Friday, January 29, 2010

Review: "Sherlock Holmes"

Robert Downey Jr. returns to the screen to play the main role for Guy Ritchies interpretation of "Sherlock Holmes." The film has small doses of action, a pinch of comedy and some mystery film value.

Based in late 1800's London. Holmes alongside his weary and fearful sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law). Must discover the whereabouts and master plan of Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) who was tried and hanged for his crimes, was later declared missing and possibly alive. After his tomb was found smashed and eyewitness' claiming to see Blackwood rise up and walk away.

The rest of the movie is spent figuring out where Blackwood is and foiling his plan to take over London and then move on to America.

Along the way our hero Holmes likes to spend his leisure time getting messed up on either alcohol or drugs, and going to a bare knuckles barn yard fight which Holmes seems to really enjoy. It felt like Holmes only used his super detective brain to figure out his next punch and not his next clue.

Roger Ebert described the new Holmes personality best:

"Holmes' canonical devotion to cocaine is here augmented by other drugs and a great deal of booze. Yet Holmes has the body of a lithe athlete, the skills of a gymnast and the pugilism of a world champion. He and Watson (who is, you recall, only a doctor, although one with clients who must be puzzled about his office hours) spring readily into action like Batman and Robin."

The film is visually nice to look at with everything done in mostly earthy tones, along with Victorian style buildings and structures complement the grim, foggy and dark scenery shown through the movies entirety.

Although this is a good movie to sit and watch. Critics like Yglesias feel the interpretation of Holmes is wrong:

"this action-oriented version of Holmes is untrue to the original. I think this is wrong. The print Holmes is clearly described as an expert singlestick fighter and accomplished bare knuckle boxer. He gets into fisticuffs and always wins. Hand-to-hand combat is never the feature of Conan Doyle’s stories because it wouldn’t be interesting to read a detailed account of beating a guy up with a walking stick. But bringing more emphasis to this kind of thing is exactly what a screen adaptation of a well-known print character should be for—elements of the character that are de-emphasized by the print medium are rightly brought into sharper focus for a movie."

With a valuable missing piece of equipment gone missing in the films end. It looks as if "Sherlock Holmes" will be having sequel or two in the future.

This film deserves two stars, a star for the actors and for the visuals. Maybe the next movie will feel more like a mystery movie and not so much a super hero film.

At a glance:

Movie: Sherlock Holmes

Length: 2 hrs 14mins.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Mark Strong.

Directed:Guy Ritchie

Showing: Regal and Carmike theaters

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A non-review review: "Sherlock Homles"


Mix crime, mystery, suspense and drama. What do you get... Robert Downey Jr.

Downey Jr plays the star role in the new movie "Sherlock Holmes." Alongside Jude Law as his faithful sidekick Dr. John Watson. Directed by Guy Ritchie.

They solve mysteries together and you get to see inside the mind of Holmes as he pieces together a crime with pure brilliance.

That's what I am expecting since I have yet to see the movie. Nor have i read any of the books. I all I knew about "Sherlock Holmes" since I was little was he could solve any mystery while he wore a goofy hat with a front and back bill and used his magnified glass to search for clues.

I am going into this movie very opened minded, as I have only seen the commercials and so far I am pretty excited. I am not to familiar with the cast so I have no expectations on what to expect from this film.

Who: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, and Mark Strong.
What: "Sherlock Holmes" the movie
When: Showing now in theatres. Movie based in late nineteenth century.
Where: Based in London, England.


Friday, January 15, 2010

It's going to be a long season.

Jordan Highland (left) out reaches a Lane CC post for the hoop, and Jamie Mayhew (right) drives to the net against SWOCC.

Every year 16 out of 34 teams make it to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Championship Tournament in March, for a chance at northwest basketball supremacy.

There are high expectations by coaches and players, for Linn-Benton's Roadrunners to make it to the 2010 NWAAC's tournament for both men's and women's teams. And although the men's team is on track, winning their first two league games. The women are facing unexpected obstacles this season, and losing their first two.

Prior to league the men have been winning most their games, and according to head coach Randy Falk, "The more you win the more confidence your team will have."

However both the men's wins were in overtime, and that is something the team is trying to avoid.

"We're trying to make it a tradition here at Linn-Benton." Said coach Falk, commenting that he has taken his team to the NWAACC's tournament for the past two years and plans on making it three.

"If we keep playing like we do and play hard, we're going to get there." Said freshman guard Taylor Roos who is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to his free throws; making 16/19 for the first league game and 10/11 in the second game, sealing the win.

The women's team however is having an almost opposite season when compared to the men.

Losing their first two league games to Lane CC and Southwestern Oregon CC. The Lady Roadrunners are having a tough time finding a balance with an entirely new team, with only one returning player, sophomore guard Kalah Heacock.

"It's hard because we don't have that team chemistry coming into the season, but we try and it's been hard with all the injuries; every time someone is in, someone else is out." Said Jamie Wilson, who was the game's top scorer against SWOCC with 22 points.

Besides being a young team, the Roadrunners don't have a full bench like most of their competition. Which forces some players to play a full game against opposition that has fresh bodies coming off the bench, resulting in a tired and fatigued team.

Despite the odds being against the Lady Roadrunners, the team still has high hopes of making it into the NWAACC tournament in March.

"Our final goal is the NWAACC's tournament, and we're are definitely in one of the toughest leagues with Umpqua, Clackamas and Lane. They're all ranked in the top four and we definitely want to be in one of those positions before NWAACC's [tournament]." Said women's head coach Teresa Guerra who remains positive during a rocky season.

If the men can control the game in the beginning instead of mainly in overtime, and the women can find some more fresh bodies; it should be an exciting season for both teams as they attempt to take LBCC to the top, for victory and bragging rights.

LBCC is currently tied for first with Chemeketa in league, while the women remain tied for third against Portland CC.

Who: Men's and women's LBCC basketball
What: NWAACC Championship.
When: March
How: Hard work, teamwork, and a little luck.
Why: To be top community college basketball team in the northwest.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

My first feature story

Photo by graphicshunt.com

The first feature story I will use for this term will be about both the mens and woman's first league basketball games this Saturday.
Sources for interviews will include both head coaches for Linn-Benton, key players from that particular game and possibly some spectators.

sample questions:

How difficult was this opponent what were your/their strength?

Who are the key players, did anyone rise to the occasion for this game?

Did you or didn't you meet your expectations?

What are your feelings for how the game went?

How is the team now compared to pre-league games?