Sulmoney’s #4 Most Anticipated Film of 2009: Sherlock Holmes

There are times when I remember why Hans and I decided to start this blog up together, instead of as independent ventures. We both have an admiration for well crafted works, and his praise for Rome echoes my sentiments of the show exactly, and shows the power of a mini-series when there is enough support behind it from the people who want to make it. I am a sucker for the so called “swords and sandals epics”, (even Troy) (the director’s cut especially) (and if we are talking about director’s cuts, Kingdom of Heaven, totally different movie) (but definitely not Alexander), and am looking forward to Agora as well now, as it mixes in another favorite topic of mine, religion.

One thing though that I do not admire Hans for is his dislike of Guy Ritchie. Come on! He is a fun director (sometimes)! And guess what, I got another Guy Ritchie film to write about, just for the reading pleasure of my partner in blogging.

Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes

Title: Sherlock Holmes

Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and Watson battle an enemy back from the dead who plans to bring about the end of England.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan

Why you should be excited too: Besides it being Guy Ritchie’s next film? I kid. Not really. Putting my admiration for a well done Guy Ritchie film aside (he has put up some atrocities), we are being promised a totally different take on the Sherlock Holmes stories we read, heard, or watched while growing up. Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is being billed as the Batman Begins of Sherlock Holmes, and promises to show us not the elderly Sherlock and the butler like Watson, but an ass kicking, glass shattering Sherlock and war veteran Watson. In the eponymous role, we have my current favorite actor at the moment, Robert Downey Jr., a man who will be able to bring much charisma and energy to the role. While I am not a fan of Jude Law, he should be an interesting Watson, while Rachel McAdams plays a femme fatale, and the under appreciated Eddie Marsan help to fill out the cast. Playing the leader of a cult and England’s villain, Mark Strong will hopefully carry over some of his energy from RocknRolla and pose an intimidating threat. There is still much work to be done on this film, and Sherlock Holmes has a tentative release date of December 25, 2009, but the payoff will be worth the wait. A potential entry for me top 10 of 2009? Elementary my dear Hans.

"I'm leaking massive amounts of iron, man!"

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Sulmoney’s #5 Most Anticipated Film of 2009: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Leave it to Hans to select proper adult and mind challenging films such as those based on a Roald Dahl novel. Alas, he is going for something that someone with his 5th grade reading level will enjoy. But in all seriousness, I am also a huge fan of Wes Anderson, and he has reached automatic watch level. I am in the minority however, as I count The Life Aquatic as one of my favorite movies ever; it’s irreverent humor just struck such a chord with me, and the island assault scene is easily one of my favorite film sequences of all time. But moving on to my #5, I present what will most likely be one of the most bittersweet films of 2009…

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Title: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Synopsis: The leader of a traveling theatre troupe takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations, all under the auspice of the cliche deal with the Devil.

Director: Terry Gilliam

Cast: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Tom Waits

Why you should be excited too: A Terry Gilliam film is usually a must see, but in this case, we will witness the last recorded performance by the late Oscar winner, Heath Ledger. When Ledger died during the filming of this flick, there was no shortage of people who chalked it up under the multitude of misfortunes that Terry Gilliam has had during his tenure in Hollywood. However, when the film was made salvageable by the plot device of using three different actors to play Ledger while in different parts of the film, and that the three would be Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell (I can hear the thuds of the women of the world feinting to the floor now), and that each of these movie stars would be donating their salaries to Ledger’s daughter Matilda, it made my interest in what Gilliam’s fantastic imagination would be bringing to the screen all the greater. I eagerly await the work of some of the finest actors in the business under the direction of one of the business’ most creative, coming out as of now, on September 24, 2009.

Heath Ledger's final performance

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