For a while everyone thought that that the adventures of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in “Sherlock Holmes and John Watson” were going to remain without a sequel, ever since the release of the second opus, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Box office receipts were slightly higher than those of the previous film (545M v. 524), the third in the franchise was announced very hastily, and then, ... more >
ARCHIVES
“Sherlock Holmes,” the franchise is gathering momentum with numero tres in the works
From "dead in the water" to "doing quite well, thank you very much"
Iron Man 3
Sharp but overwhelming
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle
Directed by Shane Black
In a movie where flying metal meets flying metaphors, “Iron Man 3” is like rooting for a good hammer. Billionaire playboy industrialist Tony Stark makes it possible to pilot a fleet of Iron Man outfits by remote control, while he munches In’N’Out burgers miles away. “Iron Man” has become “Iron Drone.” The real metaphor here is the empty suit. Among the faithful, that change won’t lead to ... more >
The Avengers
Action heroes team up. You will be saved.
Robert Downey, Jr. and Scarlett Johansson
“The Avengers” is the smorgasbord comic book movie we’ve been waiting for years to see. Many middling films were made (I’m looking at you “Thor,” “Hulk,” and “Captain America”) just in order to set up origins for this one. And it fell to director Joss Whedon to make this all come together. But he should have known better than to do so through nothing, but action sequences. It starts with ... more >
Iron Man 2
Tony Stark to confront alter-ego
Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson
Directed by John Favreau
“Iron Man” was one of the best super hero movies of all time. “Iron Man 2,” likable as it may be, isn't. Downey, Jr. again dons the metal suit as billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark, enjoying the fame that being Iron Man has brought him. Life isn’t all rosy though. He’s being strong-armed by the Senate Armed Services Committee to relinquish the Iron Man weapon and the palladium in his ... more >
Sherlock Holmes
The start of a long and storied franchise
Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie and Sherlock Holmes fit? Why, it’s elementary my dear movie fan. This is one of the most entertaining thrillers of the year and the fantastic team of Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law are a big part of the reason why. They take top honors as the year's best bro-mance, arguing like an old married couple while deep down knowing that they’d be lost without each other. Downey is Holmes ... more >
The soloist
When two great actors meet
Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr. and Catherine Keener
Directed by Joe Wright
“The Soloist” is the true-life story of LA Times reporter Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) who discovers and helps a schizophrenic and former Julliard cellist (Jamie Foxx) living on the streets of the City of Angels. The film, directed by Joe Wright (“Atonement”), features a lead character tormented by multiple voices in his head. Likewise, we can hear the multiple voices going on in the film’s ... more >
Tropic Thunder
Behold this summer's hottest comedy
Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Steve Coogan
Directed by Ben Stiller
The Hollywood career of Robert Downey Jr. has been something of a Biblical experience. Looked at in a certain way, you rarely see so much begatting in one lifetime. Young stardom begat an early Oscar nom. Success begat addiction. Addiction begat arrests. Which begat an indie film resurrection. Which begat critical appreciation. Which has now begat a return to stardom. This summer, his career ... more >