SHERLOCK HOLMES PREVIEW: Victorian Street Elementary, My Dear Watson
If you’re looking for a director who can completely erase stuffy, old British boredom, you don’t have to go any further than Guy Ritchie. And so giving him the reigns to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous Victorian detective seems like something of an inspired gamble. With Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law taking the roles of Holmes and Watson, and Canadian starlet Rachel McAdams playing a deliciously villainous love interest, the cast is as strong as the source material, but we’ll have to wait until Christmas to see what’s inside the packaging.
December 21st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
This one is on the list to see! Looks great from the previews. As always thanks for everything you two do!
Ned
December 24th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I have to laugh every time I see the trailers or commercials for this thing. It’s so wonderfully goofy – and what a perfect release time for this little piece of holiday confection that will stay in your brain about as long as a fluffy piece of cotton candy stays in your mouth. Check your brain at the door, suspend that disbelief, and enjoy the popcorn, folks!
December 25th, 2009 at 1:32 am
As much as I would like to see this movie, I still don’t think it will end up being one I’ll buy on DVD. It just doesn’t feel like what a Sherlock Holmes movie should be. It reminds me too much of Wild Wild West, minus the giant mechanical spider.
To me, a Sherlock Holmes movie should be in the same league with The Prestige or From Hell. Actually, I think Christopher Nolan should direct a Sherlock Holmes film, one with a grittier edge and a darker look. Tim Burton would be a good choice but then that would mean another film with Johnny Depp. And maybe Timothy Spall as Watson, but that’s just me.
I don’t know, I’ll have to see the movie myself in order to make a fair opinion.
Anyone else agree with me about Chris Nolan though?
December 25th, 2009 at 3:26 am
To Heath: I don’t think Christopher Nolan would be a bad choice for ANY genre movie, actually – though my personal preference for a Holmes movie would be Alex Proyas. I think Proyas’ style and eye would be perfect for a true gothic Holmes adventure. I respect Guy Ritchie’s C.V. and have enjoyed most of his work, but honestly, someone like him directing a Holmes movie is like giving the keys to your Rolls-Royce to a NASCAR driver. Sure, it might be entertaining and thrilling, but you’d probably be watching it between the slits of your fingers as you’re covering your face with your hands in abject fear.
Oh, and back to Nolan: After defining the Batman ideal in movies, I hope he stays in the comics arena just long enough to do the definitive take on Superman. Not only is Superman a fascinating psyche with limitless potential, he’s also an amazing resource for movies with NO limits. Superman gets short shrift from younger fans because of his traditional reputation of being an oversized Boy Scout in a edgier, grittier, darker world – but in the hands of a master like Nolan, well… the possibilities are astounding. It wouldn’t necessarily have to be dark (just look at the wondrous “All-Star Superman” by Grant Morrison) but I’m sure Nolan would throw in some wickedness – it’s in his blood.
December 25th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Nolan directing Superman? I’d have to see it to believe it.
Alex Proyas on Holmes? I wish I’d thought up that one. That’d also be genius!
But besides Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, who would you pick to play Holmes and Watson? I already have the cast down for a Burton-Holmes movie but I have no idea what it’ll be like if either Nolan or Proyas did the film.
Oh, and another thing about Proyas: Did you like Knowing?
December 25th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
“Knowing” was both incredibly good and incredibly bad in the same movie. Some parts mesmerized me, while others had me scratching my head going, “Hmmm, why the FRACK would Proyas do that?!” Overall, I loved it more than I didn’t love it. It’s a movie that I show people to see their reaction because it always elicits a strong one. A very flawed film, but definitely provocative… which is usually the best measure of any type of entertainment. To me, the worst reaction to a book, a film, a song, a poem – anything meant to stir emotions – is ambivalence.
Also, the movie is a LITTLE too close for comfort to the novel “Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke. I really think Proyas should’ve given the author a shout-out in the credits… although Clarke is dead and wouldn’t have been able to hear it.
I hadn’t really thought of any casting choices for a Proyas Holmes movie, but that’s a good question. I’m of the VERY strong belief that the people who cast roles for movies should choose actors based on realism – that is, how believable an actor will be in the role. To me, casting is paramount in movies – a great actor in an inspired performance can elevate a train-wreck of a movie to something passable, and a passable movie into something truly magical. One of my pet peeves is casting outside of Nationality. It irks me to no end to see, for example, to see American Robert Downey Jr. and Canadian Rachel McAdams playing British characters. It’s not just the accent that makes one British – it’s body language, subtle and nuanced phrasing, and the psyche of someone who’s spent a lifetime in a rigid caste society. An actor from Los Angeles, no matter how talented and accomplished, simply can’t project that as well as an actor from London. It’s impossible. So why not just hire an English actor? Are they in such short supply? Drives me crazy…
Also, this disgusting proliferation ( I thought it was just a fad at first, but its gone on WAY too long for that label) of hiring comedians, rappers, reality TV personalities, singers, or other non-actor professions to fill roles (or even STAR) in movies for the “oh, look who it is” factor should be ended. Now.
So yeah, Keanu Reeves as Holmes and Jack Black as Watson, with Will Smith as Moriarty and Eva Mendes as the generic hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold/undercover spy/eventual lover to Holmes/even more eventual turncoat to Holmes and threat/ even more eventualler redeemed before her death hero and betrayer of Moriarty.
No? Doesn’t work for you? OK seriously, here goes… off the top of my head: (skewing younger) James McAvoy as Holmes, Ewan McGregor as Watson, Jonathon Rhys Meyers as Moriarty, and Imogene Poots as The Hooker. (skewing older) Ralph Fiennes as Holmes, Ian McShane as Watson, Gary Oldman as Moriarty, and Rachel Weisz as The Madame. Oh, and Alan Rickman has to be in the movie somehow – because every movie is better with Alan Rickman. And lastly, I’d like to propose a moratorium on Jude Law for a decade or so, please.
As to your Burton/Depp idea of a Watson movie… well, I shudder to think what Tim Burton would do with a Holmes movie. In fact, I shudder just about anytime I hear of Burton doing pretty much anything these days. He’s become a novelty director now because he’s painted himself into a corner with his niche form. Every producer in Hollywood has the same thought: “You want something weird but stylish that won’t make any money, call Tim Burton!”
Oh, and I agree completely with your reaction to my suggestion of Nolan directing Superman! I know it’ll never happen.. but ohhh, the potential. It saddens me to see the character left with such a weak legacy as the Bryan Singer fiasco. It’s a shame.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Kevin Smith should do a Superman movie. He’s a big fan of the comics and he’s a really good screenwriter. I think that will be the movie that people will realize that Kevin Smith can direct something besides Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob. But that’s just me.
As for those casting choices, good God, man! Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Rachel Weisz, James McAvoy, Ian McShane… all that’s missing is Michael Caine and you’d have the perfect British cast for a Sherlock Holmes movie!
Glad you liked Knowing. I thought it was going to suck at first but it turned out to be surprisingly good.
December 27th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Kevin Smith was hired to write the “Superman Lives” screenplay waaaay back when Tim Burton was going to direct and Nicolas Cage was angling to be The Man Of Steel. You can check out the script at http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/superman-lives-script.html
Not surprisingly, the Powers That Be at Warner Brothers passed on the script, saying it was too insider-y and fanboyish to appeal to a larger audience. I usually disagree with The Suits’ decisions when it comes to comic-book movie content, but I actually agreed with their assessment on Smith’s script… for the most part. It wasn’t bad in some areas, but it was just filled with just too much *wink wink nudge nudge* for my taste. But then again, after the train-wreck that Bryan Singer gave us for a Superman movie, who knows – I may have actually preferred Smith’s take on Supes after seeing the final product.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I already knew about Kevin Smith being hired to write a Superman script and that’s the main reason why I think he would’ve made at least a “decent” Superman movie that might’ve been a worthy adversary to Richard Donner’s. Thanks for the link though.
Just got back from Avatar for the 2nd time. I’m still working on seeing it at least 5 more times.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:38 am
I love Sherlock Holmes and I read all the stories growing up. So while i’m glad a big budget movie is bringing the character to a wider audience, I agree with Heath. There’s something about the tone of the whole thing that just keeps irking me. Holmes is supposed to be quirky, but never goofy. That’s just silly.
I also agree with BrashHulk; more British actors please. This version of Holmes with Robert Downey Jr is a little too comedic, and not in the right way either. I keep expecting him to crack a laugh after each line. I thought the boxing scene was great, but rest of the preview was just too swashbuckling for my taste. I don’t think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ever meant for Holmes to be flamboyant in his enthusiasm.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Hey man, everytime I try to browse posts I only find myself viewing half of the site’s post. I don’t understand if it is caused by my webbrowser(Chrome) or not, anybody else having this problem?