Monday, February 22, 2010

Review - Shutter Island... and an Award

My film of choice this weekend was Shutter Island.

Think Stanley Kubrick meets Alfred Hitchcock and you'll have Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island.

Now, I've not read the book, so I can only judge from the movie iteself. But I liked the slow pace and overall mood of the film. There was something odd in the tone, but in a good way, and it kept one uneasy throughout the movie. It was NOT scary or jolting by any means, despite the misleading trailers. (Besides, Scorsese doesn't make that kind of film.) I enjoyed the puzzle, although it was a little frustrating in parts. I was a step ahead of the plot for most of the duration, although I didn't always know exactly what it all meant. I appreciated the ending. Knew it wouldn't be a happy one!

DiCaprio and Ruffalo were great in the film. Both did a fine job of acting. I did feel von Sydow was a little underused in his role, though. He's only in the film maybe 6-7 minutes? Overall, the casting was very good.

If you like a good, slow-paced mystery, then I recommend Shutter Island!


And the award...

I received the You Are My Sunshine Award from Spunk On A Stick. The purpose of it is to acknowledge those that have a blog and spend endless hours ensuring that other bloggers get feedback on their blogs by leaving comments, adding themselves as a follower or dropping by just to let you know there are people out there. Thanks, Spunky!

Hey, you know what? If you visit and comment here, I definitely appreciate you! So rather than name names, this is for all my awesome bloggy friends!

10 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

You are welcome!

My husband liked Shutter Island, too. I thought it was okay. I'm not a mystery person, though.

Hannah said...

I've been reading Shutter Island for a few days. I've never read anything by Dennis Lehayne but I'm thoroughly loving the atmosphere of the book. It's so dark and rainy. I loves it. Although, I'm pretty sure I had it figured out by chapter 2...we'll see if I'm right. I usually am though, the price of having a ton of movie notches on my belt.

Thanks for the review on the movie!! It has been on my list ever since I seen the trailer. I adore mysteries...especially Hitchcockian mysteries.

Helen Ginger said...

Thanks for the review of Shutter Island. Based on the clips on TV, I wouldn't have gone to see it (I'm not much on scary movies because, well, they scare me).

Congrats on the award. I'm only one of many who love your blog.

Helen
Straight From Hel

The Old Silly said...

"Think Stanley Kubrick meets Alfred Hitchcock and you'll have Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island."

Wow! That alone is enough of a favorable review to entice me.

Kudos on the award - well deserved. :)

Marvin D Wilson

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thank you Helen and Marvin. Yeah, don't go expecting scary. It's not that type of movie.

Palin, I'd love to hear your take after seeing the movie, as I've not read the book. Hopefully they captured the atmosphere, although I found the movie loaded with it!

DEZMOND said...

Congrats on the award!

When it comes to the movie, I must admit I can't stand Leo de Caprio so I tend to avoid all of his movies :) I'm sure you also have your blacklisted actors :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Oh sure, Dez! I'm not a Costner fan. Seen a few, but he's not my actor of choice.

joe doaks-Author said...

This is on my list to see, so, thanks for the overview. Glad to hear it's not scary or bloody. Both turnoffs for my wife.

Best Wishes Galen Kindley
Imagineering Fiction Blog

JournoMich said...

I don't usually see movies from books I have enjoyed, but this one I will. I also think you would enjoy the book, Alex. I'll be interested to see how the film handles the twist.

And for those reading this book--try other LeHaynes as well. This one is very different from his other writing.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm a sap for happy endings - not a big fan of a book or a movie unless I get one :)