Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows

Fun fact 1: I haven’t seen the first movie. I refused to, after catching a glimpse of the trailer and thinking “This isn’t Sherlock Holmes!”.

Fun fact 2: I was an idiot for doing that.

Summary: Watson, on the eve of his wedding, rejoins Mr. Holmes, in order to solve a number of recent crimes which will ultimately, help track down Professor Moriarty, that elusive, sadistic bastard! A few gypsies added to that mix and what you have is a very… explosive cocktail! (wink wink- but no spoilers!)

As I am told, the first part lacked in pace. Not that it was bad; people actually recommended it to me. But, as they said, it was terribly slow and the movie suffered from it. The story was good and so was the chemistry between the actors. (I never doubted Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law for a second!)

Well, “A Game of Shadows” does not, I repeat does NOT lack in pace. Granted, the story may be a little thin buuuut… for once, focusing on the action sequences and wit (both in terms of humour and intellect), doesn’t harm the outcome, which is a very entertaining film! It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a movie and this is actually refreshing.

Guy Ritchie’s direction was very, very good in action, mystery and emotional scenes. No problems there. Performances… Well, what do you expect from Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law? And Jared Harris and Stephen Fry and that amazingly charming Noomi Rapace? They were all wonderful. Absolutely exciting to watch! Also, great work done on the costumes.

Once you push prejudice aside, Sherlock Holmes will not disappoint you. Open your mind, prepare yourself for fun and I bet you will enjoy it.

(This review was originally posted at Crows n Bones, where I write under the nickname "Lu".)

The right to love

My mind cannot grasp the reasons behind all the negativity surrounding that oh, so hated matter of gay marriage. Growing up, I was always told that people are equals and that I should respect other people's rights. And not selectively. Every and each one of their rights. Such as, their right to live. I never questioned that. Nor did I ever question their right to love. Who decides that someone's rights are invalid in the case they are homosexual?

Before one of you clever people decides to answer "Jesus", let me tell you, although I'm not a really religious person (not anymore, at least), I don't remember any teachings of Jesus-da man- involving gay hate. And I can't, for the life of me, believe that Jesus Christ himself would support hatred of any kind! "Love thy neighbour" is what Jesus taught and he didn't specify "unless he's gay; then shoot the bastard".

Now, the argument of "not believing in the gay lifestyle" is complete and utter crap! They never asked you to believe in their lifestyle! The only thing gay people are asking is for you to let them live their freaking lives as they see fit! You don't have to be gay in order to respect the people who are! Respect doesn't involve you liking the way others do things but just accepting that they have the right to do it! (With a few exceptions; you're allowed to freak out if someone starts killing people. No respect for that.)

And another thing, while we're at it. Why shouldn't gay people be allowed to adopt? Really, why??? I don't get it. Is it because they might raise a child that will turn out to be gay as well? So fucking what? What's the problem with that? Let me ask you a question. Which is worse: having a gay child or having a child with a terminal illness? If you'd go for the first option, then get the hell away from my blog! Seriously, just fuck off! A friend argued that's it's very easy saying all those things, until your own child comes out and tells you that he or she is gay. You are supposed to love your children no matter what or who they are. If you can't do that, you're not a very good parent, are you?

Maybe I'm not the hero type; fighting for something, for me, is restricted to writing about it and talking about it and trying to prove to others why I am right about it. You may argue that I'm a coward. I don't know. But GAY RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS! Being homosexual doesn't make anyone less human. Gay people deserve better treatment and they deserve to get married if they want to! And I'll keep writing about it as long as I have to.Stop trying to make everyone into an image of you. The world would be a boring, stupid, pointless place if we were all identical. Differences are good, even in terms of sexuality. Acceptance is good. Tolerance, friendship, respect - good. Love? Good.

Writer's Log: Day 1

The very minute I decide to start writing again, the dreams resume... They're not always nightmares but you wouldn't call them good in any case. It may have to do with writing a horror story for the first time. I doubt it however.

In my dreams, I keep chasing after people. Trying to save them from something as horrible as certain death (one of them was going to commit suicide but didn't know it yet) or just trying to keep them close, in fear that if they take one more step away, I might lose them forever. They're not always people I know in real life but let me tell you, the anguish I feel seems real enough. And when they are people that I do know, it's usually the ones I've already lost in one way or another and the guilt is overwhelming.

I know I can't stop death and that's the reason why I've stopped feeling guilty about the ones that are dead. But the ones I have pushed away... I can't deal with them. Because they mattered. Hell, they still matter and I see no possible way of getting them back.

I say this because I dreamt about John last night. You, of course, have no idea who John is and why should you? But John was important to me and I didn't do enough to keep him close. I don't know if I will ever see him again and maybe this doesn't mean much now. Still, I have to say it. I'm sorry, John.

Maybe I should refrain from writing horror stories for a while...

I see you...

Hey, you guys... Yeah, I'm talking to you. The 100 or so (actually, there are more but a hundred sounds nice so I'm sticking to that) that visit my blog per month. I can see the stats, you know!!!! I would really appreciate your comments. Even if you just want to point out what needs improvement, it's alright. I'm anxiously awaiting for your feedback. Seriously, like, on the edge of my seat... So... You know... Say something. :)

Feeling old and being old

I often wonder, how it feels to be old... What must one be thinking once they start hearing worse or seeing worse and having to take more pills than you can count? How does it feel to want to do things but being unable to? Or is it that you're just not motivated to do those things anymore? Is it nature's way to make you say goodbye to life, one lousy step at a time? Or is being old simply a state of mind? Are we actually as old as we feel?

Because in that case, I'm screwed! I've been feeling old since I was 19! Remembering to take my meds is something I've had to do since I was a kid and I certainly lack that oomph! that makes other people my age want to conquer the world. But I'm not old. I like my music as loud as humanly possible and I don't need to use a cane in order to walk. (I'm getting my oomph back though; myself and I came to an understanding.)

So... If I'm that way now, at 27, how will I be when I turn 70? (If I ever make it that far anyway.)


I'll probably be like that lady over here. No. I will definitely be like that lady.
Screw you, life! I'm not going down so easily!