These are movies guys, not documentaries! Entertainment is what sells and, let’s face it people want to be entertained. Never look for a movie to be “just like the book”. Ain’t happenin! I’ve always been disapointed in a way by hollywood’s portrayal of my favorite story; disapointed but entertained. Ex. Peter Weller’s interpretation of Patrick O’Brian’s characters in the Jack Aubrey series. He slammed two books together and ramped up the violence a bit to sell the flick. It didn’t stay right with the story line but I expected that. Even the historical background was a bit questionable, but it was entertaining. Star Wars? Loved ‘em all except the one with that obnoxious creature Jar Jar (created to sell toys). I’m a diehard Holmes fan and have a collection of every Holmes story including the Sidney Paget drawings from the Strand magazine. I even have the centennial edition. No movie will ever do complete justice to Doyle’s interpretation; the closest video production is the Jeremy Brett series and even that pales with the original stories. Don’t look for literary genius on the silver screen, although there memorable movies that stand alone as visual art (ex. Casablanca).
Just saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Fantastic! Downey does a masterful portrayal of Holmes and the Moriarity character balances perfectly with Holmes. Excellent and authentic background. Holmes is one of my all time favorite fictional characters.
Cap’t Jack
Robert Downey is a pretty good actor, but I can’t get too exited about Sherlock Holmes. I’m too young and un-appreciative of the classics.
I loved Sherlock Holmes as a kid, then I loved the movies. However, I don’t think I’d even bother seeing any movie that didn’t have Basil Rathbone as Holmes.
Occam
(I know, that doesn’t make sense to anyone younger than 70. )
1. Citizen Kane
2. Casablanca
3. Blazing Saddles
4. Young Frankenstein
5. A Clockwork Orange
6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
7. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
8. Saving Private Ryan
9. The African Queen
10. Anything made in 1939
I loved Sherlock Holmes as a kid, then I loved the movies. However, I don’t think I’d even bother seeing any movie that didn’t have Basil Rathbone as Holmes.
Occam
(I know, that doesn’t make sense to anyone younger than 70. )
er… 55
Now Rathbone, that was a Sherlock Holmes, along with the look and feel.
Exactly..that’s why my list went to fifteen. And I still forgot my all time faves. Cuckoo’s Nest would definitely knock out some of my picks if I had to narrow it down to 10.
How ‘bout Brazil? Tommy from the Who is one of my favorites too.
Saw one a couple of weeks ago. Can’t remeber the name. Something like…“Broken White Center Line”(or something) 1970s car race flick with James Taylor. Excellent movie. Terry Southern movie I think. Cultish, captures a spirit and time I like.
I don’t even pretend to be an expert on what it takes to make a good movie. I rarely ever understand the choices for best movie at the Academy Awards. My choices are based purely on personal entertainment value. If I’m not willing to watch it 2-3 times then its not worth mentioning on my list. So here goes in no particular order.
1) Star Wars Episode IV
2) Star Trek ( The May, 2009 film)
3) Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark
4) Matilda ( I know, crazy but the theme of such goodness sprouting in such dysfunctional surroundings is appealing. The Chokey and Ms.Trunchbull are classic. I had to put one totally wacky choice in here)
5) Alien (the first one)
6) 12 Angry Men
7) The Lord of the Rings trilogy
8) The Matrix ( 1st episode)
9) Gladiator
10) 2001 Space Odyssey
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