After the Venice Film Festival, Venice still shines on screen thanks to Kenneth Branagh. The famous British writer directed his third film dedicated to the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot in Lagoon. This is Murder in Venice, inspired by Agatha Christie’s novel Poirot and the Massacre of the Innocents. There are two new features on the platform: on Paramount+, the second season of the comedy series La Vie da Carlo, starring Carlo Verdone, who returns to tell the story of his daily life between family and events in an ironic and melancholic way. Apple TV+ begins its third season of The Morning Show, the platform’s flagship series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
After the Venice Film Festival, Venice still shines on screen thanks to Kenneth Branagh. The famous British writer directed his third film dedicated to the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot in Lagoon. This is Murder in Venice, inspired by Agatha Christie’s Poirot and the Massacre of the Innocents: a “witty” detective investigation with shades of a horror thriller. The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Riley, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey and Riccardo Scamarcio. There are two new features on the platform: on Paramount+, the second season of the comedy series La Vie da Carlo, starring Carlo Verdone, who returns to tell the story of his daily life between family and events in an ironic and melancholic way. Among the actors and guests: Max Tortora, Monica Guerritore, Stefania Rocca, Maria De Filippi, Claudia Gerini, Gabriele Muccino and Christian De Sica. Apple TV+ debuts the third season of The Morning Show, the platform’s flagship series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. The series focuses on the US information world, expanding its scope to include politics and the 2024 presidential election, cyber attacks, space tourism, Covid-19 and ethical issues. Point Cnvf-Sir.
“Murder in Venice” (Cinema, 14.09)
Kenneth Branagh plays the role of the famous detective Hercule Poirot for the third time. After Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Murder on the Nile (2022), the veteran British director, screenwriter and actor – winner of the 2022 Oscar for the screenplay of Belfast – is making Murder in Venice (Ghosts in Venice “), an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel Poirot and the Hallowe’en Party. Branagh co-wrote the script with Michael Green. Starring Kelly Reilly, Michelle Yeoh, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill and Riccardo Scamarcio.
Story. Venice, 1947. Hercule Poirot leads a reclusive life. He doesn’t want to deal with crime anymore. Bestselling author Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) convinces him to attend an event at Rowena Drake’s (Kelly Reilly) “memorable” home: a Halloween night séance. In the evening a mysterious death occurs. Reluctantly, Poirot takes matters into his own hands and locks everyone in the building. Start looking for the culprit.
(L to R): Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Michelle Yeoh as Mrs. Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 20th Century Studios’ The Haunting of Venice. Photo by Rob Youngson. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All rights reserved.
In the film adaptation, Branagh notes: “Michael (Green) has reduced the number of characters, moved the action from England to Venice, and set much of the story in a city of timeless and picturesque charm, where the suspects almost immediately fall into a trap. in a haunted house on a stormy night.”
The director clearly outlines the perimeter of his new work with Hercule Poirot: first of all, he chooses a very charming location. There, Poirot, who would like to refrain from the temptation of investigations, painful and burdened by the wounds of war, is deceived by an astute detective writer. He ends up in a disturbing palace where sessions are held. For much of the story, Branagh leaves Poirot (and the viewer) wondering whether the spirits are wavering or not, shrouding the work in the aura of a supernatural thriller. However, the story soon moves to the level of deduction and logic, a scenario in which the talent of the investigator is revealed, who thus analyzes the unsolved and burdensome silence of each suspect. And now Agatha Christie’s classic comes onto the stage.
In this “witty” mystery, the Venetian setting lends a certain charm and elegance to the development of the story. On closer inspection, the incipit seems too vague and confusing, understandably due to tension, and the story does not always work out perfectly. But aside from a few missteps, the story’s strength lies entirely in Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation, who shapes Hercule Poirot with class and subtlety. (allowing himself some liberties), in the game of expressive facial expressions and introspective glances. His interpretation is perfect and is also supported by a decent supporting cast. Overall, “Murder in Venice” is a genre diversion, oscillating between crime fiction and horror thriller, with brilliant panels assigned to Poirot and elbow-nudging writer Ariadne, a punctual Tina Fey. Complex, problematic.
“Life is like Carlo. Season Two” (Paramount+, 09/15)
The first season of La Vie da Carlo, Carlo Verdone’s debut in the world of TV series, was shown on Prime Video in the fall of 2021. Two years later, the second season (10 episodes) was released, also produced by Filmauro, but with Paramount+. The popular Roman director, screenwriter and performer has changed his platform, but not his storytelling formula. Verdone essentially continues the story of his daily life, sharing biographical pages and fictional inserts. The script was written by Pasquale Plastino, Ciro Zecca and Luca Mastrogiovanni, and Verdone himself became the director of the film along with Valerio Vestoso.
Story. Today in Rome, having chronicled his adventure as a candidate for mayor of the capital, Carlo returns to the set of the very personal film Maria F., which recounts an episode of his youth. Producer Cantalupo (Stefano Ambrogi) assigns the main character to the singer Sangiovanni (himself) with a large number of fans. Thus, in the Verdone household, unrest follows one another with his children Maddalena (Caterina De Angelis) and Giovanni (Filippo Contri), as well as with his ex-wife Sandra (Monica Guerritore). Sofia (Stefania Rocca), a children’s writer, bursts into Carlo’s life and brings with her a storm of emotions and unexpected events.
(Vita da Carlo – Season Two – Paramount Filmauro)
From watching the first episodes of “Vita da Carlo. The second season” is a series that is rapidly following the path of the original concept, adjusting its narrative trajectory and becoming more compact and dynamic. The series also gains rhythm and vibrancy thanks to the large presence of guests who bring the various episodes to life. Among the main ones: Claudia Gerini, Christian De Sica, Gabriele Muccino, Maria De Filippi, Fabio Fazio, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fabio Traversa (who resembles the character Fabrice in Compaggni di scola, 1988). Carlo Verdone, a master of modern Italian comedy with a career spanning over forty years, always delivers and never disappoints. His ironic line, dotted with melancholy, does not lose its shine. The factual series is based on his life, playing skillfully between truth and fiction. I recommend it, brilliant.
“The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)
The series kicked off the launch of Apple TV+ in 2019 and remains—along with Ted Lasso—one of its flagship products. Let’s talk about The Morning Show. An intriguing, fascinating and ambitious story of the Stars and Stripes from the editors of the popular morning news show. There, between the stage and the background, follow each other the fractures and changes in modern America: from the battles of the MeToo movement to Covid19, right up to the storming of Capitol Hill in 2021. And in the third season of “The Morning Show” – 10 new episodes from September 13 – attention to the problems of the media agenda does not seem to weaken: cyber attacks, mergers of media companies, professional ethics, the role of women, the race for space tourism, the 2024 presidential elections, (biography) ethical issues, LGBTQ+ and racial discrimination. The series is directed and produced by Mimi Leder and showrunner by Charlotte Stoudt. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, also producing. Starring: Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Julianna Margulies, Karen Pittman, Greta Lee, Jon Hamm and Nicole Beharie.
Story. USA, spring 2022, Uba, led by Corey Ellison (Billy Crudup), is looking to negotiate with powerful tycoon Paul Marks (Jon Hamm). The hack threatens the network’s public image by exposing the agreements and secrets of prominent journalists. As always, on the crest of the wave, but also subject to harsh criticism, are the hosts Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon).
(Copyright Apple TV+)
Judging by the first five episodes of the new season, The Morning Show continues its narrative trajectory in an effective and compact manner. The benchmark is American Information Horizon, a study of society, politics and the media. Everything is analyzed and experienced by the main characters, who always represent the strong side of the story. The series demonstrates the high level of formal attention that is a hallmark of all Apple TV+ projects in which large budgets have been invested. There is rhythm and originality in the writing, including a clear ability to find relevant topics that are often complex and divisive. A well-proven, solid storytelling machine with an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic dimension. A complex, problematic debate series.