Aloha to Sherlock Holmes and GAME OF SHADOWS

As I mentioned on SOS Aloha (at this link), I enjoyed SHERLOCK HOLMES - A GAME OF SHADOWS on Friday night. Movies come to the base theater about six weeks after their release - the base theater is less expensive and more convenient.

Having seen the first Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, I was looking forward to this second offering. I would not label it a sequel as it is a "standalone" film that does not require seeing the first one. Whereas the first film focused on the "dark arts" in London, A GAME OF SHADOWS begins in 1891 London and sweeps across Europe in a race against the growing anarchism and military industrialism:

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room...until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade, points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder-a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction.

Watson and Mycroft

Early in the film, we meet Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, who refers a peace conference in Reichenbach Falls - Holmes purists like myself realize the plot is loosely based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's THE FINAL PROBLEM.

Fictionalized Reichenbach Falls

Mycroft's addition to the cast brought comic relief to the ongoing suspense as he repeatedly called his brother "Shirley". Likewise, Mycroft inadvertently provides the means for the closing scene that allows Robert Downey Jr. to shine as the beloved Sherlock.

Holmes and Watson

Yet I was taken with Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Law engages a wide range of emotions as Holmes uses Watson's bachelor party to further his investigation, Holmes delivers Watson hung over to his wedding, and Holmes interrupts Watson's honeymoon. Law demonstrates that Watson is a Renaissance Man - he is a caring doctor, competent marksman, and loyal friend.

At least they are married!

Kelly Reilly also gives us a few laughs as Mary Watson. Although she despises Holmes for his "bad" influence on Watson, Mary comes through in the end as a valued partner in their crusade.

Moriarty and Adler

Rachel McAdams makes a too brief appearance as Irene Adler, giving way for Noomi Rapace as Madame Simza to play the female counterbalance to Sherlock Holmes.

Madame Simza

The other big name does not make a screen appearance.  Instead, he directs the film - Guy Ritchie.  Ritchie brings back Sherlock's "let me think this out before I do it" slow motion preview of an action sequence. The bonus - Moriarty joins Sherlock in the preview during the expected Reichenbach Falls scene.

Crossing the border

Ritchie employs a similar slow motion action during an escape scene through a snowy forest. Ritchie's technique intensifies the building suspense while suggesting subtle social commentary about the Industrial Revolution. This particular scene reminded me of a similar one from Captain America. In fact, both movies spotlight "out of control" military industrialists.

The Final Problem

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is a riveting "stay in your seat, the ride is about to get bumpy" movie. Ritchie adds just enough humor, which the stellar cast delivers, to offset the looming devastation as the Industrial Revolution grinds towards a continental war. And for the purist in me, the plot brings us closer to Doyle's Sherlock than the first movie from Ritchie.

Sherlock in disguise

How about you - have you read/seen Sherlock Holmes in Victorian England or contemporary London (as PBS is broadcasting a modern version of the famous detective)? 

Downton Abbey

One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Monday, February 6, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Tuesday, February 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Just when Mary thought Sherlock was out of her life ....

LEGALLY HOT by Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray, and Red Garnier

LEGALLY HOT by Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray, and Red Garnier

01/12 - St. Martin's Press - Mass Market Paperback, 342 Pages

Can you love me as well as you protect me?

Anthologies are a love-love relationship for me.  You have great stories that move fast, quick character assimilation, and lots of romance.  When you are in for a night for seduction, with Lora Leigh leading the way in this book it is a grand slam!

The only downside to an anthology is from a reviewing perspective.  Anything you say can give away a plot line or spoiler.  What I can say is each of the males is more than alpha they are centered with genuine kindness.  The women show strength and persistence and a little stubborn but know when to ask for help.

Enjoy Legally Hot as it takes you on a fun and bumpy ride of romance and love.

 

I received one copy of THIS BOOK from St. Martin’s Press to be given away.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment.  What I am asking today is “are you able to let someone take care of you are you like me and always in charge?”  Come back on Sunday - February 5th to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

Contest Winners for WE 01-26-2012

I am sure a sign of getting old is always complaining about the weather regardless of what is going on and saying "where did the month go".  But seriously, where did January go?  For that matter how about the last six months - wow what hasn't happened.  

My friend Kim and I always talk about, well everything but mostly the things that are happening which challenge us.  We both have this and that going on but by keeping grounded for each other it seems that time and change march on and we either go with it or be trampled under it.  I am going with it even though I am not too fond of it.

What I am thrilled to report is another week of wonderful times at my new job.  Met more people and have been given some assignments that have gone successful.  Being new to a job is hard but the double hit is new job and new company.  You don't know what you are doing or who to ask.  All things in time do happen as they should.

Hopefully everyone survived any weather in your area and you two are having an uneventful life.  My contest winners for this week are:

Locked & Loaded (click here for review and vote): Dani

No Limits (click here for review and vote): Jeannette

Sunrise with a Notorious Lord (click here for review and vote): Mary (not me another Mary)

DO NOT forget to send an email to marygramlich@yahoo.com with your address and the book you have won.

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters!

 

Mary’s Musings...about SUNRISE WITH A NOTORIOUS LORD by Alexandra Hawkins

There were so many wonderful things about SUNRISE WITH A NOTORIOUS LORD (click link here for review) by Alexandra Hawkins I could go on for pages about it.  Everyone knows that I can, have a history with that problem, and might but not today.

Today I am going to talk about meddling mothers and their sons.  Everyone thinks of the mothers of the Ton as only working the room to get their daughters connected to a titled gentleman.  Well in this book you have one sassy mother who wants more grandchildren and her son to shape up and get married.  She is as sneaky and controlling as expected but her plans to whip her son into shape really are fun to watch.

I received one copy of SUNRISE WITH A NOTORIOUS LORD from St. Martin’s Press to be given away.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment.  What I am asking today is “have you ever meddled in someone else’s life?”  Come back on Sunday – January 29^th to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

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REVIEW from "The Reading Reviewer"

SUNRISE WITH A NOTORIOUS LORD by Alexandra Hawkins

Lords of Vice Series #4

01/12 - St. Martin's Press - Mass Market Paperback – 287 pages

Is it possible you were created just to bedevil and bewitch me?

Christopher Avery Courtland, Earl of Vanewright is determined not to get married.  He is been sticking with this theory while at the same time attempting to stop his mother from trying to make that happen.  When you have one of the most conniving of woman as your mother you have to out fox her but this time he may have been caught in a trap of his own making.  The problem is not the woman his mother is pushing on him but her sister giving him a reason to blush, the radiant Isabel Thorne.

Isabel has always been as much a parent as a sister to Delia so trying to get her married off to a titled gentleman is the perfect set up.  With an introduction into London society promised, Isabel takes Vane’s mother up on her offer to get Vane interested in Delia regardless of the consequences.  Problem is with great plans and organized thinking is that when the heart takes over all rules and clear thought fly out the window.  Isabel is trying to stop this over whelming desire to rush into Vane’s arms and feel his lips brush hers.  This trip has been nothing but trouble, confusion, and terrible decisions that keep leading Isabel back to Vane.

Vane has led the most spirited life imaginable with his friends and never thought he was ever going to marry.  Nevertheless, there stands Isabel with her innocence and striking beauty flowing around her like roses falling from the vine.  Vane knows that Isabel cannot be his but has that stopped him before, no and as tempting as Isabel is in the simplest of frocks he cannot stop imaging the magnificence of seeing just her bare shoulder.

This book starts on a fast pace and never slows down.  The action between the characters is riveting and when one pushes, another one shoves all to achieve their individual goals.  One man has no way of defending himself when all these women have a plan written in such a lovely fashion by Ms. Hawkins.