desert_vixen's lair

 MV and I went and saw the 2017 Murder on the Orient Express last night.  I give it a 6/10.

 Pros: Gorgeous visuals and photography - the settings are exquisitely done and there is a sense of the train as a character.  Some casting choices (Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr.) are very good. 

 It's not bad, but I feel like the credits should have "Based on the title by Agatha Christie"...

 Cons: Changes to plot that didn't really work for me.  Some casting choices OR lack of screen time (Kenneth Branagh isn't great as Poirot.  Judi Dench does not get enough time.)

 Without further ado, let's move onto the specifics.  Spoilers lurk and I'm going to assume that you have read the book.  (Yes, I took notes.)

DV

 So last night I watched the adaptation of Thirteen at Dinner with Peter Ustinov as Poirot, and Faye Dunaway as the killer.  Even though they once again transported it to the 1980s, it was pretty smashing.

 Faye Dunaway was excellent, and I've always liked the stories that hinge on doubles. 

 Plus, after the initial shock of seeing him in the role for the first time, David Suchet rocked as Inspector Japp.  He helped make the movie.

 Today, I started watching my David Suchet-as-Poirot DVDs, with high hopes.  I was not disappointed.

 First up was After The Funeral.  Yes, I like books that have families with issues.  I was pretty well pleased with this one - casting was good, and the changes made to the storyline weren't too bad (I don't remember if George and Susan had something going on - but I think in the book Susan was married).  The major plot points were nicely done, and the changes didn't have me annoyed.  The switch of Helen's son's paternity was different, but it worked.  I particularly liked Robert Bathurst as the solicitor, and found him pretty attractive, in a solid sort of way.  They also nicely preserved the killer's motivation and made you feel for her... almost.

 Second, Cards on the Table.  One of my favorite books, and I thought the adaptation was nicely done.  There were significant changes, apparently, but approved by the estate of Agatha Christie.  I'd like to read the book again and confirm my own feelings.  I very much liked Zoe Wanamaker as Ariadne Oliver, and thought she captured her perfectly.  I didn't mind Tristan Gemmill as  Major Despard, but he seemed like he would have fit right in several of my Regencies.  And I enjoyed the swimming scene quite a bit - not just the dripping wet part, but the whole stripping down to shirtsleeves and losing the tie, and the dive - nicely done.  

 However, I must say - hello, obvious homosexual overtones (which I don't quite recall in the book).  It played well into one plot point they flipped around, but the other seemed a touch gratuitous.

 Third, Mystery of the Blue Train.  This one I was okay with the book, and I think I liked the DVD a bit more.  It had some definite changes, but for the best, I think.  I'm not a big Elliot Gould fan, and this didn't help.  This one also had fabulous music.

 However, major complaint: they've cut 9 minutes of each episode for American TV (one of the cuts in Cards on the Table had a vital clue for those of us playing along at home, I think).

 I wish they'd put out a soundtrack CD.  Mystery of the Blue Train has a nice version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" that I wouldn't mind having.

 DV

I am watching it now, and trying not to roll out of my chair laughing at some of the jokes.

It's obvious Seth McFarlane has a deep and abiding love for Star Wars.

Also, the political jokes are cute, like the Bush/Cheney bumper sticker on the Imperial Cruiser.

For the purists, Han shoots first...

Okay, except for the creepy old guys (and the required lightsaber analogy that I think every Star Wars parody has used) and the couch sequence.

Only now I want to watch the trilogy and there's football playoffs tomorrow!

DV