Now Playing: Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese's insane new film is upon us and this time I have fanatical reason to rejoice. The film is titled Shutter Island and stars the like of batty Leonardo DiCaprio, bizarre Mark Ruffalo and crazed Ben Kingsley. I don't particularly care for DiCaprio or Ruffalo, but their daft performances certainly didn't detract from this amazingly demented movie. Kingsley's deranged acting on the other hand made me stir at times for how surreal he could appear.

Perhaps the strongest aspect of this maniacal film is the cinematography. Even if you are not interested in the mental story, the visual are entrancing. They were certainly strong enough to keep my nutty friend entertained despite the fact that he was 'bored' with the psychotic movie fairly early. The island itself was a wonder to behold and the raving dream sequences were downright stunning. I truly believe I could sit through all two hours again even with the audio removed. Amazingly the schizophrenic soundtrack found the exact moments to peak for my tastes. Subtle melodies and classical pieces give way crashing crescendos as this tale tears a hole in your unhinged perception. Even if you feel you know what will happen, the mind bending nature of this film and the fusion of its score is sure to put you on an unsettled edge.

The wild story itself could be called somewhat predictable, but I feel that it is the best and most logically possible ending for this macabre tale. One in which the madness of the so called 'patients' infects the audience early on. There are many times in which the audience is shown the truth, but it is a truth that can be hard to accept at times. I especially loved the continuity direction; pay close attention and you will see what I mean. Scorsese certainly knows how to make one question their own mental state.

I didn't like the last 3 of the last 5 major films that Scorsese released, but it is good to see his knack for directing hasn't gone to waste again. Several of my mentally ill cohorts would argue this point though.


I give this movie 6 out of 7 foaming at the mouth pot roasts.