The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) - Does Intelligence Make You a Good Person? - DOTR #132

August 23, 2026·1h 17m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Sherlock Holmes is back—but is the game still as good the second time around?This week on Desert of the Reel, we take on Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and ask why the sequel doesn't quite live up to the first film. Does the bigger sequel actually make for a better movie? The same gang is back, Guy Ritchie, RDJ, and Jude Law. Warner Bros was so excited with the success of the last Sherlock Holmes movie, but why no number 3?We discuss whether intelligence is morally neutral, whether people actually want conflict, and whether doing something bad necessarily makes someone a bad person. We question the idea of an “official version” of history and why we should always be willing to look beyond what we're told.We also get philosophical about our relationships with fictional characters. Why do we become emotionally attached to characters who aren't real? And what does that have in common with our relationships with celebrities?Sherlock Holmes isn't really trying to save the world. He's trying to save his friendship with Watson.Next week: What About Bob? (1991)After that? TOP GUN!Email us at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com

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