Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) Dir: Shane Black

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an under-appreciated gem: Shane Black is the master of Hollywood hard-boiled and this movie shows his love for the genre - a girl addicted to pulp crime stories, an unreliable narrator, verbose goons taking turns to beat up the anti-hero… even the chapter format employed uses Raymond Chandler book titles (The Lady in the Lake, The Simple Art of Murder, etc).

It marked the return of Robert Downey Jr, perfectly cast as a petty thief drawn into a typically labrynthine intrigue.  There’s so much to like, you can forgive its indulgencies (that beer commercial, or the brief cameo by Abraham Lincoln, anyone?).

The movie also taught me to keep my hands off the frame if someone’s about to slam the door in my face.  If you’ve seen it, you’ll know what I mean.

Oh, and there’s this killer title sequence…

Sherlock Holmes - credits sequence

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Dir: Guy Ritchie

Here’s some stills from the fantastic end-credits sequence, courtesy of Prologue.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009): Dir: Guy Ritchie

The opening sequence perfectly sets the tone - an audacious intervention of a masonic ritual. Slick, muscular and confident, it isn’t like any other take on Arthur Conan Doyle.

I’ve got it on good authority there’s loads of details fans of the original stories will notice (my girl is the expert - she pointed out the ‘VR’ bulletholes in Holmes’ room, told me what it stood for) but equally lots that’s strictly non-canon (steampunk devices, anyone?).  It’s heavy on the occult too - but I kind of liked all that. Purists will be furious I suppose.

The downside is a fairly limp plot, but there’s much fun to be had from the Downey Jr./Law bromance. They’re both clearly having a ton of fun.

I’m looking forward to the inevitable sequel. Pitt rumoured to be arch-fiend Moriarty!