Movie Review Sunday

Sherlock (TV) – 2010 (NR)

Netflix says: In this updated take on Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved mystery tales, the eccentric sleuth prowls the streets of modern-day London in search of clues. At his side -- though hobbling -- is flatmate Dr. John Watson, fresh from the Afghan War.

Matt says: I tend to not review TV shows for the reason that a) this is a movie review blog and b) most shows worth writing about (“Lost”, “Breaking Bad”, “The Walking Dead”, “Dexter”, etc) are already known and watched by the masses. However, when a show comes along that is popular in another country, but little known in the US (and is extremely brilliant), I can’t help but spread the word. “Sherlock” is one of those shows. I have always been a fan of the original stories. They’re really not high art by any means… I liken them to the tales of Poe, Lovecraft, and Howard: smart, entertaining pulp. But, their reputation and style have influenced mystery writers and fans since their inception.

It’s no secret I’m a “Dr. Who” fan. Russell T. Davies rebooted the series in a way that only a J.J. Abrams or Joss Whedon could. When he left after the fourth series and turned it over to writer Steven Moffett, I was skeptical but hopeful; his episodes were the most enjoyable in the Davies universe. Moffett proved he was more than capable of carrying the series and I am still watching. Next on Moffett’s plate was “Sherlock”, an update of Conan Doyle’s classic stories set in modern London. Not only is the writing better than Conan Doyle’s (Moffett’s episodes still being the best), but the casting was dead on for the update. Cumberbatch is Holmes. His mannerisms have taken Conan Doyle’s original imprint and incorporates all the idiosyncrasies from the theater and film incarnations we have known and love. Freeman is equally as good as Watson and together they light up the small screen in each scene. But, the writing is what really shines. Moffett knows how to spin a yarn and uses all the hooks in the book to keep you engaged. I just finished a Sunday afternoon/night of the four and a half hours of season two and am still left wanting more. If you are a fan of “Dexter”, “Breaking Bad”, “The Walking Dead”, etc, you will find that this is the UK’s entry into the same brilliant television. It can be meaty, watching three hour and a half movie length episodes instead of six 45 minute episodes, but hell, don’t you watch several of those 45 minute episodes of US series back-to-back anyway? Season one is streaming now on Netflix, take a chance when you have the time, you won’t regret it. 5 stars.

The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! – 2010 (NR)

Netflix says: When the housemates of reality TV series "Drawn Together" realize they've been canceled and the producers plan to destroy them, they band together to save the show in this animated spoof based on the popular Comedy Central series. Hitting the road, they travel to cartoon worlds including Bedrock, A Fairy Tale Village and Make-a-Point Land in an effort to salvage their program. Meanwhile, the bad guys are hot on their tails.

Matt says: When Drawn Together was on Comedy Central, it was a guilty pleasure. Unlike South Park, it was just crude for crude’s sake, with no social commentary or underlying meaning. This movie seems to understand that and makes it the central plot. When Drawn Together is canceled, the cast tries to get it back on the air, even if it means visiting South Park (here represented by a fictional show that uses the same South Park style of animation and humor). The South Park-style show’s star takes the Drawn Together cast to find social commentary and meaning to their show in hopes to get it back on the air. Sure it’s got very very very tasteless humor and doesn’t make you grow any (if anything, you feel stupider? more stupid? dumber. yeah, dumber… just by watching it), but it has its entertaining parts. If you liked the show, you’ll like this. Though, like the Futurama movies, stretching a 24 min show to feature length wears the joke thin. There is 3D (red and blue), but Comedy Central was apparently too cheap to include glasses, so there is a tutorial by a naked woman’s chest on how to make your own. You know, that last sentence wraps up Drawn Together better than any review. If you can get the joke of a faceless naked woman’s chest teaching you how to make fucking 3D glasses, you get Drawn Together. 3 stars.

Superjail!: Season 1 (2007) TV-MA

Netflix says: In a bizarre prison situated within an active volcano, the totally deranged Warden busies himself concocting a variety of hilarious schemes like holding a science fair, monitoring his inmates' dreams and inviting a motivational speaker for a visit. The rest of the prison staff in this graphically violent animated series includes uptight accountant Jared, brawny guard Alice, mute robot Jailbot and the Doctor.

Matt says: Like the cartoons of Sergio Aragones in MAD magazine, this has intricate, yet minimalistic art and ramped-up sight gags. Add a little Duckman and bump it up with surreal hallucinatory Willy Wonky-esque scenes and overload of the ultra-violence, and you have Superjail. Like most of Adult Swim's shows, you will either love it or hate it. I absolutely adore it. 4 1/2 Stars.