Needing to escape RL I opted for a horror double feature today (See this thread and The Crazies).


iReview: Shutter Island
Now Playing: In theaters.
Opinion: Indifferent.
Review: Being indifferent about this movie makes it a bit difficult to review... but I'll try.

Anytime that you combine the elements of a secluded and inescapable setting with dramatic social, environmental and psychological conditions it really can only go one way (see the movie Identity). Unfortunately I realized this after only 5 minutes into the movie (-) That's all I have to say about the direction of the plot.

I was somewhat impressed with the cast though. Although brief, Ted Levines' portrayal of the Warden was chilling and dead pan raw; brilliant. Leonardo DiCaprio delivered almost the exact same intensely dramatized character in this movie as he did in The Departed, making this character that much more believable (+). On a side note, a face I was surprised to see was that of Jackie Earle Haley, though it was a bit part he nailed it. Its nice to see him get his face out there more; very talented actor but underrated.

Ok on to the rant.
Cover your ears when the Marshals reach the gates of the hospital during the opening sequences. Talk about wrong music/sounds for a scene. It was quite annoying and nearly sent me out of my chair (my hyperacusis). It's not the only sound faux pas of the movie, though the other is more subtle.

I detest flash back sequences because I feel it derails the viewer from the immersion and fluid motion of the story. Some movies rely on flash back to bring a poignant "something" to light; this is tolerable. In this movie the fractured flashback sequences (2 completely different stories) where way too long and in themselves could stand on their own as completely separate stories from the movie. Too bad this story relies so heavily on them. Another surprise, though quite unimpressed, I didn't even realize till the final credits that this was a Martin Scorsese film. Not his best but I'm certain that do to the lack of contenders it will placed number 1 for a week or two.

Regrets: I should have waited for the $5.25 On Demand viewing and not wasted the $7.75 for the "bargain" matinee, it wasn't that good.