Jun. 11, 2009 at 1:46pm
The CloserKyra SedgwickJ.K. SimmonsJK SimmonsCorey ReynoldsRobert GossettG.W. BaileyGW BaileyGina RaveraJon TenneyPhillip P. KeenePhillip P KeeneRaymond CruzCrimeDramaMysteryPoliceDetectiveDeputy Chief Brenda JohnsonBrenda JohnsonTVReviewTNT
The Closer Having been nominated for a slew of awards since it came on the air (and scoring lead actress Kyra Sedgwick a Golden Globe in early 2007), The Closer has been popular with critics and fans alike. There are no exploding buildings, but the drama produced here is every bit as thrilling as the usual big displays of action. Kyra Sedgwick is brilliant as the soft-spoken Brenda. The deputy chief knows her strengths and, more importantly, she knows people. What unnerves criminals - and audiences - is the calculated game she plays. Brenda’s all smiles and polite chit-chat, but there’s never a doubt she’s working some angle. There are no exploding buildings, but the drama produced here is every bit as thrilling as the usual big displays of action. A tight police drama the way it should be made.Minh Nguyen

The Closer

Having been nominated for a slew of awards since it came on the air (and scoring lead actress Kyra Sedgwick a Golden Globe in early 2007), The Closer has been popular with critics and fans alike.

There are no exploding buildings, but the drama produced here is every bit as thrilling as the usual big displays of action. Kyra Sedgwick is brilliant as the soft-spoken Brenda. The deputy chief knows her strengths and, more importantly, she knows people. What unnerves criminals - and audiences - is the calculated game she plays. Brenda’s all smiles and polite chit-chat, but there’s never a doubt she’s working some angle.

There are no exploding buildings, but the drama produced here is every bit as thrilling as the usual big displays of action. A tight police drama the way it should be made.

Minh Nguyen

Mar. 6, 2009 at 11:31am
Agatha Christie,Miss MarpleGeraldine McEwanRichard E GrantMurder MysteryTVAdaptationDetectiveBookNovel
Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple - NemesisThe diminutive Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) again finds herself in the thick of murder, scandal and gossip. Just how much homicide and mayhem can one lady take? Plenty, it seems.Nemesis begins with Marple receiving a proposition from an old friend, Mr. Rafiel - who happens to have recently died. A message from the grave - how ominous! No need to panic, though, as this is Agatha Christie, so there’s nothing too supernatural about it. The message Rafiel leaves amounts to vague instructions warning about possible future crimes. Armed with the prophecies of (possible) wrongdoings, Marple embarks on a mystery coach tour, accompanied by her nephew (Richard E. Grant).Marple, dark warnings and a coach - it doesn’t get more formulaic than that. But this kind of cliched style has always been Christie’s trademark. The reason audiences come back for more is the way in which the expected is made unexpected.Geraldine McEwan as the titular Miss Marple is the picture of fragile docility. And yet, with just one look, one inflection in tone, she’s able to create an uneasy air of menace.Elitists might snub Christie’s material, but there’s no denying the work’s disarming genius. While it diverts and entertains so effortlessly, there’s also an intricate tapestry being woven in the background.

Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple - Nemesis

The diminutive Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) again finds herself in the thick of murder, scandal and gossip. Just how much homicide and mayhem can one lady take? Plenty, it seems.

Nemesis begins with Marple receiving a proposition from an old friend, Mr. Rafiel - who happens to have recently died. A message from the grave - how ominous! No need to panic, though, as this is Agatha Christie, so there’s nothing too supernatural about it. The message Rafiel leaves amounts to vague instructions warning about possible future crimes. Armed with the prophecies of (possible) wrongdoings, Marple embarks on a mystery coach tour, accompanied by her nephew (Richard E. Grant).

Marple, dark warnings and a coach - it doesn’t get more formulaic than that. But this kind of cliched style has always been Christie’s trademark. The reason audiences come back for more is the way in which the expected is made unexpected.

Geraldine McEwan as the titular Miss Marple is the picture of fragile docility. And yet, with just one look, one inflection in tone, she’s able to create an uneasy air of menace.

Elitists might snub Christie’s material, but there’s no denying the work’s disarming genius. While it diverts and entertains so effortlessly, there’s also an intricate tapestry being woven in the background.