I spent Christmas Eve playing pool with a guy named Lefty.

[lagilman]

The subject line sounds like a killer opening line, doesn't it? But it's nothing but the unvarnished truth. The slightly varnished truth would include the dancing, the bowling, and the lesson about not ordering doubles just 'cause the bar service was slow.

And it would also talk about the fact that, when you go to bed at 3am, getting up at 8 is just damned painful. Somehow, those same five hours are easier to take when they're 1am to 6am, and I don't know why.

Yet, we did wake [and as much as I love my apartment, I have to admit that living in the East 20's has its definite charms], and we did make it to the morning showing of Sherlock Holmes.

I wasn't sure what to expect -- two hours of pretty, at worst. But when in the opening scenes they established Homes' character in a way that made clear they knew and understood and were utilizing the source material, I turned to my companion and said "okay, they have me." The fact that they then followed up with an excellent depiction of the hyper-manic genius falling apart from lack of stimulus, and I was in love. Plus, pretty. (the movie itself, not RDJr. Although him too, oh yes)

The movie was not perfect -- there were interpretations I didn't quite agree with -- but the one time I thought "oh no, if they go there it will be All Over between us..." the movie then deconstructed the moment in perfect Holmesian fashion. And, as I said earlier, RDJr's version of Holmes was dead-on -- both the hyper-manic genius and the casually affectionate friend, wrapped into one clearly complicated package. The moment where Adler falls, and Homes goes on with what must be done, as though he doesn't give a damn... you truly believe him to be a bloodless bastard, except that you also believe that he isn't, and the scene that follows is lovely in its restrained emotion.

And Dr Watson? A worthy partner, and you completely buy that they have been friends for so long, and why they put up with each other. (and yes, there were moments you could read a Boston Marriage between those two. But you could also not. Any significantly close friendship is often indistinguishable from marriage.)

So, yes, I liked this movie very much. Halfway through, I found myself wishing there was more, so that when this was over I would be able to continue living in this world (yeah, there are the stories, but I was thinking this particular visual reboot).

Also? After years of admiring Robert Downey Jr as an actor, I now have joined the "want me one of those" brigade. I don't think it was just the character, although yeah, this Holmes hits every one of my checkmarks (hard-thinking, immensely alert, moderately arrogant, often a right bastard -- and yet capable of great affection and kindness when so moved). I give it two thumbs up, and will probably buy it on DVD soon's it's available.

We also saw a number of previews, including Iron Man 2 (I cringe from how bad it might be, but will be there anyway) and the remake of Clash of the Titans, which looks to be another stunning leap forward in FX, if nothing else.

And then I met up with family for the Obligatory Chinese food. We noted, with much dismay, that there are an awful lot of Gentiles having dinner in Chinatown on Christmas Day, these days. Goose wasn't enough, you had to have Peking duck, too?

And now I am home, for a few hours anyway, before heading back downtown tomorrow to see Avatar with friends (in 3D. I am talked into these things...how? Must be Sekrit Coastie Mind Tricks). And then more Holiday Socializing, leading into First Night.

But first, must finish freelance gig. And short story revisions. And author proofs for HARD MAGIC. And look longingly at the TBR 2010 pile that's already starting to build....

I hope y'all had a good day, however you spent it!

Comments

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Avatar MUST be experienced in 3D - It's truly something to be appreciated on the big screen (okay, to set expectations properly, you will see every story twist about a mile in advance - but the imagery is so impressive - you won't care!)

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Definitely going to see Holmes in the theatre, maybe even tomorrow by myself.

[ludaplex.livejournal.com]

Merry Chrismas, I spent christmas at home playing the NEW super mario brothers

[larah33.livejournal.com]

I envy you getting to see a trailer for Iron Man 2. I was subjected to a trailer for Hot Tub Time Machine. I kid you not. *shudders*

[jennetj.livejournal.com]

Thoroughly enjoyed Holmes. Local Tribune reviewer gave it 1 1/2 stars because he doesn't believe Holmes should be an action hero. Me, I felt it worked. And RDJr. has just gone up on my list of "actors who I'll go see no matter what they're in" (which has led me to some serious drek over the years, thank you, Ewan McGregor).

[lagilman]

3D and I generally don't get along -- gives me a horrible headache. But yeah, god knows nobody's going to see this movie for the plot or the acting chops, so I might as well try for the ultimate visual experience...

[lagilman]

That seems to be the primary complaint, yeah, and I don't understand it. They think Holmes just sits in his Ivory Study all day and Thinks? No, no, that was Mycroft's role.....

And the need for physical activity, even to the point of insanity, was totally in character (hah) with the character's need for stimulation. To him, the physical was as much a mental exercise as a logic problem; it filled his need to be evaluating data and establishing conclusions. Plus, it showed you WHY he came across as such a old-blooded bastard at need, which I thought was a particularly well-done bit of film-making, myself.

I'm not sure I'll go see ANYTHING RDJr's in... but I'm much more likely to consider it now, yeah. Like I'll pick up/consider any book from certain authors, even though I don't always buy 'em.

[lagilman]

I'll be interested to hear your comments about the costuming. I thought it was well-done (and very pretty) but maybe not entirely period?

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

After years of admiring Robert Downey Jr as an actor, I now have joined the "want me one of those" brigade.

::nods, scoots over to make room on the bench::

Hopefully running away to go see it today.

[lagilman]

Hey, if we split costs, we could do a birthday 2-fer special....?

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

Now there's a thought!

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

They really seemed to make the 3D less obtrusive than before. My wife has the same issues and she didn't have any headache.

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- I had my reservations about the movie from the trailers, but now that I know you liked it, I'm definitely going to try to get out to see it. :)

[anisosynchronic.livejournal.com]

Some years back, I had to wear earplugs and sunglasses during the previews to avoid getting migraines..

[anisosynchronic.livejournal.com]

Regard Tony Stark, Substance Abuser (I haven't seen the Iron Man II trailer, I haven't been in a theater in months):

http://www.art.net/~hopkins/Don/hemp/cosmic-bongout.html

COSMIC BONGOUT
"The game of choice for substance abusers."
Necessary equipment:
One (1) set of cosmic wimpout dice.
Sufficient quantities of your favorite controlled substance.
Paraphenalia necessary to partake of your favorite controlled substance.
....
Documents in hand of some MIT student attest to the fact that this game has been played since 1978. It originated on 4th West East Campus; moved to 5th West East Campus in Nov 1984 (my first year on the hall) and remained there through November 1988. In the past year, with the terminal dullness of 5W, it moved between 5E and somewhere in Senior House.

[anisosynchronic.livejournal.com]

Didn't quite finish what I was writing above (finger slip and it posted.... I HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! point-click interfaces, hate, hate, hate, HATE!!!! them)

Anyway, the Tony Stark character history has him as having been resident of 5th East, East Campus, at MIT, or "5E" as above. Perhaps Iron Man II involved the results of too much Cosmic Bongout or similar abuse, playing...

(On the other hand, from http://web.mit.edu/ec/www/halls.html

Fifth East
Ultrabuster (100 kg metal smasher used to drop on floor and annoy neighbors), hacking, worship the Dark Lord Krotus, more US Supreme Court Acquitals than any other living group.
Halls that allow...
Cats:
4W, 5W, 1E, 3E, 5E

Smoking:
4W, 5E

[msdori.livejournal.com]

but the one time I thought "oh no, if they go there it will be All Over between us..." the movie then deconstructed the moment in perfect Holmesian fashion.

Okay, where was this? Me, I really loved the movie far more than I expected to--somehow I always expect RDJ to be wrong for the part, and he always surprises me. And I did so love that we got to see all the Watson eye-rolling that was always just underneath the surface of Doyle's prose. Hee.

Jude Law has never particularly impressed me before, but wow. Maybe it was the mustache. Or, you know, the hat.

Okay, no, it was the silent snark. Heh.

[lagilman]

When they started playing up the woo-woo bits, which in another movie would have swerved the entire thing into a more overtly steampunk/fantastical element -- pandering to the current trends, but veering impossibly away from the rational Holmesian universe.

When Holmes dismantled the "magic" utterly, I was much relieved. Fantasy is fantasy an fantasy is good (obviously, from my POV) but this shouldn't have been that kind of a boy, er, movie.