a great act of a fake fortune teller and her guide in the service of justice. Albert was, of course, cast as the chauffeur. However, it's interesting to see the BBC's attempt to bring a little more action to each episode at any cost. Here, thankfully, it is inspired by Douglas Fairbanks. The original version of Finessing the King drew on references to multiple detectives, and here we're left with Sherlock. That’s too bad because it would have been interesting to hear remarks directed at Poirot or McCarty in the dialogue. On the other hand, Tuppence’s interest in the masquerade ball is sure to please everyone. Even Tommy, who is happy to play a husband who would rather be at home in his slippers. The Ambassador's Boots, for a change, is one of those examples where the addition of different locations and themes to the series version has benefited the idea overall. In the original, this case is mainly Tommy's, and so it was possible to keep Tuppence entertained with all sorts of dancing, tea at five o'clock, and a chat with her friends, who also like suspense. I don't object to anything and I'm having fun with it.

The third adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" brought with it for the first time another adaptation from the seven-part "The Chronicles of Narnia" series. It was preceded by an animated film (1979) and a 10-part black-and-white series (1967). The merging of "Prince Caspian" and "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" followed, as the introduction to the so-called Caspian Trilogy, ensuring that "The Silver Chair" was included at the end. This closed the chapter of "The Chronicles of Narnia" for fifteen long years. In 2003, the entire BBC anabasis was released in a collector's edition DVD with interesting bonus features. The Pevensie foursome of Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott and Sophie Wilcox reminisced about filming and talked about their lives now. From today's perspective, I was very amused by old promos from shows like Breakfast News and Blue Peter, which make it clear how quickly all three series were filmed and that they met with an absolutely positive reception. Although the BBC's equally absolute TV solutions have now been eclipsed by contemporary blockbusters, it is possible to go through the perhaps surprisingly detailed set designs, costumes, and overall production design, which were certainly not bad for their time. The only thing that I personally miss is the fact that the remaining books - "The Horse and His Boy", "The Magician's Nephew," and "The Last Battle" - have not been made into films.

The last classic produced for the BBC Television Centre, still using the old-fashioned method with several cameras at once and on film material... We didn't see the first reruns until 2021. Otherwise, this is perfection itself. It is an exquisite depiction of the 1920s, emancipation, the rise of the Eliot sisters' fashionable salon, and their journey through modern London society. They design dresses for high society, ballet companies, and film productions. They love, are loved, and always have inspiration on hand for a new collection. Some people say that it’s a poor relative to shows such as Downton Abbey, but these are just opinions. I, on the other hand, still consider The House of Eliott to be better than anything the BBC has offered since. This includes the acting, set design, costumes, quality period research, and of course the plot. The book "The House of Eliott" (by Jean Marsh), describes the opening of the series, with which it is identical, but the second book, "House at War: The Continuing Story of the House of Eliott" (by Elisabeth O'Leary), tells the story of the sisters years later, i.e., what the series did not cover, because the series actually ends in the 1920s with its third season. #bbc

A classic 1990s female series that greatly overshadowed its parent series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

In the year 2000, the carefully-constructed world of series produced by Renaissance Pictures was slowly coming to an end. Their greatest hero, Hercules, ended with a shorter 6th season in 1999. Was Xena supposed to be left pregnant alone? No way. It was therefore time for an interesting experiment. Xena didn't get another hero from her pseudo-Ancient world in the joint broadcast block, but instead the Back2Back Action Pack of two half-hour series from different other worlds. The first was a 26th-century female sci-fi, and the second was Jack of All Trades, a historical romp set in 1801. A year later, it became clear that Jack of All Trades would not be afforded another series, but Cleopatra 2525 had more potential to expand into hour-long episodes. That happened for a short period of time, and in the end, the entire series boasts a total of 28 episodes. A young stripper arrives in a world where humanity lives only underground and a few small teams led by the mysterious Voice are responsible for the law and the overthrow of the surface usurpers. She had breast surgery in the 21st century that failed, so she was frozen until they found a cure... That's the thing - Renaissance Pictures' humor can turn even a subject like this into an enjoyable action/funny and, to a good extent, dramatic series that is unmatched by anything else in its genre. The main characters are incredibly sexy and make a great trio of casual cuteness, strength, and smarts. For the titular Jennifer Sky, it was (unfortunately) the peak of her career, aided by a cameo role in Xena, but she could not develop her acting further. However, Victoria Pratt (Sarge) made her way into the bigger Mutant X series thanks to her character Cleo, and her TV career is far from over. Others worth mentioning include the sympathetically evil Danielle Cormack (as the telepathic Raina), the genuine bad guy Joel Tobeck (as the evil Creegen) and of course Elizabeth Hawthorne as the Voice and Patrick Kake as the robot Mauser. However, it’s too bad that after these eventful years, New Zealand productions have had to wait so long for other major commissions, such as Maddigan's Quest or the current Legend of the Seeker series or Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Fortunately, Cleopatra 2525 is finally available on DVD in several regions, and not just English-speaking ones, so fans can enjoy it anytime. :)

After five seasons, I have been enriched by this valuable new series experience. There was complete fan service available, not only through the DVDs on my shelf but also a book guide, and comics... and I watched the webisodes. It was a really nice change to enjoy such a long series after many stories that ended prematurely. Anyone who has watched other Love Hewitt projects in the past knew that she could handle her own series without a hitch. She did indeed. She took home two Saturn awards, produced the show, she also directed a few episodes, and her music was featured in the show. At this point, it is only necessary to point out the perfect Jim Clancy played by David Conrad because Love Hewitt never had such a husband before or since. :)

After five and a half seasons of this series, a wonderful new world opened up before me from the novels of Charlaine Harris known as "The Sookie Stackhouse Novels." An alternate reality in which vampires have left their coffins and become part of "our" lives. I find it very sympathetic that Harris openly admits to being inspired by the world of Anne Rice, because the only place in America that I consider a natural habitat for vampires is, quite simply, Louisiana, with its ubiquitous Mississippi swamps. The individual characters become interesting story agents over the course of a few episodes and evolve until they pass out of sight. I hope it's not going to be forever just with Sookie and Bill.

I’m also joining the 100% satisfied club. Waiting for Spartacus: Vengeance is now even harder... Roman nobility and its problems are solved by violence, sex, opium, and money. There is absolutely no need for Spartacus. Lucretia is the one in question. Six episodes are incredibly too little, all conceivable taboos have long since passed into the afterlife, and now it's time for a never-ending orgy. The most beloved of the new characters is the sunny Gaia, Lucretia's old friend, currently also her lover, and that of her husband Batiatus. Past Transgressions delightfully plays out the prologue to the story, of a time when the arena in mighty Capua was yet to flourish, Solonius was a friend of Batiatus, and Oenomaus had his wife and friend Gannicus by his side. The final contrast between the wife's sexual games and her husband's humiliation is wonderfully bitter. Missio is characterized by the fundamental separation of Solonius from Batiatus, the strengthening of the friendly triangle of Oenomaus, Gannicus, and Mellitus, and the retaliation for humiliation by the villainous Tullius. In spite of all this, the pleasure given to the superior Vettius is beyond all senses. It would be a crime not to celebrate this victory with the most delightful fun for three. Paterfamilias, with the vigorous arrival of Batiatus' father, turns pleasure and culminating intrigue into total depression. The confusion of feelings of doom and destruction is underscored by the disgusting act of Vettius' friend Cossusius and the demise of the gay gladiatorial romance between Barca and Auctus. However, Luc has a crush on Crixus and young Batiatus begins to plot a plan to free himself from his father's arms. Beneath the Mask celebrates the rise of the House of Batiatus with the help of satisfying all who would have something to offer in return. The price of negating the competition is too high and the very union of Batiatus and Luc comes into play. How could Gaia let this happen? Gannicus lets his own feelings get the better of him. Reckoning The desire for revenge and a place in the sun is a powerful witch. Betrayal follows betrayal, the vipers continue to warm their breasts and everything culminates in a true ancient tragedy. And it is on these foundations that the strongest union of marriage flourishes. My condolences to all involved. Life in the house of Batiatus will never be the same again. The Bitter End Ashur becomes the king of all the swines, Solonius the turncoat and Diona the saddest of the executed. The exclusive games of Capua shatter all previous notions of a proper show. The story has looped and Season 2 of the main story can continue.

True, I was expecting more of a Fitzgeraldian whirlwind after the new take on Gatsby, but oh well. Thanks to Amazon, we have one Zelda series and one Last Tycoon series - very fittingly unfinished. So how is Christina Ricci as Zelda? Is she an unconventional Southern belle full of energy, the first carefree girl of the Roaring '20s? Indeed. Confident, attractive, and charming; ideally the kind of woman who could personify the muse of a great writer. David Hoflin, for a change, plays a Fitzgerald who is yearning, ambitious, with an unfulfilled ego and passionate love. The shorter format of the episodes makes Zelda a joyful one-off from my favorite period of the late 1910s and early 1920s. In addition, it features the superbly chosen period hits "Ain’t She Sweet?" and "Makin' Whoopee." We get to relive the time when the novels "This Side of Paradise" (1920) and "The Beautiful and Damned" (1922) were written, and the only thing we can regret is that we don't get to spend more time with Zelda in this form.