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Massawyrm goes nuts for Martin Scorsese's SHUTTER ISLAND
Hola all. Massawyrm here.
This is a Martin Scorsese film, which means that no matter what, it is a film worth seeing. Scorsese doesn’t mess around. His films, especially his period pieces, are gritty, atmospheric and well constructed. Even his most pedestrian and mediocre of films (few and far between as they are) are more interesting than your ordinary film, if only for the care taken to make them. And this is no different. Love it or shrug it off, the acting is solid, the cinematography exquisite and the pacing perfect. He’s assembled an incredible cast, all of whom are given quite a bit to work with and created one hell of an interesting, enthralling film.
Set on an island prison, it is a mystery – an inmate has gone missing and due to the violent nature of her crimes, the authorities have called in the US Marshals to track her down and discover just how she managed her way out of a locked room. But as they investigate, they untangle a web of intrigue that might reveal that there are far more sinister things afoot at the Shutter Island facility. It’s a pretty straight forward plot with each new twist and revelation punctuated with an incredible performance. The film’s primary problem is that it isn’t anything radically new. This is a story you’ve mostly seen before. You’ve just never seen it made by a genius like Marty.
And that’s what makes all the difference. Have I seen this story before? Yes, a couple times at least. But have I seen it done better? Never. This is the very best version of this story that there is; a brooding, macabre masterpiece of suspense and psychological warfare perfectly set in the post WWII era. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a top Marshal brought in to find the missing woman. And it’s Leonardo DiCaprio; meaning that even at his most subdued he’s going to give you a riveting performance. He’s teamed with Mark Ruffalo, one of the most underrated actors working today. Always cast as second fiddle to top tier talent like DiCaprio (and Brody and Redford and Foxx and Cruise and Phoenix and Carrey and Witherspoon and…) he never seems to get the credit – or the roles – that he deserves. But here Scorsese gives him something meaty to chew on, the result of which is one of his best, most layered performances yet. As DiCaprio’s partner, he is forced to play against a number of great actors that each seem to be keeping their own secrets from him.
And really, it is the supporting cast that make this film. In the hands of almost any other filmmaker, these supporting roles might go to lesser – possibly even hotter, trending – actors. But Scorsese cast an incredible bevy of Oscar caliber backup that each lends layer upon layer of subtlety to even the most trivial of moments, confronting you directly and forcing you to try and discern the truth for yourself. Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Elias Koteas, Ted Levine and Jackie Earle Haley all turn up for sometimes only a single scene – but each nails their scene so powerfully, so definitively, that they are each able to leave a profound impression upon the audience.
Make no mistake about it: this is more an actor’s/director’s film relying on its style and performances than it is a writer’s film relying chiefly upon its surprises to woo you. Sure the twists and turns may surprise some, but sophisticated audiences familiar with this school of storytelling shouldn’t be surprised if they figure it out early. But it won’t matter. The two minutes we spend with a battered, broken Jackie Earl Haley or the jeep ride we take with Ted Levine are what this film is really about. And once everything has revealed itself, the double meanings that have been seeded into every conversation and every weird double take or strained look will be re-examined and reinforce what a carefully crafted thriller this is.
That said, not everyone is going to love SHUTTER ISLAND. As I’ve said, the story doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The twists present in this film aren’t particularly new or startlingly original. There’s a number of great red herrings and new concepts and combinations stitched together to tell this tale, but ultimately people will come to the film’s climax and say “Oh, that’s it? That’s the big mystery?” And it is going to lose some folks. It almost lost me – but the film then finishes with a real heartbreaker – a somewhat ambiguous final note that is a masterstroke, changing your opinion of the film’s protagonist in startling and classic ways. This is the kind of ending we have to go back to 70’s cinema for, a somewhat nihilistic, beautifully realized ethical conundrum that will swallow you whole as your heart sinks into your stomach. If there was ever a question why Scorsese tackled this material, it would appear that it was for this very moment right here. It is not the kind of moment that Oscar’s are made out of – it is the kind of moment that classic films are made of.
And it makes me love this movie more and more as I reflect upon it.
Shutter Island is a brilliant film, a perfectly realized psychological thriller that will continue to astound you with performance after performance. Scorsese fans are going to flip for it, as will most of you. I am very eager to watch this again so I can sit back entrenched in the knowledge of what is really going on while enjoying looking for every twisted phrase and strained word meant to milk a double meaning. A great film, this comes Highly Recommended.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
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Can't wait to see this.
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I never thought I'd get as high as second on AICN.
My life is almost complete!:-) -
with the novel. I picked it up after I heard Scorcese was making it... just seemed like a cliche. I'm sure Scorcese did a great job but the story is still the same.
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Because sometimes actors remember why they got into acting in the first place - to do some good work. Everyone knows Hollywood's a business, and business as often as not means serving up the public what they might buy. Scorsese's movies deliver, though, plus the man's a walking legend. Not just a breathing film encyclopaedia, but someone who cares about narrative filmmaking. Massa's review re-confirms everything I've heard so far about the movie (not read the source novel, so I can't comment on that) - that it's old-school in lots of ways, and that the journey through the plot is the point, not the destination. Can't wait. Koteas, Max von fucking Sydow, the luminous Patricia Clarkson, Ted Levine, Mark Ruffalo - bring it on.
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i have a lot more confidence going into the film after reading this review.
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can't wait to see the film although accidentally read a spoiler in one of the last talkbacks for it. Which I've been trying to erase from my memory.
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That's the big mistake of the film.
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Dec 21, 2009 9:44:38 AM CST
"Age of Innocence","Bringing out the Dead" = Not Worth Seeing
by lanemyersclassic
and those were Scorsese films.
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The movie is based- closely- on a Dennis Lehane book. (Lehane is the author of "Gone Baby Gone" and "Mystic River.") It is essentially an extended "Twilight Zone" piece- which makes revealing "the secret" as damaging as it would be to a Night Shaymalan flick. (Except for "Lady in the Water." She gets saved by a giant eagle. Don't even rent it.)
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Was it predictable like Avatar was? Avatar was good, but nothing much new there either. I guess there are no original ideas left anymore.
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I do believe that a great director could make something of it. I'm surprised he chose to do this book, but there it is. It sounds like the ending is intact -- predictable but with an element of horrible tragedy that was effective in the book, even as I loathed the twist.
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It's Scorsese, what more do you need??.....
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That means this is going to suck. I had high hopes for it too.
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Yeah, if you have piss for taste.
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...(that's what she said.) But this review does indeed put some fears to rest. Also, the man who made "Goodfellas" will always have my money, no matter what he does.
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even though I like Lehane's other efforts. The big revelation was fairly transparent early on and I hoped in vain that I had it wrong. as it is hardly better than a 'it was just a dream' type plot. I am still curious what Scorsese does with it, as the mood of the book was very interesting (besides the ending).
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And it doesn't matter if the story has been told before, it's how it's executed. If the actors pull you in, then the movie has succeeded.
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Bad Lt. reminded me of that, kind of.
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The visuals in this film are absolutely captivating, and Leonardo DiCaprio's performance sent chills down my spine. Also, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley and all the other supporting characters really deliver. Scorcese is a master. I personally think Leo should get a nomination for his performance.
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Definitely his most underrated.
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I know the twist already but reading your review has made me interested in seeing this again- I mean I was always going to see it, but now I'm happy to- thanks, man.
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...for the Spike TV viewer. "Please, don't clutter my attention span with complicated plot and consistency in character. Just have Neeson kick ass 6 ways from Paris for 89 minutes and we'll be fine. BTW, Shoot 'Em Up rulz!"
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After seeing the trailer and hearing about how great Shutter Island is, I could totally see him taking over Bioshock. It has a amazing story, twists, great characters and planty of creepy atmosphere to work with. Scorsese could bring some top actors to fill in the shoes of the over the top characters for the story. So again let me be the first to say SCORSESE FOR BIOSHOCK!
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After seeing the trailer and hearing about how great Shutter Island is, I could totally see him taking over Bioshock. It has a amazing story, twists, great characters and planty of creepy atmosphere to work with. Scorsese could bring some top actors to fill in the shoes of the over the top characters for the story. So again let me be the first to say SCORSESE FOR BIOSHOCK!
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If they ever do a big budget version of the web series, he'd be perfect. A master with strung-out characters. It's on YouTube now.
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About fucking time he does!
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That's quite a long wait.
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Dec 21, 2009 4:25:06 PM CST
AGE OF INNOCENCE WAS BEAUTIFUL - ONE OF MARTY'S BEST
by bringingsexyback
And the score by Elmer Bernstein is gorgeous. Got it right in this here iPod.
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Maybe not what ultimately happens, but the whole "twist" itself. It really wasn't hard to see. Especially since (MASSIVE SPOILERS) I figured out the anagram just by reading the book jacket.
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That and King of Comedy
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I was really looking forward to seeing this by now. Waiting is torture. Ok, well, it's more like an incovenience. Hyperbole is fun. Still, what the fuck Hollywood?
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Is it just me or is Marty getting more fanboy love as he gets older. He's like a reverse Spielberg. I can't wait for this, Scorsese can literally do no wrong. A little tired of Leo making his symbiotic bond with him, but you can't argue with the results.
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of other greats but I love the shit out of it. Newman crushes that movie and the time period is awesome. It is also one of the few sequels that holds its own against the original.
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You have one of the best handle's I've seen on this page.
However, if you don't like "Age of Innocence" you're goofy.
Don't let it get to you, suicide is never the answer, little trooper. -
honestly save for some of The Aviator I don't think he's made anything worthwhile this decade. He also doesn't have the balls to make anything similar to Bringing Out the Dead either. Silence could be a step in the right direction, but nah he'll probably instead make Sinatra with fucking Dicaprio as the lead. RETARDED.
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Scorsese's new DeNiro? Would have loved if someone like sam Rockwell had gone under his wing instead. -
Saw the trailer, and it has the usual over the top cuts and acting.
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Was and Is Fucking Awesome. Ray Winstone as Mr. French? "What is it, your period?" Mark Wahlberg as Dignam: "If you had an idea of what we do, we would not be good at what we do, now would we? We would be cunts. Are you calling us cunts?" Savid O' Hara as Fitzy: "Had to be one big fuckin' dog, man!" Alec Baldwin as Ellerby: "I'm gonna go have a smoke right now. You want a smoke? You don't smoke, do ya, right? What are ya, one of those fitness freaks, huh? Go fuck yourself."
And, of course, Jack as Frank Costello. On the subject on TheWaqman, I say this: "Who let this IRA motherfucker in my bar?"
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How can you say The Departed isn't worthwhile? That was a great movie, full of great actors giving great performances. And when Leo bought it in the elevator? Damn!Sgt. Steiner is right. The Departed is awesome. The idea of DiCaprio as Sinatra does make me want to vomit though.
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i agree with the reviewer even his lesser films are worth watching, such as bringing out the dead. very underrated. scorsese has been doing more commercial movies and i'm glad he is. when i first heard he was helming a remake of a really good hong kong movie i thought to myself "why?" but damn if he didn't knock it out of the park. he actually got a stellar performance out of that piece of wood wahlberg. nuff said.
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So what's your point? You never want to watch a movie that is just pure action? Did it get your panties in a bunch or something?
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