Agatha Christie’s mysterious plots have never quite left the cinematic world, however hard it seems to imagine after the modern and flamboyant image of Hercule Poirot has reappeared with Kenneth Branagh’s performances.
And even though now it’s difficult to see anyone else behind this role after Murder on the Oriented Express hit cinemas in 2017 and then was followed by two more films, Hercule Poirot had one more brilliant interpretation years ago — and with the MCU’s actor in the leading role.
Alfred Molina may have got most of its fame from portraying Dr Octopus, the superhero’s rival in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, but back in 2001 he turned to a very different role. In fact, the modernized look of Hercule Poirot is not Kenneth Branagh’s merit, but rather is what Molina has transformed the character into.
The 2001’s Murder on the Oriented Express, just like...
And even though now it’s difficult to see anyone else behind this role after Murder on the Oriented Express hit cinemas in 2017 and then was followed by two more films, Hercule Poirot had one more brilliant interpretation years ago — and with the MCU’s actor in the leading role.
Alfred Molina may have got most of its fame from portraying Dr Octopus, the superhero’s rival in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, but back in 2001 he turned to a very different role. In fact, the modernized look of Hercule Poirot is not Kenneth Branagh’s merit, but rather is what Molina has transformed the character into.
The 2001’s Murder on the Oriented Express, just like...
- 5/3/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
Kings had an all-too-brief reign on NBC, canceled after just 13 episodes. At the time, the network executives who had championed the show were getting pushed out, the new guard was unwilling or unsure of how to promote the show properly, and network TV itself was struggling to stay relevant. Ultimately, Kings aired for just six episodes before getting dethroned from its Sunday night time slot and then exiled to summer for the rest of its run. Adding insult to royal injury, Kings isn’t even streaming anywhere these days, a decade and a half later. However, the “complete series” — i.e. the complete first season — is available on DVD. With the show’s 15th anniversary falling on March 15, allow us to make a case for a first (or repeat) viewing. The premise Created by Michael Green — a screenwriter behind Logan, Blade Runner 2049, the recent Hercule Poirot trilogy, and the...
- 3/15/2024
- TV Insider
Murder Mubarak is a movie directed by Homi Adajania and written by Gazal Dhaliwal, based on the novel by Anuja Chauhan.
A plot we have seen a thousand times and we all know which British novelist came up with the idea, yet it continues to entertain and amuse, this time in India, at a club for the high class, with a delightful detective who, like Poirot, has charisma and charm.
Even though it lacks sophistication, it’s also part of its appeal.
A good and entertaining film from India that is rhythmic and has a great production that knows to keep a fresh and relaxed spirit at all times.
About the Movie
There is nothing to object to this good Indian film that entertains, amuses, and has a great technical production. It has witty dialogues and a strong sense of irony, and some of the jokes about the “class struggle...
A plot we have seen a thousand times and we all know which British novelist came up with the idea, yet it continues to entertain and amuse, this time in India, at a club for the high class, with a delightful detective who, like Poirot, has charisma and charm.
Even though it lacks sophistication, it’s also part of its appeal.
A good and entertaining film from India that is rhythmic and has a great production that knows to keep a fresh and relaxed spirit at all times.
About the Movie
There is nothing to object to this good Indian film that entertains, amuses, and has a great technical production. It has witty dialogues and a strong sense of irony, and some of the jokes about the “class struggle...
- 3/15/2024
- by Alice Lange
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Exclusive: Fifth Season is selling more than $1B worth of Apple TV+ content including Jason Momoa-starrer See, Nicole Kidman’s Roar and M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant at the London TV Screenings.
Prentiss Fraser, Fifth Season’s president of TV distribution, said the move realizes the outfit’s long-term strategy of landing big streamer shows that can then be sold in their second window to smaller buyers.
She said there is “little crossover” between Apple TV+ subscribers and regular linear broadcast viewers in crucial territories, which highlights the opportunities for second window. The UK, for example, is estimated to have around 2 million Apple TV+ subs – just 3% of the population.
Fifth Season’s London Apple slate includes four seasons of Shyamalan’s psychological horror Servant, three seasons of Steven Knight’s Momoa sci-fi vehicle See and another three of Octavia Spencer-starring legal drama Truth Be Told. There is also...
Prentiss Fraser, Fifth Season’s president of TV distribution, said the move realizes the outfit’s long-term strategy of landing big streamer shows that can then be sold in their second window to smaller buyers.
She said there is “little crossover” between Apple TV+ subscribers and regular linear broadcast viewers in crucial territories, which highlights the opportunities for second window. The UK, for example, is estimated to have around 2 million Apple TV+ subs – just 3% of the population.
Fifth Season’s London Apple slate includes four seasons of Shyamalan’s psychological horror Servant, three seasons of Steven Knight’s Momoa sci-fi vehicle See and another three of Octavia Spencer-starring legal drama Truth Be Told. There is also...
- 2/27/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Anybody who looked carefully at the Christmas presents unwrapped by the family in Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographically inspired 1969-set film Belfast will have spotted a copy of Agatha Christie’s The Hallowe’en Party. It was an Easter egg for the eagle-eyed, teasing which Hercule Poirot story the actor-director and screenwriter Michael Green were planning to tackle next on the big screen, after 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and 2022’s Death on the Nile.
Green and Branagh took several liberties with The Hallowe’en Party, changing its title to A Haunting in Venice, much of its plot, and moving it from the English village of Woodleigh Common to the ghostly, mist-filled streets and canals of Venice. They wanted to venture into uncharted territory for their third Christie adaptation, and the result was an atmospheric horror-tinged treat.
So what’s next? There’ve been no official announcements, so short of...
Green and Branagh took several liberties with The Hallowe’en Party, changing its title to A Haunting in Venice, much of its plot, and moving it from the English village of Woodleigh Common to the ghostly, mist-filled streets and canals of Venice. They wanted to venture into uncharted territory for their third Christie adaptation, and the result was an atmospheric horror-tinged treat.
So what’s next? There’ve been no official announcements, so short of...
- 2/16/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
In 2017, on the press circuit for his first Hercule Poirot film Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh was asked by French newspaper Le Figaro to name his three favourite Agatha Christie Novels. The actor-director picked Orient Express, of course, and two others: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, published in 1926, and, published a decade later in 1936, Murder in Mesopotamia.
“I like one, Roger Ackroyd, because it’s deep in the heart of England so it’s classic Christie, village green…,” said Branagh. “And the other one because it’s in a super-exotic archaeological dig and she knew those really well so you feel in both of those cases amazing detail. She knows what she’s writing about.”
Christie would know the setting for Murder in Mesopotamia, an archaeological dig in Iraq, having spent several months on expeditions in Iraq and Syria with her second husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan.
In many ways,...
“I like one, Roger Ackroyd, because it’s deep in the heart of England so it’s classic Christie, village green…,” said Branagh. “And the other one because it’s in a super-exotic archaeological dig and she knew those really well so you feel in both of those cases amazing detail. She knows what she’s writing about.”
Christie would know the setting for Murder in Mesopotamia, an archaeological dig in Iraq, having spent several months on expeditions in Iraq and Syria with her second husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan.
In many ways,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
David Soul, who was best known for playing Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the hugely popular Starsky & Hutch TV series, has died aged 80, his wife has said.
In a statement to press, Soul’s wife Helen Snell said he died on Thursday “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” said Snell. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul played the role of Hutch in the ABC series throughout its run from 1975 to 1979, opposite Paul Michael Glaser. The American-Brit also had major roles in Here Come the Brides and Magnum Force.
Born in Chicago, Soul started performing as a stage actor in the mid-1960s, first landing a role on The Merv Griffin Show and then Star Trek.
In a statement to press, Soul’s wife Helen Snell said he died on Thursday “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” said Snell. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul played the role of Hutch in the ABC series throughout its run from 1975 to 1979, opposite Paul Michael Glaser. The American-Brit also had major roles in Here Come the Brides and Magnum Force.
Born in Chicago, Soul started performing as a stage actor in the mid-1960s, first landing a role on The Merv Griffin Show and then Star Trek.
- 1/5/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
What to watch this weekend? Here are Koimoi’s Recommendations! ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
In the bustling landscape of this week’s cinematic offerings, a prevailing festive spirit echoes through the corridors of new releases, as Christmas-related content takes center stage, an anticipated trend set to persist throughout the weeks leading up to the joyous culmination of the holiday season. However, amidst the familiar jingles and yuletide cheer, Netflix, in its characteristic flair for diversity, unveils “Leo,” a film that diverges from the seasonal norm, promising an engrossing narrative that transcends the tinsel-laden tropes. As we delve into the intricacies of “Leo” below, it’s worth noting that this week boasts a notable array of crime thrillers, injecting an exhilarating dose of suspense into the cinematic landscape.
Notably, in a departure from preceding weeks, our focus turns exclusively to movies, deliberately omitting international content and series for this edition. Fear not,...
In the bustling landscape of this week’s cinematic offerings, a prevailing festive spirit echoes through the corridors of new releases, as Christmas-related content takes center stage, an anticipated trend set to persist throughout the weeks leading up to the joyous culmination of the holiday season. However, amidst the familiar jingles and yuletide cheer, Netflix, in its characteristic flair for diversity, unveils “Leo,” a film that diverges from the seasonal norm, promising an engrossing narrative that transcends the tinsel-laden tropes. As we delve into the intricacies of “Leo” below, it’s worth noting that this week boasts a notable array of crime thrillers, injecting an exhilarating dose of suspense into the cinematic landscape.
Notably, in a departure from preceding weeks, our focus turns exclusively to movies, deliberately omitting international content and series for this edition. Fear not,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
Well, here we are, about to officially enter the holiday season. That means you might find yourself with some holiday weekends where you're in need of something to watch. And if you collect Blu-rays, you've come to the right place! Because, as usual, I've rounded up some of the best new Blu-ray releases just for you, dear reader. This installment features what might be Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, an early Martin Scorsese picture, a pretty darn good horror sequel, a new Poirot mystery, Denzel Washington kicking ass, and a bonafide classic starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. So let's get to it! And remember to keep spinning those discs.
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Movie Directors Of All Time
Oppenheimer
The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward declaring Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" the best movie of the year. At the very least, it's a monumental achievement...
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Movie Directors Of All Time
Oppenheimer
The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward declaring Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" the best movie of the year. At the very least, it's a monumental achievement...
- 11/21/2023
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
[Editor’s note: this list was originally published September 2023, and has since been updated.]
There was a time not too long ago when whodunnits seemed to be a dusty relic of cinema’s past. Mysteries about a cast of colorful characters at the center of a murder case, and the intrepid detective investigating them, were far and few between in movie theaters for what felt like decades, and the rare films to feature those plots seldom attracted much attention. But nowadays, the genre is back, baby.
In 2017, Kenneth Branagh directed and starred as the iconic detective Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Orient Express,” based on one of mystery writer Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It was the first high-profile Christie adaptation to hit theaters in ages, after 1988’s “Appointment with Death.” The movie was highly successful, and Branagh has returned to that Poirot mustache with “Death on the Nile” and “A Haunting in Venice,” the latter of which opened in theaters this month.
There was a time not too long ago when whodunnits seemed to be a dusty relic of cinema’s past. Mysteries about a cast of colorful characters at the center of a murder case, and the intrepid detective investigating them, were far and few between in movie theaters for what felt like decades, and the rare films to feature those plots seldom attracted much attention. But nowadays, the genre is back, baby.
In 2017, Kenneth Branagh directed and starred as the iconic detective Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Orient Express,” based on one of mystery writer Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It was the first high-profile Christie adaptation to hit theaters in ages, after 1988’s “Appointment with Death.” The movie was highly successful, and Branagh has returned to that Poirot mustache with “Death on the Nile” and “A Haunting in Venice,” the latter of which opened in theaters this month.
- 11/15/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Universal Pictures’ “Five Nights at Freddy’s” has taken the video game franchise of the same name to new heights, as the film broke records with the largest first-day opening at the box office for a film with a simultaneous streaming release. Not only that, the supernatural horror film gave Peacock its biggest opening to date and surpassed “Halloween” to become Blumhouse’s best opening of all time.
The film stars Josh Hutcherson as a security guard tasked with the night shift at an abandoned family entertainment center who quickly discovers the resident animatronics come to life, driven by murderous intent. While it received decisively negative reviews from critics, audience reception was more favorable, particularly exciting the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.
To no one’s surprise, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is the #1 most-streamed film for the weekend of Nov. 3-5 on Whip Media’s Movie Ranker, which uses viewership data from its consumer app,...
The film stars Josh Hutcherson as a security guard tasked with the night shift at an abandoned family entertainment center who quickly discovers the resident animatronics come to life, driven by murderous intent. While it received decisively negative reviews from critics, audience reception was more favorable, particularly exciting the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.
To no one’s surprise, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is the #1 most-streamed film for the weekend of Nov. 3-5 on Whip Media’s Movie Ranker, which uses viewership data from its consumer app,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Nick Lorenzo
- The Wrap
A Haunting in Venice is a mystery movie directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on the novel by Agatha Christie.
As you may know, Kenneth Branagh, an excellent actor and film and theater director, has taken it upon himself to revive Agatha Christie and portray her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. He skillfully blends classic novel elements with a distinct, visually striking cinematic style.
In our opinion, this is the most accomplished adaptation on a cinematographic level. The atmosphere and story lend themselves to elaborate compositions and chiaroscuro effects.
Branagh’s adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works are, without a doubt, the finest ones to date. Whether you enjoy this kind of mystery and intrigue or not is a different matter.
A Haunting in Venice Plot
A writer seeks Poirot’s help, even though he has retired from investigative work, to expose a psychic who meets a tragic end. The investigation leads...
As you may know, Kenneth Branagh, an excellent actor and film and theater director, has taken it upon himself to revive Agatha Christie and portray her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. He skillfully blends classic novel elements with a distinct, visually striking cinematic style.
In our opinion, this is the most accomplished adaptation on a cinematographic level. The atmosphere and story lend themselves to elaborate compositions and chiaroscuro effects.
Branagh’s adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works are, without a doubt, the finest ones to date. Whether you enjoy this kind of mystery and intrigue or not is a different matter.
A Haunting in Venice Plot
A writer seeks Poirot’s help, even though he has retired from investigative work, to expose a psychic who meets a tragic end. The investigation leads...
- 11/4/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Kenneth Branagh is back for this third — and by TheWrap’s account, best — appearance as Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” He also directs the spooky mystery, which boasts a terrific lineup of murder suspects (and potential victims), including Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Kelly Reilly.
Here’s who plays which character in the film based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” — and where you might have seen the less familiar names before.
“A Haunting in Venice” is now streaming on Disney+.
20th Century Studios.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
British actor Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as the fussy Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, whom he previously played in the recent remakes “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile.” The film begins in 1947 with Poirot retired from sleuthing and leading a quiet life in Venice — until he’s dragged into a new case.
Here’s who plays which character in the film based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” — and where you might have seen the less familiar names before.
“A Haunting in Venice” is now streaming on Disney+.
20th Century Studios.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
British actor Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as the fussy Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, whom he previously played in the recent remakes “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile.” The film begins in 1947 with Poirot retired from sleuthing and leading a quiet life in Venice — until he’s dragged into a new case.
- 10/31/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
A month that has been absolutely jam packed with new horror comes to a close today, with Halloween fittingly taking place on New Release Tuesday this year. What does that mean? It means you’re getting brand new horror movies On Halloween day – five of them in total.
Here’s all the new horror released for Halloween Day 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Every story has an origin, and the found footage hit Hell House LLC is no exception. The long-awaited fourth film in writer/director Stephen Cognetti’s franchise is titled Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, and it’s now streaming on Shudder!
The story takes place in 2021 and follows a group of internet sleuths who travel to the remote Carmichael Manor. Located deep in the woods of Rockland County, New York, the estate is the site of the infamous...
Here’s all the new horror released for Halloween Day 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Every story has an origin, and the found footage hit Hell House LLC is no exception. The long-awaited fourth film in writer/director Stephen Cognetti’s franchise is titled Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, and it’s now streaming on Shudder!
The story takes place in 2021 and follows a group of internet sleuths who travel to the remote Carmichael Manor. Located deep in the woods of Rockland County, New York, the estate is the site of the infamous...
- 10/31/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Agatha Christie-inspired franchise that began with 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and continued with 2022’s Death on the Nile has a new entry, A Haunting in Venice (read our review Here), which has racked up over $100 million at the global box office since receiving a theatrical release last month. And now it’s time for it to come home. The digital release of A Haunting in Venice is set for Halloween, October 31st – and the movie will be streaming on Hulu on that same date.
The physical media release will follow next month, with A Haunting in Venice reaching Blu-ray and DVD on November 28th.
Kenneth Branagh has been at the helm of all three of these films and reprises the role of famed detective Hercule Poirot in A Haunting in Venice, which is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve and is...
The physical media release will follow next month, with A Haunting in Venice reaching Blu-ray and DVD on November 28th.
Kenneth Branagh has been at the helm of all three of these films and reprises the role of famed detective Hercule Poirot in A Haunting in Venice, which is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve and is...
- 10/23/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Hercule Poirot hit the high seas in A Haunting in Venice this past September, a supernatural horror movie from Kenneth Branagh that adapts Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party. Now that the film has crossed $100 million at the worldwide box office, we’ve learned today that A Haunting in Venice is headed home in time for Halloween.
Agatha Christie’s legendary Hercule Poirot returns in a terrifying tale when A Haunting in Venice arrives on digital retailers and Hulu on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
This is the first horror movie from Branagh since Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein back in 1994, grafting a spooky skin onto his critically acclaimed tales of Hercule Poirot.
Featuring a screenplay by Oscar nominee Michael Green (“Logan”), A Haunting in Venice was filmed at Pinewood Studios outside London and on location in Venice.
A brilliant acting ensemble portraying a cast of unforgettable characters will be featured, including Kenneth Branagh,...
Agatha Christie’s legendary Hercule Poirot returns in a terrifying tale when A Haunting in Venice arrives on digital retailers and Hulu on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
This is the first horror movie from Branagh since Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein back in 1994, grafting a spooky skin onto his critically acclaimed tales of Hercule Poirot.
Featuring a screenplay by Oscar nominee Michael Green (“Logan”), A Haunting in Venice was filmed at Pinewood Studios outside London and on location in Venice.
A brilliant acting ensemble portraying a cast of unforgettable characters will be featured, including Kenneth Branagh,...
- 10/23/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Head's up, horror fans and Agatha Christie acolytes! After director and mustached star Kenneth Branagh brought two of the murder-mystery author's most famous works to life on the big screen with "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile," he decided to switch things up in a big way with "A Haunting in Venice." Only loosely based on Christie's "Hallowe'en Party" novel, the horrorific premise of the threequel easily helped set itself apart as the best of these whodunits -- rather than some run-of-the-mill killer, Hercules Poirot must contend with the unnerving possibility of a supernatural force at work.
The star-studded ensemble led by Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, and more certainly helped bring in all sorts of eyeballs during its theatrical run -- after a modest opening weekend, the film has legged it out to just over $100 million so far -- but now, fans will...
The star-studded ensemble led by Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, and more certainly helped bring in all sorts of eyeballs during its theatrical run -- after a modest opening weekend, the film has legged it out to just over $100 million so far -- but now, fans will...
- 10/23/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express (2017) could have been much better, and Death on the Nile (2022) was a tremendous disappointment, but still, the Hercule Poirot stories by Agatha Christie always tend to capture my total interest. These cinematic adaptations have been in the hands of actor-director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green, who once again collaborate on A Haunting in Venice. This now completes their trilogy of murder mystery whodunnits, with this latest installment dipping its toes into the horror genre. Considering the general opinion on the first two movies, stating that A Haunting in Venice is the best adaptation to date doesn't mean much, but the truth is that Branagh and Green are able to, in fact, avoid some of the previous mistakes and take advantage of the eerie, somber atmosphere to add an extra layer of suspense, fascination, and intrigue to the plot. It features the least star-studded cast in the trilogy,...
- 9/18/2023
- by Manuel São Bento
- firstshowing.net
A Haunting in Venice is both the best Kenneth Branagh film and the best Agatha Christie adaptation in decades. Adapted from the famed mystery writer’s 1969 novel Hallowe’en Party, Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot, the iconic Belgian detective with a penchant for sweets and the world’s most mustachioed mustache. This time the year is 1947 and we are in the Floating City. World War II has just ended and the melancholy of death and despair hangs over everything, despite the beautiful setting.
Recently retired, Poirot is lured back into the game via frenemy Ariadne Oliver, an avatar for Christie herself. The two attend a seance thrown by Rowena Drake (a striking Kelly Reilly), an opera singer who has run out of money and reasons to live. Her daughter Alicia (Rowan Robinson) drowned in the canal just the year before. Rowena empowers the infamous, “unholy” witch Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh...
Recently retired, Poirot is lured back into the game via frenemy Ariadne Oliver, an avatar for Christie herself. The two attend a seance thrown by Rowena Drake (a striking Kelly Reilly), an opera singer who has run out of money and reasons to live. Her daughter Alicia (Rowan Robinson) drowned in the canal just the year before. Rowena empowers the infamous, “unholy” witch Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh...
- 9/18/2023
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
I hate that mainstream media constantly questions the potency of horror. It never goes away. It’s never “back”, so to speak. It’s always here and consistently crushes it. Sure, there are some duds (Lionsgate’s been struggling), but take a look at this past summer where awful movies like Meg 2 ($390M) and Insidious 14 ($188M) obliterated the box office.
This weekend was no exception. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s The Nun II dominated the box office once again, sneaking ahead of A Haunting in Venice (review) and stealing the top spot with a $14.7M weekend. The sequel to The Conjuring spinoff is currently sitting at $158M in just two weeks, a far cry from the first film’s $364M but still astounding. $300M isn’t out of the question.
As for A Haunting in Venice, which nearly won the box office ($14.5M), the film opened to $37M globally,...
This weekend was no exception. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s The Nun II dominated the box office once again, sneaking ahead of A Haunting in Venice (review) and stealing the top spot with a $14.7M weekend. The sequel to The Conjuring spinoff is currently sitting at $158M in just two weeks, a far cry from the first film’s $364M but still astounding. $300M isn’t out of the question.
As for A Haunting in Venice, which nearly won the box office ($14.5M), the film opened to $37M globally,...
- 9/18/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Major spoilers below for both "A Haunting in Venice" and Agatha Christie's "The Hallowe'en Party."
Officially, "A Haunting in Venice" is an adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1969 novel "The Hallowe'en Party," but is it really? The book has a different setting, a different (sort of) killer, a different motive, a different inciting incident, different themes, and a completely different atmosphere. There is no séance in the book, nor is Poirot ever forced to question whether or not he truly believes in the supernatural.
It naturally leads to the question of why director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green even bothered to make an adaptation of this book in the first place. Wouldn't it have been easier to not credit a specific book at all, and just say this movie was inspired by Christie's books in general? Why say you're adapting "The Hallowe'en Party" if you're not going to keep anything from it?...
Officially, "A Haunting in Venice" is an adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1969 novel "The Hallowe'en Party," but is it really? The book has a different setting, a different (sort of) killer, a different motive, a different inciting incident, different themes, and a completely different atmosphere. There is no séance in the book, nor is Poirot ever forced to question whether or not he truly believes in the supernatural.
It naturally leads to the question of why director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green even bothered to make an adaptation of this book in the first place. Wouldn't it have been easier to not credit a specific book at all, and just say this movie was inspired by Christie's books in general? Why say you're adapting "The Hallowe'en Party" if you're not going to keep anything from it?...
- 9/17/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
As Kenneth Branagh brings his third Hercule Poirot film to theaters with “A Haunting in Venice,” fans of the Agatha Christie character might debate: Who is the best actor to ever play the mustachioed Belgian detective? And which versions simply didn’t work?
We’ve compiled a list of the most notable actors to portray the famously fussy sleuth —from Tony Randall to PBS favorite David Suchet — and ranked them with both how true they are to Christie’s vision and how enjoyable their portrayal is to audience.
MGM
7. Tony Randall (1965)
The “Odd Couple” actor’s one outing as the detective in the Frank Tashlin-directed film “The Alphabet Murders” leans very hard into comedy. The result: Despite the mustache and bald cap and an occasionally passable accent, we get very little of “the little grey cells” character we expect and far more sight gigs and slapstick.
Prime Video
6. John Malkovich...
We’ve compiled a list of the most notable actors to portray the famously fussy sleuth —from Tony Randall to PBS favorite David Suchet — and ranked them with both how true they are to Christie’s vision and how enjoyable their portrayal is to audience.
MGM
7. Tony Randall (1965)
The “Odd Couple” actor’s one outing as the detective in the Frank Tashlin-directed film “The Alphabet Murders” leans very hard into comedy. The result: Despite the mustache and bald cap and an occasionally passable accent, we get very little of “the little grey cells” character we expect and far more sight gigs and slapstick.
Prime Video
6. John Malkovich...
- 9/17/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
The box office is seeing its tightest race for No. 1 this year between Disney/20th Century’s “A Haunting in Venice” and Warner Bros./New Line’s “The Nun II,” but it is also seeing the lowest overall weekend grosses since this year’s Super Bowl weekend.
Industry estimates have the overall totals sliding down to approximately $64.5 million, and ongoing weekend numbers are expected to remain in that territory until the release of Taylor Swift’s concert film next month. The good news is that this low figure is still better than last year’s terrible September, with a year-over-year rise of 23%.
We won’t know until final totals come in on Monday who is officially No. 1, but for now, estimates are giving the edge to “The Nun II” with $14.7 million in its second weekend. That gives the “Conjuring” horror film a 10-day total of $56 million.
While that running total...
Industry estimates have the overall totals sliding down to approximately $64.5 million, and ongoing weekend numbers are expected to remain in that territory until the release of Taylor Swift’s concert film next month. The good news is that this low figure is still better than last year’s terrible September, with a year-over-year rise of 23%.
We won’t know until final totals come in on Monday who is officially No. 1, but for now, estimates are giving the edge to “The Nun II” with $14.7 million in its second weekend. That gives the “Conjuring” horror film a 10-day total of $56 million.
While that running total...
- 9/17/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Agatha Christie was the master of the perfectly constructed mystery; Oscar winner Hildur Guðnadóttir is an avant-garde cellist-composer. Yet the two meet to spine-tingling results for Kenneth Branagh’s third Hercule Poirot mystery, “A Haunting in Venice,” a loose adaptation of Christie’s “Hallowe’en Party.”
As it turns out, there’s a very good reason why Guðnadóttir might find pleasure in Christie’s work. “My grandmother, who was one of the first women doctors in Iceland and a brilliant virologist, always said that the only way to get a tiny break from your mind is to read a good detective novel or crime story,” Guðnadóttir told IndieWire.
“So, since I was very young, I have lived by this advice,” Guðnadóttir said. “And I have always wanted to sink my teeth into an Agatha Christie adaptation. When Ken approached me about this one, he was really clear from the get-go...
As it turns out, there’s a very good reason why Guðnadóttir might find pleasure in Christie’s work. “My grandmother, who was one of the first women doctors in Iceland and a brilliant virologist, always said that the only way to get a tiny break from your mind is to read a good detective novel or crime story,” Guðnadóttir told IndieWire.
“So, since I was very young, I have lived by this advice,” Guðnadóttir said. “And I have always wanted to sink my teeth into an Agatha Christie adaptation. When Ken approached me about this one, he was really clear from the get-go...
- 9/17/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Warning: this article discusses major spoilers for "A Haunting in Venice."
It's the moment everybody looks forward to during the trailer for director Kenneth Branagh's newest Hercule Poirot movie. A half-dozen or so A-listers have been crowded into a claustrophobically tight space in some exotic locale. Each character wears expressions that somehow ride the line between crushing guilt and sheer incredulity that they could ever be considered criminals. And, with a magnificent flourish, Branagh's immaculately-groomed mug turns to the camera and somberly pronounces through his thick, deeply-exaggerated Belgian accent: "There has been a murder, and you are all suspects!"
Despite beginning with its main detective in a far different emotional state than the previous films -- living out his days in self-exiled retirement after losing his taste for crime-solving -- "A Haunting in Venice" (reviewed by /Film's Josh Spiegel here) doesn't so much as reinvent the classic formula that brought...
It's the moment everybody looks forward to during the trailer for director Kenneth Branagh's newest Hercule Poirot movie. A half-dozen or so A-listers have been crowded into a claustrophobically tight space in some exotic locale. Each character wears expressions that somehow ride the line between crushing guilt and sheer incredulity that they could ever be considered criminals. And, with a magnificent flourish, Branagh's immaculately-groomed mug turns to the camera and somberly pronounces through his thick, deeply-exaggerated Belgian accent: "There has been a murder, and you are all suspects!"
Despite beginning with its main detective in a far different emotional state than the previous films -- living out his days in self-exiled retirement after losing his taste for crime-solving -- "A Haunting in Venice" (reviewed by /Film's Josh Spiegel here) doesn't so much as reinvent the classic formula that brought...
- 9/17/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Just when you thought it was safe to commit elaborate crimes, Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot has returned. With his sharp mind and even sharper mustache, Branagh's take on Agatha Christie's famous detective first appeared in 2017's "Murder on the Orient Express" and returned last year in "Death on the Nile." Both were directed by Branagh and written by Michael Green, and that creative team reunited for "A Haunting in Venice," which is based on Christie's novel "The Hallowe'en Party."
This time around, Hercule Poirot is retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, when a séance and a murder pull him back into his old ways -- though this time with a potentially supernatural twist. Audiences seem intrigued by this horror-tinged departure from the two previous movies, with Deadline reporting that "A Haunting in Venice" grossed $5.3 million on Friday (including Thursday previews) and is expected to gross around $14 million over its opening weekend.
This time around, Hercule Poirot is retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, when a séance and a murder pull him back into his old ways -- though this time with a potentially supernatural twist. Audiences seem intrigued by this horror-tinged departure from the two previous movies, with Deadline reporting that "A Haunting in Venice" grossed $5.3 million on Friday (including Thursday previews) and is expected to gross around $14 million over its opening weekend.
- 9/16/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Two films filled with supernatural horror are in a tight race at the box office this weekend, as Disney/20th Century’s “A Haunting in Venice” and Warner Bros./New Line’s “The Nun II” are both estimated to earn $13-14 million at the box office this weekend.
Industry estimates currently have “A Haunting in Venice” getting the narrowest edge for No. 1 at $13.7 million from 3,305 theaters after earning a $5.5 million opening day. That’s a step above pre-release projections for Kenneth Branagh’s third Poirot film, which was expected to match the $12.8 million opening of last year’s predecessor “Death on the Nile.”
But that opening is also well short of the $28.6 million opening of the first Poirot film, “Murder on the Orient Express,” in 2017; and it leaves “Haunting” with a ways to go to turn a theatrical profit against its $60 million budget, though that is considerably less than the...
Industry estimates currently have “A Haunting in Venice” getting the narrowest edge for No. 1 at $13.7 million from 3,305 theaters after earning a $5.5 million opening day. That’s a step above pre-release projections for Kenneth Branagh’s third Poirot film, which was expected to match the $12.8 million opening of last year’s predecessor “Death on the Nile.”
But that opening is also well short of the $28.6 million opening of the first Poirot film, “Murder on the Orient Express,” in 2017; and it leaves “Haunting” with a ways to go to turn a theatrical profit against its $60 million budget, though that is considerably less than the...
- 9/16/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Box Office: ‘A Haunting in Venice’ Gondolas to $5.5 Million Opening Day, ‘Nun II’ Contends for No. 1
Hercule Poirot is back on the case this weekend, with Kenneth Branagh’s “A Haunting in Venice” hoping to best a very quiet box office in its opening. The horror-tinged whodunnit scored $5.5 million from 3,305 theaters on its opening day, a figure that includes $1.2 million in Thursday previews. The film gets a boost from increased ticket prices for premium large formats like Imax.
“Haunting” is pacing a bit ahead of last year’s “Death on the Nile,” which opened to $12.8 million on Super Bowl weekend after some prolonged shuffles around Disney and 20th Century Studios’ schedule due to the Covid pandemic. “A Haunting in Venice,” the third Agatha Christie adaptation from Branagh, arrives with less of a financial burden — the production budget of $60 million is a notable drop from its predecessor’s $90 million. There’s a less starry cast, a more intimate setting and Branagh went digital for this one after...
“Haunting” is pacing a bit ahead of last year’s “Death on the Nile,” which opened to $12.8 million on Super Bowl weekend after some prolonged shuffles around Disney and 20th Century Studios’ schedule due to the Covid pandemic. “A Haunting in Venice,” the third Agatha Christie adaptation from Branagh, arrives with less of a financial burden — the production budget of $60 million is a notable drop from its predecessor’s $90 million. There’s a less starry cast, a more intimate setting and Branagh went digital for this one after...
- 9/16/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
So we’re really committing to this cinematic Poirotverse, huh? Ok.
The Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is arguably Agatha Christie’s finest creation, next to her own persona of Agatha Christie, Queen of the Whodunit. He’s been played by everybody from Tony Randall to John Malkovich; Peter Ustinov portrayed the deductive sleuth six times, and David Suchet has made a career out of gifting TV viewers with the definitive take on Christie’s murder-mystery icon. He’s graced 33 novels and 51 short stories, which means that Kenneth Branagh — the actor-filmmaker...
The Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is arguably Agatha Christie’s finest creation, next to her own persona of Agatha Christie, Queen of the Whodunit. He’s been played by everybody from Tony Randall to John Malkovich; Peter Ustinov portrayed the deductive sleuth six times, and David Suchet has made a career out of gifting TV viewers with the definitive take on Christie’s murder-mystery icon. He’s graced 33 novels and 51 short stories, which means that Kenneth Branagh — the actor-filmmaker...
- 9/16/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
A Haunting in Venice is the third entry in Kenneth Branagh‘s Hercule Poirot film franchise. Directed by Branagh himself from a screenplay by Michael Green, the film is based on a 1969 novel titled Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie. A Haunting in Venice sees the return of Hercule Poirot as he takes on another murder mystery during a Halloween Seance at a haunted palazzo in Venice, Italy.
The supernatural murder mystery film also stars Michelle Yeoh as Mrs. Reynolds, Jamie Dornan as Dr. Leslie Ferrier, Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Kelly Reilly as Rowena Drake, Kyle Allen as Maxime Gerard, Emma Laird as Desdemona Holland, Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitale Portfoglio, Camille Cottin as Olga Seminoff, Jude Hill as Leopold Ferrier, and Amir El-Masry.
A Haunting in Venice – When Did it Come Out? Credit – 20th Century Fox
A Haunting in Venice had its red carpet...
The supernatural murder mystery film also stars Michelle Yeoh as Mrs. Reynolds, Jamie Dornan as Dr. Leslie Ferrier, Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Kelly Reilly as Rowena Drake, Kyle Allen as Maxime Gerard, Emma Laird as Desdemona Holland, Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitale Portfoglio, Camille Cottin as Olga Seminoff, Jude Hill as Leopold Ferrier, and Amir El-Masry.
A Haunting in Venice – When Did it Come Out? Credit – 20th Century Fox
A Haunting in Venice had its red carpet...
- 9/16/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Kenneth Branagh’s second Agatha Christie film Death on the Nile, did not have a smooth ride. Its release was delayed several times due to first Disney buying the studio that made the film, 20th Century Fox, and then the Covid pandemic, and its cast turned out to be a Pandora’s Box of, at best, bad PR and at worst, criminal allegations.
Back in 2020 then, when Branagh was filming his autobiographically inspired family drama, Belfast, a third Hercule Poirot film wasn’t necessarily a given. Though Agatha Christie’s estate and Branagh were keen to make further sequels to 2017 hit Murder on the Orient Express, the next Christie movie had yet to be greenlit.
That uncertainty inspired Branagh to tuck a Poirot Easter Egg into Belfast as “an offering to the gods,” as he told The Hollywood Reporter. “They can tell us, in the end, if we’ll be allowed to make it.
Back in 2020 then, when Branagh was filming his autobiographically inspired family drama, Belfast, a third Hercule Poirot film wasn’t necessarily a given. Though Agatha Christie’s estate and Branagh were keen to make further sequels to 2017 hit Murder on the Orient Express, the next Christie movie had yet to be greenlit.
That uncertainty inspired Branagh to tuck a Poirot Easter Egg into Belfast as “an offering to the gods,” as he told The Hollywood Reporter. “They can tell us, in the end, if we’ll be allowed to make it.
- 9/16/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
A Halloween feast awaits in Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice, seamlessly blending the otherworldly allure of the supernatural with the enduring charm of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries. Guided by the impeccable Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, we journey into the enigmatic depths of Venice’s canals to solve a murder mystery of paranormal proportions. The film promises a tantalizing séance of suspense, offering spectral surprises alongside a nostalgic ode to vintage Halloween that’s positively bewitching.
“…positively bewitching.”
A Haunting in Venice takes us back to 1947, where a disillusioned Poirot (Branagh) finds himself retired in the enchanting city of Venice, a far cry from the exotic locales of his previous adventures. He’s reluctantly pulled back into the world of detection by his ever-persistent friend, Ariadne Oliver, portrayed by comedienne Tina Fey. Oliver persuades Poirot to attend a Halloween party hosted by enigmatic former opera singer Rowena Drake,...
“…positively bewitching.”
A Haunting in Venice takes us back to 1947, where a disillusioned Poirot (Branagh) finds himself retired in the enchanting city of Venice, a far cry from the exotic locales of his previous adventures. He’s reluctantly pulled back into the world of detection by his ever-persistent friend, Ariadne Oliver, portrayed by comedienne Tina Fey. Oliver persuades Poirot to attend a Halloween party hosted by enigmatic former opera singer Rowena Drake,...
- 9/16/2023
- by Kimberley Elizabeth
For audiences looking to see a compressive list of the cast and characters of A Haunting in Venice, this is the perfect place.
Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot has already solved two big cases in theaters: Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. This time around, the famous detective is set to ruin another killer’s day—maybe.
After a séance in the middle of Venice, someone is murdered, leading many to think it is the work of evil spirits residing in the Palazzo. Or maybe it’s a good old-fashioned ghost? Hopefully, Poirot can solve the case.
Read full article on The Direct.
Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot has already solved two big cases in theaters: Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. This time around, the famous detective is set to ruin another killer’s day—maybe.
After a séance in the middle of Venice, someone is murdered, leading many to think it is the work of evil spirits residing in the Palazzo. Or maybe it’s a good old-fashioned ghost? Hopefully, Poirot can solve the case.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 9/15/2023
- by Russ Milheim
- The Direct
Kenneth Branagh's newest film, "A Haunting in Venice" is his spookiest to date. Based on the 1969 novel "Hallowe'en Party," "Haunting" sees Hercule Poirot (Branagh) hauled out of retirement by a mystery author named Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) to investigate the veracity of an itinerant psychic named Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh). Joyce Reynolds has been hired by a wealthy Venitian socialite named Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) to attend a Halloween party for children and, once the lights are out, host a séance. Poirot and Ariadne don't believe Joyce has authentic psychic powers, but can't prove she doesn't.
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
- 9/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There’s no shortage of brilliant detectives in novels, film and television, but one of the greatest — or at least the one with the fanciest facial hair — is Hercule Poirot. The Belgian investigator, created by Agatha Christie, has appeared 33 novels, more than 50 short stories, and has been played by a variety of iconic actors.
But for whatever reason, Poirot has only sporadically appeared on the big screen, with many of his earliest movie appearances being lost to time, while some of his other noteworthy adventures were rewritten as vehicles for Christie’s other beloved creation, Miss Marple.
Here we take a look at the various theatrically-released adventures of Hercule Poirot, from the 1930s to today, and see which of his mysteries were truly worth solving.
Photo credit: Columbia
Honorable Mention: “Murder By Death” (1976)
Neil Simon’s wacky spoof of the supersleuth genre, directed by Robert Moore, features an all-star cast...
But for whatever reason, Poirot has only sporadically appeared on the big screen, with many of his earliest movie appearances being lost to time, while some of his other noteworthy adventures were rewritten as vehicles for Christie’s other beloved creation, Miss Marple.
Here we take a look at the various theatrically-released adventures of Hercule Poirot, from the 1930s to today, and see which of his mysteries were truly worth solving.
Photo credit: Columbia
Honorable Mention: “Murder By Death” (1976)
Neil Simon’s wacky spoof of the supersleuth genre, directed by Robert Moore, features an all-star cast...
- 9/15/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Hercule Poirot is returning on a new case this week with A Haunting in Venice. The seasoned detective is once again portrayed by Kenneth Branaugh after his previous entries, Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. This time around, things get scary as Poirot is investigating supernatural happenings in a Venetian villa. The spooky installment opened with Thursday previews that grossed $1.2 million and is on track to earn roughly $15 million over the weekend.
Variety reports that the composer on the film, Hildur Guðnadóttir, who is a big fan of Agatha Christie, wanted to achieve something darker than Branagh previously had with the other films. She explains, “I took a classical romanticism melodic approach because the way you express melody says so much about how you’re expressing yourself. Post-war composers were drawn to tonal expression or lots of experimentation where they used extended techniques and looked at...
Variety reports that the composer on the film, Hildur Guðnadóttir, who is a big fan of Agatha Christie, wanted to achieve something darker than Branagh previously had with the other films. She explains, “I took a classical romanticism melodic approach because the way you express melody says so much about how you’re expressing yourself. Post-war composers were drawn to tonal expression or lots of experimentation where they used extended techniques and looked at...
- 9/15/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The third film in Kenneth Branagh’s re-imagined Hercule Poirot series, A Haunting in Venice, earned $1.2M at Thursday Preview screenings. The spooktacular adaptation of Agatha Christie‘s Hallowe’en novel could perform similarly to other chapters of Branagh’s Poirot films, with a weekend gross of roughly $15M.
While the numbers barely move the needle compared to 2023’s other box office barn burners, it’s worth noting that A Haunting in Venice is Branagh’s best-reviewed Poirot film with a 77% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Poirot’s latest case might not pack the star power of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express or 2022’s Death on the Nile. Still, it includes Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh and multi-talented funny gal Tina Fey. If A Haunting in Venice plays its tarot cards right, it could send The Nun II to the back of the pews after a 60%+ dip in attendance.
A Haunting in Venice...
While the numbers barely move the needle compared to 2023’s other box office barn burners, it’s worth noting that A Haunting in Venice is Branagh’s best-reviewed Poirot film with a 77% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Poirot’s latest case might not pack the star power of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express or 2022’s Death on the Nile. Still, it includes Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh and multi-talented funny gal Tina Fey. If A Haunting in Venice plays its tarot cards right, it could send The Nun II to the back of the pews after a 60%+ dip in attendance.
A Haunting in Venice...
- 9/15/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Hildur Guðnadóttir grew up on Agatha Christie mysteries. “I totally lived for those novels,” the composer says. Ever since then, she has wanted to sink her teeth into story by the famous author. So when director Kenneth Branagh approached her, she said yes. “He wanted to do something darker and almost horror, and that dark stuff was tempting for me.”
Dark moods are a signature theme for Guðnadóttir. The Oscar-winning composer’s work includes “Joker,” “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” “Tár” and she will be back for “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
The film is based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Halloween Party,” and stars Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Kelly Reilly and Jamie Dornan, with Branagh reprising his role as Hercule Poirot from “Death on the Nile” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” Set in an eerie Venetian villa with a ghostly past, it revolves around a séance Poirot reluctantly attends on All Hallows’ Eve.
Dark moods are a signature theme for Guðnadóttir. The Oscar-winning composer’s work includes “Joker,” “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” “Tár” and she will be back for “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
The film is based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Halloween Party,” and stars Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Kelly Reilly and Jamie Dornan, with Branagh reprising his role as Hercule Poirot from “Death on the Nile” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” Set in an eerie Venetian villa with a ghostly past, it revolves around a séance Poirot reluctantly attends on All Hallows’ Eve.
- 9/15/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains major spoilers for "A Haunting in Venice."
The murder mystery "whodunit" has very close ties to the horror genre; in fact, some may argue that murder mysteries deserve to be considered a part of the horror genre, full stop. It's splitting hairs, of course, but the question is one of tone and focus — most horror stories put a bigger emphasis on the act(s) of murder, while most mystery stories are about murder's after-effects.
"A Haunting in Venice" is the latest cinematic Agatha Christie adaptation by Kenneth Branagh in which he serves a dual role on both sides of the camera, as both director and actor portraying the central role of detective Hercule Poirot. Branagh's previous adaptations of Christie's Poirot mysteries, "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile," were films that fit neatly into the mystery genre and even, in a couple of instances,...
The murder mystery "whodunit" has very close ties to the horror genre; in fact, some may argue that murder mysteries deserve to be considered a part of the horror genre, full stop. It's splitting hairs, of course, but the question is one of tone and focus — most horror stories put a bigger emphasis on the act(s) of murder, while most mystery stories are about murder's after-effects.
"A Haunting in Venice" is the latest cinematic Agatha Christie adaptation by Kenneth Branagh in which he serves a dual role on both sides of the camera, as both director and actor portraying the central role of detective Hercule Poirot. Branagh's previous adaptations of Christie's Poirot mysteries, "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile," were films that fit neatly into the mystery genre and even, in a couple of instances,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
“A Haunting in Venice” began its domestic box office jaunt with $1.2 million in Thursday preview earnings. That’s slightly above the $1.1 million procured by “Death on the Nile” in February of 2022.
It’s understandably below the $1.6 million earned by “Murder on the Orient Express” in November of 2017. With strong reviews (77% and 6.6/10 on Rotten Tomatoes), including plenty of critics arguing that it’s the best of Kenneth Branagh’s three films as Hercule Poirot, the hope is an opening weekend closer to $20 million than $15 million.
The franchise started with a bang with “Murder on the Orient Express.” That offering starred a slew of big names like Johnny Depp (still an added value element), Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz and senior citizen-magnet Judi Dench. That it was based on one of Agatha Christie’s most famous books didn’t hurt. A $28 million debut led to a $103 million domestic and $353 million global cume on a $55 million budget.
It’s understandably below the $1.6 million earned by “Murder on the Orient Express” in November of 2017. With strong reviews (77% and 6.6/10 on Rotten Tomatoes), including plenty of critics arguing that it’s the best of Kenneth Branagh’s three films as Hercule Poirot, the hope is an opening weekend closer to $20 million than $15 million.
The franchise started with a bang with “Murder on the Orient Express.” That offering starred a slew of big names like Johnny Depp (still an added value element), Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz and senior citizen-magnet Judi Dench. That it was based on one of Agatha Christie’s most famous books didn’t hurt. A $28 million debut led to a $103 million domestic and $353 million global cume on a $55 million budget.
- 9/15/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
In the world of film criticism, critics are often dismissed by people who think that cinema should not be overanalyzed, or in some cases, analyzed at all. The expression goes that we should simply be able to "turn off our brains and enjoy the movie." It's a philosophy that argues that films are passive forms of entertainment: art that is intended to be merely ephemeral, with nothing to challenge our perspectives or preconceived notions, and no lasting impact on our psyche.
To put it another way, for those who wish to turn off their brains, movies are — to quote "The Simpsons" (albeit a little out of context) — "just a bunch of stuff that happened."
And while it may be tempting to try to disassociate and view motion pictures in as close to a vacuum as our minds can muster, filmmakers are usually trying to get us to snap out of that.
To put it another way, for those who wish to turn off their brains, movies are — to quote "The Simpsons" (albeit a little out of context) — "just a bunch of stuff that happened."
And while it may be tempting to try to disassociate and view motion pictures in as close to a vacuum as our minds can muster, filmmakers are usually trying to get us to snap out of that.
- 9/15/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
Clockwork from top left: Clue (Screenshot: Paramount Pictures/Youtube), Death On The Nile (Screenshot: 20th Century Studios/YouTube), Gosford Park (Screenshot: Focus Features/YouTube), Bad Times At The El Royale (Screenshot: 20th Century Studios/YouTube)
This weekend sees the release of A Haunting In Venice, director Kenneth Branagh’s third...
This weekend sees the release of A Haunting In Venice, director Kenneth Branagh’s third...
- 9/15/2023
- by Jorge Molina
- avclub.com
(L-r): Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitale Portfoglio and Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 20th Century Studios’ A Haunting In Venice. Photo by Rob Youngson. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Agatha Christie fans will delight in A Haunting In Venice, because Kenneth Branagh really hits the mark with this one.
Branagh has directed and starred a few of these Christie classic mysteries as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, featuring star casts and a big, splashy out-sized approach (including Branagh version of Poirot’s famous mustache). Those films have been based on very familiar Agatha Christie mysteries, the ones that have been done, on big screen and small, many times before over the years, which meant they invited comparison, sometimes unfavorable, to some stellar films and productions.
With A Haunting In Venice, Branagh takes a different tack. This Agatha Christie mystery film is based on a less-familiar Poirot mystery, Christie’s “Hallowe’en Party,...
Agatha Christie fans will delight in A Haunting In Venice, because Kenneth Branagh really hits the mark with this one.
Branagh has directed and starred a few of these Christie classic mysteries as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, featuring star casts and a big, splashy out-sized approach (including Branagh version of Poirot’s famous mustache). Those films have been based on very familiar Agatha Christie mysteries, the ones that have been done, on big screen and small, many times before over the years, which meant they invited comparison, sometimes unfavorable, to some stellar films and productions.
With A Haunting In Venice, Branagh takes a different tack. This Agatha Christie mystery film is based on a less-familiar Poirot mystery, Christie’s “Hallowe’en Party,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Kenneth Branagh's new mystery "A Haunting in Venice" is the third film he has made based on the Hercule Poirot novels by Agatha Christie. His first was "Murder on the Orient Express" in 2017, and his second with "Death on the Nile" in 2022. Branagh also played Poirot in all three of these movies, giving the filmmaker an organic excuse to paste the world's most ridiculous mustaches on his face. In the former, in particular, he seems to sport two whole mustaches, one on each cheek.
The Poirot mysteries are well-fitted to Branagh's sensibilities. He has long been comfortable with outside productions, lavish visuals, and theatrical storytelling. He also often tells stories that require large ensembles, and Branagh has always had a talent for attracting some of the world's biggest movie stars and most prestigious actors to appear in his movies. His 1996 version of "Hamlet" may be the ur-example, as Branagh...
The Poirot mysteries are well-fitted to Branagh's sensibilities. He has long been comfortable with outside productions, lavish visuals, and theatrical storytelling. He also often tells stories that require large ensembles, and Branagh has always had a talent for attracting some of the world's biggest movie stars and most prestigious actors to appear in his movies. His 1996 version of "Hamlet" may be the ur-example, as Branagh...
- 9/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Plot: While on an early retirement, famed private detective Hercule Poirot finds himself lured back into the world of mysteries. Specifically one fueled by the occult and invisible haunts that go bump in the night.
Review: Kenneth Branagh’s cinematic career began with the Bard. The director’s debut was his bold take on William Shakespeare’s Henry V. The film garnered massive buzz, leading to an Academy Award nomination for his performance and directorial efforts. The praise was so impressive that Branagh was awarded the BAFTA for Best Director. He followed up his early career with a feature film version of Much Ado About Nothing a few years later. And now, with the recent Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and the upcoming A Haunting in Venice, the man who reawakened Shakespeare is bringing us the gifts of an Agatha Christie cinematic universe. Let’s see...
Review: Kenneth Branagh’s cinematic career began with the Bard. The director’s debut was his bold take on William Shakespeare’s Henry V. The film garnered massive buzz, leading to an Academy Award nomination for his performance and directorial efforts. The praise was so impressive that Branagh was awarded the BAFTA for Best Director. He followed up his early career with a feature film version of Much Ado About Nothing a few years later. And now, with the recent Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and the upcoming A Haunting in Venice, the man who reawakened Shakespeare is bringing us the gifts of an Agatha Christie cinematic universe. Let’s see...
- 9/15/2023
- by JimmyO
- JoBlo.com
Kenneth Branagh has directed and starred in three movies so far based on Agatha Christie's murder mystery novels, but none of them have taken place primarily in England, the country where Christie lived and where she based so many of her stories. For the first two movies, this wasn't particularly unusual. The source material for "Murder on the Orient Express" also had Poirot spend the book on a train ride from Istanbul, just as "Death on the Nile" was always a vacation mystery in Egypt. It's only with this third film, "A Haunting in Venice," that we're starting to wonder if Branagh has some vendetta against England.
The book this new movie is based on is "The Hallowe'en Party," one in which a teenage girl is unexpectedly murdered in Woodleigh Common, a small English village. The book was written in 1969 and although it's somewhat vague about the timeline, it...
The book this new movie is based on is "The Hallowe'en Party," one in which a teenage girl is unexpectedly murdered in Woodleigh Common, a small English village. The book was written in 1969 and although it's somewhat vague about the timeline, it...
- 9/15/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Mes enfants! A Haunting in Venice marks the third entry in Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie movie series, finally giving us enough evidence to sift through in order to solve the present mystery: who is the best screen Hercule Poirot?
Taking into account appearance, accent, mannerisms, brilliance of mind, vanity, theatricality, humour, pathos, and of course the all-important moustache, here’s our ranking from most unfortunately disappointing version of the detective, to Poirot perfection.
A bit of housekeeping: only English-language screen Poirots have been included, so no radio, animated, international or videogame versions appear below, nor do bit-part sketch comedy Hercules. The nine actors in contention range almost a century in time, several inches in height, and vastly in their take on what makes a proper Poirot.
9. Tony Randall in The Alphabet Murders (1965)
A sense of humour is key to Poirot. His fastidiousness and affectations have always made him a...
Taking into account appearance, accent, mannerisms, brilliance of mind, vanity, theatricality, humour, pathos, and of course the all-important moustache, here’s our ranking from most unfortunately disappointing version of the detective, to Poirot perfection.
A bit of housekeeping: only English-language screen Poirots have been included, so no radio, animated, international or videogame versions appear below, nor do bit-part sketch comedy Hercules. The nine actors in contention range almost a century in time, several inches in height, and vastly in their take on what makes a proper Poirot.
9. Tony Randall in The Alphabet Murders (1965)
A sense of humour is key to Poirot. His fastidiousness and affectations have always made him a...
- 9/15/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Chicago – While Kenneth Branagh still isn’t a favorite Hercule Poirot, I was as surprised as anyone to find that this third go around as the Belgian detective was my favorite. As the title implies, there are jump scares a-plenty as Poirot tries to get his little gray cells around the strange goings-on in a spooky house, and solve the mystery.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
In “A Haunting In Venice,” Poirot is in retirement in 1947, devoting himself to fine pastries in a palazzo in Venice.This all changes when a mystery writer who’s also an old acquaintance (Tina Fey) drags him out to attend a seance at the home of an Opera Singer (Kelly Reilly of “Yellowstone”) who is racked by grief after her daughter died under mysterious circumstances some years earlier.
”A Haunting in Venice” is in theaters September 15th. Featuring Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan,...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
In “A Haunting In Venice,” Poirot is in retirement in 1947, devoting himself to fine pastries in a palazzo in Venice.This all changes when a mystery writer who’s also an old acquaintance (Tina Fey) drags him out to attend a seance at the home of an Opera Singer (Kelly Reilly of “Yellowstone”) who is racked by grief after her daughter died under mysterious circumstances some years earlier.
”A Haunting in Venice” is in theaters September 15th. Featuring Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan,...
- 9/14/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Massive spoilers for "A Haunting in Venice" follow.
The adventures of Hercule Poirot — "probably the greatest detective in the world," as he once so humbly referred to himself — have been well documented by this point. Beginning with Agatha Christie's literary accounts of the detective's cases, the character continued to thrive beyond his creator's passing in 1976, with other authors concocting new mysteries for Poirot to solve.
Of course, Christie's Poirot output, stretching as it did from 1920-1975, was ripe for adaptation to other mediums, and indeed Poirot has turned up numerous times in everything from stage plays to radio dramas to television shows to, of course, the movies. By the time director/star Kenneth Branagh made his way to bringing Poirot back to the big screen on both sides of the camera, most of the best Poirot stories had already been adapted in one form or another.
Cleverly, Branagh and...
The adventures of Hercule Poirot — "probably the greatest detective in the world," as he once so humbly referred to himself — have been well documented by this point. Beginning with Agatha Christie's literary accounts of the detective's cases, the character continued to thrive beyond his creator's passing in 1976, with other authors concocting new mysteries for Poirot to solve.
Of course, Christie's Poirot output, stretching as it did from 1920-1975, was ripe for adaptation to other mediums, and indeed Poirot has turned up numerous times in everything from stage plays to radio dramas to television shows to, of course, the movies. By the time director/star Kenneth Branagh made his way to bringing Poirot back to the big screen on both sides of the camera, most of the best Poirot stories had already been adapted in one form or another.
Cleverly, Branagh and...
- 9/14/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Kenneth Branagh is back once again as Detective Hercule Poirot in a brand new Agatha Christie adaptation. "A Haunting in Venice" is the third interpretation of Christie's work by Branagh in the past several years, with the actor and director taking on a lesser-known book by the author for a more overtly horror-driven tale. With a stacked A-list cast that includes the likes of Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, and Michelle Yeoh, this is one of the most star-studded films of the fall season.
Following 2017's "Murder on the Orient Express" and 2022's "Death on the Nile," this latest Poirot mystery is set in post-World War II Venice on All Hallows' Eve. Now retired and living in exile in the one of world's most glamorous cities, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is once again thrust into the world...
Following 2017's "Murder on the Orient Express" and 2022's "Death on the Nile," this latest Poirot mystery is set in post-World War II Venice on All Hallows' Eve. Now retired and living in exile in the one of world's most glamorous cities, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is once again thrust into the world...
- 9/14/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
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