Sherlock Holmes Review

Starring: Robert Downey, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan, Mark Strong, Kelly Reilly, James Fox

Director: Guy Ritchie

Ratings: 3/5

What a magnificent return to form for director Guy Ritchie. His rendition of Arthur Conan Doyle's character is pumped with heavy duty steroids to take 'radical' to the very next level. What makes 'Sherlock Holmes' infectiously entertaining is that it never takes itself too seriously, which makes it easier for Robert Downey Jr to set the screen alight with his deliciously wry humour.

You don't have to be a big fan of Ritchie's movies to enjoy this flick, 'Sherlock' succeeds on so many levels you won't believe it until you see it. This is not just a one note action comedy, this is a certified franchise starter, complete with huge explosions, breakneck pacing, outrageously funny dialogues and an eerie mystery at its core. Think of this as a 19th century buddy cop movie, and its not too different from a sharper, witter version of Lethal Weapon. Robert Downey Jr is quite like the eccentric Mel Gibson who gets things done after piling on a huge mess, and Jude Law is Danny Glover contemplating retirement. But heck, there is so much fun to be had here you'd wish to return for a second viewing.

'Sherlock Holmes' does very well in borrowing a few choice titbits from the books, sample these lines - "The game is afoot", "You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.", "Crime is common, logic is rare", "My mind rebels at stagnation" and "Data, data, data—I can't make bricks without clay". And Downey's dialogue delivery shockingly gives a humorous twang to all of them. Holmes affectionados will also be pleased to know there's the classic shot of the 221B Baker street appartment. And Irene Adler is one of the main characters in the film. With her Crown Diamond. Sheer genius.

Coming to the story, Holmes finds himself embroiled in an extraordinary case dealing with the villainous Lord Blackwood (played with startlingly affective menace by Mark Strong) dealing with Black Magic. Blackwood is arrested in the beginning of the film after Holmes crashes in on his Voodoo murder party. The court pronounces a death sentence and Blackwood is hung by his neck till death. Doc Watson checks the body's pulse. The corpse is cremated. Lo and behold, three days later an eyewitness sees Blackwood's body rise from the grave. And all hell breaks loose. Meanwhile there is a surreptitious, faceless second antagonist with ulterior motives lurking about in a wagon. The mystery is intense, the adventure is swashbuckling, the action scenes and editing are very Ritchie-esque with slow-mo and fast cuts nicely jelled together.

The cinematography and art direction deserve special mentions as Ritchie convincingly fleshes out the 19th century England of Doyle's books. The soundtrack is killer as it never derives from the cliched, blaring orchestra seen in most Hollywood films. The highlight of 'Sherlock Holmes', is of course the duo of Downey and Law who are completely committed to their characters. There's no way you won't be entertained with this product. Do give it a watch. But make sure you watch it in a theater which provides subtitles, for you're bound to miss a dry British wisecrack or two.

3 idiots review

Director : Rajkumar

Cast : Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor

Rating :4/5

Based on Chetan Bhagat's novel, Five Point Someone (though only a miniscule part has been adapted from the book;
the rest is all original), here's a story of three friends studying in an engineering college Rancho (Aamir Khan),
Farhan (R Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi).
Rancho is the rebel among them always questioning things and believing that learning is more than just the usual mode of
education.

He encourages his friends to look beyond the ordinary and soon earns the wrath of the college director Viru Sahasrabuddhe
(Boman Irani).

Despite his fun and frolic, Rancho always surprises everyone by topping the class.
He even manages to win the affections of the director's daughter Pia (Kareena Kapoor).
But Rancho's greatest contribution lies is making his friends realise their true calling.

The twist comes when on Graduation Day. After being awarded the Student Of The Year title,
Rancho mysteriously disappears into oblivion.

Years later, Farhan and Raju, finding a common thread, embark on a journey to find their friend.
3 Idiots is a story of friendship, hope, aspirations and most importantly, the goodness of life.

With 3 Idiots, Rajkumar Hirani proves beyond doubt that there's no better storyteller than him in the present generation.



This isn't an easy film to make the interplay between characters and the narrative is interestingly woven.

The film switches from present to flashback mode often but not once does Hirani lose the momentum. The medley of emotions that he brings forth as he establishes the film's structure is indeed commendable.

Like the peppy Aal Izz Well song drawing towards a tragic climax it's so cleverly done that it has the desired effect. There are scenes that'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry and they'll make you think.

Hirani does it all so beautifully that you want to go back to college and relive all those moments.

The falling in love, the harassment by professors, the secret drinking sessions, the ragging of fellow students it's all there.

Hirani also sends across a message on student pressures but there's no preaching here it's all done in his inimitable style.

Most films have their own set of 'highlight' scenes.

3 Idiots is different because every scene is special and brings with it something that's out of the ordinary.

But there are a few that have a far lasting impact the entire ragging sequence; the camaraderie between Rancho and Pia; Chatur's (the 'brainy' student) hilarious speech; the entire black-and-white depiction of Raju's family; most of the scenes between Rancho and Viru; the sequences that lead to Raju's recovery in the hospital and many more. After a point, you just stop counting.

Dialogues are snappy and totally effective ("In India, you get a pizza in 30 minutes guaranteed but not an ambulance"). The soundtrack, background score and cinematography is top class.

Among the performances, Madhavan delivers his most retrained act ever. He takes the film back and forth with his narrative and is splendid even with comedy.

Sharman Joshi is brilliant, especially in his breakdown scenes. Boman Irani is sincere as expected, with his lisp act getting all the right nuances.

Kareena Kapoor gives her finest portrayal in recent times as Pia. Her "dhokla, fafda, thepla, khandwa, khakra" scene is simply too delicious. Here's a performance that proves why she's indeed the best we have.

The life and soul of 3 Idiots is of course Aamir Khan. His perfection lies in the fact that he makes everything look so easy and spontaneous.

And at all the right moments, he brings the film alive with his sheer brilliance. From his look to his walk to his manner of speech, Aamir breathes life into Rancho and that's what stays with us.

If you thought Aamir Khan couldn't get any better than he is, think again. Aamir is the heart and soul of 3 Idiots and he proves why he's simply a class apart.