Shutter Island (2010)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Length: 138 minutesRated R for disturbing violent content, language, and some nudity
Scorsese, DiCaprio, mysterious yet eerie film, huge buzz...what else can you ask for!?!? The long awaited, oft-delayed Shutter Island arrives as perhaps the most anticipated movie so far this year. I remember my initial reaction to the trailer (almost two years ago, it seems) and excitement over the director, cast, plot, etc. Having built huge expectations, reading numerous positive reviews, and consulting with my hard-to-please roommate, I eagerly attended what I anticipated to be a modern masterpiece. Instead, I was left crushed; what was suppose to be a suspenseful mystery turned out to be rather boring and anything but a mystery.
Set in 1954, Shutter Island centers on Scorsese standard Leonard DiCaprio (Inception, Revolutionary Road) as Teddy Daniels, a US Marshall seeking a patient who has escaped from her prison on the isolated island. Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), Shutter Island is a departure from the traditional format utilized by Lehane, taking a much darker tone that leaves the audience with a sense of danger and uncertainty. As the mystery begins to unravel, it becomes apparent that there is more to the story then initially perceived.
To start on a positive note, the acting is indeed top notch. I have been a huge DiCaprio fan for quite some time now, and he continues to prove his prowess. The depth of his character cannot be questioned or denied. I even enjoyed the cinematography of the film: the dark, somber tones really cast a foreboding and dismal haze over the film setting the perfect mood for a dark mystery. So, with these positives, what could have caused my expectations to be dashed?
I have always enjoyed a good mystery; the traditional "who done it" that follows a detective searching for clues to the puzzle, occasionally revealing some master conspiracy in the process. Growing up, it was often difficult to watch mysteries with my mother as she would ALWAYS solve the show/movie before the end. I cannot tell you how many times my stepfather and I would scream in frustration as, of course, she would end up being correct. It would seem all of that detective work on my mother's part has rubbed off on me, as I now find myself constantly solving the puzzle before the conclusion. For the most part, this can prove to be a fun element to the mystery genre; however, it can also be a real negative if you are able to solve the mystery fairly easily and quickly. While I may not have had every single detail figured out, I was able to solve the mystery prior to seeing the film. Using contextual clues from the previews, I knew exactly what was going to happen before it even unfolded. In fact, I even told my friend my theory prior to seeing the movie; this theory proved to be correct.
While I do not believe the mystery is implicitly that easy to solve, in this particular case, it can be quite detrimental to the viewing experience when the big reveal at the end isn't that shocking. Equated to The Sixth Sense in terms of shock value, I was sorely disappointed. To boot, I found the movie to be rather slow throughout, dragging for a majority of the film. Though it is hard to pinpoint exact scenes to cut or shorten, the film had me looking at my watch wondering how much longer I had to sit.
While my review may not indicate it, I still feel as if you should see this movie. I feel as if my experience with the movie will prove to be the exception and less of the norm. The acting is good, boasted by beautiful camera work and visual decor. While some may be able to solve the mystery, the story is still enjoyable enough for the average movie goer. The details can bog you down, so be patient in trying to maintain a working encyclopedia for the film. If you can sit back, put down your detective's notepad, and enjoy the film, I believe you will find an enjoyable experience. But if you are able to solve the mystery, be prepared for a rather dull ride.
Final Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote: "Match in the gas tank...boom boom" (He went full retard)
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Directed by Spike Jonze
Length: 101 minutes
Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action, and brief language
Even if you hate reading, you have to admit you had at least one favorite book/story as a child. There are the classic Dr. Seuss books, The Rainbow Fish, and many more; but almost everyone cherished Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are - a classic tale of a young boy craving attention and adventure, who runs away to an island of monstrous creatures who embrace the boy (Max) as their king. While the modern master Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) does not stray too far from the basic concept of Sendak's work, the interpretation takes on a much darker tone that may be lost on the more casual viewer.
As stated earlier, the protagonist is Max, played by Max Records (interesting name, eh?), a young, angry, and adventurous boy who craves attention and the chance to be wild. Raised by his single mother, portrayed by Catherine Keener (Cyrus, The Soloist), Max screams, claws, and bites at those who fail to take the time to play with him. After one particularly nasty fight, Max runs away from home, only to take a boat that whisk him away to a strange island full of giant creatures that think Max is their king. Wait...he is whisked away on a boat to an island? I know, I know...can we say deus ex machina; but you have to remember this is a movie told from the eyes of a young child with a vivid imagination. So just go with it; in fact, just accept a majority of the movie as a child would and you will enjoy it more. Crowned king, Max leads the monsters in dog piles, fort building, and dirt clod wars. As we learn more about the personalities and flaws of the characters, Max's fantasy develops a more disturbing meaning.
While Where the Wild Things Are can be interpreted in many ways, I took the monsters to be a representation of Max's family and how he perceives himself in said family. Carol, voiced by everyone's favorite mobster James Gandolfini (Welcome to the Rileys, The Sopranos), represents a patriarchal figure for Max; due to Carol's unpredictable and sometimes violent nature, it is not unreasonable to believe Max had an abusive father that is no longer a part of his life. Though Carol loves Max, he often threatens violence on those that disagree or hurt him. Paul Dano (The Extra Man, There Will Be Blood) voices Alexander, the goat-like creature that nobody listens or pays attention to, a la Max. These are but a few of the creatures, but you can begin to understand that Max is more than just an adventurous little boy, but a person suffering from psychological trauma. Trauma manifested via aggression, wild behavior, and a vivid imagination that all lead to a constant need to "act out."
Maurice Sendak wrote a timeless classic enjoyed not just by children but adults as well; however, Spike Jonze has developed a much darker rendition aimed at challenging the audience to look past the surface of the film. While it is easy to see Max has a vivid imagination that leads to adventures and trouble almost equally, the reasons for his behavior can be inferred if one can connect the dots between Max's fantasy and his real world. We all manifest the happenings in our lives in different ways. Some people write poetry or songs; some use such events to motivate them towards a greater goal. For a little boy like Max, he creates an entire world where he has friends that listen, play the games he develops, and follow his ideas with conviction. Ultimately, the film poses the question: where are your wild things?
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote:
Carol: "If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing, it'd be Douglas. We can share him if you want."
Pandorum (2009)
Directed by Christian Alvart
Length: 108 minutes
Rated R for strong horror violence and language
Growing up the son of Trekkies (or Trekkers if you prefer), I have always had an infinity for the science fiction genre. I still fondly remember when my stepfather introduced me to Star Wars; to sum up my family's love for all that is geeky, we often have family outings consisting of the latest sci-fi blockbuster and Mexican food. That being said, I'm also quite critical of the genre since it is often a breeding ground for campy B-movies. Bolstered by an intriguing preview and an actor known as an indie-darling, I was immediately interested in Pandorum. While it will not go down as an instant classic or modern masterpiece, the thrills and chills found within this film are enough to warrant a viewing.
Set in the year 2174, Pandorum begins with a common thread to the sci-fi world: overpopulation and dwindling resources on earth force humans to seek new colonization options. Aboard the ark-like Elysium, two crew members awake with little recollection of their mission. Dazed and confused by the condition of the ship, Bower, the protagonist portrayed by the vastly underrated and often intense Ben Foster (Here, The Messenger) goes out alone into the dark ship to discover what has happened, guided only by the voice of Payton, played by Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship, Legion). Soon Bower discovers that not only is something wrong with the ship, but he is not alone.
I really enjoyed the opening parts of the movie, specifically the scenes when Bower is first leaving to explore the ship. Pandorum definitely channels the claustrophobic, impending doom made popular by the ventilation scenes in the original Alien. While the film does a good job of keeping the chilling "you know something is about to happen" feeling, the second half fails to capture the intensity of the opening half. As Bower's memory begins to return and he journeys further into the ship, the intensity is substituted for a more traditional horror film (a la a slasher flick). While these later parts are by no means terrible, it fails to maintain the initial momentum that makes the movie so creepy and promising.
Visually, Pandorum is a nice looking film that boast interesting designs. While the core of the story may not be too original, certain elements add a distinct and original flair to the film. Specifically, the ship is massive and intriguing in its layout, while the exterior shots of the ship are unlike most other ones seen. While classic masterpieces such as Alien and The Thing will still carry the torch for the science fiction/horror genre, Pandorum is a decent attempt at joining the ranks of the greatest. Perhaps if the film had been better able to capture the anxiety and fear of the opening scenes, the film could have fared much better. Instead, we are left with a decent attempt that will certainly entertain yet leave you wanting more.
Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote: uh...not really a memorable quotes kind of movie
