Sherlock Season 3

Sherlock Season 3 (Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffat, 2013)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

 

Mystery, BBC, Sherlock Holmes, Adaptation, Thriller, Sharp Dialogue

The first season of Sherlock was about introductions (or re-introductions): reassuring die-hard Doyle lovers that this show was going to stay true to the stories and still exceed all expectations for any modern-day adaptation. The second was about solidifying: establishing loyal fans (and possibly a cultish reputation) through more marvelous reinventions of the characters and classic mysteries. There arguably has been no better James Moriarty, John Watson, Mycroft Holmes, or Sherlock. I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch completely exudes Sherlock. And how can you not love Andrew Scott's creepy/sexy villain? Anyway...

Season three is most definitely different. Gatiss and Moffat have turned a corner with our beloved characters and now the emphasis is on relationships: the sibling rivalry between Sherlock and Mycroft, the love and marriage of John and Mary, the complex friendship of John and Sherlock, etc. In fact, the episodes do not center around a crime to solve (well, you could say that they still center around a mystery, though). The fascination with how the characters interact and how Sherlock "thinks" is enough to keep watching. And that is a pretty amazing feat for any show, especially an adaptation.

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Downton Abbey Seasons 1-3

Downton Abbey Seasons 1-3 (Julian Fellowes, 2011-2013)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Season 2 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Season 3 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=4 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=2, Scale E=2
 

Early 20th Century, Drama, Upstairs/Downstairs, Aristocracy, Class
 

This is a truly fantastic series that seduces viewers subtly, just like the characters do each other. I found the first season amazing in the quality of cinematography, costume, set decoration, story, and characters. The acting didn't thoroughly amaze me (except for the amazing Maggie Smith) but I was drawn in by every nuance of the world. I liked to watch the interactions, the gossip, the upholding and then bending and sometimes breaking of rules. I especially found the Crawley sister relationships interesting (I had a fondness for Sybil).

The second season got even more interesting, twists and turns of the plot got more risky and the characters bloomed. Anna and Bates' relationship was definitely the highlight, Sybil running off with the chauffeur was exciting. Ultimately, the changes brought about by World War I added a new dynamic to the world of Downton and its inhabitants.

I just recently finished watching the third season and, interestingly, I was slightly disappointed. While many of the stories were surprising, most were predictable or too melodramatic. The characters didn't really grow --with the exceptions of Tom Branson and maybe Edith-- and way too much death happened (I was willing to believe in a little, but not a lot). I was hoping for the writers to do more with the dramatic changes in Britain at that time, though the introduction of Rose does start this. I was also hoping to see a little "behind the scenes" stability in the family but instead those years are skipped over. Oh well. Still a marvelous show and I am excited for the fourth season.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Her

Her (Spike Jonze, 2013)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Future, Technology, Social Commentary, Philosophical, Romance

 

Spike Jonze has created a subtle and visually-intriguing film about love and life--Her is equally about the intimate relationship humans have with technology, the relationships we have (or don't have) with each other, and--importantly--the relationship we have with the self. Joaquin Phoenix is marvelous in the many scenes he acts alone but, of course, completely with a voice. I left feeling very philosophical, indeed, about the future of our civilizations. As exciting as it seems to have such advanced technology right at our fingertips and in our heads, what will it do to our sense of self? And if the technology learns from us, evolves thanks to us...anyway, a very thought-provoking film. The film is arguably one of the most interesting romantic films ever made.

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Oscar Dash 2014--The Nominees

Oscar Dash 2014! It is here!

I've only just started watching these (seen two) and I'm totally excited to watch the rest, hopefully most of them before the big celebration on March 2. Here are the nominees for best picture:

American Hustle


Captain Phillips


Dallas Buyers Club


Gravity


Her


Nebraska


Philomena


12 Years A Slave


The Wolf of Wall Street


For all the categories, click here.

Happy Watching!