Dan Dark (Downey) is a pulp crime novelist who suffers from a painful debilitating disease that leaves him confined to a hospital bed. As Dark drifts in and out of reality, his imagination fuses episodes from his novels with memories of his childhood. In his fantasies, Dark imagines himself as a detective of a '50s film noir. Real personas in his life begin to play characters in his fantasy and his delusions begin to bleed into his real life. Adding to the surreality is the slew of '50s pop songs that the characters sing at the slightest provocation. Visually stunning, and a bit convoluted. Downey delivers a solid performance, as do the supporting cast, including an almost unrecognizable Mel Gibson. Based on the BBC mini-series of the same name.
Newspaper article from: TelevisionWeek; 5/19/2008; Adalian, Josef ; 1670+ words...Whedon drama "Dollhouse'' and the animated "Family Guy'' spinoff "The Cleveland Show.'' CBS There are no singingdetectives or hunky vampires on the CBS lineup this year. That doesn't mean the network is playing it safe, however. With...
Newspaper article from: TelevisionWeek; 1/21/2008; 1304+ words...handy years later in his Oscar-nominated performance as the singing, dancing governor in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas...that made people take notice. It also led to the part of Detective Moretti in 1975's "Dog Day Afternoon,'' which was one...
Newspaper article from: TelevisionWeek; 7/9/2007; 1124+ words...whether fall shows such as the musical "Viva Laughlin'' and vampire detective drama "Moonlight'' are the right solution. "If people don't like vampires and singing casino owners, it's apparently going to be the fault of TV critics...
Newspaper article from: Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television; 1/1/2005; 917+ words...Only TV but I Like It, BBC, 2000. Detective superintendent Andy Bulmer, "The Hardest...Blur) "Parklife," 1994. Videos: Singing salesperson in "Parklife" music video...2000. Music Videos: (With Blur) Singing salesperson, "Parklife," 1994.