Brits

I had heard about the BBC series "Sherlock" but hadn't seen any of it until this past weekend. Thank you Netflix! It is a modern day version of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, that has been done in the past and always very badly. I was amazed and surprised by this recent incarnation. It's remarkably good and just weird enough to keep us guessing. Benedict Cumberbatch (is that a Harry Potter mane or what?) portrays the self-described "consulting detective" Sherlock Holmes. He's given up smoking and other unmentioned addictions. Of course, he wears four nicotine patches at a time and has not given up his true addiction...crime solving. The production value and writing are top notch. The most fascinating character though is Jim Moriarty, played by Andrew Scott. Those of us who have read the Arther Conan Doyle stories about Holmes know Moriarty as an evil genius who pulls strings and doesn't get his hands dirty. Not Jim Moriarty. He is a brilliant, unpredictable and utter psychopathic maniac! Andrew Scott shines in this show even above the excellent performances of Cumberbatch and co-star Martin Freeman (as Dr. Watson). Moriarty scares the crap out of the Holmes, Watson and the television audience. "Sherlock" is a must see.

Update 2/8/13: Interestingly enough, it was just announced that Cumberbatch is playing the villain in the new J.J. Abrams "Star Trek: Into Darkness"