And Now for Something Completely Different

Because I'm busy coughing up a lung, reading books that are due at the library today and beyond any ability to renew, slathering my feet with Vick's Vapor Rub and contemplating the fact that draft one of my novel (I still feel incredibly self-conscious calling it that) may be complete, I'm going to take the easy way out and do something crassly commercial (as if that's something completely different) .

You see, I don't get out much and so, when I do, I make damn sure that it's for something I'm glad on which to spend my time and money. For example, I don't just go see any movie. I go see the movies that, when I see the trailer, I say something like "I HAVE to see that movie." The ones I think might be interesting can wait until they are on Pay Per View or On Demand or Turner Classic Movies, for that matter. Yeah - it may take me that long.

So on Christmas day, we saw the new movie Sherlock Holmes. Now I love Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation so I wondered how I would feel about Robert Downey, Jr. in the role. It was not lost on me that one addict playing another might make Downey's portrayal richer somehow, but I wasn't sure it that would be enough.

Well, let me tell you that I was not disappointed. I loved this movie. I loved it so much so that I want to see it again. It was rich and lush and fun and action-packed and slightly campy and humorous and witty and even had eye candy for anyone's tastes (midget, giant, Mrs. Hudson, shirtless men, beautiful women, officers in uniform, shipyard workers, butchered swine, gamblers, people with funny teeth). Something for everyone!

I don't do this often, but for good entertainment, I recommend Sherlock Holmes. Mind you, I am one who enjoys movies as entertainment and escapism, not so much as social commentary. I could never sit through Slum Dog Millionaire, for example. When it's too real and too depressing, it's too real and too depressing. Thank you, no. That's why I call my mother once a month, okay?

So there we were all ready to watch the movie. The theater darkened and the previews came on (yay!). Wouldn't you know it? Another movie trailer for one in which I exclaimed "I have to see that!"

Oh, no, wait, that's not it. I've seen that one several times. Here's the right one...



See you at the movies. I'll be the chickadee with the purse weighted down with smuggled in candy.