DVD: NEW CANADIAN INDIE SHERLOCK HOLMES FILM ANNOUNCED

Press Release received Saturday, January 16, 2010 (Posted entirely as received without editorial comment):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The game's afoot! - A New Sherlock Holmes film is in production in Kingston.

While post-holiday audiences are still flocking to the cinema to take-in Hollywood's new Sherlock Holmes movie, something quite exciting is afoot much closer to home.

Kingston, Ontario will be standing-in for Victorian London over the next few months, as the world of consulting detective Sherlock Holmes is brought to life for a new film project, produced with the kind permission of the Conan Doyle Estate.

Several years ago, Kingston-based actor Anthony D.P. Mann shot an amateur short-film version of the Holmes mystery "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in town, which has been seen around the world. He admits that the previous production was incredibly flawed "for several reasons, including mistakes made by a first-time film-maker, and my lack of resemblance to the part!" (Mann was significantly overweight at the time, and not in very good health).

Fast-forward several years later, and now Anthony's getting a chance to bring his beloved character (which he has previously played on Montreal radio and stage) back to life on the screen in an exciting and original mystery entitled "Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers". Having honed his acting and film-making talents in the interim - and taken 100 pounds off in the process - Anthony is confident that this new production will be met with great interest when it is released on DVD and digital download in Summer  2010, thanks to a revived interest in the Sherlock Holmes adventures in the wake of the new Hollywood film starring Robert Downey Jr, and the fact that this film is being made with the permission of Conan Doyle's representatives.

Casting is now completed, and filming commences for a three-month block the first week of February.  The film's official website is now "live" (www.sherlockholmesadventures.ca), and will feature regular video updates and other assorted goodies as the film nears completion. There are already photographs, a video, and detailed information about the movie to be found.

Interest in this production has already been very encouraging (for instance, some sponsorship has been provided by Peterson Pipes of Dublin) and we hope that both local, foreign, and Sherlockian media will assist us in making an "event" out of this unique project. Anthony would love to chat with you about the film, and the remarkable road it has taken to get here - conquering serious health issues, negotiating with the Conan Doyle's estate, and his continuing pursuit of a dream. We can be reached for inquiries at:

Email: info@sherlockholmesadventures.ca
Websites: www.sherlockholmesadventures.ca / www.anthonydpmann.com

BOOK: NEW EDITION OF BENDING THE WILLOW IN THE WORKS!

Fans of Jeremy Brett and the Granada Sherlock Holmes series who have been struggling to find a reasonably priced copy of David Stuart Davies' excellent study BENDING THE WILLOW on the secondary book market can breathe a sigh of relief. The fine folks at Calabash Press (Christopher and Barbara Roden) have just announced that a new edition is in the works.

You can reserve a copy, or ask for further details by emailing bendingthewillow@gmail.com or join the Facebook page by clicking here.

Copy info for the previous 2002 edition:

"Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective is widely recognised as the best yet seen.

Before his untimely death in 1995, Brett had made the part his own, all the time battling against the manic depression which had plagued him for many years. Bending the Willow examines how this brilliant actor channelled the demons of his debilitating illness into his iridescent portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

In this fascinating and perceptive study, David Stuart Davies draws on the many conversations he had with Jeremy Brett and key people involved with the Granada Television series and the stage play The Secret of Sherlock Holmes. The result is the first detailed assessment of all of Jeremy Brett's performances as Sherlock Holmes."

 It's a great book and belongs in the collection of every Jeremy Brett or Granada Sherlock Holmes fan.

AUDIO CD: SHERLOCK HOLMES MOVIE SOUNDTRACK RELEASED

If you enjoyed Hans Zimmer's brilliant score for Guy Ritchie's SHERLOCK HOLMES film you'll be pleased to find that the original soundtrack has now been released to CD and is also available in a variety of MP3 downloads.

To order the soundtrack CD via Amazon USA click here.

Track List:

1. Discombobulate

2. Is It Poison, Nanny

3. I Never Woke Up In Handcuffs Before

4. My Mind Rebels At Stagnation

5. Data, Data, Data

6. He's Killed The Dog Again

7. Marital Sabotage

8. Not In Blood, But In Bond

9. Ah, Purification

10. Panic, Sheer Bloody Panic

11. Psychological Recovery.....6 Months

12. Catatonic

PRESS: FORGET THE PURISTS, CALGARY PUBLISHER KEEPS HOLMES EVOLVING

Back to Baker Street

Forget the purists, Calgary publisher keeps Sherlock Holmes evolving

 

December 21, 2009 

By Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald 

Photograph by: Christina Ryan, Calgary Herald

 

Charles Prepolec did not want to add to the perception that Sherlock Holmes fans, or Sherlockians as they call themselves, are rigid and overly protective of their territory when it comes to interpretations of the famous detective.

But the Calgarian admits he has found it necessary to enforce at least one rule when gathering short stories for collections that mix Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Baker Street investigator with horror scenarios: Do not bring a certain serial killer into the mix.

"No Jack the Ripper stories," says Prepolec, one of the editors of Gaslight Grotesque: Nightmare Tales of Sherlock Holmes (Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, 336 pages,$16.95) "We see him in short stories so often, and novels. No Ripper stories."

After all, having Holmes face the historical slasher isn't exactly a new idea. With an encyclopedic knowledge of all-things Sherlockian, Prepolec and co-editor J.R. Campbell can rhyme off the more notable attempts to bring the two Victorian icons together. The 1979 film, Murder by Decree with Christopher Plummer and 1965's A Study in Terror with John Neville were among the high-profile trips to that particular well.

So if you want to get your story into one of the collections, you will need to find Mr. Holmes a more original opponent.

"There are some things you have to avoid," says Campbell, who also contributed two stories to the book. "Your stories still have to be exciting. There's a lot of pastiche that tends to be more style over storytelling. You have to avoid that. There's a lot of stories that bring in a historical person. Which is fine . . . if they have a place."

With the Christmas Day release of Sherlock Holmes, a high-octane blockbuster featuring smirking Yank Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role, it could be argued that this latest release of short stories is perfectly timed to cash in on what could be a full-blown resurgence.

But Prepolec and Campbell are hardly bandwagon jumpers. Gaslight Grotesque is the fourth book that has been put together featuring creepy Holmes tales and the second to be published by Calgary-based genre kings Edge Publishing. They are working on a fifth. Both are members of Calgary's Singular Society of the Baker Street Dozen, a group that has been getting together in one form or another since 1987 to discuss the constant evolution of Doyle's character in the pop-culture consciousness.

And both have fairly high standards when it comes to what they'll accept as additions to the Holmes legend. The 13 tales come from a wide variety of authors who hail from Canada, the U.K., the U.S. and Australia. The book has gotten some high-profile shout-outs from Canuck sci-fi king Robert J. Sawyer and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.... (click to read the full article at the Calgary Herald)

 

MOVIE TIE-IN: ROBERT DOWNEY JR VISITS HIS WAX EFFIGY

ROBERT DOWNEY JR MEETS HIS DOUBLE AS MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON INTRODUCES HIS NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES FIGURE

London, 16^th December 2009 – Robert Downey Jr came face to face with himself when his new Madame Tussauds wax figure paid him a “visit” at Claridges yesterday.  The Hollywood star is portrayed as legendary detective Sherlock Holmes from the new Warner Bros film, Sherlock Holmes, which premiered on Monday.   

The figure depicts Downey Jr in the strikingly modern spirit of the film, dressed in a replica of one of the movie costumes, with penetrating stare and tousled hair.  The figure will star at the world famous attraction in a set inspired by the film – complete with some very contemporary interactive twists for guests to enjoy.

For more on Madame Tussaud's London click here.

AUDIO: AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE LISTENERS' GUIDE TO SHERLOCK HOLMES

AudioFile magazine has put together some interesting material on various audio programmes, largely of the audiobook variety i.e. one person readings,  featuring Sherlock Holmes. The site currently offers some behind the scenes audio interviews  with readers David Timson, Simon Prebble, Ralph Cosham and dramatist Yuri Rasovsky. AudioFile magazine also currently offers a free download of three stories  - Silver Blaze, The Adventure of the Stock-Broker's Clerk, and The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans - courtesy of Naxos AudioBooks. 

To check out the AudioFile Magazine Listeners' Guide visit AudioFile Magazine's site here.

Illustration by Hemesh Alles copyright Naxos AudioBooks 

COMIC: AUSTRALIAN SERIES - DARK DETECTIVE: SHERLOCK HOLMES

Premiering in July 2009, this new on-going series has been chilling readers to the bone for four issues now. Beginning with the free preview The Ghost of Mary Shelley, the series most recently featured Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart companion John Watson tackling the depravities of the Lodge of Bellorophon through the Chimera story arc.

Issue 4 is due in January 2010 and will bring a slight detour for the avid reader, focusing for a while on the mysterious office occupied by Mycroft Holmes. Mycroft, the keeper of so many secrets, has some terrible things to tell you – so listen closely.

While Dark Detective has largely been available only through Australian newsagents, that is about to change in January 2010 when interested readers will be able to order the printed comics directly from Australian publisher Black House Comics. In the meantime, you can download the preview issue The Ghost of Mary Shelley as a PDF file by clicking here.


The creative team behind Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes features:

Christopher Sequeira has written for Marvel, DC, BOOM! Studios as well as being responsible for numerous independent titles. His Holmes work has been featured in Gaslight Grimoire: Fantastic Tales of Sherlock Holmes ("His Last Arrow") and he is a member of the Sydney Passengers. Check out his blog at www.comicbookwriter.blogspot.com.

Phil Cornell is a commercial artist who, while never having drawn for comics before, has become well known for his faithful renditions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s world. His fine story illustrations and frontispiece graced the pages Gaslight Grimoire: Fantastic Tales of Sherlock Holmes and he also provided cover art and interior art for Curious Incidents Volumes 1&2.

Dave Elsey is an Oscar nominated special effects artist who has worked on everything from Hellraiser to The Wolfman. His amazing covers bring forth a different side of Holmes and show both the man and monster within. Dave is also co-creator of the title and works the digital magic evident on each and every page. Dave has also provided the cover art for the forthcoming book Gaslight Arcanum: Uncanny Tales of Sherlock Holmes.

A talented team loaded with skill and imagination! These folks know their Sherlock Holmes and bring a wonderfully dark 'classic horror movie' sensibility to this project. If you love Sherlock Holmes, classic Universal monster movies and the output of Hammer Films Studios...this is definitely for you! Visit Black House Comics for more details!

Highly Recommended!

MOVIE TIE-IN: ROBERT DOWNEY JR WAX FIGURE AT MADAME TUSSAUDS

Madame Tussauds Press Release:

 Unsuspecting travellers at one of the UK’s busiest stations were joined by one of the world’s most famous names this morning when Sherlock Holmes came home to Baker Street.   

The Holmes in question was a startlingly lifelike wax figure of Robert Downey Jr in his latest role - on a brief sojourn before taking up residence at Baker Street’s other famous name, Madame Tussauds.    The figure portrays Downey Jr in the strikingly modern spirit of the much anticipated new Warner Bros film, Sherlock Holmes, premiering in London on Monday (14^th December).  Dressed in a replica of one of the movie costumes the figure will be featured at the world famous attraction in a set inspired by the film – complete with some very contemporary interactive twists for guests to enjoy.        Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes will star at Madame Tussauds from 14^th December.   Sherlock Holmes opens in UK cinemas on Boxing Day.

 

TECH: VOOK - THE SHERLOCK HOLMES EXPERIENCE FOR WEB OR iPHONE®

Technology is a wonderful thing, especially when it may have useful applications in a classroom setting, which is what the creators of Vook: The Sherlock Holmes Experience appear to have in mind.

So what is a Vook? Well according to the website:

"A vook is a new innovation in reading that blends a well-written book, high-quality video and the power of the Internet into a single, complete story.
You can read your book, watch videos that enhance the story and connect with authors and your friends through social media all on one screen, without switching between platforms.


Vooks are available in two formats: As a web-based application you can read on your computer and a mobile application for reading on the go. With the web-based application you don't have to download programs or install software. Just open your favorite browser and start reading and watching in an exciting new way. You can also download and install the mobile applications through the Apple iTunes store and sync them with your Apple mobile device."

And specifically about The Sherlock Holmes Experience:

"The Sherlock Holmes Experience vook is a revolutionary new way to read about the exploits of Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary creation: Sherlock Holmes. The vook features two classic stories by Doyle -- The Man with the Twisted Lip and The Adventure of the Speckled Band -- and enhances them with videos that delve into the history and legend surrounding the character of Holmes.

15 compelling videos take you back to the gas-lit London streets where Holmes would pull on his deer stalker, summon Doctor Watson, and set out from 211B Baker Street on another crime solving adventure. The videos help you envision the world of Holmes and highlight details and historical facts that further immerse you in the mystery. Go to London's Baker Street, made famous by Doyle's stories. Visit Holmes' sitting room where so many mysteries were solved. Learn more about Holmes' crime solving techniques from the experts who have studied them. The videos in this vook provide a glimpse into the world of the famous detective and what inspired the innovative crime fighting series written by Conan Doyle.

Readers can also easily access more information on the Web by using the many hyperlinks embedded in this vook."

Sounds good? Well, having gone through the two stories this afternoon, I'm impressed with the results. While some of the video has a goofy 'man on the street' Q&A element, the video footage featuring Sherlock Holmes Society of London members Catherine Cooke and Nick Utechin are really quite well done. Largely, the video material provides context for the modern reader and works rather well.  The classroom applications are strong, but this is also useful material for the casual reader too.

Will this catch on as the best way to bring classic fiction to the internet generation? Hard to say, but it's certainly worth a look, particularly as the folks behind The Sherlock Holmes Experience have said "...we’re giving one copy of the Sherlock Holmes Experience free to every accredited educator in the UK and the US. The vook is going to bring the world of Holmes to a new generation of readers in an intelligent and useful manner." Check it out.

For more info or for educators to request a copy, visit the Vook website.

TECH: SHERLOCK HOLMES LONDON LOCATIONS MAPPED ON NEW iPHONE® App

Sherlock Holmes Guide To London iphone app includes more than 60 locations connected to the great detective. Use it as a walking tour or simply browse the information as a fact-packed guide to houses, hotels, railway stations, pubs, plaques and statues. The app includes more than 100 photographs and easy-to-use mapping to transport you back to a time when London was a city of fog, hansom cabs and a network of crime to stimulate the mind of the world's most famous consulting detective. The first 40 locations from Baker Street to Leicester Square can be used as a four mile walk or split up as the user wishes. A second set of extra locations further afield are conveniently grouped near to London's tube stations.

Written and created by David Roberts and designed by Clay Interactive, The Sherlock Holmes Guide to London can be downloaded for just £1.79 at the App store:

http://www.itunes.com/app/TheSherlockHolmesGuidetoLondon