A HAUNTING IN VENICE

A HAUNTING IN VENICE

Nov 19, 2022 | MOVIES, MOVIES

If I say A haunting in Venice what do you think?

Curiosity, enthusiasm, and even a little bit of awe, for me.

What happens when several things you particularly like add up by blending together?

The perfect recipe.

Though the risk increases because the expectation is high.

And I would say that this is definitely the case with A Haunting in Venice i.e., the new movie coming out in 2023 that will see Kenneth Branagh acting under the quintessential mustache: those of Hercule Poirot. 

The first element that strikes me: Venice!

“My” Venice, you know by now.

But which Queen Agatha book are we talking about?

A Haunting in Venice grew out of Hallowe’en party, a book published in 1969. 

Shall we read together a few lines from the first two pages?

Or we can listen to

Agatha Christie therefore brings us back to the subject of All Saints. 

But … Venice?

In a statement shared with the press, Branagh said, “This development of the character of Hercule Poirot, as well as the Agatha Christie franchise is based on a complex and little-known mystery story set on Halloween in a pictorially enchanting city...”

The screenplay is by Michael Green, among his work I would recall Blade Runner 2049 just to get your thoughts.

20th Century Studios described the adaptation, written by Michael Green, as a disturbing supernatural thriller in which Poirot, now retired in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, reluctantly attends a séance in a decaying, haunted mansion, during which one of the guests is murdered. The detective thus finds himself in a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

Certainly quite a leap of imagination from Woodleigh Common …  but if it’s jumping to Venice … we trust!

By the way, Kenneth Branagh decided to start filming right on Halloween leaving one doubt: the cast has been announced, but for now we can only speculate what the roles will be.

Do you want to give it a try?

Kyle Allen
Camille Cottin
Jamie Dorman
Tina Fey
Jude Hill
Ali Khan
Emma Laird
Kelly Reilly
Riccardo Scamarcio
Michelle Yeoh

AND THE WINNER IS …

AND THE WINNER IS …

Nov 19, 2022 | WHO CARES

Surprise: the result of the survey reveals that Kenneth Branagh wins over the other interpreters of the great Hercule Poirot.

I take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE for sharing opinions and comments that I take into consideration with attention and interest in the teachings they contain.

IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER POIROT POLL

IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER POIROT POLL

Mar 20, 2021 | BOOKS, MOVIES

Luckily it was reported to me in time and for this I thank you: otherwise I would have missed the vision of John Malkovich in the role of Hercule Poirot.

Have you seen it?
It aired on Paramount: a BBC Series from the original title ABC murders based on the homonymous book by Queen Agatha Christie.

The first major change is the removal of Captain Hastings in favor of the introduction of Inspector Crome played by none other than Rupert Grint.

But perhaps it is the references to Poirot’s past that result in a “truly unsettling” ending (I quote verbatim) that clash more than the character we have come to know through the books.

In reality the atmosphere itself is completely dark and in itself I like it.

The problem is that I didn’t feel like I was “seeing” an Agatha Christie mystery.

But I know very well that I am not sufficiently clear-headed and objective on the subject, so I ask you: what do you think?

To me, John Malkovich’s Poirot seemed folded in on itself, there is no famous pride of his Belgian being, there are no characteristic pince-nez nor the bearing that I have always imagined.

It is true that the expressions that John Malkovich manages to give are very suitable for this more intimate and humanly introspective dimension.

One thing is certain: the poll on the favorite Poirot should be re-launched, or not?

COFFEE IN ENGLAND ALWAYS TASTES LIKE A CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT Agatha Christie

COFFEE IN ENGLAND ALWAYS TASTES LIKE A CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT Agatha Christie

Aug 27, 2020 | BOOKS, MOVIES, BOOKS, MOVIES

An entire blog should be dedicated to the one who is the absolute Queen, just to express that minimum of admiration and esteem She deserves.

But to remain in our space-time measure of coffee in the meantime, I would start from the bottom: that is, from the trailer for the next Death on the Nile. Have you already seen it?

Needless to say, I am very curious, not to mention that as soon as I heard the first notes of Policy of Truth  a standing ovation was triggered.

Unfortunately I haven’t been to many concerts but Depeche Mode in Milan in the 80s was a big yes.

But let’s go back to Death on the Nile: we can consider this one as the third version after the film with Peter Ustinov in 1978 and Poirot on the Nile in 2004 with David Suchet.

I’d say Kenneth Branagh feels comfortable playing the detective born from the pen of Agatha Christie if he’s decided to replicate after Murder on the Orient Express.

Yet Hercule Poirot is a very particular character, apparently uncomfortable I would say, and in general I would never have associated him with Branagh even if I consider him very good. Maybe because I have always perceived him as very English and as a Shakespearean actor par excellence.

Moreover, in Murder on the Orient Express, in my opinion Kenneth Branagh’s proof became even more complicated with the presence of Johnny Depp: since he is possessed by the spirit of Jack Sparrow he has accustomed us to caricature roles such as Lone Ranger, Dark Shadows, not to mention Mortdecai, who, as far as I’m concerned, caused the question “why is Depp Ratchett and not Poirot?”

To tell the truth, however, Branagh’s mustache, for how exaggerated it may seem, is more faithful to the mustache described by Agatha Christie, isn’t it?

So, leaving aside interpretations that have not left their mark such as those of Albert Finney, Tony Randall, Austin Trevor and Alfred Molina, who is your favorite Poirot?

Peter Ustinov, David Suchet or Kenneth Branagh?

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