The Phantom Reviewer

Sherlock Holmes

This is not Your Father’s Sherlock Holmes

Plot Summary for Sherlock Holmes: After finally catching serial killer and occult “sorcerer” Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner’s new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic – and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler. Written by The Massie Twins

If you go to this movie looking for a classic Sherlock Holmes story you might be a little disappointed. However, if you are looking for some escapism and a good action story then this is the movie for you. Director Guy Ritchie seems to have made a long awaited sequel to 1985′s “Young Sherlock Holmes“ though this may be unintentional.

Robert Downey Jr. does a good job as an action/adventure olmes. This Holmes is not done the way he is described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Jude Law, who I have been waiting for him to do another good action role since 2004′s “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” doesn’t disappoint either.

I believe this story takes place before the Doyle stories of Holmes and Watson and that could be the reason Holmes is more action than deduction. We do get to see the deductive mind of Sherlock Holmes a few times in the movie. There are a few of the iconic references and nods to Doyle’s Holmes: the clay pipe, the violin, the aversion to physical contact and the use of disguises to follow suspects.

All in all if you are looking for a couple of hours to escape into a world not too far from our own then please go see Sherlock Holmes at the movies and let me know what you think.

Cast

• Robert Downey Jr. — Sherlock Holmes
• Jude Law — Dr. John Watson
• Rachel McAdams — Irene Adler
• Mark Strong — Lord Blackwood
• Eddie Marsan — Inspector Lestrade
• Robert Maillet — Dredger
• Geraldine James — Mrs. Hudson
• Kelly Reilly — Mary Morstan
• William Houston — Constable Clark
• Hans Matheson — Lord Coward
• James Fox — Sir Thomas

I give this movie 4 Phantoms out of 5.

Tags: adler mark, arthur conan doyle, clay pipe, deadly embrace, dr watson, holmes and watson, irene adler, john watson, killing spree, long awaited sequel, robert downey, robert downey jr, sherlock holmes story, sir arthur conan, sir arthur conan doyle, sky captain and the world, sky captain and the world of tomorrow, sorcerer lord, twisted web, young sherlock holmes

The Blind Side

Plot Summary for “The Blind Side”: “The Blind Side” depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Tuohys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Tuohy’s lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

This movie is a true story and very well acted. As a true story, it got me to wondering how much was dramatized for the impact of the story and how much of it was real. After some research on the Tuohys and Michael Oher I can only say that this was the most realistic true story I have ever seen.

Sandra Bullock seems to channel Leigh Anne Tuohy. The portrayal is so riveting that I forgot I was watching Sandra Bullock and thought I was a fly on the Tuohy’s  wall. All of the actors performances were unforgettable but I must make mention of Jea Head as S. J. Tuohy. I see alot of work coming for this freckle-faced actor. I was also very surprised at the acting ability of Country Music star Tim McGraw.

The director, John Lee Hancock, has a another true story under his belt of a person who overcomes diversity in their life.

In all, if you are looking for a good date movie then you can do no wrong taking your date to this movie at the theater, otherwise just wait for the DVD or BluRay release and watch it at home.

• Sandra Bullock — Leigh Anne Tuohy
• Tim McGraw — Sean Tuohy
• Quinton Aaron — Michael Oher
• Jae Head — S.J. Tuohy
• Lily Collins — Collins Tuohy
• Ray McKinnon — Coach Cotton
• Kim Dickens — Mrs. Boswell
• Adriane Lenox — Denise Oher
• Kathy Bates — Miss Sue
• Catherine Dyer — Mrs. Smith
• Andy Stahl — Principal Sandstrom

I give this movie 3 Phantoms out of 5.

Tags: aaron michael, adriane lenox, andy stahl, blind side, challenges, collins tuohy, country music star, date movie, football player, john lee hancock, kathy bates, kim dickens, leigh anne tuohy, looking for a good date, michael oher, miss sue, plot summary, presence, ray mckinnon, sandra bullock, sandstrom, sean tuohy, self discoveries, tim mcgraw, true story, youngster

James Cameron’s Avatar

I just saw the best movie of 2009.

Plot Summary for “Avatar”: When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge’s intentions of driving off the native humanoid “Na’vi” in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na’vi people with the use of an “avatar” identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand – and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora. Written by The Massie Twins

When I first heard that James Cameron was going to direct Avatar I thought to myself, “Great just what we need a live action version of an anime.” When I saw the teaser trailer in April I was glad it wasn’t what I thought. The trailer showed what looked like a good Science Fiction Movie. After going to a 1:30 AM showing of the movie The trailer did not do the movie justice.

What James Cameron has created is a throwback to what Science Fiction was in the beginning, in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature. This story is not only believable, but also beautifully shot. The opening shot a panorama of a lush green jungle sets you in the world of Pandora. What could have turned into a story preaching about the evils of deforestation and racial genocide, turned into a story of love and one man’s journey to find himself.

James Horner’s music just added to the whole feel of the film. He not only had the huge orchestrations and themes of an epic movie but also included the rhythmic chanting of an ancient tribe.

Stan Winston’s creatures were the best ever designed. My favorites have to be the Leonopteryx , a the king predator of the sky, striped scarlet, yellow and black, with an 80-foot wingspan and the Titanothere, the ferocious Hammerheaded rhinoceros-like herbivore with a bad attitude and a head like a sledgehammer. The effects were so wonderfully done that it wasn’t like it was created but someone truly visited Pandora and brought back notes.

The acting was superb.

• Sam Worthington — Jake Sully
• Zoe Saldana — Neytiri
• Sigourney Weaver — Dr. Grace Augustine
• Stephen Lang — Colonel Miles Quaritch
• Michelle Rodriguez — Trudy Chacon
• Giovanni Ribisi — Parker Selfridge
• Joel David Moore — Norm Spellman
• CCH Pounder — Moat
• Wes Studi — Eytukan
• Laz Alonso — Tsu’tey
• Dileep Rao — Dr. Max Patel

In closing the best way to see this movie is in 3D and in the IMAX format if possible. I give this move 5 phantoms out of 5.

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