[Matt PNiewski]

I came real close to liking Shutter Island. I appreciated its beautiful visuals, it's attention to detail, it's superb performances, and everything else you can expect from a filmmaker like Martin Scorcese. In the end, however, I felt cheated. This is another one of those movies that is less of a movie and more of an overly long episode of "The Twilight Zone." In other words, it's a complete story set up just for one twist. But, in the set up of this we have a very great character study of Ted Daniels, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. We have a story of a man dealing with his own demons, and coming to grips with his past. The problem is, the twist is supposed to be a twist, rather than a plot point. Martin Scorcese missed the chance of life time by keeping the truth of DiCaprio's past until the third act.

Ted Daniels is a Federal Marshall investigating a decidedly "progressive" mental institution, full of all the criminals (or as the Administrators correct him, the patients) no other facility can handle. One particularly dangerous patient has gone missing. The Hospital staff is almost unwilling to help him, and he soon realizes that they do not wish for him to uncover the truth- That there are shocking, horrific experiments being performed on these patients. However, in true M. Night Shylamalan fashion, this all just a set up for a huge plot twist that is apparent to anyone with an IQ over 40 who has seen the trailer. It's not long before a moody and involving psychological thriller becomes "The Village" right before our very eyes.

There is a lot to love in this film, despite being Scorcese's weakest attempt. I expected a series of disjointed images and an extremely nonlinear motif made up to confuse the audience. Instead the story played out, slowly introducing more and more elements into the story ton prepare us for the big reveal. Wait, why prepare us for the big reveal? Aren't we more interested, at this point, about the story they set up so far? Around the corner is a story that is just as interesting. Unfortunately, its simply one act of the film. When that happens, our original story is left in the dust. So we are left with two halves, both good, but yearning to be something more.

In 2001, I was "A Beautiful Mind", about Mathematician John Nash, who suffers from various illnesses that force him to see these elaborate visions. This is disguised, quite well, for the first portion of the movie. We learn about his delusions before he does. Anyone who knew anything about the person before seeing the movie knew from the beginning, and that did nothing but enrich the film. It's a sad day when Martin Scorsese should be taking notes from the director of "The Grinch."


** out of ****

[Lina]

I saw it last Friday and it was a total mindf**k. I really enjoyed it. I still question some things, but overall I felt it was a good movie. I was entertained, I was on the edge of my seat and the story was well done.

[Matt PNiewski]

Lina, on Feb 25 2010, 06:34 PM, said:

I saw it last Friday and it was a total mindf**k. I really enjoyed it. I still question some things, but overall I felt it was a good movie. I was entertained, I was on the edge of my seat and the story was well done.

Check out "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". One of the first great "Twist" movies, and it manages to connect it all so very perfectly. One of my favorite movies of all time. Also, Tim Burton's biggest influence.

[Lina]

I heard of that movie. It's a German movie! Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. I was looking up movies that were similar to Shutter Island and that one came up. I'll for sure have to watch it now. =D

As long as it's not like Memento. Man that was a total mindf**k. ><

[Alkaren Hyralt]

Oh you mean, PHANTASMAGORIA!

[Lina]

Alkaren Hyralt, on Feb 25 2010, 08:26 PM, said:

Oh you mean, PHANTASMAGORIA!

That was an interesting PC game.

[Alkaren Hyralt]

Lina, on Feb 25 2010, 08:28 PM, said:

That was an interesting PC game.

Have you ever seen Spoony's playthrough of it? It's pretty lol worthy, since i couldnt sit through a game like that myself haha.

[Lina]

Alkaren Hyralt, on Feb 25 2010, 08:30 PM, said:

Have you ever seen Spoony's playthrough of it? It's pretty lol worthy, since i couldnt sit through a game like that myself haha.

No I have not. Link? My boyfriend bought it for 2 bucks at a Salvation Army. He hadn't played it in years. XDDD

[Alkaren Hyralt]

osnap. Seems its the second game. Still worth a watch though if you have 5 hours to kill.

http://spoonyexperim...magoria/page/2/ (for the start)

[Lina]

I'll have to watch it as soon as I finish watching Season 1 of NCIS. lol

[sentinel28a]

Lina, on Feb 26 2010, 02:46 AM, said:

I'll have to watch it as soon as I finish watching Season 1 of NCIS. lol

Bah. That show really didn't find its legs until season 2. And as much as I like Caitlin...Ziva is better. Rrrowrr.

Though Abby trumps them all. I liked her so much I...well, let's not say what I did.

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Not safe for digestion"

[Lina]

sentinel28a, on Feb 26 2010, 02:43 AM, said:

Bah. That show really didn't find its legs until season 2. And as much as I like Caitlin...Ziva is better. Rrrowrr.

Though Abby trumps them all. I liked her so much I...well, let's not say what I did.

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Not safe for digestion"

I found it for cheap at Disc Replay. I couldn't pass it up. lol I do like Ziva better too. Even though she's Cuban and not Israeli, which she is in the show. I never knew Gene Simmons was born in Israel. (Random fact) I love McGee. He's so adorable. And Abby is awesome too. Gibbs is my favorite of all. I loves him.

Caitlin: RIO?
Tony: Radar Intercept Officer. Also called a GIBs. One 'b'. Short for Guy In Back.
Caitlin: (to Gibbs) Why do you need two b's?
Gibbs: Second one is for bastard. What else Tony?

Oh Gibbs. You are made of pure epic win.

I remember you were crossplaying Abby for ACen last year! You look great! =D

[Naruto9thDemon]

Shutter Island is good but I think it's one of those movies you kinda have to watch twice. Cause it's always good to point out all the tie ends that you either missed or become very interesting watching it the second time. But the middle of it was kinda boring and started losing it's touch but the beginning and end was really well done.

[Matt PNiewski]

Naruto9thDemon, on Feb 27 2010, 12:31 AM, said:

Shutter Island is good but I think it's one of those movies you kinda have to watch twice. Cause it's always good to point out all the tie ends that you either missed or become very interesting watching it the second time. But the middle of it was kinda boring and started losing it's touch but the beginning and end was really well done.

Its actually better if you know the twist.

[Naruto9thDemon]

Matt PNiewski, on Feb 27 2010, 11:01 AM, said:

Its actually better if you know the twist.

That's what I was thinking to.