Movie Review: 'Sherlock Holmes', 'Invention Of Lying'

I don't have anything new to add to the mix while Bird Dog ("It's always a smaller deal than they make it sound.") gets his power back on (40 dead, $9 billion in damage), so here's a couple of oldies-but-moldies.

I've seen two excellent movies recently and thought I'd pass along a few clips. They're both designed to be played in full-screen mode.

Sherlock Holmes

If there was ever a movie I was ready to dislike, it was this one. The glamor-boy looks of Robert Downey seriously clashed with my craggy image of Holmes, and I expected everyone to be walking around with stylized makeup speaking "Modern Olde English". Another great legend sullied by the glitter and glitz of Hollywood, in other words. I wasn't even planning on watching it.

Then Scott mentioned in the comments of one of my 'House MD' posts how much House there was in the Sherlock role and I knew I'd have to give it a try. And, indeed, Scott nailed it. There are a couple of scenes where Holmes buffaloes poor Watson that have 'House' written all over them. Very clever stuff.

Also, great casting, a superb music score, a hot dame, a nasty bad guy, a twisting plot, and check out this snippet of dialogue when Holmes, disguised as a drunk, comes stumbling up to the bad guy's carriage:

A little rifle range would go a long way, sir, rubbin' these calluses off these German bands.

Whatever that means. The quick vernacular-laden dialogue between Holmes and Watson takes some staying up with, so keep the 'Back' and 'Subtitles' buttons on the remote handy.

It also introduces a very slick cinemagraphic effect; foreshadowing the upcoming fight in Holmes' mind as he decides on the exact course of action to take. There's a much longer, better one in the movie; here's a short scene near the beginning. It's a little dark for daytime viewing but pop it open to full-screen size and it should be okay.

The Invention Of Lying

A refreshingly original idea. It's a world just like ours except the entire concept of lying and deceit and innuendo doesn't exist. Everyone says exactly what they mean and, as a result, believes what everyone else says because they must be telling the truth. "Truth", as a word, doesn't even exist because there's simply no need for it.

Here's our unwitting hero a few minutes after a few brain synapses fry and allow him to tell the world's first lie:

If his buddy looked familiar, it's Lewis C.K.

Posted by Dr. Mercury in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 10:20 | Comments (34) | Trackbacks (0)

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German Bands = Hands.

Cockney rhyming slang. Other examples include Boat Race (Face) North and South (mouth) Trouble and Strife (wife). Some maybe obvious, some

However, real rhyming slang only usually uses the first word. So we might talk of my Germans, or my Trouble opening her North on the Dog

Dog and bone = telephone.

#1 Steveg on 2010-08-19 07:13 (Reply)

Then "rifle range" would be "change"?

#1.1 wolfwalker on 2010-08-19 07:55 (Reply)

Exactly.

The rhyming slang always throws me for a loop, and requires a bit of thought.

Ocean's Eleven had a bit of it, too.

I hate when (as they did in Ocean's Eleven), explain it. I like trying to figure it out.

#1.2 Rick on 2011-09-01 11:58 (Reply)

Rick -

"I like trying to figure it out."

They also did it a few times in 'Hunt For Red October'. At one point, the sonar guy says over the intercom something like "boomers coming out of the barn", then in a slightly different voice (detectable using headphones) because it's dubbed in later, the same voice says something like "Missle boats leaving Petropavlavsk", just to make sure everybody got it. Corny to the max.

On the subject, do you remember all those 'Nam movies that came out during the 80's? The one that really stood out was 'Hamburger Hill', because they used nothing but real on-the-ground miltary jargon, and if the viewer didn't get it, tough cookies. Very refreshing.

I agree with what you said about the Downey 'Sherlock' movie. I'm glad they didn't fall back on his 'drug problem' as some kind of crutch or movie plot enhancer. And the back-alley boxer stuff seemed out of place, but maybe they were just looking for a way to display a longer version of the 'pre-thinking' scenes that went through his mind before he laid a hand on the guy. I'm honestly surprised I haven't seen that technique used before. It makes a fight scene a helluva lot more interesting.

#1.2.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 12:19 (Reply)

Trying to overexplain things is just another way of dumbing down film.
I remember a friend of mine saying he hated "Howard's End". I asked why. He said "the wrong person died".

I laughed and said "no, the RIGHT person died, except if you're an American and want a happy ending with tightly drawn finishes that make people believe the world is fair and karma is meted out properly."

It's all part of the dumbing down process, and it's why there is so much formula in film today - even in the less formulaic of films (like Holmes). I honestly believe producers are pretty stupid, and like the thief who believes all men are thieves, producers believe all viewers are as stupid as they are. Thus, in reviewing the dailies, they ask questions that require extra work to "fix" perceived problems.

"I don't understand how Holmes is able to figure things out, we need to set something up to show his thought processes." From my standpoint, the whole POINT of Holmes is that his mind isn't like most people's and you have to take it on faith that he operates at a different level.

One of the reasons I liked the "Bourne" movies was that he just "knew" what he had to do - mostly due to his training - but also because his mind operated in a way that very few others can. I remember his line, in the restaurant "I can tell you all the license plate numbers in the parking lot. I can tell you the weight of that man sitting over there. I can tell you that at this altitude I can run flat out for a mile before I get winded." He knew, and there was just no way for him to know WHY he knew, and it didn't matter much at all.

Holmes is the same way.

#1.2.1.1 Rick on 2011-09-01 15:44 (Reply)

Very interesting. In context, given he's playing a beggar, I figured "rifle range" referred to money and "German bands" might have referred to an old war wound, with 'bands' meaning 'scars'.

And there are other lines in the movie that are equally vernacular-ish. "Modern Olde English", it definitely isn't. A excellent job on the screenwriter's part.

#2 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2010-08-19 07:25 (Reply)

The heck with Holmes - there has only been one actor worthy of Sherlock Holmes - his name was Basil Rathbone and that's that.

The Invention of Lying looks like a lot of fun though - need to put that in the old Netflix queue.

#3 Tom Francis on 2010-08-19 10:12 (Reply)

Tom -

Yeah, I know the feeling. When I said "craggy Holmes" in the post, I was thinking of Rathbone. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a Sherlock movie until this one.

As for 'Lying', it's a kick. Rob Lowe and Tina Fey turn in terrific performances. Clever ending, too.

#3.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2010-08-19 11:05 (Reply)

Dr. Mercury

Sorry I didnt get back to you on the House thread, but glad to hear that I didn't sully your memory of Holmes. Sounds like it left quite and impression.

BTW- Enjoyed your MASH piece but there is one thing that always bothered me about Hawkeye. His hair. It wasnt military or even 1950s. If it was because he was being rebelious shouldnt he of least had a DA? It was a 1980s cut and was always out of place.

#4 Scott on 2010-08-19 10:37 (Reply)

Hey, bud! Glad you're still around to catch the hat tip. That was a good three or so months ago, but it finally inched its way up the Netflix queue.

Funny you mention that about Hawkeye's hair -- I always thought the same thing. I figured he had "no crewcuts" written into his contract and that was that. And, as I recall, it did have a natural wave to it, which gives it more of a stylized look than normal. Klinger also sported a fairly hefty head of hair, but you know those swarthy Lebonese.

#5 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2010-08-19 10:51 (Reply)

Ahhh, Great minds think alike!

But sitting through 251 episodes is above and beyond, I dont know what Maggies pays you but its surely not enough.

#5.1 Scott on 2010-08-19 12:06 (Reply)

I recently watched Sherlock Holmes myself. My take is that it was written and directed by people who are huge fans of the stories -- but who assume the audience never has, or will, read any of Conan Doyle's work.

#6 Trimegistus on 2010-08-19 13:36 (Reply)

To us, my husband and myself, the ultimately perfect Sherlock Holmes is Jeremy Brett. We discovered, after we married in our forties, that we each had copies of The Complete Sherlock Holmes when we were kids, and had read all of the sections in it before we reached fourteen. For good measure, we reread it again after we married. We feel that Brett combined the loneliness, the edginess, the inner toughness and the starkness of attitude which are inherent in Holmes' character. Brett defines the word "loner," in my mind, just as Mark Harmon does in his role as Gibbs in NCIS. Neither man needs affirmation from others in order to be comfortable in himself. He is "sui generis."

Marianne

#7 Marianne Matthews on 2010-08-19 15:59 (Reply)

I doubt you subscribed to this thread, but I just wanted to say, here two weeks later, that you were absolutely correct. Jeremy Brett is terrific. Jeez, what a character. I'm halfway through the second season. Much thanks for the tip.

#7.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2010-08-31 15:13 (Reply)

I have been an avid Holmes fan for quite few years and agree that Jeremy Brett is the closest to Doyle's written sketch of the detective, while Basil Rathbone looks like the model for the sketches in the original writings.

I was prepared to dislike this new Holmes, but like Dr. Mercury, I enjoyed it. The link is to my review of it on my Different Drummer site, which is a movie review site for film loving foodies.

Also really like the Masterpiece Theater reincarnation of Holmes in 21st century London, AKA A Study in Pink. See review link here: http://www.differentdrummer.cc/reviews/review.php?reviewID=371

#7.2 Kathy Borich (Link) on 2011-09-01 10:56 (Reply)

Seriously, has there ever been a cooler name than Benedict Cumberpatch? I have all three episodes and am dying for more.

I didn't get what you meant by "...for foodies" until I glanced at the article after your excellent piece on 'A Study In Pink. Sounds dee-lish!

#7.2.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 11:05 (Reply)

Dr. M,

You've got to love an actor who sticks by a name like that. Thanks for the compliment on my site. It is a labor of love. I think you and I share similar tastes. I adore NCIS and have loved your commentary about the series. Hoping for more NCIS stuff from you.

BTW, this link is to my book, "Appetite for Murder: A Mystery Lover's Cookbook."

#7.2.1.1 Kathy Borich (Link) on 2011-09-01 12:39 (Reply)

Kathy - Because a certain site owner is paranoid beyond belief over copyright infringement, I removed the NCIS series from Mag's, but preserved it here. I doubt I'll do any more updates, though. After that disasterous ending to the season, I kinda lost interest. It's explained in the final entry.

#7.2.1.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 13:07 (Reply)

Thanks for the link to the NCIS postings, Dr. M. Your take down of Abbie and the flaws in her decision making on that last episode was very convincing. Sometimes NCIS gets a little too PC for me, and here you point out some logical blunders as well.

I'm still going to be watching it, though. Love the cast and their personas. And as one commenter on this thread said, I think Gibbs is a little like Sherlock Holmes. It's that loner/misogynist thing, maybe.

#7.2.1.1.1.1 Kathy Borich (Link) on 2011-09-01 14:33 (Reply)

Not having a TV, I still downloaded the hi-res episodes every week and enjoyed them (except when the evil Abby Sciuto, Series Killer, was on, of course), but that 'magical something' was gone. I particularly liked the episode with the three interns. If you're on Netflix, the season just became available.

#7.2.1.1.1.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 14:54 (Reply)

Dr. M,

I think you should check out one more episode of NCIS. It is the opener of season 8, "Spider and Fly." I think it redeems itself here with some pretty good poetic justice.

Kathy

#7.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Kathy Borich (Link) on 2011-09-02 08:40 (Reply)

Kathy - As I mentioned yesterday, I watched season 8, but no amount of fancy dancing is going to justify that one moment when Abbs discovered that Gibbs most likely shot poor old Pedro -- only to ask the dashing and effusive Alejandro moments later to not only exhume the body, but fly it to her own lab in order to ensure Gibbs' guilt. Spin it as they will, that moment is etched in stone forever.

#7.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-02 08:52 (Reply)

Gotta love your solid convictions. You'd be one I would feel safe with in a fox hole.

BTW, noticed you posted the link to my review. Really appreciate that. Thanks,

Kathy

#7.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Kathy Borich (Link) on 2011-09-02 10:28 (Reply)

Kathy -

Your site is great, but merits once piece of criticism. Best guess is that when you started it, you had no idea how big it was going to get, so you only opened those two categories for the reviews. As you're now seeing, both of them are seriously outgrowing their britches. I didn't notice what software you're using, but if it's easy enough to create new categories and shuffle things around, I'd spend a rainy day and do it.

If it'll help, here's how I have my own collection of movies sorted:

Action
Animation
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Fantasy
Instruction
Music
Romance
Sci-Fi
Series (TV)
Sports
War
Western

As far as the dif between Fantasy and Sci-Fi goes, basically, if it involves outer space, it goes into Sci-Fi. The post-Apocalyptic stuff ("Mad Max", etc) goes into Fantasy. (To 'Mad Max' fans, that would actually be "post-apocyclipse")

If you want any tech support on the matter, have me email you and we'll take it from there.

#7.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-02 10:57 (Reply)

It's a world just like ours except the entire concept of lying and deceit and innuendo doesn't exist. Everyone says exactly what they mean and, as a result, believes what everyone else says because they must be telling the truth.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wow - a movie about the Garden of Eden.

#8 Ben David on 2010-08-19 16:08 (Reply)

Ricky Gervais sucks. This movie sucked. Lewis CK is a squirrel brained glue sniffing dirt eating unfunny moron.

Sherlock Holmes sucked too.

There - I said it.

#9 Tom Francis on 2011-09-01 10:35 (Reply)

Disappointed in the Holmes movie. Law would have been a better Holmes. I actually have read the Sherlock Holmes stories and never, in any of them, did he treat Watson with such contempt. Watson had an inferior intellect but was a brave, intelligent doctor who was a great help to Holmes. That did not come across in the film.
Rathbone was great, my first introduction to Holmes on film(there was a predecessor). Brett was a delight and I have many happy memories of watching that series with my 6 year old son.

#10 J on 2011-09-01 10:56 (Reply)

J -

"who was a great help to Holmes. That did not come across in the film."

With all due respect, he saved Holmes' bacon in the first couple of minutes of the film (when he put a headlock on that bad guy), so I wouldn't say your statement is entirely true, but I get the gist.

And yes, Jeremy Brett was the greatest Holmes ever. I have one of his episodes online here.

#11 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 11:13 (Reply)

I was predisposed to like the Downey Holmes, expected to be disappointed, and surprised that I liked it.

Most of the episodes I've seen of the BBC's recent Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch* playing Holmes were very good. They're set in modern-day England: Watson is an ex-military doctor & Afghanistan veteran; Holmes is a quasi-autistic obsessive genius or, as he corrects one angry Scotland Yard policewoman, a "high-functioning sociopath", not actually a psychopath. Some of the plots were a bit weak but the interplay between Holmes-Watson keep it strong.

*In terms of knotty English names, "Benedict Cumberbatch" = "Basil Rathbone".

#12 T.K. Tortch on 2011-09-01 11:27 (Reply)

TK - Okay, in terms of 'knotty' (terrific word) English names, I'll have to hand you that Basil Rathbone also deserves top honours. Call it a tie between the two of them?

At this moment, I'm rendering a scene from 'A Study In Pink', should be online this afternoon. (Bloody things take forever to upload via wireless)

#13 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 11:33 (Reply)

Like you, I was predisposed to not like it. I'm not a Downey fan, by any stretch. But he has begun to make me think twice.

I went to see this for the wife's sake, and was converted. It's NOT Sherlock Holmes at all, in most ways. It IS in many others. His "cleaned up" Basil Rathbone character was accessible, but not the cocaine sniffing and rather disheveled detective we should be introduced to. Downey has the wrong look, but the right character (though I wasn't sure about the whole back-alley boxing bit...seemed out of character...he WAS an athlete - and a trained boxer, but I'm not sure he'd have gone in for the back-alley stuff).

At any rate, I really did enjoy this flick, and it was also a bit of redemption for Guy Ritchie. I love Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. I heard "Snatch" was very good. But I haven't heard many good things beyond these....and redoing "Swept Away" (and with Madonna????) was simply a terrible idea. I'm afraid I refuse to see that so I will never have the original removed from my memory.

#13.1 Rick on 2011-09-01 12:04 (Reply)

Watch "Snatch" it's great!

#13.1.1 m on 2011-09-01 22:38 (Reply)

Except for the boat scene, I couldn't stand the new Sherlock Holmes. It was just too constantly over the top. My lost it moment came when Watson and what's her name entered the room to find Holmes hanging himself as an experiment. Jeremy Brett mostly kept his mania bottled up and made for a much more compelling Holmes.

#14 portlandmermaid on 2011-09-01 12:59 (Reply)

"kept his mania bottled up"

You're more right than you know. At one point, he actually went clinically bonkers. There's a good Wikipedia entry on him.

#14.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-09-01 13:09 (Reply)

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Thursday, September 1. 2011

Movie Review: 'Sherlock Holmes', 'Invention Of Lying'