Woah.
That is the only word which I feel encapsulates the sheer magnificence of Leonardo DeCaprio's latest hit. No other word can express it quite like that.
Woah.
This wasn't just the brilliance of an incredible actor in his prime, this was every aspect of the movie keeping you on the edge of your seat. It had the perfect amount of action, character development, and more sheer emotion than I have seen in a movie in a long time. For those of you who have not yet seen "Shutter Island", I will recount the basic synopsis to hopefully spark your interest.
The movie opens with U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels on a ferry with his partner, before embarking on a journey that is sure to be challenging. They are investigating a missing patient at a mental facility which houses only the most heinous criminals in the U.S. As the story unfolds, the viewer begins to get a sense that they are not receiving the whole truth. More seems to be going on behind the scenes than anyone can speculate about.
The movie progresses with countless twists and turns leaving the viewer confused yet entranced. Who is prisoner 67? Why do the workers all recite the same story? And why the heck does Teddy keep having creepy flashbacks? What is their significance?
Without spoiling the movie, I can tell you to be wary of the ending. I would make sure you are seated as a minor precaution. "Shutter Island" is simply stunning, a psycho thriller that no actor, director, nor writer can surpass in its time.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Acting
One of the most important components of a good movie is the acting. Whether or not an actor can convey to the viewer the emotion of their character, whether or not the viewer believes in what they are seeing, are the chief responsibilities of an actor. When playing another character, I should not think, "Oh, that's Robert Downey Jr. in a digitally constructed iron suit." I should think, "Hey! It's Ironman!", and believe that somewhere in the world what I am watching is actually happening.
This being said, there are different levels of talent and dedication in show business. If I absolutely had to pick one performance to be placed above all other (and I do, since that is the point of this post), it would be Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in "The Dark Knight". Never have I been enveloped with a character quite like The Joker in that movie. Typically, during a movie, one can say, "Wow, so-and-so is doing a fantastic job." But during "The Dark Knight", Heath Ledger did not exist. He had become The Joker in my eyes. Everything he did, down to his miniscule mannerisms, were perfect. He went outside of himself for that role.
We need this more in movies today. Too often we are subjected to John Cusack trying to be funny in "Hot-Tub Time Machine", only to leave the theater nauseated. We need actors to become their characters to the point where the average view cannot tell the difference. I'd be willing to be we would all attend the movies more if the performances were up to par with that of The Joker.
This being said, there are different levels of talent and dedication in show business. If I absolutely had to pick one performance to be placed above all other (and I do, since that is the point of this post), it would be Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in "The Dark Knight". Never have I been enveloped with a character quite like The Joker in that movie. Typically, during a movie, one can say, "Wow, so-and-so is doing a fantastic job." But during "The Dark Knight", Heath Ledger did not exist. He had become The Joker in my eyes. Everything he did, down to his miniscule mannerisms, were perfect. He went outside of himself for that role.
We need this more in movies today. Too often we are subjected to John Cusack trying to be funny in "Hot-Tub Time Machine", only to leave the theater nauseated. We need actors to become their characters to the point where the average view cannot tell the difference. I'd be willing to be we would all attend the movies more if the performances were up to par with that of The Joker.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Lend Me Your Ears!!!
When watching a film, rarely do I stop and ask why I am enjoying it. Is it because of the non-stop, high-octane, ridiculously unrealistic action? Or is it the side-splitting, laugh-till-your-jaw-hurts comedy? As much as we enjoy these characteristics, they are only the trivial icing on the luscious cake of movie substance. In actuality, what drives us is our desire to live out the movie, and to make it our own.
Why is Robin Hood: Men In Tights possibly the best movie of all time? Although you may disagree, it is not solely the hilarity of every memorable scene. What makes Robin Hood so fantastic is its versatility. The movie contains bravery, honor, despair, jubilation, incredible feats of strength, wit, love, irony, disgusting visual images (Latrine), mildly offensive humor, allusions to current events, and a happy ending, all the while making you laugh till you tear up. That, my friends, makes me want to go to England during this time. Who wouldn't want to overthrow a king and save his damsel in distress at the last second? Movies like this appeal not only to our emotions, but to those deep needs of the soul which define us as humans.
Movies were made to take viewers from their own reality and insert them in another. And, let's be honest, who hasn't imagined an alternate reality? When in our own world, we can do whatever we please. Movies are a time to retreat and leave the outside world where it belongs: outside.
Why is Robin Hood: Men In Tights possibly the best movie of all time? Although you may disagree, it is not solely the hilarity of every memorable scene. What makes Robin Hood so fantastic is its versatility. The movie contains bravery, honor, despair, jubilation, incredible feats of strength, wit, love, irony, disgusting visual images (Latrine), mildly offensive humor, allusions to current events, and a happy ending, all the while making you laugh till you tear up. That, my friends, makes me want to go to England during this time. Who wouldn't want to overthrow a king and save his damsel in distress at the last second? Movies like this appeal not only to our emotions, but to those deep needs of the soul which define us as humans.
Movies were made to take viewers from their own reality and insert them in another. And, let's be honest, who hasn't imagined an alternate reality? When in our own world, we can do whatever we please. Movies are a time to retreat and leave the outside world where it belongs: outside.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What A Progression!
Sometimes, when looking back, it is hard to believe that movies were once silent. Can you imagine if modern editors had to cut over to a screen with text on it so we could know what the actors said? The movie industry has progressed incredibly far in the last ninety years when looking at it on this scale.
Recently, I saw the movie Legion. Although it had a nonexistent plot, the action and pure quality of the graphics held my attention the entire time. It is amazing how something that wasn't even dreamed of ninety years ago can sustain a sub-par movie now. Unfortunately, like the movie Knowing, the ending made absolutely no sense and left the average movie goer with a perplexed look as they walked out of the theater. If only they had played a catchy, elevator-like tune as the credits rolled...
Recently, I saw the movie Legion. Although it had a nonexistent plot, the action and pure quality of the graphics held my attention the entire time. It is amazing how something that wasn't even dreamed of ninety years ago can sustain a sub-par movie now. Unfortunately, like the movie Knowing, the ending made absolutely no sense and left the average movie goer with a perplexed look as they walked out of the theater. If only they had played a catchy, elevator-like tune as the credits rolled...
Welcome!
Welcome to the blog that would make Ebert and Roeper blush with envy. Here I'll post thoughts on the movie industry: stories on its development and on current events. This is really a time for you to decompress. So grab you popcorn, apply some butter substitute, sit back, and enjoy.
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