Brian Eastman Movies

First filmed as a theatrical feature in 1982, Agatha Christie's 1940 mystery novel Evil Under the Sun was remade as a two-hour episode of the off-and-on British TV series Poirot. David Suchet is back as the infuriatingly brilliant and fussy Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who after suffering a fainting spell at a posh restaurant is whisked off to a fancy health resort along the Devon Coast. As he recuperates, Poirot is able to relax, secure in the belief that he can give his sleuthing a bit of a well-deserved result. Alas, this is not to be. Another guest at the resort, a world-famous actress, is murdered -- and virtually everyone else in the vicinity had both motive and opportunity to do the dirty deed. First telecast in the U.K. in 2001. Evil Under the Sun made its America bow on July 13, 2003, courtesy of the A&E cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Agatha Christie introduced one of her most famous characters, idiosyncratic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, in her novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and David Suchet, who has played Poirot in a number of films produced for British television, takes the character back to his beginnings in this screen adaptation. Poirot, newly arrived in England, is introduced to John Cavendish (David Rintoul), a close friend of Poirot's old comrade-in-arms, Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser). There's been recent controversy in the Cavendish household; John's widowed mother has recently remarried, and her new husband has made more than a few enemies among her family and friends. When Mrs. Cavendish is found murdered, police inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) is brought in to investigate, and the gifted Poirot is soon lending his much-needed skills in ferreting out the identity of the killer. Poirot: The Mysterious Affair at Styles first aired in the United States as part of the PBS anthology series Mystery! ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

At a garden party he is attending with Hastings and Japp, Poirot (David Suchet) meets a young writer who happens to be the son of an old friend. The young man introduces Poirot to his fiancée. While jokingly reading the tea leaves in the young woman's cup, the sleuth sees something disturbing. Central to the trouble he foresees is a large wasps' nest in the young writer's garden. Together with Hastings and Japp, Poirot works to unravel the mystery before him. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

Poirot (David Suchet) is called in to investigate a bank manager's close call with a hit-and-run driver. The manager, it turns out, has been chosen by the bank to carry a $1 million in Liberty bonds to New York on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary. Someone is obviously out to stop him, and it's up to Poirot to brave his own sea sickness and find out who. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

After Inspector Japp is called upon to investigate the strange disappearance of a wealthy banker, Poirot (David Suchet) makes a five-quid wager with Japp that he can solve the mystery without even leaving his flat. After Hastings is dispatched on a number of bizarre errands, Poirot figures out the solution to the case. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

Director Paul Seed and screenwriter Rosie Thomas adapt author William Humble's novel about an irreversible tragedy, and the havoc that it wrecks on the life of a divorced mother. Jess Arrowsmith (Siobahn Redmond) is a divorced mother of two whose grown children Beth and Danny were about to strike out on their own when Danny was killed in a drunk driving accident. Inconsolable, the grieving mother enters into an intense love affair with Danny's best friend Rob (Paul Bettany) - who was actually at the wheel of the car when the accident occurred. Her family torn apart by the affair, Jess escapes to Italy with her young lover only to find that you can't escape the secrets of the past no matter how far you run. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Featuring Lord Richard Attenborough as narrator, this is a video portrait of Princess Diana, who died prematurely in a tragic automobile accident in August 1997. The video clips, photographs, and interviews are a commemoration of Diana's life from her younger years at her home at Park House in Sandringham near Norfolk, to her years in London, to her wedding and brief years as a mother. The video touches on the troubles in Diana's life: her eating disorder, her troubled royal life, and her divorce from Prince Charles, but also reflects on the joy and love she found in her children. Interviews with the people who knew her, the nanny of her youth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and friends are some of the people that let the viewer see the personality that was Diana. They tell of the positive influence she had on the world and the people she touched during her brief life. This video does not reveal any new information on Di, but is a tribute to her life and legacy. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide

Simon Moore directed this British musical drama. The story follows five friends over a 15-year span. In 1979, students Scott (Adrian Lester), Bryony (Amy Robbins), Angela (Clare Cathcart), Tim (Billy Carter) and Keith (Daniel Ryan), in their last year at the University of Hull form a vocal group directed by Scott. Climbing atop their shared house one day, they team for a greatest-hits medley, delivered a cappella. Heartbroken over Scott, Bryony moves in with her tutor Gavin (Robin Herford), while Scott makes plans for an ascent to fame as a pop star. Facing the uncertain future, the quintet vows to reassemble when they are "halfway through life" -- on July 1, 1994 at the Cote d'Azur villa of Tim's parents. Instead, they're back together in 1985 for Bryony's wedding to Gavin. Scott has failed as a pop performer, Keith runs a chain of gardening shops, Tim is a children's TV personality, and Angela is a waitress who sings professionally. As the years pass and more surprises surface, it becomes evident their lives can never harmonize in a manner as perfect as their music. South African locations substitute for the French Riviera. Music by Alan Parker, with a cappella arrangements by Tot Taylor. More than 20 tunes are featured. Shown at the 1997 London Film Festival, Up on the Roof did not do well in its London opening but bounced back with a highly positive reaction at the 1997 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

David Suchet once again takes on the role of Agatha Christie's super sleuth Herecule Poirot in Hercule Poirot's Christmas. Although he planned on an enjoyable holiday at home, Poirot accepts a job offer from a wealthy man after discovering his apartment will be without heat. Soon the detective must solve a murder and uncover some dark family secrets. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

In a small Cornish town, a wife suspects her dentist husband of slowly poisoning her because he's got the hots for his young, blond assistant. When Poirot (David Suchet) steps in to investigate, he finds that the wife is partially correct, but solving the real mystery is more complicated than it first appeared. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

In this whodunit based on a novel by Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is delighted to be entertaining a lovely Belgian film star one evening, while Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) is hot on the trail of a master jewel thief. When the actress confesses she's been receiving threatening letters since she came into possession of a valuable diamond called "The Western Star," Poirot and Japp join forces to find the offending party, though they also have to keep a close eye on the actress, who intends to wear her prize diamond for a major social event. oirot: The Adventure Of The Western Star was produced by the British network Granada Television, and later aired in the United States as part of the PBS series Mystery!. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide