don't be dull, be fannish

I was reading a Sherlock Holmes pastiche and I suddenly felt like re-watching this film. Gosh, I love the chemistry between RDJ and Jude Law so very, very much. You can sense just how much they enjoyed working together, what a blast they had. The more I watch this movie, the more I like it, actually. It just makes me feel... good. And then there's the amazing OST by Hans Zimmer, of course, that I often listen to while working. Everything about this film simply speaks to me!

○ Tom Hiddleston replaced Benedict Cumberbatch in Guillermo Del Toro's Crimson Peak: link. In the meantime, Benedict started the talks to join the Brad Pitt produced Lost City of Z: link. So, the thing with Star Wars was really just a rumor. Bummer.

○ Ian McKellen will play Sherlock holmes in A Slight Trick of the Mind: link. Eh. I love both Ian McKellen and Sherlock Holmes but this is not my cuppa. Sherlock without Watson? Sherlock with his mental powers fading? A young sleuth? Eh. Just... eh. I really don't like it when authors - this is based on a book - use Sherlock Holmes as nothing more than a springboard for their own creations. Either write about Sherlock and do him justice or build your own world, take the necessary risks and also responsibility for your own writing. This is just lazy.

○ A funny SDCC vid with the cast of X-Men: Days of Future Past: link.

I have watched the movie and talked about it many times already, so basically, I'll just post the notes I took while watching it this time. I tried not to repeat myself, not say stuff that's been already mentioned in the journal...

-- Why was Mary angry at Holmes in the restaurant? She asked him to read her.
-- Is Holmes a masochist, he obviously allowed the man to beat him up in the ring.
-- RDJ has amazing body! Obviously from training, not just weight lifting.
-- What I love about UK actors? Their uneven teeth.
-- I'm usually a Watson!girl, but with every re-watch of this movie, I become more of a Holmes!girl, at least of this incarnation.
-- Not a big fan of Rachel McAdams' Irene Adler. Well, never been a fan of Irene Adler period but after seeing Lara Pulver's version, every other Irene feels inferior.
-- Them wrecking the ship is still the best bit in the movie.
-- Love the bickering between Holmes and Lestrade. It's funny.
-- "What a busy afterlife you're having."
-- Loved how the explosion of the slaughterhouse was done, all silent with just the violin playing.

Also, the music. Wow, just wow at Hans Zimmer's incredible talent. It's a pleasure to listen to!

John Watson & Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes movies

The relationship between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson has always been fascinating. But in this case, it's even more so. A huge part of it is the casting. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have amazing chemistry and they literally radiate the pleasure they take from each other's company. Just watch some of their interviews, you'll see just how much they enjoy themselves. And they're not afraid to push the boundaries with their characters, to more than just hint at a deeper relationship between Holmes and Watson.

Because this Holmes and Watson's relationship is definitely not platonic, or better said, they're not straight. Yes, Holmes has Irene and Watson has Mary but... But! If their story took place in a different time, would Watson have married Mary? Oh, I don't doubt that he loves her but is his love for her stronger than his devotion to Holmes? Or does their marriage, at least partially, present a way to stay with Holmes without jeopardizing his position?

I mean, just watch the 2nd movie: He's on his way to his honeymoon but when Holmes appears, he runs away with him to France - not even knowing where Mary disappeared to, just accepting Holmes' explanation that she's safe with Mycroft. Is this the behavior of a man deeply in love with his wife? Holmes throws Mary out of the train and Watson gets angry, for a bit, but when Holmes dies on him - twice, too! - it's like his world has ended.

And Holmes. Everything Holmes does has two goals: a) to keep Watson with him and b) to protect Watson at any cost. Especially in the 2nd movie it's really obvious. Holmes in ST:AGoS breaks you heart. The wedding scene... the train scene in France... Reichenbach... This is not a man protecting a friend. I think it's the subtle way in which RDJ plays the part, his Holmes' devotion to Watson is... staggering.

So yeah, if these films were set in the 21st century, in a time when homosexuality wasn't illegal in Britain anymore, I do honestly think that they would've become a couple. They do love their female counterparts but when you compare those feelings to what they feel for each other... It's wonderful. And terribly sad at the same time.

Day 22: Saddest unrequited love


Sherlock Holmes' love for John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows

You would have to be blind not to see it in this case. In SH:AGoS, Holmes was really, truly in love with Watson. And it was obvious that Watson did have feelings for him too but either they were just a deeply friendly or he refused to do anything about them. I'm usually a Watson!girl but in this case, my heart literally ached for Holmes. The way he watched Watson, so sadly. The way he wanted to keep him safe even if it meant giving him up and dying for him... Heartbreaking.

( Remaining days cut! )

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows surpassed its predecessor at the box office! SH 1: $524 mil. (US: $209 mil., foreign: $314 mil.) vs. SH 2: $528 mil. (US: $186 mil., foreign: $342 mil.). Woohoo! I hope that means another sequel!

Though I have to admit that I didn't like the plot much. Or Moriarty, for that matter, he was pretty much a cold fish, IMHO, nothing against Jared Harris but he just lacked the proper charisma. But what I missed in plot, I got back in characters. In spades! Holmes and Watson, wow, their chemistry literally crackled. The looks they kept giving each other... It was wonderful!

So, let's rejoice! *throws confetti*

Tough!

Mark Gatiss is such a tease. This is a picture he posted in his Twitter:



LOL! You have to love the guy and his devotion to his craft. He's such a geek when it comes to Sherlock Holmes. It's adorable :)

You know what's awesome about Sherlock Holmes? That this character and his adventures have so many incarnations, it's like a fandom with a myriad of official AUs. And whether you like Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Christopher Lee, Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch or someone else playing Holmes, if you love the character, by now you must have found one that clicks for you, there's so many of them out there, after all :)

I already pre-ordered the Sherlock S2 DVDs and Amazon UK's planning to dispatch them on Jan. 22! *flails* The listed extras are: Sherlock uncovered & audio commentaries. I'm especially looking forward to the commentaries. I loved the ones that came along with S1. Lovely!

I would also like to get the S1 OST - I hope the MP3 download will be available for customers outside the UK - because I adore the music, it adds so much to the show. The S2 ending wouldn't have been nearly as heartbreaking without the incredibly sad slow piano tune - it's titled "War" on the S1 OST.

You know what's wonderful? That we got 2 versions of the Reichenbach incident just a few weeks apart. And both were wonderful in their own way...

( Pictorial evidence, spoilery! )

What about you?

I re-watched Sherlock Holmes tonight...



I still adore the banter between Holmes and Watson (Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law are a hoot together!) and I still don't care much about Irene Adler (oh, I don't have this deep-seated hatred for her like some people, I just don't consider her a compelling character). I very much prefer Mary who seems like a strong woman in her quiet, dignified manner (she protected what she wanted yet she didn't blame Holmes for Watson's injury and she enjoyed his... peculiarities). You know, after re-watching the movie, I think I actually see why there are quite a few Holmes/Watson/Mary fics, hm...

Another thing I loved about the movie was the cinematography and the music. Very, very well done. Especially the music, it just clicked and made all the scenes stand out. Wonderful, truly wonderful. And the way the ending credits were done was amazing, very imaginative...

I've planned re-watching the film for quite some time now. I wonder why I haven't done it till now... Fabulous.

I can't stop watching the latest Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows trailer: link. It's fabulous! So much action and humor and Holmes and Watson bickering like old ladies!

(Though, honestly? From what I've seen so far, I find Sherlock's Moriarty much scarier than the one in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Sherlock's Moriarty is really, truly scary because he's a highly unpredictable sociopath. The scene at the pool still gives me the creeps... )

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Sabine C. Bauer's SG-1 book "Transitions" will be out next month: link. It's actually a crossover between SG-1 and SGA and I already pre-ordered it. Man, it's been ages since the last SG book has come out...