While director Guy Ritchie makes the press junket rounds in support of his highly anticipated (and swoon-inducing) new film, “Sherlock Holmes,” you can imagine that the topic of his famous ex wife, Madonna, is going to come up. But rather than dodging questions about Madge, Ritchie has been surprisingly open – and positive – about the mother of his son, Rocco. He even defended her acting skills and the one movie they did together, “Swept Away,” which was brutalized by critics and audiences alike. He also said that Madonna and he have always been in agreement that his past library of films isn’t appropriate for their kids – but he’s pleased that he’s finally made a movie his children can see.

“The whole thing is supposed to be ironic,” Ritchie says of the remake, which, although technically a romantic comedy, suggested that what a domineering woman really needs from her man is a good smack. “It’s about a man that hits a woman, and at the same time, it was her. There were all sorts of irony. If you ask me, everything about it was rather interesting, but it was such a feral relationship between a man and woman and you just can’t get away with that in contemporary society.”

His sublimated rage at Madonna notwithstanding, he is happy to defend her as a thespian. “If you ask me, I think she’s all right. I think she’s perfectly good. I just don’t think people can get her persona out of the way.”

Whatever happened between the two of them, one thing they are in agreement about is what is appropriate for children. And thus far, Guy Ritchie movies have not been on the approved list. Prior to this, Ritchie says, his kids with her Madgesty had never seen any of his films. It’s not the violence or the occasional sex scene, nor is he seriously worried about the films being disturbing to them. “It’s just the language,” he explains. “I don’t want them being conspicuously exposed to bad language.”

Finally, he’s made a movie his children can see. “It’s something the whole family could enjoy and at the same time it’s iconic and English and smart.”

[From The Daily Beast]

There are also reports that Madonna will be spending Christmas day with Ritchie and all four of the children in England.

Madonna will be reunited with ex-husband Guy Ritchie as the former husband and wife celebrate Christmas with their children, according to a new report.

It was previously reported the “Snatch” director would be looking after sons Rocco and David Banda and daughters Mercy James and Lourdes over the holidays.

But now it appears a full family reunion will take place as the Material Girl jets into Britain with the kids so they can spend Christmas Day with the filmmaker at his country estate in Wiltshire, England.

A source tells Britain’s Mail on Sunday, “Madonna is flying in for 24 hours so Guy can spend Christmas Day with the children. Things are amicable between them and the children love Christmas at Ashcombe House in Wiltshire, which Guy has turned into a Santa’s grotto.”

The stars’ divorce was finalized in January, 2009.

[From SFGate]

I cannot wait to see this movie, and I hope it lives up to the hype. The trailers look fantastic and HELLO – shirtless Robert Downey Jr.! I’m there. I wonder if Madonna, Rocco, Lourdes, Mercy and David will all go see the movie with Guy when it opens Christmas day?

Madonna and Mercy arriving in London on December 21, 2009. Guy Ritchie, Rocco and David are also seen arriving in London, on December 19, 2009. Credit: INFphoto.com.