Mystery overseas

Shinzanmono is a modern day crime drama that is sure to please for many Poirot and Sherlock fans. Ten episodes centre on ONE murder, as each episode/segment peels back the lies and motives of the people in Nihonbashi, Tokyo through deduction and logic.

Although Korean and South American television and cinema have been on an upward climb in both quality and originality, I've found Japan's recent releases to be lacking. (Yes.. yes... Departures was great.. but that's ONE in a particular year, and I haven't seen a Studio Ghibli picture in years).

Japan normally specializes in a large array of horror, animation, scientific dramas and popular psychological contests of will (Liar Game, Death Note) adapted from manga. Shinzanmono has a subtler touch, with the occasional strange cultural differences in humour and technique from its Western counterparts.

"In the Ningyo-cho area of Nihonbashi, Tokyo – a woman was murdered. Detective Kaga Kyoichiro, who just transferred to the Nihonbashi police precinct, is placed in charge of the murder case. With virtually the entire residents of Ningyo-cho’s shopping street emerging as suspects, Detective Kaga must use his keen sense of deductive reasoning to uncover the truth … ."

Part 1 here

Holmes

Oy! I don't know how I missed this, but BBC released a version of Sherlock in July and August this year! What is this?? Three ninety minute dramas with fresh new faces??? Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson). Will be on PBS Masterpiece soon...

Episode 1: A Study in Pink

Episode 2: The Blind Banker

Episode 3: The Great Game

Interesting... must find online links....

Sometimes I really think Norman Jewison hit the nail on the head. Film is really going to the dogs and the television format is the future. With Game of Thrones, Boardwalk, The Borgias and Terra Nova... not to mention all the great shows already airing.. it makes you wonder why we all spend $15 for an overpriced bag of popcorn and bubble gum remakes.

If you have a particularly gifted producer / creative head, a few productions manage to select exceptionally appropriate and phenomenal music. Azure Ray's music was a great find...

Strange thing when you watch television shows you don't understand?? I've managed to find quite a few bands from Asia, Sweden.. and even North America which I wouldn't necessarily have found. I may not understand one word of it, but the enjoyment of music is universal.

TV finds..

Tearliner, The Avalanches, Adele Erichsen, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, L'Arc en Ciel, Bluedawn, X Japan, Tokio Hotel, Mika

Sherlock case files

Around the late 80s to early 90s Granada Productions created a number of Sherlock Holmes mysteries starring Jeremy Brett and David Burke / Edward Hardwicke, not all that different from David Suchet for Poirot. I'm not going to bother adding the other sections since part 1 will link to part 2 and so forth. Links in orange... Enjoy!

The Hound of Baskervilles Part 1

Devil's Foot Part 1

The Greek Interpreter Part 1

Wisteria Lodge part 1

The Dancing Men part 1

The Empty House part 1

The Norwood Builder Part 1

The Speckled Band Part 1

The Second Stain Part 1

The Sign of Four Part 1

The Eligible Bachelor Part 1

A great deal of people love, and I do mean love the 1976 film version of Sherlock Holmes, The Seven Per-Cent Solution starring Alan Arkin, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Duvall, Nicol Williamson and Laurence Olivier. Wow, now that's a stellar cast.

Mystery collection pt. 1

Sherlock Holmes: the Hound of the Baskervilles made in 2002 starring Richard Roxburgh and the fantastic Richard E. Grant, starting with part 1 link here.

I also previously mentioned the 2004 version of Sherlock Holmes: Case of the Silk Stocking starring Rupert Everett, Michael Fassbender, and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War) sibling Perdita Weeks. Here's a sneak peak. If you want it... your local library will likely have it... or you may have to fork out the cash.