Search
A Study in Scarlet
Arthur Conan Doyle and Mark Billingham
8.8
Rate It
Book
This book includes an introduction by Mark Billingham. When Dr Watson ends up renting rooms in Baker...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Enola Holmes (2020) in Movies
Sep 28, 2020
Not very mysterious
It could arguably be said that we don't need yet another incarnation of Sherlock Holmes and his family. And in the case of Enola Holmes, I'd have to agree.
Millie Bobby Brown is wonderfully endearing and enigmatic as Enola, and even Henry Cavill as Sherlock wasn't half bad (I actually wish there could have been more of him in this). The problem is the story and whole premise of this film. It's trying to say something about female empowerment but then contradicts itself constantly by Enola spending her entire time trying to outwit her brother and chasing around after a boy. It's also a little lacking in actually mystery - the story it puts forwards is rather dull and not particularly mysterious. This film seems to be aimed at a younger audience, and for adults is just an average kids film. Indeed this is probably a film best suited for young/teenage girls and not one I'd recommend if you're not a teenager!
Millie Bobby Brown is wonderfully endearing and enigmatic as Enola, and even Henry Cavill as Sherlock wasn't half bad (I actually wish there could have been more of him in this). The problem is the story and whole premise of this film. It's trying to say something about female empowerment but then contradicts itself constantly by Enola spending her entire time trying to outwit her brother and chasing around after a boy. It's also a little lacking in actually mystery - the story it puts forwards is rather dull and not particularly mysterious. This film seems to be aimed at a younger audience, and for adults is just an average kids film. Indeed this is probably a film best suited for young/teenage girls and not one I'd recommend if you're not a teenager!
Christen (28 KP) rated The BOZZ Chronicles in Books
Apr 29, 2018
It's early nineteenth century and you have an unusual case that Scotland Yard is just not getting anywhere with. So who are you going to call!? Sherlock Holmes. What? No. Boswell and Flynn! I love when oddball characters who in theory should never work blend so well together and have crazy adventures. A suicidal alien, a hooker, and a cowboy there is a bad joke somewhere in that but, I'll leave it be.
David McK (3752 KP) rated The Lost World in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Arthur Conan Doyle's (more famous for his Sherlock Holmes creation) adventure novel, following a scientific expedition to a plateau in the Amazon basin of South America, where prehistoric animals still survive.
Interesting not solely from a plot standpoint, but also as a window into the then contemporary views on the Dinosauria family: who mostly come across as slow and dull-witted compared to more recent interpretations, such as those in Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park.
Interesting not solely from a plot standpoint, but also as a window into the then contemporary views on the Dinosauria family: who mostly come across as slow and dull-witted compared to more recent interpretations, such as those in Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park.
David McK (3752 KP) rated The Sign of Four in Books
Sep 25, 2023
The second full-length Sherlock Holmes novel (after A Study in Scarlet), in which Arthur Conan Doyle further develops the character of Sherlock and Dr Watson, in particular bringing to attention the former's cocaine habit and his ability to be a master of disguise.
This time, the duo are investigation the strange affair of Mary Marston - whose father disappeared years ago - and her unknown benefactor; an affair which later proves to have ties to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, and four co-conspirators (hence 'The sign of THE four', as it was originally called who each lay claim to a treasure stolen during that mutiny.
Can definitely see the characters being developed; in particular that of Dr Watson.
This time, the duo are investigation the strange affair of Mary Marston - whose father disappeared years ago - and her unknown benefactor; an affair which later proves to have ties to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, and four co-conspirators (hence 'The sign of THE four', as it was originally called who each lay claim to a treasure stolen during that mutiny.
Can definitely see the characters being developed; in particular that of Dr Watson.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law return once again as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows“. In this installment, a series of bombings across Europe has positioned the nations of the world on the brink of war. Holmes is convinced that there is a criminal mastermind behind the numerous, seemingly unrelated events and he believes it is renowned scholar James Moriarty (Jared Harris).
Watson, well-accustomed to Holmes’ eccentric and erratic behavior, is dubious of Holmes claims. Besides, Watson has his upcoming wedding to focus on, and only deigns to spend time with Holmes at the promise of a stag party at an upscale gentlemen’s club. While the bachelor party includes an entertaining Stephen Fry playing Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, Holmes has ulterior motives for taking Watson to this particular club. Early in the film, Holmes had cleverly intercepted a message from Irene Adler (Amy McAdams), that led him to a fortuneteller named Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), a woman Holmes believes has been targeted for death by Moriarty, who just happens to be working at the gentlemen’s club.
Eventually a meeting with Moriarty is arranged for Holmes. The two intellectuals spar with one another verbally in a civilized manner, with menacing undertones. Holmes isn’t able to convince Moriarty that Watson is no longer a partner in any of his endeavors and, Holmes is forced to take drastic measures to ensure the doctor and his new wife stay out of harm’s way. From Paris to Germany and other European locales, Holmes, Watson, and Simza and her gypsy friends race against time to uncover the diabolical plot that Moriarty has set for their demise in his quest to drive nations to war.
The film is an absolute delight and is a rare sequel that is even better than the previous film in the series. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have amazing chemistry with one another and their timing is absolutely perfect. The duo deftly mix action and comedy as well as the serious subject matter of the plot line and are utterly captivating and enjoyable to watch every step of the way. Rapace continues to impress in a much softer character than her Lisbeth Salandar role in the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Swedish trilogy. and is poised to become one of Hollywood’s new leading ladies.
Having become familiar with Harris’ work on the series Mad Men, I was delighted to see him expertly portray such a complex character as Moriarty: a gentleman scholar of impeccable upbringing and education who is also a twisted and evil genius. Harris plays Moriarty perfectly and never lets you forget the dark and sinister side of him without ever becoming a campy or cartoony vaudeville villain.
Guy Ritchie returns as director and lets his stars carry the film. The action has been ramped up this time around with some spectacular action sequences but the action never overshadows the character-driven story. The film was well-paced and an absolute thrill ride from beginning to end mixing fantastic action and some great humor for a very winning combination that is not to be missed. I am already looking forward to future outings of Holmes and Watson on the big screen as this was a truly enjoyable experience that shows you how action comedies are supposed to be made.
Watson, well-accustomed to Holmes’ eccentric and erratic behavior, is dubious of Holmes claims. Besides, Watson has his upcoming wedding to focus on, and only deigns to spend time with Holmes at the promise of a stag party at an upscale gentlemen’s club. While the bachelor party includes an entertaining Stephen Fry playing Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, Holmes has ulterior motives for taking Watson to this particular club. Early in the film, Holmes had cleverly intercepted a message from Irene Adler (Amy McAdams), that led him to a fortuneteller named Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), a woman Holmes believes has been targeted for death by Moriarty, who just happens to be working at the gentlemen’s club.
Eventually a meeting with Moriarty is arranged for Holmes. The two intellectuals spar with one another verbally in a civilized manner, with menacing undertones. Holmes isn’t able to convince Moriarty that Watson is no longer a partner in any of his endeavors and, Holmes is forced to take drastic measures to ensure the doctor and his new wife stay out of harm’s way. From Paris to Germany and other European locales, Holmes, Watson, and Simza and her gypsy friends race against time to uncover the diabolical plot that Moriarty has set for their demise in his quest to drive nations to war.
The film is an absolute delight and is a rare sequel that is even better than the previous film in the series. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have amazing chemistry with one another and their timing is absolutely perfect. The duo deftly mix action and comedy as well as the serious subject matter of the plot line and are utterly captivating and enjoyable to watch every step of the way. Rapace continues to impress in a much softer character than her Lisbeth Salandar role in the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Swedish trilogy. and is poised to become one of Hollywood’s new leading ladies.
Having become familiar with Harris’ work on the series Mad Men, I was delighted to see him expertly portray such a complex character as Moriarty: a gentleman scholar of impeccable upbringing and education who is also a twisted and evil genius. Harris plays Moriarty perfectly and never lets you forget the dark and sinister side of him without ever becoming a campy or cartoony vaudeville villain.
Guy Ritchie returns as director and lets his stars carry the film. The action has been ramped up this time around with some spectacular action sequences but the action never overshadows the character-driven story. The film was well-paced and an absolute thrill ride from beginning to end mixing fantastic action and some great humor for a very winning combination that is not to be missed. I am already looking forward to future outings of Holmes and Watson on the big screen as this was a truly enjoyable experience that shows you how action comedies are supposed to be made.
David McK (3752 KP) rated The Return of Sherlock Holmes in Books
Feb 25, 2024
Sherlock Holmes DIDN'T die at The Reichenbach Falls.
That's despite his creator (Arthur Conan Doyle) getting fed up with writing about him, and (supposedly) killing him off at that location during The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story.
You do have to wonder, however, just how dedicated to that decision he was as he left himself an 'out' ("Holmes body was never found"), finally succumbing to public demand - and a boat load of money - to resurrect the character roughly 10 years after he had been killed off (with the earlier-set The Hound of the Baskervilles being released in the interim period).
This, then, is another collection of short stories, with the collection I read including:
"The Adventure of the Empty House"
"The Adventure of the Norwood Builder"
"The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
"The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist"
"The Adventure of the Priory School"
"The Adventure of Black Peter"
"The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"
"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons"
"The Adventure of the Three Students"
"The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez"
"The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter"
"The Adventure of the Abbey Grange"
"The Adventure of the Second Stain"
As before, thoroughly enjoyable all!
That's despite his creator (Arthur Conan Doyle) getting fed up with writing about him, and (supposedly) killing him off at that location during The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story.
You do have to wonder, however, just how dedicated to that decision he was as he left himself an 'out' ("Holmes body was never found"), finally succumbing to public demand - and a boat load of money - to resurrect the character roughly 10 years after he had been killed off (with the earlier-set The Hound of the Baskervilles being released in the interim period).
This, then, is another collection of short stories, with the collection I read including:
"The Adventure of the Empty House"
"The Adventure of the Norwood Builder"
"The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
"The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist"
"The Adventure of the Priory School"
"The Adventure of Black Peter"
"The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"
"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons"
"The Adventure of the Three Students"
"The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez"
"The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter"
"The Adventure of the Abbey Grange"
"The Adventure of the Second Stain"
As before, thoroughly enjoyable all!
David McK (3752 KP) rated His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes in Books
May 5, 2024
So, 2 things:
1) I actually listened to the Stephen Fry presented Audible version of this (in between bouts of actually reading it)
2) I was expecting there to be an over-arching plot, similar to something like 'The Hounds of the Baskervilles'
With regards to #2, there isn't.
This, instead, hews closer to something like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in that it is presented as a series of more-or-less standalone cases, with the final one in the collection 'His Last Bow' and with that one set in the early 1910s, just before the outbreak of World War One, and in which Holmes comes out of retirement to solve one last case.
1) I actually listened to the Stephen Fry presented Audible version of this (in between bouts of actually reading it)
2) I was expecting there to be an over-arching plot, similar to something like 'The Hounds of the Baskervilles'
With regards to #2, there isn't.
This, instead, hews closer to something like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in that it is presented as a series of more-or-less standalone cases, with the final one in the collection 'His Last Bow' and with that one set in the early 1910s, just before the outbreak of World War One, and in which Holmes comes out of retirement to solve one last case.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated The Brothers of Baker Street (Baker Street Letters, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Reggie reluctantly takes on a criminal case because he truly believes his client is innocent. However, his office is still getting letters to Sherlock Holmes, and the ones that start coming from Moriarty may mean trouble for this case. This was another very fun read, but it did stumble in pacing a little in the middle.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-brothers-of-baker-street-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-brothers-of-baker-street-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Tales of Twilight and the Unseen
Book
A master of many literary genres, Arthur Conan Doyle excelled particularly in the short-story form,...