‘Shutter Island’ Review
One word. Freaking Awesome. That's two words... I'll choose Freaking. Released in February of 2010, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley, and Ted Levine and directed by Martin Scorsese. Seriously.. this isn't one of those films where you list one or two starring actors. Everyone is a great talent. It's actually a difficult one to review or even talk about because there are so many plot twists that it's nearly impossible to not give something away. Shutter Island is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, and here's just a few hints as to what it's about. Criminally insane, nazi's, not really, dead kids, wet wife. Throughout the film there are hints as to how it's going to end and if you have a really keen eye and a knack for plot awareness you might be able to predict how it's going to play out. Some things may be predictable, sure. They can't leave you completely flabbergasted. (Why is it when you're online you use words you wouldn't normally use in everyday conversation?)
DiCaprio is still one of the best of this generation, hands down. I honestly cannot name a film that he has been in that I didn't like.
Honorable mention to Jackie Earle Haley for playing a consistently good maniac. (i.e. Rorschack)
If you have not seen Shutter Island, see it. If you have seen it. Do you think your violence could conquer mine?
‘Crazy Heart’ Review
Crazy Heart was released in 2009 directed and written by Scott Cooper and starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Just a quick summary; Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a 56 year old washed up country musician who is falling quickly into a downward spiral of alcohol and self loathing about his failed musical career until he meets Jean Chaddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Jean is a reporter trying to find her big break when Bad comes to town to play in a local bar. It's during the interview that the affair begins with sublte flirting and sly comments from Bad.
I'll start off by saying, what an amazing film. Bridges gives an inspiring performance as Bad Blake that is much deserving of the Oscar he recieved for the role. Bad Blake is a character you want to love and you want to succeed. You'll need to watch the film yourself to find out if he does or not. Jean Chaddock played by Gyllenhaal is your typical cliche broken hearted single mother type character that we have all come to expect from this sort of film; unwilling to commit, protective but takes a risk to be with our protagonist because she's a hopeless romantic and ends up being hurt again. You know the type.
Also worth a mention is Collin Farrell who played the character of super star country musician Tommy Sweet, for a great southern accent... for an australian.
I had not seen the film until it recently came via Netflix and I wish I had seen it sooner. I admit I never even heard of the film until I watched the Oscars. If you have not taken the time to see Crazy Heart yet. Do it. You will not be disappointed.
To read more of my reviews starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Collin Farrell click on the tags below.