KOOL TV REVIEW: 'A LIFE IN FILM - PETER CUSHING'

The celluloid legend of film and TV great Peter Cushing lives on....

A LIFE IN FILM - PETER CUSHING

Written and compiled by David Miller

Published by TITAN BOOKS


Reviewed by Scott Weller


One of Britain, and the worlds, greatest screen icons in portraying villainy and heroism, the late, great actor Peter Cushing finally gets the definitive film and TV biography celebration to be savoured, in David Miller's fully revised, nicely compiled release from TITAN BOOKS: A Life in Film - Peter Cushing.

Richly comprehensive (some of his lesser known films very well researched by the author), layered in an easy prose style, accompanied by a veritable wealth of fascinating behind the scenes material (featuring anecdotes from many of the actor's friends in front of and behind the camera, as well as previously unpublished correspondence from Cushing himself), rare colour and B/W photographs, poster art, magazine covers and behind the scenes material from far and wide, this fine, talented man, so loved by audiences, never got the true recognition and appreciation by the industry which I've always felt he deserved, though this book goes a long way in compensation-specially released to coincide with the centenary of his birth.

Cushing as Van Helsing, bringing light to the darkness of DRACULA. Image: HAMMER.

As the eccentric scientist Doctor Who in DOCTOR WHO AND THE DALEKS. Image: STUDIOCANAL.

Over thirty very special years from the fifties to the seventies, so many of us had gotten used to him playing ambitious, devious, sinister and sometimes cruel people in many of his star roles in age defying classics from the HAMMER and AMICUS horror stables, and for his thoroughly nasty and uncompromising role, brief but so effective, as STAR WARS world destroying Grand Moff Tarkin, but, in actuality, the real-life individual that was Peter Cushing was one of the nicest, friendliest, most thoughtful and charming of people you could ever meet, respecting of his co-stars and the behind the scenes teams around him. At home in the studio or the theatre, loving and enjoying of his craft. Indeed, beyond the villains, let's not forget the many kind and sympathetic heroes he played on screen, too, including highly successful film and TV turns as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective Sherlock Holmes, the definitve version of vampire Count Dracula's very human, often quick thinking nemesis, Doctor Van Helsing, and as the warm and eccentric grandfatherly interpretation of a more Earthbound DOCTOR WHO, for two very popular and colourful big screen adaptations of mid-sixties Dalekmania, now a firm fixture of our summer holiday weekend TV reruns for families of all ages to enjoy.

On television as Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Image: BBC.

As the cruel Grand Moff Tarkin in STAR WARS. Image: LUCASFILM LIMITED.

Everything you could ever want to know about Cushing is here, especially a fine section on his early career as an actor (and the many incredible rising stars he would be working with), his well-received stage work, entering the production mill of the British film industry at its peak, whilst alternating TV work, including many fine BBC dramas (especially Nigel Neale's and Rudolph Cartier's prestigious and chilling adaptation of George Orwell's terrifying vision of Earth's future: 1984), and his arrival into the gothic masterpieces of sex and violence, very strong for their day, that were the HAMMER HORROR films, followed by the more sublime but no less intriuging AMICUS films, many of which were anthology tales and saw Cushing playing an even more diverse range of roles. Into the mid-seventies and up to his death, he'd also enter the worlds of science fiction and fantasy, what with his aforementioned role in the world box office busting sci-fi/fantasy fable that was STAR WARS, and joining Doug McClure in an incredible journey fighting the underground monsters and villains that lay AT THE EARTH'S CORE. Busy right up to his sad passing in 1994, Cushing's work, never out of vogue and always finding new audiences and admirers, was the subject of many documentaries and interviews, whilst he himself continued being a true humanitarian, bringing his talents to numerous worthwhile efforts within his home grounds of Whitstable, Kent.

In between this fine and memorable body of work, we discover a lot more about Cushing beyond his acting, especially his devotion for his late wife, Helen, whose death in 1971 he never really recovered from. There are some very touching moments recalled here- theirs is one of the truest and most genuinely heart-breaking love stories you will ever find, adding further to our appreciation of the man-his mystique and his all-round genuine human decency.

Featuring an affectionate foreword from Cushing's HAMMER co-star Veronica Carlson, A Life in Film is a very worthy book that all fans of the actor will thoroughly enjoy, especially horror fans, who'll have plenty to get their teeth sunk into here.

KOOL TV RATING: 4.5 out of 5

Get hold of the book here: Peter Cushing: A Life in Film: Amazon.co.uk: David Miller: Books

TO CATCH A KILLER. 'SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE SILK STOCKING'

Holmes (Rupert Everett) and Watson (Ian Hart) tread the mean streets of early 20th Century London in SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE SILK STOCKING. Images: BBC.

A sexually sadistic serial killer with a taste for strangling young female victims with expensive silk stockings is lurking within the fog stricken streets of well-to-do Belgravia society, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary crime fighting hero with the most incredible deductive prowess, Sherlock Holmes, is reunited with his old and ever loyal friend Doctor John Watson, penetrating the cloud of fear and it’s blood streaked cobbled streets to investigate and bring to justice the cruelly vicious and diabolically killer at large, in the BBC’s ambitious and lavish-looking original feature-length production from 2004: SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE SILK STOCKING.

Bearing a sullen and laconic face, brimming with broody intent, and groomed to the best GQ male model standards in his Victorian England garb, with not a deerstalker or pipe in sight, popular actor/writer Rupert Everett may at first have been considered an unusual and unexpected choice for the part (the actor himself had turned down the BBC’s previous offer in playing the immortal character during an ultimately unsuccessful re-telling of the classic Hound of the Baskervilles-the main role of Holmes then played by Australian actor Richard Roxburgh), and he’s certainly not quite the commanding and dominant figure we were used to seeing as personified by the beloved Jeremy Brett, but Everett’s sometimes coldly clinical but no less determined spirit soon proves a worthy addition to the roster of actors to have inhabited the role over the years, and makes his sadly one-off story portrayal uniquely his own. First seen as a miserable and lonely figure smoking opium in some squalid den of vice, in order to ease his boredom and lack of criminal enterprise to fight and satiate through his mental agility (a common problem for the character in his entire literary and filmic life), Holmes downright egocentric, elitist posture and nature, both in real life as an actor/person and heightened in this particular interpretation of the Baker Street legend, make him a natural inside the story’s overall setting: the London elite of the early twentieth century, with the detective’s intuition and mental prowess soon back in action against a truly despicable foe.

Trailer: Sherlock Holmes Silk Stocking.mp4 - YouTube

Ian Hart as the sterling, slightly sneery and troubled brow Watson retains the dignity and bravery that Edward Hardwicke brought to the role for so many years on ITV, and works well opposite Everett’s Holmes. Here, Watson is an older, slightly wiser character, about to become happily married to the love of his life, American psychologist Mrs. Vandeleur, played by Helen McCrory, who equally impresses Holmes with her abilities and talented professional interests in the kind of sexual deviancy that the killer has been showing towards his victims.

Rupert Everett brings a darker and even more isolationist bearing to Holmes.

Alan Cubitt’s script develops the kind of dark side of London and building sexual overtones beyond anything Conan Doyle did in the books, but also generally keeps to the creator’s writing spirit, whilst director Simon Cellan Jones brings flair and atmosphere, and selects a strong supporting cast including film star-to-be Michael Fassbender and MIDSOMER MURDER”s Neil Dudgeon as Homes faithful id not always fully competent policing comrade, Lestrade.

There are attempts to freshen up and re-imagine certain aspects of the Sherlock Holmes legend, too- his aforementioned use of drugs is once more importantly shown- most of which work in the story’s favour. Holmes even seems to play the violin a little better these days!

More enjoyed at the time internationally than in the home grown UK, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE SILK STOCKING, indeed a UK/US co-production, may not be a major footnote in the TV career of the super sleuth, but its certainly an enjoyable and interesting one well worth catching if you’ve never seen it before...

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE SILK STOCKING is available on BBC DVD. It can also be seen on the UK"s VIRGIN MEDIA ON-DEMAND service.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE, FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES IT'S 'ELEMENTARY'!

Deductive duo Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu are on the case as the modern Holmes and Watson in ELEMENTARY. Image: CBS.

With no sign of a deer stalker or pipe to muse with, ELEMENTARY, Jonny Lee Miller's US take on the modern Sherlock Holmes, as previously given a fresh new spin of creative success in the UK courtesy of Benedict Cumberbatch's five parts brilliant, five parts nauseating portrayal of the Baker Street sleuth re-imagining, finally makes its anticipated debut on the UK's SKY LIVING HD from tonight.

As regular readers of the KOOL TV site will know, I'm strictly a classic Holmes kinda guy, but SHERLOCK was enjoyable enough, and ELEMENTARY, developed by Hollywood producing talent Rob Doherty (whose work includes STAR TREK; VOYAGER, as well as the quirky MEDIUM and TRU CALLING), looks similarly pleasing fare, albeit possessing the same kind of flashy, rapid and wonky storytelling visuals capable of sending viewers to the brink of insanity, a la many over the top CSI episodes! Away from Martin Freeman's meek but interesting performance as Watson, I think that the lovely Lucy Liu, playing Dr. Joan Watson, will prove to be the shows key asset, propping up Miller's relatively youthful performance, and providing a more spunky and seasoned incarnation of the Doctor (bearing tatoos no less!) than we've seen before. Intriguingly, Watson mark femme has an interesting character development to her bow, being a brilliant surgeon in exile after a previous patient death, and now acting as Holme's carer/companion as he's let loose within the streets of Manhattan to help the NYPD solve their most baffling cases. It's an intriguing change to the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's companion figure that will surely give this US version a noteworthy creative boost. I also look forward to seeing who will be the show's eventual Moriarty figure...

Trailer: Elementary Trailer Season 1 - YouTube

Early world on the opening episodes (involving a series of home invasion murders, a child abduction and the death of a Wall Street executive) confirm the aforementioned hectic pace, and a lively chemistry to the new TV pairing- big stared Miller giving a performance more lively and comparable to Downey Jr. than Cumberbatch- almost akin to the halcyon days of the bizarre investigated by Mulder and Scully from THE X-FILES, if not quite as compelling. Back here in Blighty, SHERLOCK's svengali Steven Moffatt, at work on what will be a long gestating third series of his own for the private investigator, need not have any worries that this long distance show will damage his own brand of "unique" storytelling, the overall Holmes franchise (oh, how I hate that word!) or the reputation of the Conan Doyle estate. Though whether ELEMENTARY will continue its adventures beyond it's premiere year on CBS is not yet known.

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS' TRIPLE PLAY SET

Victorious Victorians! Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS. Images: WARNER BROTHERS.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Out now on Triple Play Blu-ray, DVD and Ultra Violet Digital Copy

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Released by WARNER BROTHERS DVD  

Reviewed by Scott Weller

A battle of wits, of move and counter move, and a true game of shadows emerges for our long enduring hero of deduction and super-intelligence, Sherlock Holmes, originally created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and now breathed life into in his big-screen persona by the always amiable, played just this right side of all-knowing energetic charisma by the enthusiastic and crowd pleasing Robert Downey Jr., who takes the original version of the character and gives it a kind of shake-up experimentation that has proven to be cinematic gold, ably assisted by tweed suited Brit thesp Jude Law as Holmes best and really only loyal friend, the equally unique and stalwart Doctor John Watson, resisting the on-the-brink-of-insanity/genius of his comrade and often bringing him back to a much needed state of humanity after nefarious predilections for danger and excitement have passed. The character of Watson has now never been more important to Homes and viewers, and light years removed from the way that the role was perceived in a once traditional period as a lovable oaf/bumbling fool in earlier B/W incarnations.

Holmes and Watson are on the trail of a master criminal...

He previously had to contend with supernatural high jinx, with Mark Jones mysterious, seemingly death resistant gentleman of evil-like a Dracula without fangs- but now Holmes goes one step further in his criminal takedown: in pursuit of the true mastermind-“the Napoleon of Crime”- ultimately behind the first films insidious plot: a certain cane wielding gentleman named Moriarty…

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNxhpNpnAkk

Together against a formidable set of circumstances that will challenge and force them into the greatest of dangers, Holmes and Watson are caught in the deadliest of traps that will take them from their London comfort zone through to the cannon blasted trees of Germany and into Switzerland, for a dangerous new spin of the now infamous end to the literary Sherlock Holmes at the perilous precipice of the Reichenbach Falls. But can anyone really keep a good detective dead for too long? Certainly, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle couldn’t in the 1800’s: unable to escape the publics insatiable demand for the character and his adventures, and nether can the modern day film studios, whose box office receipts help keep them alive and well! God Bless You, Sherlock Holmes!

Trouble at a peace conference for Holmes and Madame Simza (Noomi Rapace)

Alongside our heroes, to both help and hinder, is a finely chosen international cast of the most hip ‘modern’ acting talent. Reaping the rewards of her critical and audience success as the gutsy and determined punk heroine, Lisbeth Salander, of Stieg Larsson’s gripping MILLENNIUM trilogy film adaptations, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace brings an intriguing air of mystery and quirky kookiness, along with a healthy dose of European attitude, in her supporting turn as the Gypsy Madame Simza, whom we first see as a fortuneteller in the seediest depths of London’s decadent Diogenes Club, though sadly she doesn’t have as much to do as I would have liked by film’s end, the part seemingly evaporating as it nears critical mass.

Completing the world of glamorous ladies present in the sequel, there’s also a brief cameo from Rachel McAdams as “the woman,” Irene Adler, whose intelligence and fortitude make her an individual of her gender beyond and belying of her times, after an equally enjoyable first appearance in the original 2009 movie, and who enjoys character dancing rings around the playful and admiring Sherlock, and a person almost his equal. But will her fortitude and strong will be enough to resist even Moriarty’s dangerous enterprises?

Captured by the "Napoleon of Crime", Moriarty (Jared Harris)

They say a hero is only as good as the opponent who challenges him and Jared Harris, as the films all-important villain, the equally iconic, darker flip side antagonist to Holmes: the black hearted opportunist of similarly keen intellectual prowess criminal mastermind, James Moriarty, is deliciously controlled, and quietly sadistic, giving the film’s heart a deliciously evil performance, making an impressive first appearance in Adler’s favourite safe house restaurant. Already adept at playing complex nasty’s, as seen with his work in the cult hit TV series FRINGE, Harris gives the material a bit of quality edge alongside the required cold-hearted villainy necessary to keep the film on course for a very satisfying conclusion and confrontation between two intellectual opposites, each desperately trying to outthink one another to their destruction.

Sherlock's just hanging around!

Better than anyone ever really expected it to be, the previous first film- SHERLOCK HOLMES-proved a resounding and delightful success with worldwide audiences, largely due to the performance of Robert Downey Jr., one lucky man who seems to be riding the highs of the Hollywood tropics right now, what with his additional and equally well-deserved success as millionaire industrialist/playboy Tony Stark and his metallic alter-ego of suited superhero Iron Man. A GAME OF SHADOWS continues that happy streak as the actor mixes the drama (Holmes skillful deduction and pitch perfect antagonism towards super-baddies) and the laughs (his newly initiated camouflage abilities and some hideous disguises) with skill. Though, Robert, a note for the next sequel: please don’t ever drag up again-it was waayyy too horrible!

Seemingly at times a suffering partner in crime, Law’s Watson is reluctant to join his friend in his cases due to his impeding nuptials with wife to be, Mary (Kelly Reilly) but soon gets down and dirty with his sleuthing adventurer partner and into the swing of things, as they try their darnedest to prevent the oncoming storm of a World War, whilst Mary herself loses her honeymoon and gets inadvertently involved in the oncoming danger, too, having now accepted the duo’s long-term “bromance” and giving up trying to rein her husband in, or telling Sherlock off for using her husband the way he does.

A real cannonball run for our heroes!

The kind of film that THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN could, and should, have been, Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney’s script amps up all the traditional and beloved Conan Doyle trademarks, characters, supporting friends, foes and classic moments for modern audiences to enjoy, and thankfully doesn’t take itself too seriously, either, but to its credit it also retains the necessary dangers and excitement to keep us wanting to find out what happens next between Holmes and Moriarty. In general, the plot is not quite so supernatural this time, with its stylish feet more welcomely grounded, possessing a kind of plausible unreality/reality to it all, perhaps a bit more cerebral, too, if you can call it that amongst all the pyrotechnics, bullet bangs and fist play that occurs every five minutes or so. Overall, it’s a spirited and splendid romp and an all too rare superior sequel, of which director Guy Ritchie gets great results from his aforementioned on-screen Downey/Law partnership, and keeps the visual flourishes afresh and intriguing, with the slow motion and high speed-up sequences of action and forensic flashbacks from the previous all-successful first Holmes movie, that had been so lively and enjoyable, reused to great effect, alongside action sequences and effects both exciting and cool whilst maintaining a consistent high standard.

Aiding Ritchie’s gaslight, garters and gunplay world is some lovely cinematography from Philippe Rousselot evocatively bringing out the Victorian era’s imperfect balance of decadence and poverty, moving into a new era of technology, scientific innovation and dark weaponry, through a nostalgic and relatively believable lens, keeping the tradition of the visual kind that previous Holmes movies liked to create and rely on, if here a little more stylized. Reliable composer Hans Zimmer also returns to his memorable themes of the last film using the unique instruments that keep to the period, alongside a few new additions, that tonally keeps the eardrums happy alongside the eye candy.

London's finest: Holmes and Watson.

On the extras side, the Blu-ray release has enough interactivity to keep the entertainment going long after watching the movie, most notably with the superb Robert Downey Jr. hosted behind the scenes interactive look/commentary for the film. The actors knowledge, charm and humour shine throughout in his role here as visual guardian of the movie, talking informatively and happily about all the kind of behind the scenes anecdotes and information you want to hear, alongside well integrated behind the scenes clips, cast and crew interviews, storyboards and photos as the film plays. It’s another triumph for the film and WARNER HOME VIDEO’s behind the scenes team and perfect complements the on-screen work of 221B Baker Street’s accomplished and indelible hero resident!

Delivering a deftly coordinated punch to the solar plexus of the entertainment bone, SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is another intriguing variation of the detective legend and a great treat for movie audiences of all ages, which looks absolutely stunning in Blu-ray. It had some knocks from critics with its original theatrical release, but I say balderdash to all that and think it's definitely worth adding to your collection this summer. (And why not read and enjoy the original and wonderful Arthur Conan Doyle stories that inspired it at the same time!)

KOOL TV RATINGS

MOVIE: 8.5 out of 10

BLU-RAY EXTRAS: 8.5 out of 10

Get SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sherlock-Holmes-Shadows-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B004OC006Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340985123&sr=8-1