Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

My View: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his pal, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), are back, and this time they are trying to stop the evil Professor Moriarty. Watson is about to be married, we meet a gypsy woman (the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Noomi Rapace) whose brother may be involved in a plot to blow up a building, and the team travel all over Europe trying to stop Moriarty's plans. This film is filled with sly humor, where Law and Downey play off each other with great ease, and Rapace makes a nice addition to the team, bringing some exotic spice to the team's sleuthing skills. It's not often you can say that the sequel is better than the original, but in this case, it is. My Rating: Full Price   Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Website

Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film): Shame (2011)

Michael Fassbender plays a man whose life slowly starts unraveling due to his addiction to sex. His life becomes more complicated when his sister (played by indie darling Carey Mulligan) shows up unexpectedly at his door and wants to crash on his couch while playing a few gigs at clubs. Something must have happened in the sex addict's past (which we never find out) as his sister is just as troubled as he is. This is an uncomfortable film to watch, as Fassbender's character becomes more and more obsessed with sex, at the expense of his family, friends and job. While Fassbender is spellbinding in this role, I found the script lacked in keeping up with the talents of the actors; we never see any substance behind the characters' actions.  Shame is a film summed up by how the director, Steve McQueen, chose to shoot the scenes.  When Fassbender and Mulligan are together in his apartment, their backs are to the camera, and the audience isn't allowed to see their reactions. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Shame Website

Family Fare: Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chip-wrecked (2011) I am not going to spend too much time reviewing this movie.  All you need to know is if you are over ten years old, you will be very bored. The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are on a cruise ship with Dave (Jason Lee) when they are stranded on a deserted island. You would think that with all the talented actors doing the voices (Justin Long, Anna Fairs, Amy Poehler, Christina Applegate) that the film would be even slightly entertaining; but you end up wanting to run for the exit as the Chipmunks start singing another Lady Gaga song. My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chip-wrecked Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time):

#28 Worst Film  

Spice World (1997) The all female singing group, The Spice Girls, star in their first and, thankfully, last film. Based loosely on the Beatles film, A Hard Days Night, the girls travel about in their double-decker Spice Bus and encounter aliens, haunted castles as they get ready for a concert. The film was shot as the girls were, in real life, starting solo careers, and the film had to reshoot a number of scenes due to deaths (Princess Di) and scandals (British rocker Gary Glitter filmed a scene right before he was arrested for child pornography).  But, it's our curse to have to endure this film, and in a few years, we will all be wondering who, or what, were The Spice Girls.   Spice World Info

Forgotten Film: Ruby in Paradise (1993) Ashley Judd stars as Ruby, a young woman who is looking to start her life over, so she moves to a small Florida resort town. She gets work in a souvenir shop and makes the mistake of getting involved with the shop owner's son, a man who sees her as just another conquest. This is a slow, character-driven movie, but Judd gives a picture-perfect performance as we see her character evolve from a person dependent on others, to a woman who is confident and happy with her place in the world. My Rating: Full Price   Ruby in Paradise Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): Fright Night (2011)   I was very disappointed in this remake of the 1985 film of the same name. A young man (Anton Yelchin) suspects that his neighbor (Colin Farrell) is a vampire. When his girlfriend (Imogen Poots) and his mother (Toni Collette) are threatened, he enlists the help of a Las Vegas illusionist (David Tennant) to rescue them. The film can never figure out if it's supposed to scare us or make us laugh.  Farrell is disappointing as the vampire (he looks as if he is really bored), and the only bright spot is Tennant, as the David Blaine-style Las Vegas performer. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Fright Night Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): The Darkest Hour   Just in time for the holidays, a film about invading aliens who want to destroy earth for its power grids. It stars young adults you may or may not recognize - never a good sign - and we may be hoping the power goes out in the theatre.   The Darkest Hour Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Shame: Late Night Lover #2

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Underworld Awakening   Kate Beckinsale puts the leather body suit back on as our favorite vampire, Selene. I loved the first Underworld and feel it was a very creative view on the world of werewolves and vampires. Let’s hope this sequel is just as good as the original.   Underworld Awakening Website

Until Next Time!