Sherlock Holmes. . .movies?

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

So. It has happened at last. A big screen version of Sherlock Holmes with big stars. I sigh. This'll either be great or terrible. And to make matters even more tense. there are going to be two films!

Guy Ritchie directs one, an action-adventure, with Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson (at least the ladies will be pleased

).

The second, is a comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as Watson.

To be fair and honest, neither lead actor shall top the redoubtable Jeremy Brett.

Who is dearly missed.

So what does everybody else think about these movies?

I wait with baited breath.

ManyAk · Oct 14, 2008

Ageless Stranger said:
So. It has happened at last. A big screen version of Sherlock Holmes with big stars. I sigh. This'll either be great or terrible. And to make matters even more tense. there are going to be two films!

Guy Ritchie directs one, an action-adventure, with Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson (at least the ladies will be pleased ).

The second, is a comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as Watson.

To be fair and honest, neither lead actor shall top the redoubtable Jeremy Brett.

Who is dearly missed.

So what does everybody else think about these movies?

I wait with baited breath.

I have faith in Ritchie's take because he's an amazing director and storyteller.

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

ManyAk said:
I have faith in Ritchie's take because he's an amazing director and storyteller.

True. I must say though, I didn't like R&R. Then again, I'm the only person I know who really enjoyed Revolver. I'm uncertain as to how Ritchie's style/sensibility/taste (?) will work with Sherlock Holmes.

Calla Lily · Oct 14, 2008

Oh, I think I'll be skipping both of these. Definitely the Will Ferrel one. If I want comedy Holmes, I'll rent Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother with Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Madeline Kahn.

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

callalily61 said:
Oh, I think I'll be skipping both of these. Definitely the Will Ferrel one. If I want comedy Holmes, I'll rent Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother with Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Madeline Kahn.

Excellent film.

The interest for me is that I'm a huge fan of Holmes, read all the books and whatnot, got the whole JB series. I've always wondered when they were going to attempt a big screen version of SH and it seems like their giving it their best shot.

I just had this strange vision of a series of Sherlock Holmes films, much like the Bond franchise. Then again, I doubt there will be enough explosions, gunfights and women for that to maintain a large public interest. Then again, Holmes is pretty well regarded. . .

DeleyanLee · Oct 14, 2008

Ageless Stranger said:
So. It has happened at last. A big screen version of Sherlock Holmes with big stars.

At last? Basil Rathbone doesn't count as a "big star" of his time?

Guy Ritchie directs one, an action-adventure, with Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson (at least the ladies will be pleased ).

This lady is FAR from pleased, FWIW. Neither gent does a thing for me, not to mention that I have serious doubts about whether they'll be able to pull off the parts.

The only thing that has me curious about this spin is that, IIRC, it will be a new story, not a retelling of Doyle's work. That, at least, could be interesting.

Until I get more facts, though, I'm still undecided whether this will be a see-at-theater or a wait-for-cable movie.

The second, is a comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as Watson.

This is a wait-until-there's-nothing-on-at-3AM-insomina movie, simply because I cannot abide Will Ferrell.

To be fair and honest, neither lead actor shall top the redoubtable Jeremy Brett.

Here! Here!

I wait with baited breath.

I wait with curious interest, but grave doubts.

DeleyanLee · Oct 14, 2008

callalily61 said:
Oh, I think I'll be skipping both of these. Definitely the Will Ferrel one. If I want comedy Holmes, I'll rent Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother with Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Madeline Kahn.

Can't remember the title off-hand (blasted cold), but there was one with Michael Cain as a dunkard Holmes and Ben Kingsley as Watson--who was actually the brilliant detective.

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

DeleyanLee said:
At last? Basil Rathbone doesn't count as a "big star" of his time?

This lady is FAR from pleased, FWIW. Neither gent does a thing for me, not to mention that I have serious doubts about whether they'll be able to pull off the parts.

The only thing that has me curious about this spin is that, IIRC, it will be a new story, not a retelling of Doyle's work. That, at least, could be interesting.

Until I get more facts, though, I'm still undecided whether this will be a see-at-theater or a wait-for-cable movie.

This is a wait-until-there's-nothing-on-at-3AM-insomina movie, simply because I cannot abide Will Ferrell.

Here! Here!

I wait with curious interest, but grave doubts.

Ah, you've got me on the Rathbone thing. Overall though, I'd say RDJ and JL are kinda more mainstream, big hollywood types. They've got the whole modern film starry thing going on. Which is part of my concern. RDJ's a good actor, but I don't know if he'd be able to pull off Holmes.

DeleyanLee said:
Can't remember the title off-hand (blasted cold), but there was one with Michael Cain as a dunkard Holmes and Ben Kingsley as Watson--who was actually the brilliant detective.

Without a clue. Hilarious film.

Sophia · Oct 14, 2008

I wouldn't mind the comedy one, as I don't expect it to even try to be like the stories, so it can be enjoyed for itself, and there's certainly lots of material in the stories to spoof, so it could be fun.

The action / adventure sounds like every other Holmes adaptation, in that they've cast a good-looking actor to play Holmes and have Irene Adler in there. At least Watson is played by a good-looking actor, because that is what he is supposed to be - a ladies' man, of his time. I feel strongly that Holmes shouldn't be this dashing, physically attractive man, because Conan Doyle didn't want him to be handsome. It was some of the illustrations in the Strand that began that trend, against Conan Doyle's objections, and unfortunately it's become part of the popular myth about Holmes, and Hollywood jumps on it. The way Irene Adler is often portrayed makes me cringe. I'm trying not to write off this film in advance by assuming it's going to do all the usual, non-canon things -- I want to be mistaken about that!

Saying that, I did love Jeremy Brett in the role, and think he did the best job of all the actors who've played Holmes. There are lots of moments in the Granada TV series where he is completely mesmerising.

dgiharris · Oct 14, 2008

Guy Ritchie directs one, an action-adventure, with Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson (at least the ladies will be pleased ).

Sorry,

I can't picture Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes. I just can't. Iron Man as SH? Really???

Who the hell is doing the casting? A crack smoking monkey?

My first impression was that it shouldn't be made into a movie. But on second thought. I guess why not. If the fans want it, let them have it.

But I have to say nix on the Comedy. That is a bad idea. Go with the variation like the Gene Wilder movie.

Mel...

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

Poor RDJ. Not even the ladies are pleased! I'd have to concur with the looks thing. Sherlock wasn't the best looking chap in the world, he was actually lightly odd looking and gaunt. Robert Downy Jr looks nothing like the Holmes I know. Then again, he might be able to bring up more of Holme's inner landscape, i.e; his drug use, isolation from the world, difficultly dealing with people, etc.

veinglory · Oct 14, 2008

I have a whole bookshelf full of Sherlock Holmes books, DVDs etc but suspect I will wait for these to hit TV. The only upside will be if they finallyhave Watson be more buff and less buffoon.

Bmwhtly · Oct 14, 2008

Neither of those appeal.

The Will Ferrel one will almost certainly be like any other Ferrel film; unbearable.

The other one... A Guy Ritchie action/adventure Sherlock Holmes? isn't that rather like hiring Tarantino to remake Moby Dick? Against the point, surely?

I'd rather just watch Richard Roxburgh's Holmes again.

Sheryl Nantus · Oct 14, 2008

I think RDJ can pull it off - he did Chaplin over a decade ago and sold me on that.

this trailer for his newest movie, The Soloist may change a few minds. The guy's got chops!

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thesoloist/index.html

mscelina · Oct 14, 2008

I agree. Downey's work in Chaplin was brilliant--probably one of the best biographical performances I've ever seen and dealing with an incredible enigmatic man as a subject.

For God's sake--if he can nail Chaplin then Holmes will be a piece of cake. I'm sure that Ritchie will steep it in all the opium-hazed glory of the serials too. What fun!

But Will Ferrell? I'd rather eat toenail clippings as an hor d'oeurve than to watch Will Ferrell in anything.

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

mscelina said:
I agree. Downey's work in Chaplin was brilliant--probably one of the best biographical performances I've ever seen and dealing with an incredible enigmatic man as a subject.

For God's sake--if he can nail Chaplin then Holmes will be a piece of cake. I'm sure that Ritchie will steep it in all the opium-hazed glory of the serials too. What fun!

But Will Ferrell? I'd rather eat toenail clippings as an hor d'oeurve than to watch Will Ferrell in anything.

I sincerely hope so. And judging by all this good press, I must now watch Chaplin.

And toenail clippings? Seriously?

Calla Lily · Oct 14, 2008

I agree on toenail clippings vs. a Will Ferrell movie. (Or an Adam Sandler movie. Or a Jack Black movie.)

Ageless Stranger · Oct 14, 2008

callalily61 said:
I agree on toenail clippings vs. a Will Ferrell movie. (Or an Adam Sandler movie. Or a Jack Black movie.)

Jack Black must die.

That sounds like a good movie idea actually. . .

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Piss Poor Comedic Actor.

dgiharris · Oct 14, 2008

Ageless Stranger said:
Originally Posted by mscelina
I agree. Downey's work in Chaplin was brilliant--probably one of the best biographical performances I've ever seen and dealing with an incredible enigmatic man as a subject.

For God's sake--if he can nail Chaplin then Holmes will be a piece of cake. I'm sure that Ritchie will steep it in all the opium-hazed glory of the serials too. What fun!

But Will Ferrell? I'd rather eat toenail clippings as an hor d'oeurve than to watch Will Ferrell in anything.
I sincerely hope so. And judging by all this good press, I must now watch Chaplin.

And toenail clippings? Seriously?

Yeah, I guess I will have to see Chaplin now.

The only RDJ movies I've seen have him playing the same smart ass yet loveable character.

But he better be able to do a proper British accent.

If they pull a Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood" I swear I will fire bomb the studio.

"Oh, lets make a movie about Robin Hood and have everyone else have the proper accent and dialect except THE MAIN F-ING CHARACTER."

Brilliant Idea. *Smacks forehead*

Mel...

Calla Lily · Oct 14, 2008

Chaplin was an excellent movie. Well worth seeing. That movie was what made me weep at Downey's drug-fueled self-destruct. He is very talented.

RG570 · Oct 14, 2008

Matt Frewer did the best Sherlock Holmes in those TV movies he did.

I don't know if anyone in the US has seen them, but they were really good.

A hell of a lot better than this clown. Oy.

Calla Lily · Oct 14, 2008

Sorry, RG, I thought the Frewer movies were weird. Plus they changed the ending on Sign of Four. What was up with that?

Jeremy Brett uber alles!

ManyAk · Oct 14, 2008

Ageless Stranger said:
True. I must say though, I didn't like R&R. Then again, I'm the only person I know who really enjoyed Revolver. I'm uncertain as to how Ritchie's style/sensibility/taste (?) will work with Sherlock Holmes.

I liked Revolver as well.

Even though it sometimes tried to be more than what it could be.

katiemac · Oct 14, 2008

I heard about both of these movies awhile ago. In terms of casting, each film seems to have done all right--for what they want to accomplish. I'll probably skip the Cohen version though.

I've never been a Sherlock Holmes fan (never really been exposed) so I can't appreciate the this-will-destroy-Doyle concerns, but I do understand them. Then again, I love House, so if we have RDJ, a chameleon these days, summon anything remotely like that version of Holmes, count me in.

JoNightshade · Oct 14, 2008

Will Farrel version: No. No. No. Sorry, I love Holmes and I love Farrel, but these are two things which should never be paired. I weep!

RDJ: I totally think he can pull of the part, acting-wise. Absolutely.

But.

He doesn't look like Holmes. He just doesn't. Unless he wants to lose 30 pounds and grow six inches...

Well hold on. I just googled him.

Not that he should ever, ever take up drugs again, but if he could pull off that look?

Hm. Maybe this will be good.

Sherlock Holmes. . .movies?

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