Second Time Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Before discussing this movie I would like to state that I never liked Sherlock Holmes (Stories). The reason is plain and simple - he made a fool of me in every story. I never liked it that he could deduct and I could not. I always came to the obvious conclusion while reading about the case and he would come out with anything but the most obvious.

Now to this movie. I liked the movie right from the first casting scene, where they show the Warner Brothers symbol etched on street bricks. I like the creativity. I assume they actually went ahead and carved those symbols on footpaths and it is not a photoshop trick. The drama grows in the second scene itself when we meet Lord Blackwood. The director creates a sense of eeriness about him with all that chanting and the out of her own sense girl. The brilliance of Sherlock Holmes is on display in the first scene itself. His planning on how to encounter the goon of blackwood- by hitting ears, the belly etc followed by a prognosis is brilliant. The director follows it up with the boxing scene (with wonderful music mind you).

Another aspect well approached in the movie is the friendship of Watson and Sherlock holmes. I always assumed Watson to be a willing second fiddle to Sherlock holmes but here the director shows Watson as a somewhat reluctant and confused  Watson who is played on by Sherlock. Watson is shown to be harrassed though at the same time secretly enjoying the thrills.

Why you should watch this movie again however? I would list down the following in my response:

1. The depiction of an era. Though I have seen a lot of movies depicting England of those days, Sherlock's perspective (commentary) gives a more detailed outlook of those days. Their way of life, eccentricities and beliefs.

2. Music: The background music throughout the film is top notch and well suited to the occasion in consideration. Special mention to the background music while Sherlock Holmes boxes.

3. Story: Though a little far fetched the story is entertaining. Ofcourse Sherlock holmes is the ultimate genius (Yawnnnn). But if you willing to take that in your stride the story is actaully quite good.

4. Characterization: There is depth to characters if you look a little deeper. Sherlock trying to cope with a departing friend. Watson not able to let go. Iren Adler who cant decide if she is good or bad and Professor Moriarity who is extremely manipulative in whatever little we do or do not see of him.

5. Action: Though not a strong point of this movie, the action is entertaining.

A word of caution, rather a disclaimer. Though i recommend a second watch, I dont put this along with a Few good men or Dark knight. This is not a nth time watch in my book

Second Time Movie Review: A Few Good Men (1992)

Now this is a movie which I might end up really watching a zillion times.

Though I am not a big fan of Tom Cruise (and Demi Moore) I still love this movie.

If you closely watch one of the first few scenes where Tom Cruise gets the case from his supervisor. Even a minor inconsequential character like him has been given attention. His character has been thought through and in the few lines given to him the character shows. Not that I suggest you should see this movie for Tom Cruise's supervisor. The point is it is that kind of a movie- made with thought and passion. Each scene to the level of detail of each dialog hasn't been written but beautifully crafted.

My comment about character comes too soon if I were to list down the merits of this film. The main strength of this movie is its story rather than just the characterization. The intensity of the story of this movie builds up in a linear fashion to "the" final scene. A few good men successfully makes the viewer feel the tension of Kathy and joe ann etc. You sympathize with Harold and Downey, you hate Jessup, you mercy Markinson and u understand Jack Ross.

I don't know anything about the United States army but i liked the whole army setup right from the march during the initial casting to the sparkling court rooms etc.

Coming back to the story it is a weak against the strong, sailing against the wind, standing up against adverse circumstances and all such fairy tales. To put it more appropriately it is a fairy tale for adults. A fairy tale which is believable. As soon as Jessup confesses all of us celebrate, we say hurrah and celebrate like kids do.

As with all great repeat watchable movies the fun is maintained in the small things each character says and my favorite is "he really thinks better with the bat".

Whenever I watch this movie I think I understand a thing or two about fighting against odds, taking the hard way out and being an unlikely hero. The idealist in me considers Dawson as his hero and reveres him.

This is definitely an Nth time watch. dont watch it second time but watch it third fourth fifth and any n number of times. I most certainly do love this movie. I hope you share my passion

Second Time Movie Review: The Dark Knight (2008)

I am making a brave attempt at putting up a second time review for this movie. Frankly speaking every time I see this movie I find new reasons to watch it again. So there should ideally be third time review, fourth time review, nth time review and so on.

The first thing i notice every time I watch this movie is the tone it sets. The dressing, the ambience and mannerism- they all convey a fictional world. A world slightly different than ours. Its a world struggling with crime, crime is open dominant and the mass is helpless like a pack of sitting ducks. (Actually the real world is also similar but there is a certain distaste added which makes it look surreal).

Then there is the element of competence in the characters. Batman, Joker, Harvey and Gordon they all are characters who are at a higher level of competence then the rest of the world. Almost on an another plane and they make light work of it. This is why they radiate an extremism in heroism or anti-heroism. Harvey looks pleasing when he says simply : "She shares the same passion as me, Justice". No big brandish, simple and effective. Such are the people going through their personal struggles in this whole movie.

If you are watching the movie for a second time it will be good to ensure that you don't miss out on those finer dialogs (one may call them comic). I say they are things that a person may just speak it in situations. Small take on things. Like when Batman says: "I am not wearing hockey pants". They bring a sort of relief and some realism to the scenes. My favorite is when Scarecrow says: "Not my diagnosis". This single line means a lot in this movie and probably more about the whole Batman trilogy. Christopher Nolan's Batman is not above flaws and thats the beauty of it.

Flawed superheros are the "in thing". Audiences don't like a Mr. Perfect anymore, they need flaws. I like a superhero with flaws and thats where i loved Batman Begins.

This part of my article I am being haunted by one question: Should I comment on Heath Ledger???

Naaaahhhh. Nobody can miss him or his excellence. I need not say more on this topic.

However for the character of the Joker, well i want to take that liberty. " A two bit whack job wearing a cheap purple suit". Its amazing how the whack job terrifies a whole city. People hoping to remain alive in front of the onslaught by a single man. The hidden message in the movie is on our own vulnerabilities. How easily the public is willing to believe when threatened and how easily they can ditch their heroes to stay alive.

Last comment i would have is about the gadgets. Though the fingerprint deduction part i believe was a little over the top I loved the bike and i loved the rest of the gadgets. The last gadget , using all mobiles as Sonar was also extreme but this is a superhero movie and i guess it is ok.

Watch this movie again and again and enjoy it. I loved it, the world loves it and i bet u wont regret watching it again