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Shutter Island!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad that Martin Scorsese finally won the Oscars for best director and film with The Departed a few years ago. Now that he's accomplished that, there's no more of those Oscar-baiting movies. With Shutter Island it seems like he's done making movies to entertain the Academy audience, and rather, he's making the movies that he wants to make.

Based on the novel of the same name, the story follows Teddy, a US Marshal, and his partner Chuck as they investigate the disappearance of a criminal patient held at a remote psychiatric facility called Shutter Island. As they continue their investigation on the island, they find that there's a shroud of mystery surrounding all the staff members and doctors working on the island. Teddy uncovers what he believes is a giant conspiracy perpetrated by one of the head doctors... but oh, there are twists along the way.

I had a good time with this movie. It's a much smaller scale story than any of Scorsese's latest fares, probably since Bringing Out the Dead, which really added to my enjoyment. Also, in writing the above description, I'm trying to be generous as there are a number of twists that are thrown at you and it would take away the fun if I delved into it. The ads they play on TV claim that the twists in this movie are some of the most shocking in recent cinematic history. I don't know if I'd buy that unless by 'recent' they mean 'this week'. What they throw at you is quite predictable but I guess every now and then, these kinds of endings couldn't hurt.
The only real problem I had with the movie was how they carried out the ending, rather than the idea of the ending itself. I thought that there was way too much exposition at the end and it was like the characters were reading a book to me. I'm sure there could have been a more creative way to show us the twist reveals.

I think what I enjoyed most were some of the technical aspects with the movie. I loved the way the movie was shot and the musical scored intertwined throughout it. These two aspects alone helped in creating a creepy atmosphere letting us know that something was afoot on the island.

Leo Dicaprio and Mark Ruffalo with NORM "SON OF A" GUNDERSON from Fargo. Mark out!

Dicaprio is an actor who's really grown on me lately. I've enjoyed just about all of his movies and I find that he's continually getting better and better. I read the feature article about him in this month's issue of Esquire and it's fascinating reading the way he constantly challenges himself with each movie by finding new lessons to learn to fine tune his craft. This summer comes Inception with Leo in the lead role being directed by Christopher Nolan. I can't wait. But until then, Shutter Island should tide you over. Later geeks.

"Which would be worse, to live as a monster or to die as a good man?"
-Leonardo Dicaprio; Shutter Island


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