Sherlock Holmes

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

• it works
• sequel
• build up
• private eye

• face lift
• sleuth
• brawny
• kick butt

• chemistry
• arch nemesis

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

Classic stories often get a face lift for modern audiences. The latest film to put a new twist on an old tale is Sherlock Holmes. With Robert Downey, Jr. in the role of the super sleuth, Holmes has transformed from a brainy detective to a brawny butt-kicker.

Some elements of the classic stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle remain the same. Holmes’ partner, Dr. Watson, is still there to help him solve mysteries. And although Holmes’ arch nemesis Dr. Moriarty doesn’t actually appear in this film, you get the feeling that he isn’t far behind.

Marni was so excited about the new Sherlock Holmes that she went to see it the first night it was out. Find out if the film lived up to her expectations.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Mason

Marni:  So Mason, I rarely rush to go see a film on opening weekend. But I could not wait to see Sherlock Holmes, and so I did.

Mason:  I didn’t love the film, but I enjoyed it.

Marni:  I really enjoyed it. I thought that Robert Downey Jr.’s character was amazing. He really did a different interpretation than the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle version that you read about in the books. This was a much more mischievous sort of butt-kicking Sherlock Holmes. But it worked. He was…you know, a perfect super-sleuth. He was very creative. And I thought the plot was good. I thought it worked.

Mason:  You know, I thought it was kind of weird that…I don’t feel I’m giving anything away to say that his nemesis, his traditional nemesis, Moriarty, not even in this film. They left that as the set-up for the sequel that is obviously forthcoming.

Marni:  Right.

Mason:  But an interesting choice to kind of not go there in this film.

Marni:  Yeah, but I thought it worked. I liked that they sort of had this build up around this mysterious character. And I thought that was very intentional.

Mason:  I liked how they showed Holmes’ thought process and this kind of analytical, like super-sleuthy private eye mind that he had. But yeah, ultimately I just didn’t really care about anybody other than Holmes. Like Rachel McAdams, Rachel McAdams was such a waste, and I love her. But I thought that that whole part of the film was a waste.

Marni:  I thought the chemistry, though, of Jude Law as Watson, that was perfect.

Mason:  It was. They had a good thing going.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Simple Past Tense" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3