SHERLOCK HOLMES DOWN THE AGES

We all love Sherlock Holmes, I do atleast. The famous detective of 221 Baker Street, a gentleman with extraordinary gifts who solved little mysteries, saved lives, helped emperors; even random red-headed men with a curious story led to the capture of famous criminals.



Here is the image of Sherlock Holmes as imagined by Sidney Paget.



I saw the BBC series when it aired first on doordarshan. Jeremy Brett was so quintessentially like Sherlock (or the image I had of him when I read the stories) that it was easy to think of them as same. Actually, playing Sherlock became an obsession for Jeremy as well, as we can see from the wikipedia article.



BBC series' Dr. Watson was a bit of a bumbling man, kind and sweet, but not as sharp as Holmes. He is the perfect companion to show up the skills of Holmes, his sluggish social skills, his curtness, the curious way in which he immediately loses interest in a client as soon as the case is solved. Watson is the man who always shakes hands, opens doors, bids warm goodbyes, comforts female clients.



Here is the famous Sherlock Holmes pose, finger on his lips while he ponders over some clue. Most times he has already come to a conclusion, and needs to nab the culprit red handed, or set the trap for the final dénouement.



Here is a video clip of the famous prelude to the BBC series, a music and images that we all love so much.



However, into these dear images protruded the more recent Guy Ritchie offering. Sorry this isn't the official trailer, I wasn't able to embed it.



Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes seems like a sacrilege, the movie is bombastic and does not follow any of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. It is more of a derivative, taking up characters and placing them as seen fit by the screenplay writer. However that does not mean that the modern take on the Baker Street boys is not enjoyable. Rachel McAdams looks luscious as Irene Adler, and plays an intelligent female. Jude Law's Dr Watson is almost as sharp as Holmes, he just happens to be a step behind him, and is NOT a comic sidekick, he is merely a more 'normal' and less forward friend of Sherlock's. The movie is engrossing and very well made, if we leave aside our puritanism for a bit.



Heck, why make a fuss, read em all, see em all !

Bye 2009

Its with happiness that I bid goodbye to 2009. I wont say it was particularly a good year for me. A lot of things happened that I didnt like.

The year started in a rush of work and is ending in a rush of work.

My father died this year, and I know the loss will stay with me forever. Though I am happy he had a rich life and I am glad his passing was painless.

My daughter visited India and we had a great time together, even though it was hectic.

Life was quite the same as ever, and there were not too many changes in my life. I am not sure if this was good or bad.

My son grew taller and it is nice to look at him growing so fast.

There were no increments this year thanks to recession and the expenses are through the roof. I really dont know how to make ends meet.

I havent seen Avatar yet, or New Moon, or 3 Idiots.

I did read a load of lovely books, and tried to record them as much as possible on my blog.

I am still hanging on to my lovely friends and made some new ones.

Bye bye 2009

Dateline Saturday - 19.12.2009

I usually like to go out on Saturdays, run some errands, meet a friend, pick up a few things, and often watch an early early movie show. This last has two advantages, one - the early show tickets are cheap, two - more importantly, catching an early movie leaves the rest of the day free for other errands/visits etc.

This Saturday I went out on my errands first and then reached a favorite mall/multiplex to catch a movie - New Moon. Alas, I had muddled up and the time for the show was already past. This is what happens if you schedule the movie for later in the day. There were huge lines in front of the box office thanks to Avatar. I abandoned the idea of watching any movie and decided to hit the bookshop on the first floor of the mall (which is actually the fourth floor if you account for the two parking basements).

I stepped into the bookshop and stopped short. It looked like hurricane Katrina had been through it. Books were strewn in random places, furnishings were stripped down. Just then, a helpful salesman came over to me, the books were all at 50% off he said. They were renovating and were clearing the books. The books were stacked in random order and it was hard to find anything worthwhile at the first look. Gradually I picked out some books. At half rate, they were a steal.



The Pregnant King - Devdutt Pattanaik: This I picked up because I read about it on Jai Arjun's blog. It was everybit awesome as it was said to be. I have written about it on my book blog.



Escape, Manjula Padmanabhan : I loved Manjula Padmanabhan's cartoon series Suki and have liked several short stories by her that I have read here and there. I had long wanted this book, and here it is !



The Black Moth, Georgette Heyer: This is a tribute to the compulsive romance/vampire-romance reader Couchpapaya ! I know I will love it.




My Revolutions, Hari Kunzru : I have read Transmissions by Hari Kunzru more than once. It is amazing. Here is a sample of his writing. Although he is an Indian, he does not let the diaspora overshadow his writing. Book lovers really have to read Transmisions. I will write on him once I am through with his book.



Amit Chaudhuri's New World I picked up because I was impressed by whatever I read on the back. More after I am finished with it.

Thus went a satisfying Saturday.