Re "It IS interesting, however, to see all the critical reaction -- some of it near-hysterical -- to nothing more than showing narcissistic, sociopathic Sherlock Holmes, master of Being In Control, acting like a bumbling oaf and being stumped by a rather simple plot.":
We rely on Holmes to restore order to a chaotic world. Anything that departs from that archetype has betrayed Conan Doyle's original vision. (Something similar is happening to James Bond. Give me suave, sadistic Sean Connery over touch-feely Daniel Craig.) Re "We saw this in one of Clint Eastwood's early roles, in "The Beguiled." he loses to a house full of women. The movie BOMBED at the box office. People HATED it.": It's a different case entirely as Holmes (and Bond) are fictional characters whereas Eastwood is an actor. Actors you expect to be able to play different roles. The Beguiled is also my favourite Clint Eastwood film. It's sexual manipulation all the way with fantastic performances from all the cast.
