Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Dialogue
After studying this lesson, students will be
able to:
define the key words in the dialogue
Express their opinions about the topic
INTRO
The character of Sherlock Holmes has been around since the 1800s. But
audiences don’t seem to get tired of him. What is it about
the maniacal sleuth that keeps people coming back for more?
The latest Sherlock Holmes movie is A Game of Shadows, with Robert
Downey, Jr. playing the famous detective. Marni and Mason both recently
saw it. Find out if they detected any brilliance in the film.
Mason: So Marni, did you get around to seeing any of the blockbusters?
Marni: I went and saw Sherlock Holmes as a matter of fact.
Mason: Oh really.
Marni: Did you like it?
Mason: I thought it was OK. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one, and this
one kind of, I think, was in the same realm. It was like, I enjoyed watching
it.
Marni: Sure. It’s entertaining, but it didn’t blow your mind.
Mason: Yeah, but I won’t see it again.
Marni: OK. I like to see this character…I like that he’s had this resurgence.
And I think it’s an interesting take. You know, they sort of have this
modern flair even though it’s still set in the late 1800s in London. And it’s
kind of an interesting mix of this…he’s still sort of that
crazy, maniacal genius, but he’s also really tough.
Mason: Yeah. I mean, I did really like what they do with the cinematography
in the sequences that he’s, like, thinking through all of his moves, and it’s all
happening in his head.
Marni: You know, it’s interesting, because not only has this film come about,
but there’s also a new BBC series about Sherlock Holmes, and it’s set in
modern day London, same characters, and Sherlock Holmes is just a
complete sociopath. He’s just really horrible, and yet still that genius. It’s an
interesting take on that as well. I’m just fascinated that this character that
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in the late 1800s has had this whole
resurgence again.
Mason: Everything old is new again.
Marni: Exactly.
Marni and Mason both recently saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
But they have different opinions about it. Mason thought it was entertaining,
but not excellent. Marni, on the other hand, really enjoyed it.
Marni says that she liked how Sherlock Holmes in this film is both
a genius and very tough. She thinks the character of Sherlock Holmes is
fascinating and likes how much interest there has been in him lately. She
thinks it’s interesting that the character is still so popular, even though he
was created over 100 years ago.
Do you think Sherlock Holmes is an interesting character? Who are some of
your favorite characters from books or movies? How would you describe
them?
Tired of- bored with, not interested in anymore, sick of
Maniacal- crazy, insane
Sleuth- detective, private investigator
Detective- person who solves crimes
Blockbusters- a very popular movie that makes a lot of money
Blow your mind- amaze, impress, or surprise someone
Resurgence- a rise in activity and interest
Flair- a unique style, an attractive quality, style and talent
Adjectives
Marni says that the Sherlock Holmes character is crazy, maniacal,
and tough. These are all examples of adjectives.
Adjectives modify, or describe, nouns. Marni uses crazy, maniacal,
and tough to describe Sherlock Holmes.
Adjectives frequently come before the noun they modify, like when Marni
calls Sherlock Holmes a “crazy, maniacal genius.” But they can also
come after the noun if you add the verb to be, like when Marni says that
Sherlock Holmes is tough.
Which is correct, “He is a man brilliant,” or, “He is a brilliant man”?
1. Mason thought the movie was __.
2. When was Sherlock Holmes written?
3. Marni thinks Sherlock Holmes might __.
4. Which of these is NOT an adjective Marni uses to describe Sherlock Holmes?
5. In what city does Sherlock Holmes take place?