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Sherlock Holmes: A Games of Shadows — Movie Review

Laura Aguirre — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:04:37 +0000

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the legendary fast-talking intellectual sleuth Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie‘s sequel Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Jude Law also returns as Holmes’s faithful best friend and sidekick Dr. Watson. This time, the two travel to exotic places like Paris and Switzerland with the sole purpose of taking down the villainous Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), an influential scholar and close friend to the British prime minister. Joining them in their journey is Noomi Rapace, the Swedish actress who became an international success thanks to her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; comedian Stephen Fry plays Holmes’s snobby older brother. Let’s see if this blockbuster is worth your jolly golly time this Holiday season.

The Players:

Director: Guy Ritchie
Writer: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney, and Arthur Conan Doyle
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, and Noomi Rapace
Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot

The Plot:

Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson take on a new criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes concludes that the prince has been the victim of a murder designed to look like a suicide by Professor Moriarty. Holmes and the Doctor set out to expose Professor Moriarty for what he really is, but he proves to be a fierce adversary.

The Good:

Robert Downey Jr. Is A Star: The true star of this movie is RDJ. With his charm and wit, RDJ’s Holmes keeps this movie alive. Whether he’s dressed in drag or covered in dirt, he is always entertaining to watch.
The Sleuth And His Sidekick: RDJ and Jude Law have mastered their brother-like relationship on the screen. They know each other better than they know themselves. In this sequel, Holmes is sad – though he denies it – to see his best friend and partner in crime-solving get hitched. Unfortunately, because of the lack of story (see below), that’s all we see. The film doesn’t explore how things will be now that Dr. Watson is married. Sometimes the two talk about their future, but these conversations are overshadowed by plot and action. Still, the chemistry is there. RDJ may be the star, but behind every great detective, there’s a great sidekick. Jude Law brings out the best in RDJ.
Noomi Rapace: Sherlock Holmes is Rapace’s first American movie. It’s endearing watching her play with two Hollywood big shots. Despite being a relatively newcomer, Rapace never allows herself to be overshadowed by RDJ or Jude Law. In part, this is thanks to Ritchie who didn’t cast Rapace as a replacement for Rachel McAdams, instead she plays a badass gypsy who needs no looking after. Here, she’s doing the saving.
Professor Moriarty: Although Jared Harris isn’t as charming as our hero, he’s the perfect match – intelligent, arrogant and, he’s even got an evil grin.

The So-So:

Clever Cinematography: Throughout the movie, there’s this recurring sequence where Holmes calculates the outcome of a certain fight seconds before it happens. While this is a unique way to play out a fighting scene, it could be a bit distracting and insulting. The big problem with this clever cinematography is that it’s not just showing us what is going to happen, but Holmes is describing his every move. Filmmaking 101: Show, don’t tell. Yes, the slow motion, attention to detail and loud sound effects look and sound amazing, but by the end, Ritchie’s method is exhausted. He’s spoon-feeding his audience and that’s insulting. He doesn’t allow his audience the chance to figure anything out.

The Bad:

They Forgot About The Story: Despite the great performances in the movie, it’s sad to say that each character, with the exception of Holmes, is mostly used to move the plot forward. At a glance, Sherlock Holmes has some great topics both political and personal, but none of these are ever explored. It’s always about solving the murder and getting rid of the bad guy.

Overall:

Sherlock Holmes is a movie for the masses – there’s exotic locations, tons of action and a charming and witty hero. Though some of us may want more story than plot, let’s face it, 70% of the box office revenue will come from overseas audiences where plot is king. Does Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows entertain? You bet it does.

Rating: 6.5/10

See Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows in theaters on December 16, 2011.

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Will you watch Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows?

Hugo: Movie Review

Damon Houx — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:00:34 +0000

One of the side effects of Martin Scorsese being one of America’s greatest living directors is that every new picture is viewed under the magnifying glass of greatness. Is Hugo another in a line of great movies, or is it a muddled attempt at trying to do something out of his reach? Is it an old man picture, with modest pleasures but a looser grasp? Those seem to be the categories the film’s critics slotted the film into, with many adults deciding that Scorsese failed at directing a film for children, to which the only evidence is anecdotal. But the film is good, possibly great (time will tell), and the most engaging and engaged picture Scorsese has made in a while.

The Players:

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: John Logan
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz , Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer
Original Music by: Howard Shore
Cinematography by: Robert Richardson

The Plot:

Hugo Cabret (Butterfield) is an orphan who lives in a Paris train station where he gets his independence by making sure all the clocks are still working. He meets George (Kingsley) – a toymaker – when he’s caught stealing parts. Hugo has entered into thievery mostly to stay alive, but also to repair the automaton that his late father (Law) rescued, which he thinks holds a secret his father wants him to have. It will only work with a key, one he finds around the neck of fast friend Isabelle (Moretz), and the ward of George. George and Hugo bond over Hugo’s gift for repair, but George holds many secrets that he and Isabelle help to unravel.

The Good:

Martin Scorsese: Being known as a master director helps attune one’s awareness. Which begs the rose question about any other name. This doesn’t feel as distinctly “Marty” as Casino, but he’s also played with a certain austerity before in pictures like Age of Innocence, so this isn’t such a stretch. But from the opening tracking shot (with digital assist) to the wooshing camera around Hugo’s workplace, Scorsese cues the viewer to pay attention early on, and shows that he’s in complete control. And there’s something to be said for a director with vision, in an era where many filmmakers fall back on masters and TV framing. But with Scorsese, you expect nothing less.
For the Love of Cinema: Though the IMDb ruins it, there is a reveal later in the picture about one of the characters who was involved in silent cinema. The film then turns into a story about the origins of film, and the role this character played in shaping cinematic fantasies. And though Hugo is much more grounded than that work, it communicates the joy of that cinema just the same, and how movies can be escapist in the best possible sense. In that way Hugo is a better appreciation of the silent era (and loves it more) than The Artist.
Gentle Journey: The story of an orphan who seeks to get closer to lost parents is familiar terrain of young adult literature, and of animated cinema (how many Disney films feature dead parents?) And though that is the starting point, the film creates a microcosm world in the train station. There’s the nasty-seeming cop (Cohen), who is ashamed of his wounded leg, but wants to romance a flower seller (Mortimer). There’s an older couple who fancy each other, but her dog keeps biting him. And then there’s the old book seller (Christopher Lee), whose frightening exterior reveals a much warmer heart. In that way Hugo is about the harmony that comes from a happy community, and this may be Scorsese’s warmest film. And though some of his attempts at a period or genre mimicry don’t work perfectly (New York, New York and Cape Fear come to mind), Scorsese nails this one.

The Bad:

Indifference: The worst thing about this film is that it’s not going very wide this weekend, and it doesn’t appear to have been marketed that strongly. It’s a weird film in that it takes its time (kids films that aren’t Potter-ish run around 100 minutes, this is over two hours), but it’s also a very interesting film that can’t be pigeon-holed readily. It is an orphan’s adventure, but then it becomes something more. If Martin Scorsese had directed a gangster picture, it would open big and people would be raring to watch, but because he’s directing a kids film, it’s possible this could get lost in the Holiday shuffle.

Overall:

Scorsese’s love of cinema glows bright throughout Hugo, but that’s not the only reason why it charms. There’s heart and characters, comedy and adventure, all of which work well. Hugo is an ode to both assembled families and silent films, Hugo is a heartfelt love letter.

Rating: 9/10

Hugo opens November 23.

Trailer:

New Trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Hugo

Damon Houx — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:33:54 +0000

Martin Scorsese‘s children’s movie Hugo is starting to build good word of mouth after a New York screening. The first trailer was a little more slapsticky and was selling the film more to children than film fans, and it seemed to suggest a lesser film, but it looks like the film is better than that, and the new trailer sells the scale and wonder. Check it out…

Asa Butterfield and Chloë Grace Moretz star as children in the middle of an adventure with Butterfield’s Hugo Cabret trying to get closer to his father (Jude Law) and his robot invention. Where the first trailer played up the presence of Sacha Baron Cohen and his station conductor, who seems a riff on Inspector Clouseau. Now there’s more of the old genius character played by Ben Kingsley.

Again, word is good. There’s no telling if it’s going to be an Oscar contender, but Scorsese’s last couple films have been so mixed, it would be nice to see him hit something out of the park. I like this trailer, and can see how the other trailer was more of a bait and switch (it was attached to Harry Potter). We’ll know for sure come November 23, when the film is released.

What was the last Martin Scorsese film you unabashedly loved?

Action Packed Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Trailer

Damon Houx — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:51:58 +0000

Will Robert Downey Jr. wear out his welcome? Hard to say, but he’s now got two franchises where he plays a smart jerk. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is Guy Richie‘s sequel to 2009′s surprisingly successful (it was overshadowed by Avatar, but made over $200 Million domestic) reworking of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous character. The newest entry co-stars Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, and Jared Harris. Check out the latest trailer…

The trailer suggests the return of Rachel McAdams, but as she is not top billed you can expect her either to leave the story for much of the film or to be killed off dramatically (though a vengeful Holmes sounds like less fun). I thought the first film was likeable, the sort of film that is rousing while you watch it and clever enough to make it not insulting – but not the sort of film that inspires great enthusiasm.

But the first film made over half a billion worldwide, so it’s probably worth going back for more. I like Downey Jr., and he’s done a better job than most comic book film stars in positioning himself as more than just the man behind the mask. Perhaps his success is similar to comedians like Will Ferrell, where as long as he does what people like him for they’ll turn out. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows opens December 16.

Will you watch everything Downey Jr.?

Contagion: Movie Review

Damon Houx — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:00:14 +0000

Fall is off to a great start with Steven Soderbergh‘s Contagion kicking off the September releases. With an all star cast – including Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet and Jude Law among others – the film follows a new disease from Day 2 on as it infects the population, and scientists and doctors attempt to control and cure it. Soderbergh deftly avoids most of the genre’s pitfalls by keeping the film in a “you are there” approach that grounds the material, and will have most audiences reaching for the Purell when the film ends.

The Players:

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Written By: Scott Z. Burns
Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle
Original Music by: Cliff Martinez
Cinematography by: Peter Andrews (aka Steven Soderbergh)

The Plot:

Beth Emhoff (Paltrow) returns to Minnesota from a trip abroad with what appears to be a slight cold, though possibly just jet lag. The next day she’s having seizures and is hospitalized. It’s a huge shock to her husband Mitch (Damon), especially when she dies shortly thereafter. He’s immune, but his son and daughter are not. As the disease spreads the CDC reacts by sending in Dr. Erin Mears (Winslet) to investigate Beth’s death and they try to contain the outbreak, but between Beth’s stop in Chicago (to visit an old lover) to the others in Hong Kong who were around her, the disease quickly goes global. The government tries to both solve it – with the lead doctor being Dr. Ally Hextall (Ehle) – and contain it. But in the 21st century word can’t be contained, especially when people like Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) write about it on the internet and hope to profit from it.

The Good:

Ensemble: One of the things that old school filmmakers knew about using a lot of stars in their films was that having familiar faces grounds you immediately in which location you’re at, regardless of where the last scene took place. Marion Cotillard’s character is in Asia, Jude Law’s in San Fransisco, Matt Damon’s in Minnesota – the film darts around the globe, but because the plot follows the disease you never feel lost, and all of the actors get a moment to shine. With all the heavy hitters in the cast, it’s surprising that Jennifer Ehle walks away with the movie. As one of the key doctors trying to figure out a cure, Ehle manages to be smart, confident and surprisingly sexy (especially for someone wearing a Tyvek suit for much of the film). Though Ehle’s been acting for a while now, this is that role. She’s going to be in a lot more shortly.
Follow the Disease: Though the film does develop its characters well enough, the film never tries to drum up too much added melodrama for the situation. There is some melodrama – especially with Damon’s Emhoff character, who has a family that isn’t safe and as the disease progresses has to worry about his daughter not only staying safe, but also the fact that she’s a tween girl who wants to live a normal life. That works – it humanizes the consequences – but often these films pile incident on incident (often there’s a couple about to get divorced, a love triangle, etc.). As such the film work like gangbusters because it functions more as a procedural.
Getting Under Your Skin: The film opens with a sequence where it shows people touching things, be it public locations, their faces, or a glass handed to them. Soderbergh does a brilliant job of setting the viewer on edge on how easy we treat most of the world, and how often people expose themselves to the possibility of germs. There’s just enough of that to make anyone freaked out.

The Bad:

Cleanliness: Though never as terrible as Traffic at its worst, there are some plot points that either go nowhere (the Cotillard section feels like a throwaway, though that’s the point), or goes for the hammer of obviousness. This may be a byproduct of this sort of storytelling, and for the most part the film does a good job of avoiding being cloying. Thankfully such intrusions are kept to a minimum, but they’re also the things that stick out later as why the film isn’t a masterpiece. But, hey, settling for being a really good film is good enough.

Overall:

This is Soderbergh at his best; Contagion is fascinating to watch. Though some might prefer a more horrific “what if” situation, the film communicates great ideas about how our society functions, and where it breaks down. And more than any recent picture, Contagion really captures the internet era (arguably the film is more about that than the disease), where people are texting their reactions to tragedy, and someone leaking word about a possible shutdown or blockade goes as viral as the virus itself.

Rating: 8.5/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Trailer and Posters

Laura Aguirre — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:11:32 +0000

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are coming back for another bromance in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. With the mystery film scheduled to hit theaters in mid-December, a trailer was long overdue. Alas, it is here. Get ready to see a lot of chasing, explosions and drag. Yes, drag.

This time around, Holmes is tracking his hard-to-find nemesis Dr. Moriarty (Jared Harris), alongside his associate Doctor Watson. But Holmes will need more than Watson to track this tricky fellow down. Get ready for some brother bonding, and gypsies (one in particular to be played by Swedish actress Noomi Rapace)!

So by this sequel, we’re going to see a face to the much talked about Dr. Moriarty, and we’ll be introduced to Holmes’ older brother, Mycroft.

We’ve also got two Sherlock Holmes posters featuring Holmes and Watson. Check out the trailer and posters below…

From what you can see we’re in for a lot of action. Most of the trailer is spent with bullets flying in the air or Holmes and Watson running. Fans will most likely be looking forward to seeing Holmes and Dr. Moriarty come face to face. Also, it’s good to put a face to Dr. Moriarty, finally. And did you catch Downey is drag? I wonder what he got himself into that he had to trade his dress robes for dresses.

What do you think?

First Look: Jude Law On Set of Contagion

Krystal Clark — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:44:57 +0000

Filming has recently begun on director Steven Soderbergh’s ensemble piece Contagion. The film, as suggested by the title, has to do with a viral outbreak. There’s a lot at stake and a lot of A-List stars lending their time and talent to tell the story. Jude Law is one of the actors featured in the film, and we’ve discovered several photos of him on set in San Francisco shooting some scenes. Check them out…

Contagion’s story will center on the “outbreak of a deadly virus,” and have the majority of the cast members playing doctors and scientists. The latest plot details reveal that an international team of medical professionals will be brought in by the “CDC (Centers for Disease Control) once the sickness outbreak starts.” The story will also take place on four continents, which will have the characters jet setting across the globe to help contain the disease.

The film will star Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Poor Mr. Law. He has to wear the most uncomfortable suit during this scene. At least he’s protecting himself from whatever the hell it is they’re trying to escape in the film.

Contagion is scheduled to hit theaters on October 21, 2011.

What do you think of the first photos from Contagion? Are you interested in seeing the film?

Source: JustJared

Video: Sherlock Holmes 2 Behind the Scenes

Krystal Clark — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:58:17 +0000

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are at it again as the latest incarnations of Sherlock Holmes and his partner John Watson. The duo will reprise their roles for the sequel to the 2009 box office smash and will be joined by a few new faces including Scandinavian actress Noomi Rapace. Entertainment Tonight recently had an opportunity to hang out on the high octane film set, and they’ve posted some risque footage from their visit. Take a look…

Robert Downey Jr. in drag? We’re there! That man could dress up in a bear costume and we’d still be fans. How is it that the lipstick looks slightly appropriate on him?

The cast of Sherlock Holmes 2 also includes Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Fry and Gilles Lellouche. Harris has been named as the villain Moriarty, while Fry will play Holmes’ older brother, and Rapace will star as the female lead. The film will once again be directed by Guy Ritchie and is scheduled to hit theaters on December 16, 2011.

What do you think of the behind the scenes footage from Sherlock Holmes 2? Are you interested in seeing the film?

Jude Law is Irresistible, Even to Sesame Street Puppets!

Krystal Clark — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:01:29 +0000

Can anyone resist Jude Law? Really? Every woman, man, and child seems to be attracted to the guy for various reasons. Maybe it’s his accent or his lean frame? We’re not sure, but either way some new folks have fallen victim to his charm. The residents of “Sesame Street” recently invited the actor to their neighborhood to do a video on the meaning of the word “Cling” and to say that he attracted every puppet in the room would be an understatement. Take a look…

Doesn’t this seem like something that happens to the actor on a daily basis? Except it wouldn’t be puppets, it would be random women in hooker heels looking for a good time. The monkey, the mouse, and the octopus would need to move over because if we were in the room we would have dominated this scene.

“Sesame Street” has gotten a lot of stars to come do guest spots over the years, and no appearance has been as fitting as this one. Keep up the good work PBS!

What do you think of Jude Law’s appearance on Sesame Street? Do you think he was the right person to demonstrate the word, “Cling.”

First Look: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law on Sherlock Holmes 2 Set

Krystal Clark — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:02:23 +0000

The first on set photos from the Warner Bros sequel, Sherlock Holmes 2 have surfaced online. They feature the main characters Sherlock and Watson as played by Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. As usual, neither of them look like they’re enjoying each other’s company and they might attack at any moment. We’re not sure what this scene is about but feel free to speculate…

There hasn’t been a lot of info revealed regarding the plot of Sherlock 2, but it looks like they’re somewhere on the countryside. The first movie relied heavily on the backdrop of London and here it’s all open fields and hills. What we do know is that the plot will pick up with the revelation that Professor Moriarty has been behind all of Holmes’ troubles.

Jared Harris (“Mad Men“) has been named as the actor stepping into the shoes of the villain, while Stephen Fry will play Holmes’ older brother, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo alum Noomi Rapace will star as the female lead. The film will once again be directed by Guy Ritchie and is scheduled to hit theaters on December 16, 2011.

What do you think of the first photos from Sherlock Holmes 2?

Source: JustJared

Sherlock Holmes 2 Starts Filming in October

Krystal Clark — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:12:04 +0000

The sequel to Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the popular character Sherlock Holmes is almost underway. The first film debuted in theaters last Christmas and made a hefty amount for Warner Bros, and like any self-respecting studio they had to capitalize on its success by working on a follow up. According to Watson himself (Jude Law) Holmes is headed back into production this fall.

Law stated that the film will start shooting in October, which means the writers can’t be far off from finalizing the script. Besides the actual production start another mystery that has us all in a tizzy surrounds the film’s villain. At the end of the first Sherlock Holmes it was set up so that Professor Moriarty would be Holmes and Watson’s next foil.

There have already been plenty of rumors regarding who will play the character from Brad Pitt to Daniel Day-Lewis to Gary Oldman but Law claims that he doesn’t have any inside info on that. He also said that he doesn’t know which story from Holmes’ legacy they’ll tackle next.

“I don’t know yet where the story will go,” Law told us, “but there are a lot of Sherlock Holmes novels to choose from.”

We’re not buying it Law but whatever keeps you from getting sued we’ll take. So far, we still don’t know who’ll play Moriarty but we do know that filming starts in October. That’s something!

Who do you think should play Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes 2?

Source: Empire

Jude Law Joins Martin Scorsese’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Krystal Clark — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:48:03 +0000

Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of the children’s novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret has officially begun production and he picked up a few new cast members just in the nick of time. According to THR, Oscar nominee Jude Law along with Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths have all joined Scorsese’s 3D flick.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a highly praised novel written by Brian Selznick that centers on a 12 year old orphan boy (Asa Butterfield) who lives within the walls of a train station. It follows his daily journeys as he interacts with several suspicious characters including a bitter old man (Ben Kingsley), a bookish girl (Chloe Moretz), and a local station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen).

The screenplay was adapted by John Logan who previously worked with Scorsese on the script for The Aviator. There are just as many heavy hitters behind the scenes of this production as there are in front of the camera. Scorsese will direct and produce Cabret alongside Graham King and Johnny Depp.

The film is currently shooting at Shepperton Studios as well as on location in London and Paris. Sony is looking to release it during the holiday season in December 2011.

Are you interested in seeing Scorsese’s adaptation of Hugo Cabret?

ScreenCrave.com » jude law

Sherlock Holmes: A Games of Shadows — Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 6.5/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Related Posts

Hugo: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Trailer:

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New Trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Hugo

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Action Packed Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Trailer

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Contagion: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8.5/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

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