'Sherlock Holmes' Trailer

Warner Bros. Pictures/USA TODAY




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'Sherlock Holmes' Script Review

theplaylist.blogspot.com

We just finished the Mike-Johnson-written script of "Sherlock Holmes" that's currently being shot by Guy Ritchie in London. At best it's fun, harmless romp through the Holmes mythos, revitalized for audiences assimilated with the 'Bourne'-style, action, smarts and authenticity vibe. At worst its "Pirates of the Caribbean" set in Scotland yard - mindless, escapist entertainment that's trite and hokey.

'Sherlock Holmes' Script Is Escapist 'Pirates' Adventure Meets Hilarious 'CSI' 1.0

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The first post:My Blueberry Nights Review

Reprinted from December 21,2007.

Synopsis:"A beautiful young woman on the treacherous road to love."

"My Blueberry Nights" is the new film from one of the world's most
sought-after directors, Wong Kar Wai. It's a magnificent love story
starring multi-Grammy award winner Norah Jones in her movie debut
along with a "A-list" cast of Academy Award winners and nominees
including Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman.

Norah Jones plays a sensual, alluring young woman who sets out on an
unforgettable journey of discovery in pursuit of true love. In
heartbreakingly beautiful locations and classic Route 66 atmospheric
diners, Wong Kar Wai's captivating heroine encounters a series of
enigmatic characters that help her on her quest.

Set against New York's magical cityscape and the stunning vistas of
America's legendary Route 66, the celebrated director's first English
language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality that
made "Happy Together," "In the Mood for Love" and "2046" must-see
movies all around the world.

Wong Kar Wai's unique talent and dreamy romantic themes, combined with
mythical Americans locations and an awesomely gifted and stylish cast,
guarantee that "My Blueberry Nights" will delight and enchant
moviegoers everywhere."
(http://www.ropeofsi licon.com/ movie/my_ blueberry_ nights)
To be honest,i have not seen any of the previous movies of Wong Kar
Wai.I have heard positive comments about In the mood for
love,2046,especiall y about the music,among other things,but i have not
seen any of these movies.Anyway, when i first read about MBN it
provoked my interest.When i saw the trailer the expectation was even
greater.I finally saw MBN last weekend.

The journey of Elizabeth (Norah Jones) is an existential journey
across America,a journey of redemption.An effort to distance herself
from the sad reality in NY,an effort of thinking things over.She
encounters people who have their own problems.The element that these
stories have in common is:when you have something or it is available
for you to have it,you may ignore it or take it for granted.When you
lose it,you appreciate it,you realize what it meant for you.These
encounters are an important part of the movie,of Elizabeth's
journey.Important is also the relationship between Elizabeth and
Jeremy (Jude Law),the restaurant owner back in NY,with whom she stays
in touch through letters that she sends.Wong Kar Wai describes MBN as
"a story of a woman who takes the long route instead of the short one
to meet up with the man she loves."

Norah Jones in her first role is very good and the rest of the cast
also delivers exceptional perfomances. The music is just stunning (Cat
Power's "the Greatest" is a superb song). The visual perspective of
the movie is also stunning.

My Blueberry Nights is a movie that delivers meaning for the
characters,that delivers meaning for the audience.Definetely worth
watching.
My Blueberry Nights was the opening film for the 2007 Cannes Film
Festival on May 16, 2007.


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Sleuth Review

"A millionaire detective novelist matches wits with the unemployed actor who ran off with his wife in a deadly serious, seriously twisted game with dangerous consequences."

According to most accounts, this is a remake of the 1972 film, but Pinter's screenplay offers "a fresh take" on Shaffer's play and "a very different form" from the original film. In his review of the film's debut at the 2007 Venice Film Festival, Morris observes: "The reworking of the play is not just an adept transformation of theater to film ... but also casts a revealing light on social history, reflecting the enormous changes in English society, language and morals in the nearly 40 years since the play first appeared on the London stage."

Caine played the role of Milo Tindle in the original film. In the 2007 film, Caine performs the role of Andrew Wyke, originated by Laurence Olivier, and Law performs Caine's original role of Milo Tindle. This is the second film in which Law performs a role originated by Caine (The first was the title role in Alfie).

Pinter, the actors, and the director say this version of Sleuth is not strictly a "remake." Law has called it "a completely reinvented Sleuth" ... It didn't feel like a remake. I always loved the idea at its heart of two men battling it out for a woman you never meet....'"Law further felt that, "I was creating a character [Milo Tindle], I wasn't recreating one.'" Caine said, "I never felt that I had gone back to Sleuth", and called the Pinter script "an entirely different thing. There isn't a single line in it that was in the other one, and Pinter had never seen the [1972] movie. Jude [Law] gave him the stage play and said, 'Write a screenplay for me' ... It was a completely different experience'". In a television interview conducted on RAI TV during the Venice International Film Festival, Caine states: "If the script hadn't been by Harold Pinter, I wouldn't have done the movie".

Pinter said, "'It's a totally new take. ... I had not either seen or read the play, and I hadn't seen the film adapted from the play either, so I knew nothing about it. So I simply read the play and I think it's totally transformed. I've kept one or two plot things because you have to but apart from that, I think I've made it my own'" (wikipedia.org)
Sleuth is a mind game,a quite elaborate one.It is one of these movies that you either like their concept from the start or you don't.One of the points of criticism has to do with the scenery and the direction of the movie.Many critics find the movie too dark or claustrophobic.In my opinion the scenery is not by any means a drawback,it is actually a positive element.It helps in the creation of the suggestive,dark atmosphere of the movie which reflects the content of the plot, the emotions of the main characters.The minimalist nature of the domicile is theatening and so the characters are ,a threat to each other.
As i said before ,Sleuth is an elaborate mind game.The elaborate nature of the plot,while at first it seems simple,leads sometimes the audience to be fooled or to be confused.One very strong aspect of the movie are the dialogues.The script of Nobel prize winner Harold Pinter is full of smart,straight-forward,even cynical lines."Caine and Law are in fine form bantering cleverly in this entertaining cat-and-mouse game, thanks to the inspired dialogue of Harold Pinter. They parry, using witticisms instead of swords." says Claudia Puig in her review.
The dialogues aid the verbal battle between Wyke and Tiddle,which is the main focus of the movie.Jude Law and Micheal Caine engage in a ruthless battle,from which only one will survive.While Jude Law's perfomance is adequate,the perfomance of Micheal Caine stands out.
His portrayal of Andrew Wyke as a smart,deceiving,cynical detective novelist is brilliant.
The music aids to the suggestive nature of the atmosphere.The movie "slows" down towards the end but comes to a fitting conclusion."Goodbye darling."
Sleuth is a mind game in which either you participate (along with the characters) or you don't.As far as i am concerned,i participated and i enjoyed it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eDrdGPhs7vg&feature=related

Tags: sleuth, remake, michael caine, jude law, kenneth brannagh, harold pinter, movies, film, entertaiment, review

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'My Blueberry Nights' Review

Synopsis:"A beautiful young woman on the treacherous road to love�.

"My Blueberry Nights" is the new film from one of the world's most sought-after directors, Wong Kar Wai. It's a magnificent love story starring multi-Grammy award winner Norah Jones in her movie debut along with a "A-list" cast of Academy Award winners and nominees including Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman.

Norah Jones plays a sensual, alluring young woman who sets out on an unforgettable journey of discovery in pursuit of true love. In heartbreakingly beautiful locations and classic Route 66 atmospheric diners, Wong Kar Wai's captivating heroine encounters a series of enigmatic characters that help her on her quest.

Set against New York's magical cityscape and the stunning vistas of America's legendary Route 66, the celebrated director's first English language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality that made "Happy Together," "In the Mood for Love" and "2046" must-see movies all around the world.

Wong Kar Wai's unique talent and dreamy romantic themes, combined with mythical Americans locations and an awesomely gifted and stylish cast,guarantee that "My Blueberry Nights" will delight and enchant moviegoers everywhere."
(http://www.ropeofsi licon.com/ movie/my_ blueberry_ nights)

To be honest, i have not seen any of the previous movies of Wong Kar Wai.I have heard positive comments about 'In the mood for love, '2046' , but i have not seen any of these movies.Anyway, when i first read about MBN it provoked my interest.When i saw the trailer the expectation was even greater.I finally saw MBN last weekend.

The journey of Elizabeth (Norah Jones) is an existential journey across America, a journey of redemption.An effort to distance herself from the sad reality in NY, an effort of thinking things over.She encounters people who have their own problems.The element that these stories have in common is: when you have something or it is available for you to have it,you may ignore it or take it for granted.When you lose it, you appreciate it, you realize what it meant for you.These encounters are an important part of the movie, of Elizabeth's journey.Important is also the relationship between Elizabeth and Jeremy (Jude Law), the restaurant owner back in NY, with whom she stays in touch through letters that she sends.Wong Kar Wai describes MBN as
"a story of a woman who takes the long route instead of the short one to meet up with the man she loves."

Norah Jones in her first role is very good and the rest of the cast also delivers exceptional perfomances. The music is just stunning (Cat Power's "the Greatest" is a superb song). The cinematography of the movie is also stunning.

My Blueberry Nights is a movie that delivers meaning for thecharacters, that delivers meaning for the audience.Definetely worth watching.

My Blueberry Nights was the opening film for the 2007 Cannes Film
Festival on May 16, 2007.

Read more!