Watson is on the verge of marriage at this point of their relationship and departing from the “digs” he and Holmes share. One also sees the gritty and industrial London with its districts of filth all around as the dark arts and new technologies plunge Holmes and Watson into a complex puzzle with corruption going to the very top of government. “The game is afoot!” 
 Holmes observes well and sees what others miss. He also uses his skills in the martial arts, sword- fighting, boxing with no-holds-barred, and single stick-fighting to physically stay ahead of that which is unfolding. This consulting detective’s appeal goes on decade after decade for as a unique individual, there seems to be no one else like him. We marvel as he uses his brain, observation techniques, and deductive reasoning to see right into deception and deceit, and murder as well. In this portrayal, Holmes is quite streetwise, a true man of physical action. In this very different portrayal of Holmes, Downey excels.  The detective never utters the words, “Elementary, my dear Watson” nor does he wear the deerstalker upon his head. What we have before us (as press notes state) is “a fun Sherlock Holmes” and something far from what has been dramatized before.

 The supporting cast does well: Rachel McAdams as enigmatic Irene Adler with whom Holmes is infatuated, Mark Strong as villainous Lord Blackwell, Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, and in key roles, Robert Maillet, Geraldine James, Kelly Reilly, and James Fox. Direction by Guy Ritchie is fast paced and on target, holding your interest throughout, and making all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in a logical manner. There’s even the shadowy figure of Holmes’ arch nemesis, Dr. Moriarty and the possible opening into a sequel to this film.
 If you just sit back and enjoy what’s presented on screen, you’ll have an enjoyable time. But if you reflect back to the original character creations, this film is certainly presenting them different than originally conceived for readers (like me) have known. Great disappointment may set in for this is not the Holmes and Watson we have grown to love in those literary tales of their exploits. Of course, one may also point to the Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce series in which at one point, they jumped from Victorian England to the time of World War II in order to fight a Nazi plot. (And no time machine was used or mentioned.)

From the design of the trailers, these were indeed valid fears, especially when coupled with director Guy Ritchie’s justified reputation for going over the top. Still movie previews have always been designed to pack the largest audience into the theaters, not to necessarily tell the truth. With that thought in mind, let’s take a look at--
The Story: It’s the London of the Victorian era, and there’s murder afoot. Following a string of grisly ritualistic killings, Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) are able to thwart a sixth sacrifice, and to bring the sinister magician behind them to justice. This is the powerful Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), a man rumored to have strange and terrible powers.

These rumors grow exponentially when after his death by hanging, he breaks free of his tomb to walk the streets of London once more. Worse, he appears to have come back from the dead to lead an entire legion of sorcerers into bringing down both the governments of England and America, with the goal of world domination in mind. The only thing standing in his way, why, Sherlock Holmes, of course.

There is a great deal more to the plot of this film, but this is one of those rare movies where the more you talk about it, the more you will ruin the experience for those who have not yet seen it. Is this a film for everyone? No, it is not. Is it a film for Sherlock Holmes fans? Oh, yes indeed.
Now, this is not to say that fans of previous Holmes movies will enjoy this latest effort. Most of the earlier efforts to bring the world’s first consulting detective to the screen have been horrid affairs. The dreadful Basil Rathbone series turned a brilliant set of characters into little more than a stick figure puppet show, saddling them with catch phrases and stock costuming they seem almost incapable of escaping.  For the record, the Sherlock Holmes of the novels and short stories was not a humorless marionette. His Dr. Watson was much more a partner in investigation and not some bumbling nuisance. And, this latest film is probably the best new adventure these rich and versatile characters have enjoyed since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stopped penning them all himself.

Yes, there is action, but there was action and mayhem in the original texts. Yes, Holmes and Watson bicker and quarrel but, it is much more the banter of two old friends who sometimes find they’ve spent perhaps too much time in each other’s company than anything sexual. This is "The Odd Couple," not "Brokeback Mountain."  And, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law are truly brilliant in their performances. Both men deliver completely understated, supportive interpretations, coming across as exactly who they are supposed to be. Neither actor does any grandstanding or scene stealing. It is a marvelously professional film, as tight and competent as any to which it might be compared. 

There is much more right about this one as well. The story unfolds brilliantly. All of the complicated insights and brilliant cogitation necessary for a Sherlock Holmes adventure are there. So is a magnificently recreated Victorian London. The costuming, sets and locations are stunningly convincing. The filmmakers have even gone to the lengths of having the logos displayed at the film’s opening recreated as paving stones in a London street so that every single moment the audience is looking at the screen, everything they see is there to draw them into the story and keep them there.

Two small complaints, though. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is a touch unusual. Although most of it enhances nicely, there are moments where one has to wonder exactly what was going through the composer’s mind. The second complaint is with the picture’s sound. More than a few lines are lost due to a somewhat muddled recording quality. Of course, this could also be blamed on the theater’s equipment, or the fact that you humble reviewer is getting old. Still, I do believe it was not quite up to the level of excellence set by the rest of this marvelous film.

Good, solid, intriguing stuff. But heck, someone had to make up for "Avatar," didn’t they?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying this is a bad film. Right up front, I loved it, my wife loved it, and the critics I was with, well the first thing out of their mouths was, "it was sure better that ‘Did You Hear About the Morgans.’" No, the audience I saw the film with had a fine time, laughing so hard at the funny parts that I’m certain no one in the theater heard every line in the film (I know I didn’t).

The Story: Jane (Meryl Streep) has finally gotten her life together. Her three children are grown, her business is thriving, and she feels as if she’s finally come to terms with her divorce. One good sign as far as she’s concerned is that she’s finally renovating her house, having the kitchen built that she’s always wanted. But then, a strange thing happens.  Her husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), ends up staying at the same hotel she does when they both attend their son’s college graduation. Running into each other in the bar leads to conversation, and dinner, and dancing, and sex. Having been husband and wife at one time, this might not be so bad. But Jake is married. 

Indeed, Jake is married to the woman he was cheating on Jane with, the much younger, much prettier, much firmer woman Jane fairly much loathes for stealing her husband and ruining her marriage. But now, the tables are turned. Jane is the other woman, and she continues to be the other woman because when everyone is back home after graduation, Jake wants to keep things going.  Before Jane knows it, she’s having an affair. Such things are fun, but before long, the inevitable complications come in. What will this mean to their children? What’s going to happen to Jake’s wife and child? What about the rather shy architect Adam (Steve Martin) Jane has just started seeing? Oh, how will it all resolve?

This is a very funny movie. It is certainly one for an older crowd. I’m not saying you need to be in Depends to understand what’s going on, but it’s definitely not the usual drivel Hollywood usually serves up for the dull-witted twelve year old mentality they seem convinced controls the purse strings of America. The film is well-written, and well balanced. Yes, the humor is hysterical. The running sequence where Jane, who hasn’t seen marijuana in twenty-seven years, lights up with her architect is pure comic genius. But, along with the jokes comes real hard truths about families and divorce. It’s subtle and it’s not preachy, but what this film has to say about the children of divorce and the unresolved issues that often remain between husbands and wives who split is insightful and refreshing.

As for the filmmaking itself, high marks all around. The soundtrack is quite clever, making good use of a wide-variety of songs as story-telling devices. The cinematography doesn’t draw attention to itself, but enhances the film at every turn. And, as for the acting, everyone does a fine, competent job, but this is Streep’s film. Even Baldwin and Martin are merely there as mere reflective surfaces to help allow her to shine.  Long ago it seemed that if Meryl Streep was in a picture it had to be something "important." Luckily that day has passed and this powerhouse of an actress can finally relax and simply help create entertainment.  "It’s Complicated" is a good solid picture, a fun date movie, and a nice little morality play all rolled into one. For those who think they might like it, they probably will. For those in need of vampires, explosions or foul language, your turn will come.

Our final word: 4 stars out of 5.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus ( Christopher Plummer ) and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr Nick (  Tom Waits)  , in which he won immortality.