Hey guys!
So don't forget we are supposed to have a meeting on Tuesday, I believe. Also we have our meeting with Battista on Friday!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Okay, so this is what I thought of the first episode:
The beginning was really confusing, I don't remember what all it was, but I know it was confusing.
The show itself was really good. My favorite part was how when Sherlock goes through his analysis of the bodies that there are little white words that pop up on the screen that show you exactly what he is observing.
As far as the actual production of our review I think we should go along the lines of something what Katie was talking about at our meeting on Tuesday.
The beginning was really confusing, I don't remember what all it was, but I know it was confusing.
The show itself was really good. My favorite part was how when Sherlock goes through his analysis of the bodies that there are little white words that pop up on the screen that show you exactly what he is observing.
As far as the actual production of our review I think we should go along the lines of something what Katie was talking about at our meeting on Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
So this is not going to be near as elegant as what Allie wrote, because I do not possess this thing called "an attention span" and also because every time I try to get all elegant and pretty about this show without careful consideration, I end up sounding fangirl-y and vaguely creepy.
Anyways, onwards.
I really love the cinematography in this show, because there are shots that look like actual still-photograph artwork. It's really lovely. On that note, the emphasis they put on modern day London--and melding it with more old-fashioned elements like the wallpaper at 221B--is really lovely.
As a costumer, I really love the work that was put into the costumes. They really speak to character, which is important especially in this episode ("Pink!") I love Sherlock's coat just because it's so atypical of the mental image, but it fits his character perfectly. The same for John.
Another really interesting thing is the on-screen text. It's an unusual technique, and it takes some getting used to, but I think it works. The creators said they didn't want to bog the show down with shots of cell phones, so it's a good solution. It has also become a pretty iconic thing about the show.
Like Allie said, there's not much new to state about the acting. It's really top-notch. Martin Freeman won a BAFTA for his performance, and it's not hard to see why. We've finally got a version of Watson who isn't a caricature. It's lovely. I also love Benedict's performance. It's subtle and effective and, as Allie said, he strikes a fine balance between being an arrogant little snot and being confused by the rest of the world. It's interesting to see such a young actor play Sherlock, and to be willing to play it in such a volatile manner. I also love Rupert Graves as Lestrade (definitely my favorite portrayal of the character ever) and Mark Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes.
I really like how the story is laid out, and how we get to see important story elements such as the riding crop and "rache" put forth in a new way. It's also interesting to see an actual adaptation of this story. Most people are afraid to touch it as a result of Arthur Conan Doyle's portrayal of Mormons.
My other favorite thing about this show is what they're allowed to do. This show gives an opportunity for an actual, in-story discussion of Sherlock's sexuality and his relationship with John, along with dealing with concepts like mental illness and other things that have become less taboo over the years. It's sort of meta, allowing the characters that kind of free reign, and it's really fascinating.
The plot is well done and actually manages a nice twist at the end, revealing the true identity of Sherlock's "arch enemy." Its a beautifully done introduction, and it fills out the universe nicely. It has also left many of my friends going "Sherlock Holmes has a brother?" Yes. Yes he does.
In a way, I think that might be the short-coming of the episode. It's entertaining to non-Sherlockians as well, but the show does tend to get a little twisted into its own meta. There are a lot of very subtle in-jokes that fall flat without a previous knowledge of the stories, or of the time on-set. While it's lovely having writers who are huge fans of the source material, I see how it might be a tiny bit tedious trying to follow some of the in-jokes. Still, that doesn't really mess with the story itself, it's just a thought.
I'll probably post more as I come to it.
Anyways, onwards.
I really love the cinematography in this show, because there are shots that look like actual still-photograph artwork. It's really lovely. On that note, the emphasis they put on modern day London--and melding it with more old-fashioned elements like the wallpaper at 221B--is really lovely.
As a costumer, I really love the work that was put into the costumes. They really speak to character, which is important especially in this episode ("Pink!") I love Sherlock's coat just because it's so atypical of the mental image, but it fits his character perfectly. The same for John.
Another really interesting thing is the on-screen text. It's an unusual technique, and it takes some getting used to, but I think it works. The creators said they didn't want to bog the show down with shots of cell phones, so it's a good solution. It has also become a pretty iconic thing about the show.
Like Allie said, there's not much new to state about the acting. It's really top-notch. Martin Freeman won a BAFTA for his performance, and it's not hard to see why. We've finally got a version of Watson who isn't a caricature. It's lovely. I also love Benedict's performance. It's subtle and effective and, as Allie said, he strikes a fine balance between being an arrogant little snot and being confused by the rest of the world. It's interesting to see such a young actor play Sherlock, and to be willing to play it in such a volatile manner. I also love Rupert Graves as Lestrade (definitely my favorite portrayal of the character ever) and Mark Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes.
I really like how the story is laid out, and how we get to see important story elements such as the riding crop and "rache" put forth in a new way. It's also interesting to see an actual adaptation of this story. Most people are afraid to touch it as a result of Arthur Conan Doyle's portrayal of Mormons.
My other favorite thing about this show is what they're allowed to do. This show gives an opportunity for an actual, in-story discussion of Sherlock's sexuality and his relationship with John, along with dealing with concepts like mental illness and other things that have become less taboo over the years. It's sort of meta, allowing the characters that kind of free reign, and it's really fascinating.
The plot is well done and actually manages a nice twist at the end, revealing the true identity of Sherlock's "arch enemy." Its a beautifully done introduction, and it fills out the universe nicely. It has also left many of my friends going "Sherlock Holmes has a brother?" Yes. Yes he does.
In a way, I think that might be the short-coming of the episode. It's entertaining to non-Sherlockians as well, but the show does tend to get a little twisted into its own meta. There are a lot of very subtle in-jokes that fall flat without a previous knowledge of the stories, or of the time on-set. While it's lovely having writers who are huge fans of the source material, I see how it might be a tiny bit tedious trying to follow some of the in-jokes. Still, that doesn't really mess with the story itself, it's just a thought.
I'll probably post more as I come to it.
Some thoughts on "A Study in Pink"
All right, this will probably end up being an amalgam of rambling with little to no smooth transition, but I thought I'd post some thoughts on "A Study in Pink." I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan of the most casual kind--I've only read the more well-known stories (Speckled Band, Red-Headed League, etc), and have watched a few of the films, so I guess I'm viewing the show from the perspective of someone with their foot barely in the door.
First off, thought the modern setting was very elegantly executed. The addition of modern technology like text messaging threw me off-guard initially because of how strange it seemed next to the name Sherlock, but it then occurred to me that Holmes would probably make full use of all the world has to offer nowadays. Nothing seemed shoehorned in for the sake of seeming more modern; it was all interwoven with the more traditional elements, and I thought the result was awesome.
The imagery: beautiful, just beautiful. The depiction of modern-day London is practically a character in itself, and the chase scene was a great way of showing it off. Slick, dark, faintly Victorian, insert another adjective here. Not much to say other than I love the camerawork in this show.
As for the actors, nothing I say about them will be original in the slightest, but they're both brilliantly immersed in their characters and it shows. Benedict is able to strike this…delicate balance of being both superior to and faintly bewildered by the world, if that makes any sense. And yet, he's a fresh face (in more than one way). Stays faithful to a lot of traditional Holmes traits, yet twists it in his own unique, modern way and doesn't adhere to the exact same performance as any previous Holmes. Love Freeman as Watson too, really love him. My least favorite depiction of Watson is the simple-minded sidekick who exists solely for comedy relief, and this Watson of course stays far away from that. Not that there isn't humor in the interaction between the two--there's quite a bit--but it's not forced at all. You don't need to force any humor when you have two characters that meld together so well, y'know?
The relationship between Holmes and Watson has always been the most appealing element of the series for me, and the first episode does an excellent job setting up the dynamic between the two in a natural way. Great to end the episode on a good note with both of them protecting each other. It's not rushed at all, and even though it's only the first episode their relationship is already intriguing and genuine. That was pretty much the make-or-break element when I started watching the show--how genuine their relationship would be. And as it turns out, it absolutely makes the show.
What else…I really enjoyed the plot and overall tone of the show. It really bothers me when dramas incessantly pound a point or theme into the viewer's skull as if they think people are too stupid to catch on without it being made painfully obvious. This show doesn't do that. It keeps a genuine air of mystery about it by actually being subtle and foreshadowing in a meaningful way. It's an intelligent show compared to a lot of other dramas, for me at least, and it's great that it doesn't lay everything out perfectly. Makes the mystery that much more compelling.
That's about it. Good stuff.
First off, thought the modern setting was very elegantly executed. The addition of modern technology like text messaging threw me off-guard initially because of how strange it seemed next to the name Sherlock, but it then occurred to me that Holmes would probably make full use of all the world has to offer nowadays. Nothing seemed shoehorned in for the sake of seeming more modern; it was all interwoven with the more traditional elements, and I thought the result was awesome.
The imagery: beautiful, just beautiful. The depiction of modern-day London is practically a character in itself, and the chase scene was a great way of showing it off. Slick, dark, faintly Victorian, insert another adjective here. Not much to say other than I love the camerawork in this show.
As for the actors, nothing I say about them will be original in the slightest, but they're both brilliantly immersed in their characters and it shows. Benedict is able to strike this…delicate balance of being both superior to and faintly bewildered by the world, if that makes any sense. And yet, he's a fresh face (in more than one way). Stays faithful to a lot of traditional Holmes traits, yet twists it in his own unique, modern way and doesn't adhere to the exact same performance as any previous Holmes. Love Freeman as Watson too, really love him. My least favorite depiction of Watson is the simple-minded sidekick who exists solely for comedy relief, and this Watson of course stays far away from that. Not that there isn't humor in the interaction between the two--there's quite a bit--but it's not forced at all. You don't need to force any humor when you have two characters that meld together so well, y'know?
The relationship between Holmes and Watson has always been the most appealing element of the series for me, and the first episode does an excellent job setting up the dynamic between the two in a natural way. Great to end the episode on a good note with both of them protecting each other. It's not rushed at all, and even though it's only the first episode their relationship is already intriguing and genuine. That was pretty much the make-or-break element when I started watching the show--how genuine their relationship would be. And as it turns out, it absolutely makes the show.
What else…I really enjoyed the plot and overall tone of the show. It really bothers me when dramas incessantly pound a point or theme into the viewer's skull as if they think people are too stupid to catch on without it being made painfully obvious. This show doesn't do that. It keeps a genuine air of mystery about it by actually being subtle and foreshadowing in a meaningful way. It's an intelligent show compared to a lot of other dramas, for me at least, and it's great that it doesn't lay everything out perfectly. Makes the mystery that much more compelling.
That's about it. Good stuff.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Okay, guys. So everything kind of exploded this weekend, but I'm finally getting around to posting some links which might be helpful. Possibly. These are just some things that I've stumbled upon during my internet escapades in the past.
http://www.sherlockology.com/ This is the biggest and most active Sherlock fansite around right now--I don't know if it will be helpful, but it might be a good resource.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdYHfeTLF90&feature=plcp&context=C4a5fd6cVDvjVQa1PpcFPSps1C40oq7NE6KHIefZL_2pGj8kQyz4M%3D BBC has posted some short scenes from the show. The rest can probably also be found online from other sources.
http://www.johnwatsonblog.co.uk/ BBC also set up blogs for Sherlock, John and Molly. I'm just going to post John and Sherlock's blog for right now. Also, major spoiler warnings for Series 2.
http://www.thescienceofdeduction.co.uk/ And Sherlock's blog. It's not as spoilerific, though.
I'll post more links as a I come to them. You might also browse places like Tumblr, because the fan base is very active and very, very vocal. Once again, spoiler warnings. And content warnings. And weirdness warnings. But it's worth a shot if you're interested.
http://www.sherlockology.com/ This is the biggest and most active Sherlock fansite around right now--I don't know if it will be helpful, but it might be a good resource.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdYHfeTLF90&feature=plcp&context=C4a5fd6cVDvjVQa1PpcFPSps1C40oq7NE6KHIefZL_2pGj8kQyz4M%3D BBC has posted some short scenes from the show. The rest can probably also be found online from other sources.
http://www.johnwatsonblog.co.uk/ BBC also set up blogs for Sherlock, John and Molly. I'm just going to post John and Sherlock's blog for right now. Also, major spoiler warnings for Series 2.
http://www.thescienceofdeduction.co.uk/ And Sherlock's blog. It's not as spoilerific, though.
I'll post more links as a I come to them. You might also browse places like Tumblr, because the fan base is very active and very, very vocal. Once again, spoiler warnings. And content warnings. And weirdness warnings. But it's worth a shot if you're interested.
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