LordWimsey

A good film, as actually all of the show are, though it is quite simple to guess who the murderer is. It only needed five minutes to know who. But still recommendable.

A very old-fashioned club of photographers, who don't use any kind of digital, modern devices, is shaken by some murders. All evidences for the murderer, however, refer to Barnaby himself...

It is quite funny because it seems as if the episodes about pictures always deal with an Inspector Barnaby who isn't allowed to investigate after it seems to be clear that he could have been responsible for the murders. But he is still not discouraged to carry on. The same happened in an earlier episode, "Painted in Blood", with Sergeant Troy, which also turned out to be amusing. The people, who instead investigate then, are, of course, entirely incompetent to solve the murders.

This time, the plot is set in one of the many, uncountable villages of Midsomer, around several photographers who fight against digitalisation (or at least some of them). The time stopped a long time ago, more old-fashioned would never be possible. However, it could be seem as a pity that the conflict about the course of time and their views is not fully solved.

I had often heard people talking about this film, sometimes described as a bad one, sometimes described as a kind of must-see. So I watched it this year and am, actually, positively surprised or at least it wasn't as bad as I sometimes heard. Poor little Kevin is left alone at his home, his family have forgotten him on flight to Paris to celebrate Christmas. But while enjoying the being all alone, some shrewd burglars make his street unsafe...

Yes, it is sometimes chaotic and illogical and reminds, as some critics say, in cartoons that wouldn't work in a real film. Yet, Kevin acts like a creative and inventive boy to defend his family's house. It is funny and you should have seen it once.

I really admire all the films with Meryl Streep. They're always so expressive, with such strong plots and extraordinary elements of comedy and drama. I never get bored. The same with this film, this time starring Meryl Streep with Roseanne Barr as devoted wife of a financial investigator. Meryl as the author Mary Fisher enjoys her pompous life living in a seaside villa; Roseanne as slightly overweight Ruth Patchett almost enjoys her insignificant life until she and her husband meet Mary Fisher. And her husband starts an affair with Mary. That's the end for Ruth, and she avenges...

Above all, the ideas she has to destroy the career, the family, the house and the liberty of her husband is impressive, so furious. In addition, the biting humour and her gift of inconspicuousness and friendliness she uses to manipulate the people around her can convince and impress everyone who has a sense for comedy or especially black comedy like this one.

The very only thing what could have been changed in my opinion is the end. It seems a very little flat and it wasn't really what I would (or would not) have expected. But what could have been changed there? ;)

I was a little surprised when I watched the film this year because I had heard that it was a kind of comedy film. But I wouldn't say it is that funny what I expected (I also don't expect it to be funny) That's why I was first a little disappointed about the film. It started charming and calming, however, where was the comedy? And then I found out that it was about much more than only comedy. It is the story about a love, the deep love on Christmas and the Christmas father and the belief in him. The part of Mr Kris Kringle (with K, ;) ) underlines a natural picture of the Christmas father we know and he has a heart for children. For example, the little Susan whose part as a clever, happy girl is simply enchanting. This is the amusing part of the story. Then, there are the opponents of Kringle, who meanwhile works in a department store as Santa Claus. But even in process he can maintain his charm and trust in the help of Susan.

I can't say if the remake is better than the original film from the 1940s as some reviewers have claimed. But I like the film, it is not a comedy film but still amusing. ;)

This is really one of my favourite episodes of Midsomer Murders. Actually all Barnaby films are really good and I really enjoy this fantastic TV show. Above all I like the cases that are connected with the past. And this is such one.

The talented, successful young pianist Zoe takes part in a piano competition by the famous pianist Sir Michael. He is looking for young talents for his Master Class. But having won the competition and then being a part of Sir Michael's selection, she is suddenly confronted with her past - or what seems to be her past although she had nothing to do with the strange experiences before. Near Sir Michael's estate she sees a young woman running to a river where she drowns herself. However, Inspector Barnaby and his team don't find anything there...

This is really one of the mysterious cases that reminds me of the earlier episodes somehow. It is filled up with many occurrences; Barnaby soon finds out that something very bad happened about 20 years ago. And soon the first murders take place. It is almost shocking what is hidden behind all those murders and once again the TV show clarifies human abysses. I mean how could it have been done?

In conclusion, a very thrilling episode.

The dancer Myrna Fergusson is obviously shot by gangsters. But as the police arrives her body is disappeared. Myrna was a former part of a group of drug traffickers. After her arrival in London, Myrna's sister Danny from Australia is called by the mysterious photographer David Armstrong who is later shot by a mysterious sniper as well...

This is one of my favourite Egar Wallace films. The plot is only set in London, there are many great buildings to see, which is not day-to-day for the German Edgar Wallace films. It is also a pleasure that Sir John is featured once again! The music is also very impressive. Composer Peter Thomas composed a thrilling harp-theme, accompanied by a brass section, the harp can be heard in the whole film over and over again. The theme entirely fits to the atmosphere of the town London as a capital. As a town in one of its busy days. Let's say: only with some murders. It is a very beautiful harp theme. Well, sometimes the plot could have been quicker.

Inspector Craig (Hansjörg Felmy) walks as if he would just need some money for a new radiator.

This quote above was once published by the film reviewer and Edgar Wallace film expert Joachim Kramp, who also wrote some books about the Edgar Wallace films. I think this could be right, but I wouldn't prefer an Edgar Wallace film that is too quick. That wouldn't be suitable. Crime thrillers needn't always to be hard or brutal, the plot in general is important.

I can just recommend that film!

I am a fan of the Edgar Wallace films from Germany. But I really don't like this one. It may be a great Gialli film but doesn't fit to Edgar Wallace's mystery thrillers. It is not related to his book with the same title, at least the German title (I don't know the English one anymore), the stories are completely changed. I would have preferred the original story. Actually, that's a litle sad because it would have been a really good one.

In my opinion, the film is too brutal. Very thrilling, indeed, but it has nothing to do with the general Edgar Wallace films.

And once again gendarm Ludovic Cruchot starts the motor of his car. The holiday time ha begun and masses of tourists are expected. He and his gendarms are sent to controll the streets. And soon Ludovic notices a very quickly driving car of a woman. He starts the chase which finally ends at the police station where he meets her, a widow of a policeman...

This film is one of the gendarm series with Louis de Funés in his best role. It always makes fun to see those films and the great landscape around Saint Tropez - and of course, Saint Tropez itself. It absolutely fits to the summer time, to a warm summer evening, sometime in August, for example. Enjoy that great film!

Actually all the films Louis de Funés participated are great. Especially the gendarme films. I watched this one last week an I am rather impressed. He and his partners played convincingly once again. It always makes lots of fun to watch them, particularly if Ludovic drives through the picturesque landscape of Saint Tropez.

Saint Tropez is like a dream. But not for the gendarms. This time an UFO is sighted by one of the gendarms. However, nobody believes him. Until Ludovic himself sees the UFO landing - and flying away at once. But nobody believes him as well. And then the first aliens come to Saint Tropez...

Well, the film is even a little creepy and eerie as I think. Perhaps I would have expected another end; the film ended a little sudden. But that's a matter of taste.