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Movies you may have missed

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Director: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law

2.5/5

There is nothing like going Holmes for the holiday and all were able to do so this break with the release of the Sherlock Holmes sequel, A Game of Shadows.

The game in question is a battle of wits between London detective Sherlock Holmes and his most cunning adversary, Professor Moriarty. The mystery featured in A Game of Shadows is complex enough, however in comparison to the puzzles of the budding franchise’s first installment, it’s a little predictable.

Predictability is the mark of death for any mystery story, but the film can still be considered a success due to the charming performances of the cast. Robert Downey Jr. returns to his role as Holmes and brings a refreshing amount of humor to the title character. Jude Law and Rachel McAdams also continue their roles in the sequel, with additional performances by Stephen Fry as Holmes’ older brother and Noomi Rapace as the gypsy traveler in need of the detective’s help.

It is these characters, and their witty interactions with each other, that make the sequel noteworthy. If you’re looking for a truly engaging mystery, then you may be disappointed with A Game of Shadows, because the biggest mystery of the series is how much the Downey and Law combo will be paid to make another sequel.

—Kevin Hurren

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Rooney Mara

4/5

What both The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a film and its lead character Lisbeth Salander have in common is the ability to cause discomfort and unease. The film stars Daniel Craig as an investigative journalist uncovering the fate of a girl who’s been missing for 40 years, but the real star is an unrecognizable Rooney Mara as Lisbeth, a computer hacker who eventually joins the case. It is not as though Craig, or any other actor for that matter, doesn’t play a crucial role in the film, but it is Mara’s portrayal of Salander that is key to the film’s success.

Mara’s performance aside, the way director David Fincher organizes the film makes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo quite difficult to watch. Officially under the categories of drama and mystery, the film has enough suspense, action, gore, nudity and comedic timing to be considered several genres and films mixed into one. This manipulated design will create discomfort and tension in many audiences, a sensation which makes the film an artistic success but will not be well received by all.

As the film equivalent of “the pill that’s hard to swallow,” this is by no means a date movie, a family movie or a study break movie. Stripped of all its complexities, it is simply the disturbing story of a girl with a dragon tattoo.

—Kevin Hurren

We Bought A Zoo
Director: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson
3.5/5

Even though this movie avoids dipping into the mystery genre, like many other releases over the holidays, We Bought A Zoo is a perfect film for the family and will warm the hearts of all ages.

Matt Damon stars as Benjamin Mee, a widowed California man who is the father of two children, played by Colin Ford and newcomer Maggie Elizabeth Jones. Slowly trying to move on from the tragedy of losing his wife, Mee is in search of new beginnings and a new place to live.

After searching through several houses that, with his daughter’s approval, they turn down for not feeling quite right, they come across an abandoned zoo that feels like home.

We Bought A Zoo gives the Bourne star an opportunity to show his soft side as he is forced to connect with much younger actors and even animals. Jones gives a breakthrough performance, using her big, brown eyes and charming little voice to woo audiences, which will ultimately secure her a spot in upcoming films for at least a few more years.

The only downside to the film is Scarlett Johansson’s boring and useless character, and not enough animal interaction on screen.

—Jesica Hurst

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