Yesterday was mostly an amazingly fun day. David and I spent the sunny afternoon all over town doing some very fun things (which I’ll get to presently) but our evening activity took place at the ArcLight Theater in Hollywood, CA were we attended a showing of the new film Shutter Island. Based on the creepiness of the trailer, I thought it would be worth seeing … and David really wanted to see it so we had high hopes that it would be good. David kinda liked it and I, on the other hand, did not:
From the get-go, the movie did not grab me and, in fact, only succeeded in annoying me. The horrible misuse of music (the pounding, blaring noise that tried to set the tone) and the even horribler accents used by almost all of the actors (especially Leonardo DiCaprio, who I kept expecting to utter the phrase Turn out da lights, Mugsy with his ridiculous Boston accent) made it difficult for me to focus on the story. Once I finally did focus on the story, I found it a terribly unbelievable jumble of confusing mess that never really came together … not even at the end when you finally realize what is going on. Considering that this was a Martin Scorsese film, I was very surprised at how little was spent on the special effects … and this is not an FX film. Not even the digitized water in the background of many of the scenes looked believable. They should’ve spent the money they didn’t use on FX for the writers. The only acting performances I enjoyed came from Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow … and only barely. They are fantastic actors but they were totally wasted on this messy film. I’m certain there will be many comments below in the dissent but I honestly felt that Shutter Island was terrible. It wasn’t the worse movie I’ve ever seen but I’m deffo of the mind that poor Alfred Hitchcock, whom Scorsese was trying to pay homage to, is turning in his grave :(
But, as I said, the rest of yesterday was very fun … fun that I’ll talk about in the next post :)
Wow seriously guys? Percy Jackson and the lightning thief? Wolfman??? Now there’s a movie with low production value. just take a look at the wolfman outfit. Its terrible. The rushed ending and the forced love story. Shutter island had plenty more going for it. Thought the ending was fantastic – didn’t see it coming and thats why i would have to say it’s one of the better films I’ve seen in recent times. Sure, the accents were annoying, but I think Scorsese did a brilliant job. A very interesting and suspenseful film.
Oh and the acting in this film was absolutely fantastic. Really loved it. Guess everyone’s got their own opinions. Hence why I hate judging on reviews to tell me whether to see a film or not.
Shutter island was slowwwwwww. If youre willing to take it all in though, the ending is what makes the movie. I hate Leo with the boston accent though. And seriously, what was with the stupid band-aid on his head THE WHOLE TIME.
I actually read Percy Jackson, even though it’s meant for 10 year olds… it was ridiculously obvious in the book, haha. My brother saw Percy and he said it was bad, or at least not like the book. OR something like that
I photograph the authors (Dennis) family. At a party i photographed he said “if you are the mother of a child under 10 do not see this movie” then talking to him the other day when dropping his photos off I said I was going to see it and he said “remember its not mommy friendly” I wish they had a hint to this in the commercials
I LOVED Shutter Island. I thought it a surreal, visual feast!
Disagree. It was purely psychological & it seems that it isn’t your thing. Maybe you didn’t get it
Anyone who doesnt like this movie obviously doesnt like cinema in general. It’s the same lame story of people who couldn’t appreciate Australia. The mere fact that Max von Sydow is in it makes it awesome. Not to mention the bows to Kubrick, Hitchcock and The Wicker Man (original). Did this movie achieve new innovative filmmaking, no, but that obviously wasn’t it’s goal. It’s goal was to reflect the campiness of film noir with a modern perspective and that’s precisely what it did.
And that music was wonderful.
This movie was a steaming pile of turds. It doesn’t suck because people “don’t get it”, it sucks because it tries too hard to be too many things. the only thing it succeeds at being is garbage.
Though I found flaws in the film, I thought it was still well executed. As for Leonardo Dicaprio’s accent… well of course it sounds wrong for a Boston accents in the 21st century. But in the 1950′s, that was a Boston accent. So in truth, you guys should do your research before making fake claims. I admit there were flaws but I hate when people join the bandwagon just because it’s easy and regurgitate what others have said before just so they can sound like they have an opinion. If you can’t think of something clever or inquisitive to say, don’t bother wasting anyones time. This by the way, is geared to most of the people who commented on this post.
Also if people stopped pretending they were pretentious film snobs and would stop lying about seeing the films that this movie is based on, that would make life a lot easier. I guarantee most of the commenters haven’t even seen hitchcock let alone anything else. As a film major, I can honestly say that this followed true elements of previous filmmakers, and did so successfully.
Each person is entitled to their own opinion, they can like or dislike anything they want, but to comment with idiocy bothers me. Just saying.
*warning comment has spoilers*
I looked at the film in another way. I think the film is up for interpretation! You can look at it from the view that you were mislead the entire time and that Leos character really is sick/schitzophrenic living out his delusions as a patient OR I think you can also look at it from the view that shutter island is a place that is making people crazy and doing experiments on them – there isn’t anything proving either ending when you think of it. Just because the last scene shows Leo talking to his partner about popping the lid off shutter island doesn’t mean he is a crazy guy that killed his wife- they couldve brainwashed him
to think that. I loved the scene in the cave!! You can choose to do the predictable “A Beautiful Mind” ending or the other way. I loved it. It was fun and made me happy im a psychology major because mental health is fascinating.
Well the book was also “terribly unbelievable jumble of confusing mess that never really came together”…so…
Didn’t see the movie yet, I don’t know if I will…because the book left me confused. Sometimes I like it when a book leaves me hanging, wondering. But that one just left me very frustrated.
the film ‘shutter island’ although not for everyone (obviously) is a masterpiece…acting superb & brilliant camera work ..
if you are an artist, photographer, film maker don’t miss it ! leave the howdy-doody flicks for the masses !
I’m so torn on seeing this film. I have read so many ‘loved it!’s and ‘hated it!’s. I did read the book, and thought it was astounding. I sort of had the end figured out, but then it led you the other way, then back… And I didn’t find the book confusing at all. I totally got it.
The book was fantastic. The movie…not so much. It was true to it, but it lacked…something. Read the book.
I am currently reading the book, and saw the movie on Friday (usually I prefer to read the book first, but oh well). I thought the movie was good, and so far the book is great. I agree, the accents were annoying. But I found the overall movie enjoyable. I also figured out the “twist” about halfway through.
I totally agree with you. My Fav movie of all time is Goodfellas. And I was soo excited to see anything new being released by Martin Scorsese, i enjoy all his film and I was soo disappointed also. The music was very horrible, the accents, and storyline. It was a bad verison of Six Sense..I expected something waay awesome and left feeling BLAH…
I disagree about the filmmaking. On the contrary, I think the effects were meant to be a throw-back to the Hitchcock era. Scorsese obviously took pains to make the backdrops–ie., the golf cart scene with the warden and the ferry ride–look fake in order to provide emphasis on the characters and, most importantly, give the film a ’50s suspense mood, a la Hitchcock. I don’t think Hitchcock would be rolling in his grave, but rather proud of the throwback to his era and expert focus on the psychological drama genre. Although, I do agree with you on one point Trent … that shizz should have wrapped up at 1 hour and 30 minutes or less. The best wit lies in brevity … Geez.
I liked the movie. It wasn’t my favorite. I don’t care for Leonardo but I like Mark Ruffalo so it all worked out. The jury is still out on the ending…I left the theater thinking I was the crazy one. LOL
I think the most honest thing about this movie is that you will LOVE it or HATE it. I loved it. I though Leo did and amazing job and the final scenes when the “secret” is revealed i broke down in tears. I was maybe a bit on the blind side… but until it was revealed i didn’t see it happening. I got the he’s number 67, but not the extent of who 67 really is. I thought this was probably one of the best movies I had seen in a long time. I am usually one to “call it”and i didn’t so this movie really got to me. And the entire premise of it was dark and twisty and after all is said and done you piece it all together for the amazing story it is. And the ending in the film really has you questioning what will happen next. I thought it was great and will likelly go again because i want my husband to see it.