Elementary
on Sep 28 in General by DanGuy Ritchie is planning on making a Shelock Holmes movie. Yes, Guy Ritchie. The one who’s married to Mumm-Ra Maddona and churns out a succession of formulaic mockney cheeky chappy gangster films. That one.
Apparently the film will be a “riskier” version of Holmes which will “Take advantage of his skills as a boxer and swordsman”.
Now, I try not to be someone who makes blanket judgments of things I haven’t even seen; but this film will be shit. It’s trailers alone will probably have the power to make me cry. I’ll bet you five hundred pounds that the first words out of Holmes’ mouth will be “Whotcha Watson”. Basil the Great Mouse Detective was closer to Conan Doyles vision than this travesty will be.
Bah.
I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan. I’ve even read the books and everything. I’ve talked before about my love of all things elementary, and even had debates with Morticia about the relative merits of Holmes actors Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett. I’m a traditionalist at heart and so come down firmly on the side of Brett. Morticia likes Rathbone. She is, of course, wrong.
The finest version of Holmes though was by Clive Merrison who starred in the BBC’s fantastic radio adaptations of every single Sherlock Holmes story between 1989 and 1998. They are regularly repeated on BBC 7, and if you haven’t heard any then I enthusiastically recommend you check them out.
I read somewhere the other day that the creators of the TV show House drew heavily on Sherlock Holmes when creating their lead character. The name (House/Holmes), the analytical thought process, arrogance, drug addiction, the musical aptitude, and most damning of all – both live at a house numbered 221b. There’s even a blog dedicated to the matter: House and Holmes.
I love stuff like that, all the interconnectedness of popular culture. I always feel that I should take more of an interest in important things like science, history, and philosophy; but instead I end up finding myself filling my brain with trivia about who wrote the screenplay for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Roald Dahl). Makes me useful to have on a pub quiz team I suppose.
I’m not very knowledgeable about Guy Ritchie films mind you. And to be honest, I think I’m happy to keep it that way.
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“Mumm Ra”? Chuckle… Well observed!
I still quite like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It’s quirky, stylish and pretty funny. Snatch didn’t do it for me; no sympathetic characters, the tone was much nastier, and the comedy wasn’t really that funny. As a result I didn’t feel the need to watch any more Ritchie films.
I probably won’t watch his Holmes either as it likely to be more of the same, but I’ll check the trailers out in case it has some sort of camp amusement value.
Thanks for the House/Holmes link, I’d not made the connection before :)
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I have a big fat book somewhere entitled “All of the Sherlock Holmes stories” or something like that, its printed exactly as they appeared in weekly instalments in The Illustrated London News, or similar.
Its very good, I vote for it, its the way to read books, where every chapter is a different story and the story ends when the chapter ends, excellent for bedtime reading, “I’ll just read a complete story before I nod off my dear…” and thereby your wife thinks you are incredibly intelligent.
I don’t think that Guy Ritchie’s wife will ever be fooled in such a way, mind, she is the one still wearing leotards and pop socks at 50 years of age, so maybe…
Doesn’t bode well, does it?
And I love RDJr… but he’s still not right for Holmes. Like there aren’t enough famous British actors who could carry the role. Hell, even Pierce Brosnan!
Rols last blog post..The Last Good Day Of The Year
I love Sherlock Holmes, too. I also like Guy Ritchie, though. I really liked Lock Stock and Snatch – does the UK generally share your opinion on those two films?
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No (definitely) Shit Sherlock!
Some projects just shouldn’t be made.
What could be worse? A prominent role for Mrs. Ritchie, of course.
Oy. (and I don’t mean Oi!)
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Pandora – I didn’t realise the House/Holmes connection until someone pointed it out to me. It does appear deliberate though.
Gary – I don’t tin Mr and Mrs Ritchie share the same bed, so I imagine the point is probably moot.
Rol – It doesn’t bode well at all.
Avitable – I enjoyed Lock Stock, as did most of the UK, but Ritchie turned out to be one trick pony. But the thing that grates most people is his affectation of a working class outlook when he is blatantly middle class (hence mockney instead of cockney)
James – I’ll be surprised if it makes any money, but obviously I could be wrong.
JJ Daddy-O – I’m betting she will be Watson.
Dans last blog post..Squashed tomatoes and stew
Hmmm… maybe I need to give House another try then. (I work in a hospital and when I saw his students working the radiation therapy machine — I was no longer willing to suspend disbelief.)
After Swept Away I’m surprise they let Mr. Madonna make another film.
Can’t say I’m a huge fan of Sherlock or Guy really – not in the way I’m a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp – and NOT just because he’s so incredibly attractive!
I do however wince at these TV series that add modern words to medieval. Robin Hood was one and now Merlin. I actually heard him say “I’m good” last night! as in “Are you Ok?”.
I’m sure you can add the odd wristwatch and references to alien objects to many a film.
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Nat – to quote Blackadder: “No one’s staring at disbelief at my willy suspension”. Not relevant to your comment but I feel compelled to say that every time anyone mentions willing suspension of disbelief. It’s like a nervous tick.
Gail – Johnny Depp is a good actor it’s true. But i wouldn’t shag him.
Dans last blog post..Squashed tomatoes and stew
I’m such a big fan of a certain Sherlock Holmes actor that I named my first precious little bundle of joy after him.
That’s right, we have a cat named Basil.
Basil Ratbone, to be exact. Spelling error intentional.
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I’m with you completely on the lack of merit of Guy Ritchie’s work and on Clive Merrison being an excellent Holmes – I wonder how much of that is due to it being on radio and so you provide your own pictures plus they are the most faithful to the original stories adaptations.
I’m often described as wrong (and sick *grin*) but I’m not wrong about Basil Rathbone, granted he’s not the most faithful to the character as written but he is the best Holmes by miles. Suave, sophisicated and really good at quoting Churchill and fighting Nazis – what more could you want?
It was just a regular dog with some green stuff smeared all over it. It wasn’t a monster at all!
But it will be in the new movie. And its owner will be sexy! And Mockney!
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Jeremy Brett – hands down – was the best visual Holmes. And Edward Hardwick as Watson was much truer to the original character. Razzle Bathbone’s (sic) Holmes was a ridiculous caricature and Nigel Bruce’s Watson was an insult. Holmes would never have worn a deer-stalker cap in London! Did you see Brett in “My Fair Lady” sing about Audrey Hepburn (Eliza) on the street where she lived? He could sing and dance, too! Thanks for the insight about House – though I think Sherlock had at least a few redeeming qualities…Dr. House, not so much.
Mumm Ra. Awesome.
I’ll hold my judgment on the movie until I see a trailer. I’m intrigued by the idea.
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ill have to see the trailer myself, i just hope he doesnt ruin the movie.
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I never made the House/Holmes connection. Very nice.
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Phil – I thought for a second you’d named your son Rathbone then.
Morticia – Holmes should not, I repeat not, be fighting bloody Nazis! That’s Godzilla’s job.
People in the Sun – *shudder*
Lise – Yes, its Bruce’s Watson that I have the biggest problem with too.
Whit – You go see that movie and you’ll never be welcome here again.
Sara- He will, he will.
Darren – I can’t claim credit for spotting it, but I thought it was interesting too.
I love your brain Dan, Mum-Ra, snicker. You’re right though, and I bet either Ray Winstone or Vinnie Jones play the lead. Sighhh. Have you been watching the new Poirot by the way? I used to hate it as a kid but I love how David Suchet whathisface is creepying it up and taking the mickey of his old rendition a little. :D
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