Film Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

I recently saw Kelly Reilly's recent released film, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, where she reprises her Mary Morstan role (from the first Sherlock Holmes film) and once again, she co-starred with Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams.


Check out and read my review of this film below!

But first...

[Warning! ... for those who haven't seen this movie and don't want to be spoiled...]

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace,
Kelly Reilly, Rachel McAdams, Jared Harris, and Stephen Fry
     

Watch the trailer for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

(source: trailers)

I recently saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (sequel to 2009's Sherlock Holmes <--- click the link to read my review!) and I must say, I loved and enjoyed watching it as much as I loved and enjoyed watching the first one. Great movie! It had all the action (plenty more in this sequel than the first), humor (mostly from Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes), fun and mysterious games between Holmes and Moriarty, great chemistry and banter between Holmes and Watson, slow-mo fight scenes, and more! This film was a lot more fun to watch too this time around. I've been waiting to see this sequel since I've heard of it being made. It was more than I expected and it didn't disappoint!

The awesome and very talented Robert Downey Jr. is back reprising his witty and very clever, genius hero Sherlock Holmes character. He was just fun and amazing to watch in this film, as usual. I love RDJ! He's such a great actor and one of those few who are just great at what they do no matter what role he plays, he's always good. Jude Law's back as well as Dr. John Watson along with two other familiar faces from the first film such as Rachel McAdams (who interestingly appeared in quite a small role, a lil' more than her supposedly brief cameo role for this film at the beginning, but her fate was left somewhat ambiguous...I wanted to see more of her though...still nice to see continuity and her) as Irene Adler and Kelly Reilly (even though she, again, didn't have a lot of screen time like the first movie, but unlike the first movie, she did appear a bit more in some important and interesting scenes and had more to do in this one. Not too mention, her character was pivotal and quite useful to Holmes and Watson towards the end...which had a very interesting twist to it) as Mary Morstan Watson, who played Law's character Watson's love interest in the first film. Their characters' wed in the second film with an interesting wedding scene where Watson, the groom and Holmes, the best man were not quite dressed up appropriately for the wedding, lol. Thankfully, the wedding ceremony took place without any odd incident for the newlyweds.

Read my full Film Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Film Review: The Three Musketeers 3D

UPDATED 1/1/12: Added one more T3M review (from Ashley Visco) for you to read below! Check it out!

Ok, we (as in P&P Blog's Jeane, Christy, Ashley) all saw The Three Musketeers 3D film starring Matthew Macfadyen about a couple months ago or so when it was released, but have not been able to post our reviews here as we've been busy with so many things including posting here a few (with giveaways) and this holiday season and just now finally got to post our combine reviews for this film here.  

Well, better late than never, right?

 Check out and read our reviews of T3M 3D film below...

 The Three Musketeers in 3D (2011)

starring Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson,
Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom,

Christoph Waltz, and Juno Temple
 

Watch the trailer #2 for The Three Musketeers

(source: SummitScreeningRoom)

Film Review: The Three Musketeers 3D by Ashley Visco 
I. Am. BIG. On. Books. Particularly, classic literature. Butsurprisingly, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is something I'venever taken up reading. Due to my ardent love for anything over onehundred years old, my interest was instantly peaked by a new adaptationof this famous novel-not to mention the fact that Matthew Macfadyen(the man we all know and love!) would be playing what he called 'theJames Bond' of that time period. However, I did have my doubts. "It'sin 3D? What if it looks all weird?" or "Orlando Bloom, a villain?" werethe kinds of skeptical questions constantly popping in and out of mybrain (along with a frequent "Will Matthew get enough screen time?!").But as I watched more and more interviews, behind-the-scenes videos,and sneak peeks my wavering worry gradually uplifted into excitedanticipation, leading up to one big heck of a bang once I actually gotto the theater.

This obsessed-with-all-archaic girl absolutely loved this modern takeon a well-known story. The acting was great (particularly Matthew's, Ithought-but perhaps I have a biased opinion…), the action exciting andcaptivating, the jokes actually laugh-out-loud worthy, and thecinematography absolutely beautiful. And then there was the 3D. Far toooften, movies nowadays are advertised as being in SPECTACULARTHREE-DIMENSION! So you go to the movie theatre, stick on your stupidglasses…and realize that it looks exactly the same. But The ThreeMusketeers was actually enhanced by the 3D! Everything was more vivid, and the images more sharp, surprisingly increasing the movieexperience tenfold! It looked as though the musketeers were actuallylunging they're swords through the screen! (And I didn't even see it inImax!) Another big worry was that Matthew would have to-yet again-bethe saving grace of his film, because all the other acting would beawful. Again, another pleasant surprise! I enjoyed each and every oneof the characters and thought them very believable. All but MillaJovovich (sorry to those who strongly disagree). Although I may just bejealous that she got to snog Matthew's face off in the opening scene…But the musketeers, I loved! Matthew, Ray Stevenson, and Luke Evans Ithought worked fabulously together, along with the young (but verytalented!) Logan Lerman.

It may not have been a straitlaced adaptation of classic literature,but it certainly gave a famous novel a lovely modern twist that justmay appeal to this generation, and perhaps grant to all the stubbornyoung a new respect for literature. I for one will be reading AlexandreDumas's novel very soon.

Oh, and Matthew could have had more screen time… 

Film Review - The Three Musketeers 3D by  

Dateline: Saturday Morning (Six months earlier)Facebook is most amusing on a quiet Saturday morning as I wait for my family to wake up. Given my affection for all things Darcy and the warm affection that I hold for the Devoted Fans of Pride and Prejudice group that I now refer to as my "Darcy Friends", I was most delighted to see the first photos of Matthew Macfadyen as "Athos" in the upcoming Three Muskeeters 3D.

The morning went something like this...

The family awakes to begin a new day as I serve breakfast. Such is my enthusiasm; the conversation that morning began something like this...

Me: "I want to go see the new Three Musketeers movie!"

My husband: "I've never known you to show much interest in Three Musketeers!"

Me (Grinning): "OH! But I do now!"

My husband is right. Even though I am familiar with the Alexandre Dumas' classic, it is not one that I would call a favorite. The appeal of this film? Matthew Macfadyen.

(*THUD*)

Matthew Macfadyen's voiceover opens the film and I am spellbound as I sense a familiar presence with the person masked in armor in the water...Sure enough, it is Matthew Macfadyen as Athos!

(*Thud* Indeed!)

Simply put...it is a wonderful film! Why?

This is D'artagnan's story to tell. The film opens to see young D'Artagnan with humble beginnings, the most supportive of parents, and he is full of ambition as he leaves home for Paris to become a Musketeer.

Young D'Artagnan arrives in Paris. There is an immediate altercation concerning his horse "Buttercup" and in short order of events challenges others to no less than three duels and all done before 2 P.M.

Among his challengers? The Three Musketeers!

Yes, I am a huge fan of Matthew Macfadyen and he gives a wonderful performance as Athos. Yet, D'Artagnan (Played by Logan Lerman) steals the show. Action packed throughout, D'Artagnan is full of ambition and youthful energy. What is perceived as cockiness at the beginning of the film turns into well-earned confidence in the end. Outstanding Performance!

The Three Musketeers as a group are fun, entertaining, and great performances by all!D'Artagnan steals this show and young ladies be warned, he may also steal your heart.

Film Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars! 

Film Review: The Three Musketeers 3D by Jeane   

I must say that this movie was good, but not great. I was disappointed that it wasn't an amazing movie that I expected it to be as I had high expectations for this film especially with such talented ensemble cast and the director who directed RE movies that I've enjoyed watching. I guess I expected too much. Still, It was good and I enjoyed watching this film for what it was. It was fun and entertaining to watch though. Matthew Macfadyen as Athos was the highlight and the best thing to watch for me in this film. I loved and enjoyed watching every scene he was in and hearing his beautiful voice as the narrator of this film. I was pleasantly surprised that in the opening scene (and the first 5 minutes), the first thing I heard was his beautiful voice (as a narrator in this film) and first character/musketeer I've seen was his character, who leads the 3 Musketeers. I thought that was very cool! Matthew Macfadyen was excellent in this film. He did great in his narration (kudos to the director and producers for letting him narrate in this film...his voice is just beautiful to listen to!), acting, and fight scenes. I loved his one-liners in this film too such as "D'Artagnan, you want to be a musketeers? This is your chance." "It was an off-day" and "Round Two." and the way he said "Bukingham," sounded like "Wickham" (as in Mr. Wickham of P&P movie), lol...

Read my full Film Review: The Three Musketeers 3D

Film Reviews: Johnny English Reborn and The Big Year

I saw Johnny English Reborn and The Big Year recently and both had Rosamund Pike co-starring in supporting roles as Kate Sumner, a Behavioral Psychologist  (in Johnny English Reborn) and Jessica, a housewife (in The Big Year).

Rosamund Pike had 4 films (interestingly, I've seen all 4 of them!) released in theaters this year including these two. The other two were indie films: Barney's Version, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Make-Up and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in Comedy/Musical for Paul Giamatti, while Rosamund earn critical rave reviews for her supporting role as the title character's third wife and true love Miriam Grant Panofsky. I've seen this movie (and own it on Blu-ray/DVD) and loved it. Rosamund was brilliant in this film. Great movie! The other film was Burning Palms (with a big ensemble cast and told in 5 different stories that will mess you up for life...or so it says...according to the film's tagline), which was in brief and limited theatrical release. RP played the role Dedra opposite Dylan McDermott. She appeared in the first of the 5 stories told in the film (which I've seen on instant-watch on Netflix recently as well), the story was about according in this brief synopsis (via IMDB): In Santa Monica, a woman (Dedra) becomes alarmingly concerned over her fiancé's unnaturally close relationship with his teenage daughter. The movie was ok, I only watched the first story were RP was featured. She did pretty good on her part, but was disappointed on how her character ended up at the end, but of course, it's an unusual film, so what did I expect? lol...RP played 4 different yet interesting roles/characters in these 4 different films. I must say, my top favorite would be her big supporting role/character in Barney's Version. Besides these 4 films, she also starred in a TV miniseries:Women in Love that aired last March. I haven't seen it yet, as it only aired in the UK's BBC channel. I wonder if PBS Masterpiece Classic will air it next year in their fall 2012 season...Hmm, we shall see, probably not...otherwise, I won't see it unless it's released on DVD here in the U.S. or if it's streaming on Netflix or if someone uploaded it on YouTube.

Anyway, back to Johnny English Reborn and The Big Year, I wrote my own movie reviews of these films in my other blog, In The Mood For Movies Blog. I'll add my The Three Musketeers film review very soon. For now, read my reviews of these two films! Though, here's a lil' warning, they're both spoilerish, so don't scroll down any further, if you don't want to be spoiled. If you've seen both movies though, then, ignore the spoiler warning and read my reviews below!

But first, here are two new never-before-seen Johnny English Reborn promo stills featuring Rosamund Pike...

(source: The Fashion Spot)

Film Review: Johnny English Reborn

Johnny English Reborn (2011)
starring Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Gillian Anderson, and Dominic West

Watch the trailer for Johnny English Reborn

(source: trailers)

[Warning! ... for those who haven't seen this movie and don't want to be spoiled...]

Brief synopis (via IMDB):
Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the accidental secret agent who doesn't know fear or danger in the comedy spy-thriller Johnny English Reborn.

I saw this movie with my mother and we thought it was hilarious. We loved and enjoyed watching this film. It had plenty of laughs and action to keep you watching and entertained from beginning to end.

Rowan Atkinson is back and is as clumsy (and hilarious) as ever as the bumbling MI-7 agent Johnny English in this fun and hilarious sequel to the 2003 Johnny English film. I thought this film was so much better and was a lot more funnier than the first one. There were a lot of funny and action scenes to keep you watching as there were combinations of James Bond and Bourne films parodies in this film mix with plenty of action and comedy. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really enjoyed watching Rowan Atkinson more in this film than the first one. There were several funny scenes that made us laughed a lot like when Johnny was in the shrinking/going up chair scene (with funny lines: "He's the Prime Minister...yeah, you wish." and "give me 24 hours." ....it made us laugh so hard, lol), the Tibet/Monk scenes (English was hilarious whenever he loses focus or concentration to the task he was doing, haha!), the scene where he chewed the gum and his voice changed, lol. Whenever he hears "Mozambique," he makes a funny face and one of his eyes twitches...lol...

As for the supporting cast, Rosamund Pike as Kate Sumner, a behavioral Psychologist and love interest to Johnny English was pretty good in her supporting role and she was a nice addition to the whole new cast of JER. It was very good to hear her British accent again (I was getting used to hearing her American accent in her other films that I've seen, which were just released recently/this year such as The Big Year, Burning Palms, and Barney's Version). Gillian Anderson (Pegasus, I think that was her name if I remember right, as that's what they call her, lol) was good here too as the new MI-7 boss of English. Daniel Kaluuya as agent Tucker was funny in some scenes with English especially the helicopter scene. Read my full Film Review: Johnny English Reborn here!

And another film review...

Film Review: The Big Year

 The Big Year (2011)
starring Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Rosamund Pike,
Rashida Jones, Angelica Huston, JoBeth Williams, Brian Dennehy, and Diane Wiest

Watch the trailer for The Big Year

(source: Watchanapple2011)

 
[Warning! ... for those who haven't seen this movie and don't want to be spoiled...]

   

I saw The Big Year and guess what? I actually quite enjoyed watching it. Though I expected it to be really funny with the big trio lead stars of Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin, but it was only kind of funny and more of a dramatic kind of film with a nice story and interesting ensemble cast to go with it, which I didn't mind in the least. It was still a very good movie about "bird watching" which I didn't know (and never heard of until I've heard this movie was being made and Rosamund Pike was cast, the main reason along with the trio actors aforementioned, which I was actually interested and went to see this movie) as a sport for those bird lovers. The title of this film now made sense after seeing this movie. While it lacks a lot of humor I expected to see in this film especially with the trio of Wilson, Black, and Martin, it still had its funny and a few LOL moments here and there that made me laugh. The movie though was still a very good "bird-watching" as a sport film, which is interestingly, different than your typical sporting genre movies. This one's not really a sport movie, but about three avid bird watchers who compete to spot the rarest birds in North America at a prestigious annual event (brief description via IMDB).

I was pleasantly surprised that this movie was not a comedy, but rather a little mix of comedy and a little more on the drama, but mostlyit's a movie with heart and moral lesson.

Love that this movie also focused on other supporting characters connected to the main 3 characters. Rosamund Pike, who played Jessica, Kenny's neglected wife, was pretty good in her supporting role and scenes. She actually appeared more here than I expected (especially with a big ensemble cast like this film). I felt for her character though. Poor Jess, all she wanted was to start a family with her husband and all her husband seemed to care about was doing another "big year." He does not deserved her, but she still loved him. Interesting, her character's side story has been shown a lil' more in connection to Kenny, but towards the end, they didn't show her at all or what she was up to. That was a letdown for her character, but I'm guessing she probably ended up with that handsome looking guy who did the renovations to hers and Kenny's house. I wouldn't be surprised if she did. He's a hottie and is always around when Kenny was not, lol. Read my full Film Review: The Big Year here!

Film Review: Hanna

I just saw Hanna recently and thought it was AWESOME! This was one of the few films I've been following and anticipating to see (obviously, I've been blogging about it and promoting it here: ) since I heard one of my favorite directors was directing it with an outstanding and talented cast in Saoirse Ronan (leading the cast in the title role) with Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander, and Olivia Williams. This film was all that and more! It was much more than I expected and far surpasses my expectations. It definitely delivered, both the film and its actors' strong and solid performances.

Check out and read part of my review of this film below!

Hanna (2011)

starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander

     

 Watch the trailer for Hanna

(source: hollywoodstreams) 

Hanna (Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a soldier; these come from being raised by her father (Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. (brief Hanna synopsis by Focus Features via IMDB)

Now, this was a brilliant, clever, entertaining, full of action, adventure, mystery, that has you on the edge-of-your-seat, suspense thriller, with humor film all in one, that I've seen in a long time. It was like a mixture of Leon: The Professional (featuring the young Natalie Portman) and the Bourne movies (starring Matt Damon) with a fairytale theme (ie. Little Red Riding Hood, but more like Hansel and Gretel, which I think if I remember right, was one of the bedtime stories by the Grimm Brothers that young Hanna was read to by her father Erik) to it. This is one of the films I loved and enjoyed watching this year...thus far. The story was great, brilliant, and cleverly written. Director Joe Wright did a fantastic job directing this film. The original score throughout the film composed by The Chemical Brothers were quite interesting, haunting, hypnotic, and addictive to listen to. It's very catchy and stays in your head even after the movie ended. Read my full Film Review: Hanna. (via my Movies Blog)

Speaking of Hanna movie, I've just won a Hanna signed poster!!!! Yes, I did and unexpectedly too!

Here are some photos I took (and thought I'd share here with you all) for the Hanna poster I've just won (one of the 5 signed posters by Saoirse Ronan) from Focus Features (via its official twitter page), which I had enjoyed and randomly participated in their #Hanna signed poster contest prior to seeing the movie. I just received my prize over the mail Thursday and it was huge! It's a double-sided (or rather the back is like a mirror-image of the front) poster and was nicely packaged, so it was in good condition when I got it. The interesting thing was that not only it was signed by Saoirse Ronan, but by her co-star Eric Bana (which was a nice surprise as it was only Ronan that was said to have signed the posters in the contest) too! Wow, what a double treat!!

My Hanna signed poster
(signed by Hanna stars: Saoirse Ronan and Eric Bana!!

Thanks to @FocusFeatures!)

Plus, here are two cool Hanna web promo posters I've downloaded from the official Hanna website that was part of the Hanna signed poster contest I've won above especially when I got the clue and the right answer to the trivia games, I got the following...

Hanna web posters

 (source: the official Hanna website)

Photos: P&P co-stars Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle reunited 15 years later!

A Pride and Prejudice ~ The King's Speech Reunion

The King's Speech. They were last seen together 15 years ago in the much loved Pride and Prejudice (1995 BBC/A&E TV Miniseries), which they famously played Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Jennifer Ehle won for Best Actress on the BAFTA TV Awards back in 1996.

Speaking of TKS: Read my Film Review: The King's Speech
 
An interesting CF/JE trivia (via UK's Daily Mail)...

He landed the role of Mr Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Austen’s Pride And Prejudice, and with it came a year-long romance with his co-star Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennett).

But by the time the drama was televised in 1995, he and Jennifer had split up.

Here are the following production stills, promotional photos, and very recent public appearances photos (promoting TKS with director TH) of CF and JE in...

The King's Speech (2010)

production stills

 (source: The King's Speech Official Website | The Weinstein Company | Ace Showbiz | Period Movies) 

   

 View more of The King's Speech Movie Stills 

 

 Pride and Prejudice (1995)

promotional photos and production stills

 

(P&P 1995 images sources)

More on BBC - Drama - Pride and Prejudice
 
Pride and Prejudice

• Episode Guide
• Characters
• Actors
• Behind the Scenes
• Photo Gallery
• Screensaver

Also, on  PBS Masterpiece.
 

 Recent Public Appearances/The King's Speech Promo
featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle

Q&A Following A Special Screening Of The Weinstein Company's 'The King's Speech'

(Photos by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images North America | zimbio.com) 

Actors Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, and director Tom Hooper attend a Q&A following a special screening of The Weinstein Company's "The King's Speech" at The Ziegfeld Theatre on January 11, 2011 in New York City.

Luncheon to Honor The Weinstein Company's "The King's Speech"

  

(Photos by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images North America | zimbio.com) 

Actors Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle with Kim Cattrall and director Tom Hooper attend the luncheon to honor The Weinstein Company's "The King's Speech" at a Private Club on January 10, 2011 in New York City.

Colin Firth recent photos (View all of them here!)
26th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Day 5
17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Press Room

17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Show
63rd Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards - Show
63rd Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards - Arrivals
Apple Store Host: Meet The Filmmakers: The King's Speech
The Weinstein Company And Relativity Media's 2011 Golden Globe Awards Party - Arrivals
Weinstein/Relativity Media Golden Globe After Party Presented by Marie Claire - Inside
68th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Show
68th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room
68th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
W Magazine Celebrates The Best Performances Issue and The Golden Globes - Red Carpet
16th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show
Eleventh Annual AFI Awards - Presentation
Colin Firth on the Walk of Fame
Colin Firth Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
2010 New York Film Critics Circle Awards 
The 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

Jennifer Ehle recent photos (view all JE photos here!)
Broadway Joins Jennifer Ehle And Eve Best For A Screening Of "The King's Speech"
"Mr. & Mrs. Fitch" Off-Broadway Opening Night - After Party