Fact: I’m not a huge fan of mysteries. Fact #2: I have never read one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books.

But, I do like Jude Law, sh*t being blown up and men shirtless, so Sherlock Holmes is a pretty good fit for me.

And after seeing Robert Downey Jr. win a Golden Globe for his role, the curiosity got to be too much for me.

So away we go!

Movie: Sherlock Holmes

Rating: PG-13

Release date: December 25, 2009

Everyday Adventures’ grade: A-

Summary: The classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters are reinvented by director Guy Ritchie. Set in 19th Century London, Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) are on a case involving the evil Lord Blackwood, which requires the help of Holmes’ love interest/enemy Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

My thoughts: The main reason I don’t like mysteries is because I never fully understand the plot until the end when everything falls into place. Of course, I love that reveal but it’s the waiting and trying to piece it together myself that can be frustrating. Fortunately, you are let in on the bigger mystery in pieces throughout the movie, which keeps me engaged and curious to learn what else I’m missing.

Ritchie’s directing style with a mix of frantic and slow motion camera movements is present throughout and rather than making you feel sick, it breaks up the long periods of dialogue and Robert Downey Jr. staring at the camera. His setting of 19th Century London looks a little Gangs Of New York-like, gritty, gray and unpleasant, but it’s effective with the overall tone of the movie.

Downey is intriguing as Holmes, dialing his Tony Stark impression down about four notches to still be entertaining but a little more damaged. Jude Law is a great Watson, trying to keep Holmes on the straight-and-narrow and withholding his desire for adventure. Rachel McAdams is good but not great. After meeting her character, she isn’t who I would have cast, but she’s effective.

And there is genuine suspense in the movie too. A few times I was grabbing my handrest and hiding behind my hands. I was also a little surprised this is rated PG-13 because a few scenes are a bit graphic and violent, but hey, what do I know?

I recommend this movie. I liked it much more than I thought I would but I don’t think Robert Downey Jr. should get used to winning awards for his role. He was good, but not “blow me away amazing.”

Did you see Sherlock Holmes? If so, what did you think?

Just to start off, I’ve never read the book that the movie is based on. I tried, twice, and couldn’t get past the first two chapters. If you’ve read the book you likely know why. There were some heavy, upsetting things that happened and although those actions set up the entire book, I just could not bring myself to keep reading.

So that’s my disclaimer to the below review :)

Movie: The Lovely Bones

Rating: PG-13

Release date: December 11, 2009

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B-/C+

Summary: Based on the Alice Sebold book, The Lovely Bones is set in the early 70s, where Susie (Saoirse Ronan) is murdered by her brutal, deceptive neighbor (Stanley Tucci) and her family (Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz) deals with her terrible loss and tries to solve her murder.

My thoughts: Yeah, this movie is kind of a downer. I wouldn’t go see this if you’re looking for something light and fluffy but if you read the book ahead of time, you probably already knew that :)

For not reading the book and judging this solely on the movie. It was…okay. Visually, it was amazing. After LOTR, everyone knows Peter Jackson has a great eye for CGI and creating alternate worlds, and he does that here, weaving between real life and this “inbetween” world. What I found to be a little lacking was the story, which I had a hard time following in parts.

The most poignant scenes were the ones Susie narrates about her close relationship with her dad. Their close relationship and how lost he feels after she’s gone and her death being unresolved was very difficult to watch without crying. TC and I were both reaching for the tissues. But I had a hard time following how she communicates with her family, what this “inbetween” world is, how all of it fits together, especially at the end. To me, it felt very…unresolved or unsatisfying in how it ended.

The best part of this movie is Stanley Tucci, who is great in every movie he’s in, especially The Devil Wears Prada and Julie & Juila. He’s great but in this is he TRULY scary and chilling from his clothing to his mannerisms to the cold look in his eye. He is absolutely mesmerizing in this and creates a level of terror and fear that truly makes you fear and wonder what he’ll do next. He’s nominated for a Golden Globe tonight (as of publish time his category was unannounced) and he definitely is a strong contender. It’s just too bad that he gets lost in a story that jumps around and then ultimately ends without feeling like you went full circle. If nothing else, his performance in this movie is enough to see it.

Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz are good as his parents, I honestly can’t imagine Ryan Gosling playing the dad, but again, I think story makes it difficult to really develop their characters. Although I didn’t read the book, I know a key part in how Susie dies is missing due to the graphic and unsettling subject matter, and I don’t know if that would have really brought the story to another level on film, but I think for how great of a director Peter Jackson is, he needs to tighten up the script a bit more next time to really make it a complete picture.

Oh and be sure to watch for Peter Jackson’s cameo.

What did you think of the movie? If you read the book, did you feel the movie was pretty accurate?

It takes a big person to admit she’s wrong. And today, I am that person. In my pre-holiday movie post, I said I had no plans to see Avatar, and at the time I didn’t. But these d*mn social networks kept saying great things about it and my insatiable curiousity was peaked.

So when my love Jenn was in town this weekend, we planned to go see it together in 3D, because she loved it…and I trust her judgement.

Here’s the review:

Movie: Avatar

Rating: PG-13

Release date: December 18, 2009

Everyday Adventures’ grade: A

Summary: Um, this is a tough one to really summarize but it involves a fight on planet Pandora between humans and the Na’vi race to preserve its trees and energy source that the humans desperately want. I think I’ll leave it at that.

My thoughts: I have to say, I really liked this movie. James Cameron made me care about blue people and even made me cry a little bit. D*mn you James Cameron. Kidding!

The reason I like James Cameron flicks is because he blows sh*t up and makes you care about the characters. And how he does that is creating a layered story of characters that you can relate to in part and really get to know inside and out. You don’t know much about their backstory but you’re along for an adventure with them and can’t help but feel the wealth of emotions they do as the story progresses.

And Avatar is successful at making me care. Sure the Na’vi race is a little offputting at first and you don’t know how to exactly connect with them. But when you do, you feel fear and panic they do in trying to protect what’s theirs. Sam Worthington is great at Jake, especially as he goes through his emotional transformation, and Sigourney Weaver turns in a good performance as Jake’s tough boss. Cameron isn’t known for great storytelling but this story was definitely compelling, layered and entertaining.

But the real star of the show is the movie’s visual element. The effects are amazing, especially the clarify and use of color through the animation and CGI. It’s even more amazing when both worlds mix, you mind is pretty baffled. I’m very anxious to see how this technology is used in moviemaking in the future as it is definitely something different.

At 2 hours and 40 minutes, the movie is long and you do get a bit fidgety. Definitely hit the bathroom before it starts and avoid too many liquids during the show. But despite the long running time, it was still a great movie and I would highly recommend people check it out.

Have you seen Avatar yet? If so, did you love it or were you surprised at how good it was? I have to say, the trailers initially didn’t really sell me on it but I’m glad I went.

I do not hide my fervent love of John Krasinski. It’s so obvious that Nora even mentioned it in my Christmas card! So any movie he’s in, I’m pretty much guaranteed to see (minus License to Wed, oy). My sexy man in a gray cardi and white shirt with Cary Grant side-swept hair made me tingle in my lady bits and I’m pretty sure I was drooling on my keyboard while watching the trailer.

Oh yeah and Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are in it too. I should mention that. No lie, I was hoping Meryl would just bust out a “Bon Appetit” during the movie, but she didn’t.

Alrighty let’s jump into the nitty gritty and then I’ll start with my editorial comments, of which I have many.

Movie: It’s Complicated

Rating: R

Release date: December 25, 2009

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B

Summary: Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) are divorced and Jake has his trophy wife (Lake Bell) with whom things aren’t going so well. After a family trip to New York, Jane and Jake hook up just as she is getting to know Adam (Steve Martin). Should Jane give Jake another try? Should she be with Adam? Like sands through the hours glass, these are the Days of Our Lives.

My thoughts: I have to warn you all that you have seen many of the funny parts of this movie in the trailer. Beware! And I’m being a little generous when I gave this a B, primarily because, Nancy Meyer movies do not cater to my demographic. There is a reason why my parents love her films and I support her making rom com movies that do relate to an older audience because few do.

One big issue I have with her movies, like this and Somethings Gotta Give, is that all of her main characters are rich, well dressed and well put together, WASPy version of 50+ year old adults. Everyone has the perfect house, car, family, kids, clothes and of course accessories. Not one of those kids has real issues outside of planning their JFK/Jackie-inspired weddings or lives in an apartment smaller than 2,000 square feet. It’s irritating and not very representative, but movies are an escape so I will take a round trip ticket to “oh my gosh I wish they would just adopt me like Angelina and let me live in this perfect world” station.

As a child of divorce, there were parts of this, especially Jane and Jake’s relationship with their kids, that I could relate to and overall, it was spot on. But when things get really complicated between Jane/Jake/Adam, the kids are left wondering, will mom and dad get back together? They’ve been apart for 10 years and I’m still dealing with the divorce! Are you kidding me? This theme is not at all examined leading up to this point of the movie and having her 22-27 year old kids all snuggled in bed together in a very Von Trapp-like way bemoaning this, made me gag because there is no set up, just random tears. But it makes for a warm, fuzzy moment so that’s what we love.

Meryl Streep is great as a semi-confident, established, moderately happy woman who grabs dating and sex by the balls (no pun intended) and struggles with the good/bad pieces of her affair with Jake. Steve Martin was good in an understated, muted character that you couldn’t help but root for and Alec Baldwin is still great as a smart a**y, Jake Donaghy-like character.

With relative unknown actors playing Jake and Jane’s kids, the addition of John Krasinski seemed a bit of a stretch, as if to appeal to the kids going with their parents to see this and forcing him in a few scenes. But he’s goofy, smoking f*cking hot (RAWR!) and makes you laugh. I still want to procreate with him multiple times a day after seeing this.

The last thing I’ll say is this, there was a great scene with Meryl that I could relate to, about being comfortable in your body and showing that nakedness to another person, knowing they’re judging something so intimate. Really poignant.

Summary: So out of my long-winded diatribe, I think you’ll like It’s Complicated, especially if you still have a girl crush on Meryl post Julie/Julia but it’s more dramatic than comedy with some good parts mixed in.

Did you see it? If so, what did you think?