Elementary

Being a big fan of the BBC series Sherlock, I, along with many other Sherlockians, was very wary of the new American adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Elementary. At first, before any of the episodes had aired, the general opinion of Elementary was that it can only be a rip off of Sherlock, considering how quickly it came about after Sherlock series 2 and how the BBC Sherlock team did not give permission for an American version but they did it anyway. What shocked people more was that Jonny Lee Miller, who had co-starred with Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch in Frankenstein, would be playing Holmes. Internet forums EXPLODED. Trying to be as unbiased as I could, I tried to stay out of the internet craziness and concentrate on finishing my copy of "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Stories".

When it first aired a couple of months ago, the positive reviews came pouring in and I was rather excited to see what everyone was hyping about, being the nosey so and so that I am. As soon as it came on Sky Living I watched it, and thought I'd take it all in before I came to a judgement on it. But then decided that I couldn't possibly have an opinion on it after just one episode, and waited until I'd seen the next episode, then the next, and then the one after that. If I'm honest, I was just coming up with excuses to keep watching it. It is genuinely good and I don't think it's fair to just compare it to Sherlock, and I am not just saying that so that I don't have to choose between the two of them. Yes I am...

The pilot episode had to be taken with a pinch of salt. Being biased against the programme didn't help in any way, but we sat down and gave it a chance. Jonny Lee Miller is impeccable. No one can fault his performance as Sherlock Holmes; his take on the character is brilliant. He's strange, rude, and a genius and very witty. My Dad and I gave him the thumbs up immediately. What makes Sherlock a great character is how alien he seems being one of the only Brits in a sea of Americans, making him seem even more unique than before. Even having a female Watson doesn't bother me anymore. The Holmes/Watson dynamic is still intact, although it seemed to take a few episodes for it to get comfortable. I am a big fan of how Holmes treats Watson in Elementary. He sees her as his partner (most of the time), and I can see him treating her as his equal in the near future, as although no one can ever be his intellectual equal, she is ballsy and brave and is picking up many useful skills from Holmes, mirroring the relationship built up by Conan Doyle, in which Watson is able to start making his own deductions and help Holmes a great deal more than their first few cases together. Although the stories were initially slow and not mysterious enough to be worthy of a Holmes story (I figured out one of the murderers before Holmes even found the evidence that led to it once!) once they picked up speed they started to boggle your mind and have you amazed at the conclusion.

Small tributesto the original Conan Doyle stories are seen, even though the stories are brand new, such as the classic love interest speculation surrounding 'The Woman', Irene Adler, and Captain 'Gregson', the American version of Lestrade. I must nag a tiny bit about certain things, however. After coming across a random review comparing BBC Sherlock to Elementary on Tumblr, I've started to get annoyed at small things in the show. At first, I was really happy about the fact that Sherlock was a recovering drug addict and was open about his sex life; it seems like a very Sherlock-thing to do, and instantly made him different to Cumberbatch's Sherlock. BUT, this magazine had decided that they preferred Miller's version because he had his top off and it was 'yummy'? I disagree. Cumberbatch does not need to take his shirt off to impress the female audience. He didn't even show his arms or legs in any episodes and girls still swooned. And it's not like Miller would need to do that either, if I'm honest, as his Sherlock, despite his oddball arrogance, is also quite charming as well as witty and, obviously, intelligent. Taking his shirt off is part of the way his character does things, not necessarily because they need more lusting females watching it. (At least, I hope not...)

Other things that are getting on my nerves are things that are similar to Sherlock. It has to be said. Despite the different styles of both shows - Elementary being like CSI and BBC Sherlock being like short feature films - the music is unbelievably similar, as is the idea of the last frame on the opening sequence. I'm just very glad that text on the screen as Holmes makes his deductions was not included in this list, otherwise I know a few thousand people who would not be impressed at all.

Overall, I'm quite happy to watch Elementary, which is a brilliant adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Most of the people I've talked to about it have really enjoyed it, and other recent adaptations like the Guy Ritchie Films starring Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law, who also make a fantastic traditional Holmes/Watson duo. I'm really curious to see how things progress and if there will be. Moriarty and a Moran reincarnation popping up at some point before the first season ends, and where they will take the Irene storyline. If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, or detective stories in general then I'd recommend it.

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Top 3: (mini)series

I've veered off the specific 'film reviewing' thing today to bring you my opinions on brilliant British telly. This is a mix of series/miniseries that I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years. I had the hardest time narrowing it down to 3, so I've put a list of other favourites down below. Enjoy.

*edit, 24/03* Also, I forgot to actually publish this... SOZ
*edit 2/04* can you tell how much I procrastinate? I sorrys*

BBC SHERLOCK



It is no secret that Sherlock is my favourite thing in the history of ever. As a life long fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's hero, it is almost expected of me. It is a brilliant adaptation. And people who don't like it? ANDERSON. It is the most well cast, beautifully filmed, well written show I've ever had the pleasure to watch.
If you're an Anderson, or live under a rock, I'll summarise it for you; BBC's Sherlock is 9 hours of adventure, wit and "feels". I love how well the stories have integrated into modern day London etc. and how much more relatable it has become. Not only that, but the characters are still perfect mirrors of Conan Doyle's - Sherlock is still cold, completely ahead of his time and very sociopathic; Moriarty is possibly even more terrifying than the book version; John is always loyal and completely amazed every time Sherlock breathes. One small thing that tends to get my goat, however, is how useless John seems to be. It's hard to explain without a fandom ROARING at you but I personally think that John deserves more time in the limelight than he has been given so far. He doesn't use his smarts enough because he's in the shadows of Sherlock's genius, and I don't think it's fair. He's an experienced medical man, and he must have some sort of deductive powers somewhere. We get glimpses of these, but they're always WRONG! or are used to tease the audience in an "you thought you'd got it, but really you didn't, sorry" kind of way. Watson is not supposed to be an injection of comedy, he is the narrator of the stories. Without Watson, there are no stories. Its not entirely awful, because he's probably the most relatable character in the show (other than Molly and Lestrade, the 'normal' people) but I'd just like to see more badass deductions from John in future if that's possible. Pls and thnku.
There are plenty of other things I could say but I could go on for hours and hours and I'd completely lose my train of thought so just go and watch it over and over and just marvel at how well done it is and try not to cry your eyes out. LATERZ.


ANY HUMAN HEART



I watched this because I had heard about who had been cast as the leads and am quite a big fan of actors like Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen and Hayley Atwell (to name a few), so I read about it and deemed it worthy of watching. It was beautiful. I loved the characters and the stories and how logical Logan Mountstuart's way of thinking is. I, too, have adopted the "it's just luck in the end" approach to life now. I'm a huge fan of period pieces, and this series, in four episodes, spans most of the 20th Century and it really opens your eyes to just how much things can change in a few years, how people adapt to the changes and then change themselves. I'll be honest: I watched it, fell in love with it, read the book, rewatched it and was a little disappointed that it wasn't as good as the book. That often happens. I guess that the book was just so brilliant that it was difficult to compress it down to 6 hours of footage but I appreciate that - at the end of the day it's still a fantastic series worth watching.


SPOOKS



I've lived with Spooks for most of my life. It was one of those programmes that I distinctly remember my dad watching without realising that I was in the room, being SCARRED by what I was watching. Whenever I used to think of Spooks I thought of that poor lady getting her face cooked in a chip fryer. But I'd watched it from the beginning, and it stuck with me. Programmes like this really grab my attention because they're fictional but blatantly based on real life experiences. Spooks has taught me that we aren't ever really truly safe (which is a bit depressing) but we are protected by these people and we have no idea who they are. Nice. Cool.
To me, the first "generation" of agents will always be the best - the golden trio (Tom, Zoe and Danny) are the original team and nothing will ever compare to them. That being said, I still love the other teams and actors that followed the enigmatic Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes and David Oyelowo (whose name I KNOW how to pronounce). Watching the final series last year absolutely broke my heart, but it definitely went out with a bang and there may be a film in the future so, my childhood may not be dead yet.

Others I'd recommend: DANCING ON THE EDGE (2013) - it very nearly made the top 3, Restless (2012), Ripper Street (2012), Band of Brothers (2001), Elementary (2012 -), Frozen Planet (2011 -), BBC Wallander (2008 -) , Call The Midwife (2012 -), Silk (2011 -)Pride and Prejudice (1995), State of Play (2003), Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes (2006-2010), Mad Dogs (2011 -), Zen (2011), Skins (2007 -), Shameless UK (2004-2013), Merlin (2008-2012) and, of course, DOCTOR WHO (forever).

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Fiona's week in film #1

My first term of 6th form is now over (finally!) and I've watched lots of films this week to celebrate that fact. The great thing about the last week of term is that normally we watch films and eat biscuits instead of actually doing work, so as well as a brilliant staff pantomime this year we watched some pretty good films, too!

Monday

...wasn't particularly interesting, as we were still "doing work", but when I got home and grabbed my Dad's iPad and starting watching "Cambridge Spies" (2003). "Cambridge Spies" is a four part BBC drama about 4 of the Cambridge Spies who, like, became spies and stuff... You get the gist. I only had time to watch Episode 1, but it was quite enjoyable, and had all the good elements of a BBC drama: humour, some sort of heart breaking romance, seriousness and SUSPENSE. I'll make an effort to watch the other episodes some time soon, it's worth watching just for the cast and the pretty Cambridge scenery (although, there will probably be less of that as the series goes on... *sad face*).

Tuesday

...In French we watched "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999), because, obviously, it's very relevant to French AS. It's one of those films that you can't not love; Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are adorable and most teenage girls cannot resist a romcom with good looking actors in it (I speak with experience). The only possible bone I have to pick with it is that it's based on "The Taming of the Shrew" and some things just don't seem right to me. I mean, obviously it's been modernised but Kat Stratford was not tamed much at all, was she? It was too romantic to be true to the original story. I don't know if that's the point but it bugged me a bit. Oh, but I did blub a bit at the poem. THE POEM.

Wednesday

...I watched "Wisdom of Crocodiles" (1998) at home. Nothing particularly special, it was a bit hard to follow at first - which may be because I was half asleep whilst watching it - but I'm into those kinds of psychological thriller films that can creep you out and make you think without the horror element in it too. Jude Law, who plays the main character, wasn't too bad, but overall the film can only be described as OK and little more.

Thursday

...In French we watched an actual French film, "L'arnacoeur" (Heartbreaker). I'd already seen it before by the recommendation of my film maestro and fabulous French partner, Sophie, so I already knew that I was going to enjoy it. We ate the film with cloudy apple juice, lemonade, cakes, biscuits and cherry loaf and laughed at the utter cheesiness which oozed out of every pore possible throughout. The soundtrack is particularly uplifting, and (as a big fan of Dirty Dancing) I approved of shirtless dancing and fluffy romance, as well as witty humour throughout. Je l'aime.

On top of that, in General Studies the majority of our year - bar the unfortunate people who take Critical Thinking - got to watch The History Boys "because of the famous quote about general studies". Having not watched the whole film the whole way through before, I was very excited to finally see it. Despite it being hard to watch due to a bunch of unenthusiastic chatterboxes sitting behind us, I thoroughly enjoyed the 40 minutes we got to watch. As soon as I got home I watched it 'till the end, and honestly cried because the ending lacked Dakin/Irwin sexy time. Dominic Cooper is great at the whole charming sleazeball thing, so I'm glad that I share the name of his girlfriend/friend with benefits. And Stephen Campbell Moore is wow. I just loved his character so much.

Friday

...We watched the second half of L'arnacoeur and swooned over Romain Duris' dancing. A great way to spend the last lesson of the term.

I also managed to watch the first 10 minutes of "The Holiday" (2006), which is one of my favourite Christmas films - I still consider it to be a Christmas film despite it's lack of Christmassy content. It's got Jude Law in it, who can complain? It's sad to think that I have had an Iris crisis (yes, I just made up that term) in my life so far, and possibly still am. When Kate Winslet cries over a guy, you want to cry with her, although not necessarily for her guy this time. I'm a big fan of Rufus Sewell but he's a lot more charming without the curly mop thing. If you haven't seen it, see it. You'll want a Mr Napkinhead in your life, too.

Saturday

...I watched "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" for old times' sake. Unfortunately noticed how ridiculously bad the younger cast members were (except Tom Felton. He wasn't too bad, probably because he'd been in two films prior to Harry Potter). But, of course, my inner Potterhead didn't care. Wingardium leviOsah.

The other film I managed to watch was a film called "Never Let Me Go" which was fascinating. I do adore Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield with his English accent does make me giddy. Then Keira Knightley is there too. It's got a really interesting plot, and the beautiful images throughout the film made it pleasant to watch even though the story is somewhat dark.

Sunday

...I don't know what I was thinking. I just thought "Oh, that Jeremy Irvine is a cutie, I need more of him in my life." and decided to put "Now is Good" on. I'd had a long day, dropping my brother off for a squash course in Coventry, wheeling my Nan around M&S in the panicked Christmas shopping crowd, the busiest shift at McDonalds I've ever had (and apparently the restaurant had ever had, too). I'd already watched the Homeland finale, which was HELL. It just started off so happy and beautiful and ended HORRIBLY (the story, not the episode, Homeland is always flawless, no matter what). I was a mess, mentally. So I whacked on the film thinking that Irvine's face would cheer me up.

I've read the book that the film is based on, and loved it even though some of the content in the book was like WOAH GIRL CALM YO'SELF. The film was much more appropriate, but it completely broke my heart. It wasn't necessarily the best film in the world, but it's one of those films that requires some chocolate and a humongous box of tissues to be handy. The story is about a 17 year old girl who has suffered from leukaemia and decides to stop treatment and live the rest of her short life to the max. I didn't expect much from Dakota Fanning considering she's American *shudders* but she pulled off the accent, so I couldn't really fault her performance. She wasn't quite who I'd pictured playing Tessa, but she didn't do a bad job, so I shan't complain. I absolutely fell in love with Adam (Irvine), and you just have to watch it to understand why. He's just utterly perfect. A girl's dream. My dream...

To me, though, the chap who plays Tessa's daddy, Paddy Considine, deserved the biggest pat on the back. He's really great, he managed to shine brighter than most in the film and I just wanted to hug him by the end of it. If I could see him through my tears.

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