Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • January 13, 2010 Three high-profile films now on the silver screen by Dennis Seuling Three high-profile movies recently hit theaters: a period action film; a contemporary drama about downsizing, alienation, and human connection; and a sci-fi epic featuring extraordinary visual effects. I was looking forward to “Sherlock Holmes,” having followed the exploits of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s great detective and master of deduction through many movies, with many actors in the role. Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson seemed good casting, and keeping the adventure in the 19th century seemed well advised. However, the film is a complete disappointment, starting with Downey’s performance. Holmes’ mental acuity has been downplayed in favor of a more macho action hero who engages in bare-knuckle boxing, jumps from windows, and has Robin Hood-inspired fights on the under-construction Tower Bridge. Director Guy Ritchie assaults the viewer with a seemingly endless series of briskly edited sequences that are intended to thrill, but instead become irritating as characterization is relegated to a few quips between Holmes and Watson in a Victorian-era version of “The Odd Couple.” The plot concerns the murderous sorcerer Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), who returns from the dead and resumes his killing spree, confounding both the police and Holmes. Rachel McAdams looks pretty as Irene Adler, a script that addresses the issues of personal worth, pride in work, sense of self, and alienation while featuring interesting, complex characters. Director Jason Reitman gives it a semi-documentary feel by incorporating actual people who have been fired. The three leads are excellent. It is easy to accept Clooney as someone whose charm, suaveness, and lack of emotion make him the perfect “bad guy” when corporate bosses want to avoid messy scenes with the downsized. Farmiga, who has been in many films, has never made the impression she does here, and Kendrick steals many of her scenes with her character’s combination of determination, empathy, and humor. The best part of “Up in the Air” is that it presents the viewer with interesting characters. They are fascinating, flawed, often unpredictable, and not retreads of characters that have been seen time and time again. “Avatar” is James Cameron’s years-in-the-making science-fiction drama about the Na’vi, strange human-like inhabitants of the moon Pandora, and a rich natural resource coveted by those on Earth. An expedition, composed of both diplomats and their military escort, is dispatched to understand the Na’vi so a deal can be worked out to mine the mineral. To accomplish this goal and to survive in the thin atmosphere of Pandora, the expedition sends avatars -- Na’vi replicas grown in the lab and mind-controlled by humans -- to mingle with the Na’vi. The avatars can experience all the senses and emotions of the Na’vi. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine, is put into avatar form by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and enters the world of the Na’vi, blue-skinned, slender, 12-foot giants with tails. Cameron delivers on two levels with “Avatar.” The special effects are often exhilarating, especially in 3-D. The world of Pandora is essentially entirely computer-generated, yet feels real and tangible. In addition, the story is solid, with good characters, so after the razzle-dazzle of the visuals becomes more familiar, the viewer will still be engrossed in the tale. Elements of the story suggest the encroachment of westward expansion on the Native Americans, the Vietnam era, and our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. The movie will be richer for those who see these parallels, but it stands on its own as an exciting adventure saga of alien encounters. James Horner’s music beautifully accompanies the imagery, giving the movie an appropriately otherworldly feel. Even if your movie going is limited, make “Avatar” a mustsee. ‘Avatar,’ directed by James Cameron, takes place on the moon Pandora, home of the 12-foot tall, blue-skinned Na’vi. black scorpion of a romantic interest for Holmes, but is on hand mostly for window dressing. Ritchie has captured the grimy, smog-clouded ambiance of London with the help of computer graphics, but the picture as a whole has the look and feel of desperation, as it never stops to allow viewer reflection. Eddie Marstan is excellent as Inspector Lestrade, but his scenes are few. The script draws upon the actual writings of Conan Doyle, which seems an admirable choice, but the movie never captures the methodology and genius of Holmes. He comes off more as a British Indiana Jones. “Up in the Air” is a winner. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a hired gun for companies reducing their staffs. His job, which takes him all over the country, is to tell employees they are no longer needed, and he is proficient at it. When his company hires 23-year-old Natalie (Anna Kendrick) to revolutionize the way professional third-party downsizing is effected, boss Jason Bateman assigns her to accompany Ryan on his rounds to see how a master works. On the road, Ryan meets Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), a seemingly kindred spirit, and they juggle their schedules to meet for no-strings-attached romance. “Up in the Air” is very much a film of now, with a State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Don’t Cook Tonight! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 1 $ 00 VT On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. 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