Sherlock Holmes | Geekscape

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

by MCDaveAugust 12, 2015

In the modern world of remakes and reboots, the industry’s current lack of creativity and imagination usually leads to a complete mishandling of movies and television shows we once held near and dear to our hearts. However, one filmmaker has done an indescribable job of issuing successful returns to the characters we love. After a well-executed two film go-around with the mystery solving, Sherlock Holmes, Guy Ritchie tries his hand at transforming the iconic 1960s television show, The Man from UNCLE, into a big screen phenomenon … and boy does he succeed.

Napolean Solo (played by Henry Cavill), is a former thief turned suave CIA specialist who finds comfort in working alone. Yet, when Solo discovers he must partner up with a super-trained Soviet KGB operative (Armie Hammer), the pair attempts to put their differences aside for the good of the world. The unlikely duo use the daughter of a missing scientist (Alicia Vikander) to try and locate his whereabouts in order to stop an underground criminal organization from producing large quantities of nuclear weapons.

Anyone familiar with Guy Ritchie knows that he’s a stylish auteur with an impressive film catalog. And his latest endeavor, The Man from UNCLE, hovers right around the top of the director’s filmography. Ritchie has a knack for brilliantly meshing action with comedy, and UNCLE becomes yet another platform for him to unleash his skills. Boasting a clever script filled with sharp and jovial dialogue, these elegantly chosen words are brought to life by a perfectly selected trio of talents. As an outspoken hater of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, I had very little praise for anything involved with the film, Henry Cavill’s performance included. However, Guy Ritchie manages to extract the best from his actors and actresses, like he always does, and Cavill demonstrates his true potential in a role that was destined for him. Co-star Armie Hammer refuses to take a back seat and delivers a performance equally as effective to his counterpart. Alicia Vikander rounds out the trio in what’s proving to be an acting year for the ages with the success of Ex Machina and the upcoming Oscar shoe-in, The Danish Girl.

Although a well-rounded script and gifted performances would usually be enough to hang your hat on, UNCLE takes its winning formula even further with tasteful and exhilarating action sequences that never disappoint. Everything from the opening car chase scene to finely-tuned and choreographed fights, there are a plethora or positive attributes that helps make UNCLE the type of film that satisfies a diversity of audiences. And despite a finale that pushes on just a tad-bit too long, it’s a blemish that’s swept under the rug by a barrage of other outstanding traits.

As someone who went into the film with modest expectations, I was blown away by the level of excitement and laughs splashed all throughout The Man from UNCLE. Guy Ritchie has always been a fantastic source of fun-filled entertainment and his latest work is no exception to the norm. So do yourself a favor and take a chance on one of 2015’s most thrilling and engaging offerings. You won’t regret it.

GRADE: 4/5

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Comikaze: Adapting Sherlock Holmes

by Kari LaneNovember 2, 2013

Why Sherlock? How did that particular detective become an icon? That was part of the focus of this panel along with looking at the different adaptations over the years. Panelist Bonnie MacBird, pointed out that Sherlock is a “classic superhero” but he has an “Achilles heel that makes him interesting”. She also mentioned that those stories remind us of a simpler time where honor was paramount, and that “the friendship with Watson makes their world come alive”. You cannot have a super hero without a villain and Sherlock’s infamous rival, “Moriarty appeals to people” explained panelist Daniel Corey. He went on to explain that in the world of Sherlock and Moriarty, one just has to find the evil and solve it, making one a hero. These characters have a singular focus, explained Corey, “the game is all there is” for them.

The panelists were asked how they were exposed to Sherlock Holmes with most of them answering that they read the books. However, panelist Sam Weller said his first exposure to the great detective was the animated Great Mouse Detective movie. I think that was also how I came to know the character, that and Young Sherlock Holmes. How did you first encounter Sherlock Holmes?

So what makes a good Sherlock adaptation? One panelist, Sax Carr, does not buy characters that are the best at everything. He wants to see the “dark side of that gift.” A few of the panelists like how the BBC’s Sherlock is a genius but has lost touch with the outside world. MacBird pointed out that the TV show House is another example of a flawed but brilliant character and, in a subtle way, is also an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. House even has his own Watson in Wilson. MacBird also expressed how she does not like the criticism of ‘too much action’ in the Robert Downy Jr. Sherlock films because the original cannon and short stories actually do have lots of action.

The original story is always the best, but to the to wrap up the panel, the panelists were asked their favorite adaptations of Sherlock and here are their favorites: The Great Mouse Detective, Without a Clue, Sherlock Hound, Detective Comics, BBC’s Sherlock, and Jeremy Brett’s and Robert Downy Jr.’s portrayals. What is your favorite Sherlock Holmes adaptation?

From Left to Right: Sax Carr, Bonnie MacBird, Sam Weller, Daniel Corey, and Tim Powers

Equip It! The Geeky Book Wearables You Need

by CJCSeptember 9, 2013

With all the booming new stores on this little thing called the internet, it can be difficult to sort through all the possibilities for purchase. So let Geekscape be your guide. In the traditions of old, we’ll help you figure out what to take to make it a little less dangerous.

“A new lease on life for books.”

Ever wanted to carry your favorite book with you without lugging around the whole thing? Now you can, and not in a shiny, new book smell-less, electronic reader format, either. Retro Beads & Bangles offers you a recycling opportunity that looks adorable AND literate. Using book pages to make jewelry is not unique to the internet (as you’ll see below), but Retro also branches into brooches, bracelets, the using of sheet music, and old board-game pieces to make unique and specialized accessories for every day. These beautiful earrings, necklaces, and cufflinks immortalize famous names and phrases from classic — and currently popular — literature for a fair-ish every day price.

Shipping policies are not listed, so customer may beware — or want to read the 76 customer reviews before deciding.

“What a novel idea!”

Pretty Little Charms, also out of the UK, offers similarly recycled book jewelry. The categories featured here are Game Of Thrones, JK Rowling, Mortal Instruments, Divergent + Twilight, The Hunger Games, Narnia + LOTR, Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock + Classics, and Dictionary/Other. The charms feature different shapes, as well as colors: some heart-shaped in silver, others a beautiful copper with a steampunk-like accessory hanging off of the main jewelry. Compasses accompany sections of map and silver wolf heads sit next to “direwolf”. It’s all very appropriate and well placed. Pretty Little Charms also offers rings in pairs, offering a chance to celebrate your favorite geeky ship either with your special someone or all on your own if you’re greedy.

The charms that come with the sections of words, and the choice illustrations for others, are really what makes Pretty Little Charms’ selection glow. You can carry your favorite character or phrase along with you in stylish fashion.

All items are $3 shipping for the first item and free for additional items. There is a fair return policy: anything can be returned in exchange, except for earrings (hygiene!) and you foot the shipping.

Pretty Little Charms would like you to note that these items are NOT waterproof. They are made from books! Therefore, care should be taken when you’re deciding where and how to wear them.

“Wearable literature.”

If jewelry isn’t your thing, then head over to Storiarts, where you can acquire pages of classic literature printed onto a scarf, or writing gloves. How fancy would you feel if you owned something called “writing gloves”? Tori Tissell produces these wonders by hand, with the text chosen from such pieces as “Pride & Prejudice” and “Sherlock Holmes”. You may also custom order if you have your own choice of words (book paragraph, music, poetry, etc) prepared. Storiarts’ scarves look gorgeous and, as they say, will make you feel both “warm and intelligent”. Just be sure that your chosen text is not copyrighted and can be reprinted and sold without bringing terrible consequences down upon Tissell’s head. That’s the polite thing to do.

All items are shipped via the USPS and tracking is available. Storiarts accepts returns or exchanges within ONE week of delivery, but if you do a custom order then a full refund cannot be granted, so choose wisely. And not poooorly.

Have you found any gems on Etsy recently? Sound out below!

Guy Ritchie Sets Sail For “Treasure Island”

by Scott AlminianaJune 1, 2012

Deadline is reporting that Warner Bros. has announced that Guy Ritchie will direct an updated take on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic “Treasure Island.” Alex Harakis (whom I’ve never heard of, nor does he have any writing credits to his name on IMDB page) has been hired to write the screenplay.

Guy Ritchie’s last movie was “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” which I never saw, but I really had no desire to see it due to the fact that there is only one true Sherlock Holmes in my opinion, and it ain’t Robert Downey Jr. Anyway, it comes out on DVD/Blu-ray on June 12th.

As for the announcement of Ritchie directing “Treasure Island,” anyone who has seen a Guy Ritchie movie can tell you exactly what it will be like. It will be a monotone colored movie with a lot of sword fights in slow motion. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing though, I’m just stating the obvious.

First Preview for CBS’ “Elementary”

by Stephen PrescottMay 16, 2012

I’m sure it’s no secret that I am a huge fan of BBC’s Sherlock. Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch…what’s not to love? CBS obviously understood the appeal as well because they attempted to recreate Sherlock in the US for their network. As to be expected though Moffat and his wife/producer Sue Vertue told them, “no.”

Unfortunately, CBS decided to forge ahead with their own update to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective titled Elementary and having nothing to do with the BBC version. CBS’ show, which debuts in the fall and stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes who is recently escaped from a scandal in England and out of rehab. Now in New York, Sherlock is ordered by his wealthy father to live with a “sober companion” played by Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson.

Here’s the preview:

Warner Bros. Options Mandrake the Magician For Potential Movie Franchise

by Eric DiazMarch 13, 2012

It looks like another old geek property will possibly be making its way to the big screen soon; Mandrake the Magician just got optioned by Warner Brothers, with the hopes to begin a new movie franchise for them. For those of you unaware, Mandrake was an old comic strip character created in 1934 by Lee Falk, the same man who created The Phantom. Mandrake was a magician who used his powers of hypnosis to fight crime, wearing the classical magician get up of top hat and cape. He even had an high tech lair called Xanadu. (Think Fortress of Solitude meets the Batcave) Though not technically super heroes, both Mandrake and the Phantom were predecessors to Superman and Batman by several years, and many consider them to be the first super heroes.

The last several years has seen the property go through several stages of development, with Disney involved at one point, and people like Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Hayden Christiansen attached to star. Director Chuck Russell (The Mask) was attached to direct as well a few years back, but all of these attempts fell through. Now that Warners is involved, they are hoping they can re-invent Mandrake in much the same way they re-invented Sherlock Holmes with great success. Nice to see that the box office failure of John Carter hasn’t scared all the studios away from things that happen to be old.

Maybe one day they can do a team up movie with Mandrake, The Phantom and Flash Gordon like the old 80’s cartoon Defenders of the Earth. Anyone else remember this cheesy show with the awesomely bad theme song, or am I the only one?