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TammyServo
Reviews
Being Human (2011)
SYFY's Sad Version of a Superior "Original" Series
This is so typical of SYFY. It announced over and over that this was a new and "Original" SYFY series. I don't think so!! What they actually did was take a popular series from the BBC, use the same title and basic characters....but then hire so many untalented actors, directors and you name it. What's left is yet another cheaply made series that couldn't hold my attention past the first half-hour (I did watch it to write this review).
SYFY has become the Lifetime Channel for science fiction! Just churning out one cheaply made series or movie after another. However unlike most, they can save even more money because they can't load this one with really lousy CGI (special effects).
Just remember....this is the channel that gave us an "original" movie with flying fish the size of New York that take down a Jet in flight!
Marple: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2009)
Julia McKenzie does well in skewed "Evans"
Like her predecessor Geraldine McEwan, the new Miss Marple, Julia McKenzie, has a great deal to overcome. The main issue is the skewed adaptation of Agatha Christie's original. While I do love Christie and Miss Marple, I'm actually getting a great deal of enjoyment out of this series. Yes, it's NOT Miss Marple to the word, and "Evans" never was a Marple Story. I read the book a few months ago and in my opinion, that book wasn't one of Christie's best. It's not a biggie with me that they've placed Miss Marple in it or they've made changes to the story. I simply enjoy watching mysteries made in England and set in other time periods. There's murder without buckets of blood and tons of gore on the screen, like we get here in the states. They murder each other while being beautifully dressed and serving tea and scones. Miss Marple cuts below the facade and gets her man.....or woman. She does't drop a stitch either. All in a day's work.
Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye (2008)
Julia McKenzie shines in "Pocketful of Rye"
Julia McKenzie makes her debut as Miss Marple in a finely tuned Agatha Christie story. Not only is McKenzie very good as the village amateur sleuth, but the story is terrific and a close adaptation to the original book. I noticed some recognizable faces including Matthew Macfayden (MI-5), as the Inspector. Although I recognized the name, I had to double-check that it was actually the late Wendy Richards (Are you Being Served?) as Mrs. Crump. McKenzie makes a more intellectual, sympathetic and serious Miss Marple in her tailored suit and sensible shoes. I've read almost all of Christie's books in the past few years and think she's perfectly fine in the role, if not a tad youngish. I'm looking forward to the next episodes. From the previews there will be the usual non-Marple stories in the mix, but I've learned to keep an open mind.