Shutter Island (Directed by Martin Scorsese)

IMDB Link

Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams

He said:

Shutter Island is adapted by a book written by Dennis Lehane. This is Scorsese at his most unrestrained. I am completely torn with how I feel about this film on the one hand I really wouldn't tell everyone I know to run to theaters and see it as soon as you can, on the other I have gone over the film in my head numerous times and really think that a second viewing of the film is really worth while.

With out spoiling anything I will say there is a line of dialogue towards the end of the film that completely flips your perception of the third act of the film. It isn't a twist, this is not the next Sixth Sense, it really is just a simple statement that floods the viewer (in my opinion) with unexpected emotion

This is not a film for everyone, it is slow and you have to pay attention. The story is very well constructed and it has managed to keep me thinking about the film two days after my sunday night viewing. This is not a film that tells you what is right and wrong, it very much presents both sides and lets you make the decision.

I honestly think this is a film worth watching. As my rating shows I wasn't completely won over, but I was entertained I think you might want to wait for it on DVD so if you too feel the need for a second viewing you will have it available. I give it {{{{3 out of 5}}}}

She said:

I enjoyed this film, but like James it did not blow me away. Overall it was an interesting concept. As a person who works at a mental health hospital I am always intrigued by interpretations of old asylums. It is interesting to see the differences in health care... but I am probably alone there. Unless everyone reading this works in the area of mental health too!

My reservations are based on the plot. I don't want to give anything away so I will talk in general terms. I find that this film didn't match expectations. With suspense thrillers such as this the audience has become used to multiple twists and turns in the plot and (thanks to Lost) we are perfectly happy not knowing what the hell is going on because of the complesity of storylines.

This film was more simplistic than that. But I don't know whether that was clever, and I enjoyed the play with the overly savvy viewership... or whether I wanted that little bit extra. I mainly want others to see it so they can help me figure out what I made of it.

One thing I am sure of is that the mise-en-scene was impressive. I enjoyed the feeling of isolation and remoteness both geographically and emotionally in this production. The issues toyed with trust, betrayal, heartbreak, mystery and perception of reality. I give this film {{{3 out of 5}}}

They said: One of those heavy on the thinking light on the fun films, "better than a poke in the eye" you might say. Leo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo are also pretty awesome. We give this film {{{6 out of 10}}}