Sherlock Holmes

I'm writing this after the second viewing, mostly because I was too lazy to do it the first weekend. I blame the queso fries at the Alamo.

I have watched this movie twice almost exclusively for Robert Downey Jr. And I will continue to watch it and buy it as soon as possible because of Robert Downey Jr. As a whole, the movie wasn't a masterpiece of art, but it was everything a summer blockbuster should be (or, in this case, a Christmas blockbuster). There were some pieces of the plot and characters that I would have liked to see more developed, but I think they were trying to set up the franchise and trying to set the story to secure future viewers.

My favorite parts were the quiet, thinking times of Sherlock Holmes--working to figure out a fight or dissecting people (psychologically, as far as we see). And his relationship with Watson is very well done. I haven't read any of the stories (shocker, I know), but the hetero-life-partnership we see in the movie is how I imagine the stories portray them.

Seven was talking the other day about a theory that Sherlock Holmes might have been slightly autistic or had Asbergers, which would explain his extreme attention to detail and ability to obsess over the smallest problems. Robert Downey's characteristic uniqueness he brings to each person he plays makes him perfect actor to take on a role in a adaptation that has many Doyle fans trepidatious. I feel dumb trying to justify his portrayal, as I have never read the books, but I liked his character--it definitely worked for me. Holmes never seemed like he was paying attention or attached to anyone and then BAM, brilliant deduction.

I wouldn't change too much in the movie. I think it could be tightened, but if the goal is to make a blockbuster set of movies, then I would let the details slide and pick up the slack later.

Verdict--go watch it, on the big screen if possible.

Youth in Revolt

Charlotte and Seven were both gone for a long weekend, so I took the night to go see a movie, instead of coming home to an empty house (much to my dog's consternation). I had planned on Young Victoria, but after a long day, decided for something a little lighter.

Youth in Revolt was made 18 months ago, and it shows it's age. Micheal Cera is Micheal Cera--which is great, except I've seen this kind of dry-sarcastic-wimp many times before. Francois--his alternate personality--is the best part of the movie. I can't tell if he's a separate personality that is projected or if he switches between the two. Either way, the story is about a lost-emo-teen who is living with his promiscuous mother and her young, redneck boyfriend. They go on a little vacation to a nearby lake and he meets 'The One.' Her name is Sheena and she is love with a theoretical Frenchman, but dating the All-American Tony. Micheal Cera falls in love (read: becomes obsessed) and spends the rest of the movie trying to...have sex with her. He professes that he just wants to run away with her and live like outlaws, but we all know he just wants to sleep with her. Micheal Cera works with Sheena to get his father a job in her town, then get himself kicked out of his mother's house so he can live with his father. It all goes according to plan (Francois's plan, not Micheal Cera's plan) until Sheena's ultra-Christian parents decide to send her to a private French school. Micheal Cera and Francois spend the rest of the movie trying to get her out of the school and into their/his bed.

The truly funny moments are when Francois steps in and...nudges Micheal Cera. The scene with the mushrooms made me laugh outloud. In all, I'd suggest you only rent the movie. It is entertaining, and interesting. I think I enjoyed my show more because I had two guys behind me providing masterpiece theater commentary. They cracked me up more than the film.

I'm not sure what I would do differently. I would definitely release it at least two years ago. That might actually solve the box office problem it is facing.

Verdict: Rent, with friends.

Up in the Air

I liked this movie. It tread that line between 'I'm indie and artsy' and 'I will make tons of money for everyone involved and win awards.' Jason Reitman also brought us 'Juno' and 'Thank You For Smoking,' and he has proved again that he is the new generation of movie making.

The leads were all very good, and it this was the first role in which I've seen George Clooney actually play a real person, not a character. And it set the pace for the whole film. I found myself very attached to Natalie's character, probably because--even though we aren't in the same position--I can relate to a lot of what she's saying and feeling. But the true star of the film was Vera Farmiga. The 'twist' ending was almost expected, but the way she handled the phone call the next day kept it from being trite and predictable. The script had a rather generic plot, but kept it fresh by not dwelling or over-explaining on themes or events. This is something I really appreciate in the current screenplay climate of explaining-every-little-nuance to the audience as if we were dummies and couldn't make intellectual leaps of our own.

Were this my movie, I'm not sure I would change very much. There are a few scenes I'd make quieter, I'd tone down the colors a little. I'd also find a better place/tone for the ending interviews with the fired people. It didn't feel overtly forced or out of place, but I feel like there could have been something more done with it overall.

At the end of the day, I urge EVERYONE to go see this movie. It is a quiet film with good characters and good acting. I wish it the best of luck at the Oscars.

Avatar

Well...it was fun to watch. I mean literally watch, not watch like 'see the characters and plot develop.' I would go into mental tangents for minutes on end, missing vital plot points, trying to figure out what was real and how they filmed that part and marveling at the detail. I believe the technology developed for this film will be as revolutionary to the movie industry as was the work on LOTR.

Some issues:

-Jake Sully: There are many things here.
+He is just like, oh hey, fellow Marines, I guess I'll just kill you all now.
+Inter-racial love is wrong, as is loving a crippled man, so please make sure I'm a Na'vi forever. *Okay, this is harder to argue, because there are huge technical issues with love between an Avatar and a real Na'vi, but the idea they seem to push is not that Jake needs to overcome the technical issues, but rather the social barriers.
+Imma let you finish, Tsu'tey, but I am the best leader for this people, so let me get them all killed.

-Kisses, what?!: Why do these aliens, who theoretically evolved in their own galaxy, separate from Earth, act exactly like primitive human cultures?! They should have had sex/intimate relations with their braid anemones, not with... comparable human parts.

-Michelle Rodriguez's defection: Same issues here as with Jake killing all his mates. While it helps the story move and makes for cool scenes in the brig, it goes against her character.

-Half developed ideas that are never fleshed out: Such as the trees and plants all being linked like a brain or computer, Grace's character in general.

-General lack of character and/or character development: The only character that actually grew in the entire movie was Parker. Everyone else was flat or acted wholly out of character after every plot turn. For example, Neytiri is this badass hunter/warrior. Then she has mates with Jake is all subservient and submissive. What the frak is up with that?! The Colonel is interesting because he just gets crazier and crazier, but that doesn't make him a real character.



And now, Carrie's version of Avatar:

Mostly, I would change the end (in addition to the issues mentioned above). My first choice would be to end the movie after Jake and Grace and Norm are put in that cell and let the humans take over the planet and destroy everything. But, I can see how that would not go over well in theaters. Plan B--After Jake.Avatar asks the Mother Tree to help, the Mother Tree thinks about it, then kills everyone. And the planet slowly regains a natural equilibrium without the Na'vi or humans. SEE HOW MUCH BETTER THAT WOULD BE?!?!

I'm sure I'll amend this later and I process the film and think more about my point of view (and regret word choice and horrible sentence structure). But please comment with your own thoughts and arguments for or against my 'review.'


This was a good review/read about the cgiFAIL in relation to making it a better movie.