SherlockHolmes
PBS, BBC Rebooting 'Sherlock Holmes'
Reboots are all the rage these days -- and Sherlock Holmes, well, he's pretty popular too. According to the Hollywood Reporter, PBS is teaming with BBC to bring 'Sherlock Holmes' back to the small screen.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of last December's 'Sherlock Homes' movie, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the intrepid detective and Jude Law as his faithful sidekick, Dr. Watson.
Unlike the movie, however, the TV series will feature an actual English actor as Sherlock Holmes: Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured), who will be putting on the deerstalker cap and moving into 221B Baker Street when the show premieres. Meanwhile, Martin Freeman (U.K.'s 'The Office'; 'Hot Fuzz') will star as Dr. Watson.
PBS Launching New Sherlock Holmes
BBC Worldwide and PBS have decided that it's time for a new 'Sherlock Holmes.' The 1984 series, which ran ten years and 41 episodes, had Jeremy Brett as Sherlock and is still widely regarded as the best Holmes since Basil Rathbone's incarnation in the movies, but after the success of Guy Ritchie's kinetic Robert Downey Jr. version last Christmas, the people in a position to make things happen are ready to give us a 21st century variation on Holmes and Watson and 221B Baker Street.Thus far the casting is promising. Martin Freeman, who is best known as the British version of Jim in the UK 'The Office,' will play Dr. Watson. In the role of Sherlock, the actor chosen is named Benedict Cumberbatch. That's a great name for an actor cast as Holmes; it just sounds so British. But Benedict also has the look of a Holmes, and he was in 'Atonement' and was nominated for a BAFTA playing Stephen Hawking in a BCC drama.
Right now on Cinematical
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- You may think that basing a movie on a parenting handbook called, Eat, Sleep, Poop is a bad idea, but Mean Girls was based on Queen Bees and Wannabees, which was basically a parenting handbook for older kids. And Mean Girls is awesome.
- We're in the middle of awards season now, and some critics think that Paul Rudd was overlooked for his contribution to the film, I Love You Man. Who do you think should have been on stage accepting an award?
- There is a large contingent of the moviegoing population who watched the new Sherlock Holmes and wished that Holmes and Watson took their relationship to the next level. They kind of get their wish in Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
- As a huge Veronica Mars and Kristen Bell fan, I want to believe that When In Rome is a good movie. However, the evidence suggests otherwise. You can read Cinematical's review of When In Rome, here.
- Is Edge of Darkness going to be Mel Gibson's comeback film? Read what Cinematical thinks about it here.
How did Ricky Gervais do as Golden Globes host?
When I talked with Ricky Gervais a few weeks ago, he said his game plan as host of the Golden Globes was to keep things rolling and have fun with it. He also said comedians are "meant to push the barriers a little bit and see what happens."He definitely pushed a few barriers on the Golden Globes last night, taking potshots at Paul McCartney's marital troubles, Kiefer Sutherland's anger management issues, and Angelina Jolie's penchant for adopting children from Third World countries (too much, given the dire crisis in Haiti?)
Even Mel Gibson's alcohol troubles came up. Gervais appeared on stage drinking a beer as he introduced his next presenter. "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is ... Mel Gibson."
Overall, Gervais' hosting skills fell a little flat for me. Next year, I suggest that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association consider Robert Downey Jr. as host of the Golden Globes. His Best Actor speech for Sherlock Holmes was inspired, funny and charming.
How do you think Ricky Gervais did as host?
Sherlock's movie success harks back to Brett's glory days
The new action-oriented reboot of Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. is making a killing at the box office -- and rightfully so. It stays true enough to its source material while injecting just enough quirky energy into Holmes' world to update the franchise.But, here's hoping the movie's success leads some folks back to rediscover the single greatest production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories -- the Granada and PBS Sherlock Holmes series of the 80s.
To most Holmes fans, Jeremy Brett (right) was the perfect actor playing the role he was born to fill. He had the look, the voice and the mannerisms most readers envisioned when reading "The Red Headed League" or "The Speckled Band."
What's Hot on SlashControl: The Private Lives of Sherlock Holmes
The Private Lives of Sherlock Holmes is directed by Billy Wilder and stars Robert Stephens as the great detective, with Colin Blakely playing Dr. Watson. It was released in 1970 and finds a bored Holmes eagerly taking the case of Gabrielle Valladon (Genevieve Page) after an attempt on her life. The search for her missing husband leads to Loch Ness and the legendary monster. That Holmes gets around, doesn't he?
I really enjoyed the current film playing in theaters. Although the plot drags a bit, no detail was missed in the setting or clothing from that era (late 1800s in London). Do you have a favorite version of Sherlock Holmes? Or do none of the TV or film versions stand up to the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
What's Hot on Inside Movies: Weekend Box Office and A Little 'Heart and Souls'
There's a forecast of the weekend's box office and it looks pretty darn good, for Hollywood's sake. Expect the other-worldly success of 'Avatar' to continue, along with strong showings for 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakuel' and 'Sherlock Holmes.' Inside Movies deduces a strong $350 total box office 'Avatar' by the end of the weekend. On the low end, a measly $4 mil for 'Nine.'
Right now on Cinematical
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- Around this time of year, it's always good to get the kids out of the house. But is taking them to go see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel a worthwhile family adventure?
- If chipmunks aren't up your alley, Cinematical talks about the best family films of the decade.
- I love going to see a movie over the holidays, but this year I'm in the Outer banks with the family and the local movie theater has actually closed for the season. So while I would really like to see Sherlock Holmes, I can't. I can, however, read Cinematical's Sherlock Holmes review here.
- We have been watching a lot of DVDs though, including The Hangover, which is on Cinematical's Blu-Ray/DVD shopping guide.
- One of the movies I'm looking forward to the most is Cop Out, the Tracy Morgan/ Bruce Willis cop movie, directed by Kevin Smith. It was originally supposed to be called, A Couple of Dicks, but in any case, it finally has a trailer.
What's Hot on Inside Movies: Top 10 Performances of the Decade and More
And the best performance in the decade goes to ... well, you have to see for yourself in Moviefone's Inside Movie's Top 10 best actors, actresses, supporting actors and supporting actresses lists. It's sure to spark a conversation or two.Also on Inside Movies, take a look at the red-band trailer for the upcoming Michael Cera film 'Youth in Revolt.' It's a different Cera, that's for sure. What happened to the nice kid we used to know?
What's Hot on Inside Movies: 'Sex & the City 2' Trailer, Taylor Lautner More Than a Werewolf, Peter Jackson Disappoints
Christmas is almost here, and there's no better time to schedule a movie marathon than on your extra long weekend. So take a break from your TV screen and visit our friends at Inside Movies to find out what's happening in Hollywood. It's almost time to get your cosmopolitans and Manolos ready: The 'Sex & the City 2' trailer has been released! We've heard rumors of break-ups, cheating and pregnancy but the trailer isn't hinting in that direction at all. Instead the girls are back after two years and sporting a very desert chic look. It looks like the ladies are taking a trip to Morocco.
Jude Law Beats Jimmy Fallon for Poor Performance as Sherlock Holmes (VIDEO)
On 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,' host Jimmy Fallon showed why he wasn't the final choice to play the titular character in Guy Ritchie's upcoming movie 'Sherlock Holmes.'In mock footage from the movie, Fallon mumbled lines and dropped modern colloquialisms alongside Jude Law as Dr. Watson, receiving a punch to the face from Law each time.
Watch the video after the jump.
Sherlock Holmes will save Seth MacFarlane

Well, Apple didn't take my suggestion to replace Microsoft as the new sponsor of Seth MacFarlane's comedy special. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stepped up. Actually, it's Warner Bothers Pictures' Sherlock Holmes that'll sponsor the MacFarlane variety special.
Microsoft backed out of Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show when they caught a run through of the program and objected to the humor. Goodness only knows what they thought they were getting with Seth, but it's all water under the bridge now.
Right now on Cinematical
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their latest musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- The excitement for Watchmen continues to grow. Check out the latest trailer.
- Writing for this site, I've had to deal with my share of rabid spoilerphobes. This video right here? It's enough to make their heads explode: 100 movie spoilers in 4 minutes.
- The cute, indie Nick and Norah with their playlists and their hoodies wasn't the first Nick and Nora(h) to grace the big screen. Cinematical takes a look back at the Nick and Nora who started it all, from The Thin Man.
- I had completely forgotten that Chris Cornell did the theme for Casino Royale. Yikes. See if your favorite is on the Cinematical (Double-O) Seven list of best Bond theme songs.
- I'm very curious about the upcoming Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr.? Count me in. Find out more from Cinematical's set visit.
Monk: Mr. Monk's 100th Case
(S07E07) Too often when a show reaches an anniversary, like say 100 episodes, the producers feel the need to mark the occasion with an extraordinary entry. That was what happened with Monk. To commemorate the 100th episode, they created Mr. Monk's 100th Case, and using a show within a show format, celebrated Adrian Monk, a modern day Sherlock Holmes. San Francisco's defective detective
Thank goodness it all worked! I was afraid we were going to get a clip-laden, down-memory-lane type of show with nothing remotely intriguing. No, writer Tom Scharpling and company were more clever than that.
The eight greatest TV private eyes
Welcome to TV Squad Lists (formerly 'The Five'), a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
OK, so yesterday I gave my list of the Five Greatest Police Detectives, and several readers gave their lists. Today I thought I'd do the other end of the invesitgation spectrum, private eyes, amateur sleuths and other investigators. This list was even hard to do. So many great characters.
1. Spenser (Robert Urich): I picked this Boston-based private eye because he seemed to be a great mix of brain and brawn. The type of guy who could go to the ratty gym and knock around some boxer and then go off to a fancy Beacon Hill cafe and have coffee with his girlfriend and talk about politics or literature. He was smart, clever, caring, a wiseass, and ridiculously moral. What else do you want in a private eye?
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