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Shutter Island, a review by Jon

Shutter Island
4 out of 5





While not a horror as such, this has enough elements to warrant inclusion in the tail end of the genre, the end that becomes pure thriller. And what an excellent contribution to the genre this is.

Shutter Island and InceptionInception is very much a modern filmmaking style, especially prevalent since The Matrix, making the viewer gasp at spectacular set-pieces while leaving intriguing questions unanswered, Shutter IslandMystic River, Gone Baby Gone) without losing the pace. Martin Scorcese compliments the story perfectly and this is probably his most playful film since Cape FearCat People, BedlamGhost Ship, as the ferry carrying the Marshalls emerges from the mist. Scorcese with Director of Photography Robert Richardson (Inglourious Basterds) has created a film that defines sumptuous, despite the muted palette.

It seems the aim in modern filmmaking to make the audience question what they see. People are still talking about Inception, trying to interpret how the story unfolds, trying to work out Nolan the Magician. Shutter IslandInception

(From Jon's Horror-thon 2010 on November 2nd, 2010)

Clash of the Titans, a review by Dragonfire

Clash of the Titans Before history and beyond imagination! The machinations of gods above and the fates of man and monsters here below play out in a Clash of the Titans. Decades prior to the sensational 2010 version of the tale, Harry Hamlin took up sword and shield to play valorous Perseus, mortal son of Zeus (Laurence Olivier) who sets out to fulfill his destiny by rescuing beloved Andromeda from the wrath of goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith). Perils await Perseus time and again. And eye-filling thrills await viewers as stop-motion effects legend Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts) unleashes snake-haired Medusa, fearsome Kraken, winged Pegasus, two-headed dog Dioskilos, giant scorpions and more. Rejoice, fantasy fans: the movie gods gift us with adventure that's innovative, heroic, titanic. My Thoughts After seeing the remake a few months ago, I decided to pick up the original on DVD when I found it fairly cheap.  I had forgotten most of what happens.  So much was changed for the remake that it really isn't the same story anymore.  While I enjoyed the remake overall, this version is better, thought the story still has some issues.  The relationship between Perseus and Andromeda is the whole reason why he goes on the quest to find a way to deal with the Kraken, but they barely spend any time together before the quest even though they were getting married.  The relationship isn't that believable really, though it manages to work for the most part.  There is enough going on to keep things interesting.  The action is done well, though some of the effects do look a bit dated now.  I think they work well though, and aren't distracting like some of the newer CGI can be.  The remake really went overboard with the CGI.  None of the characters are developed much, so some of the cast doesn't have a lot to work with.  Even with the issues, the story and everything just works a bit better in this version.  I'm thinking now that I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the remake as much if I had seen this one before seeing it.  Too much is changed for the remake, the biggest thing being the motivation for Perseus going on his quest.  It just doesn't work as well in the remake. I did get a longer review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look. Clash of the Titans (1981)

(From Clash of the Titans (1981) on June 3rd, 2010)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

19. I Only Have Eyes For You (1998-04-28)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Marti Noxon (Writer)
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Meredith Salinger (Grace Newman), Christopher Gorham (James Stanley), John Hawkes (George), Miriam Flynn (Ms. Frank), Brian Reddy (Police Chief Bob), James Marsters (Spike), Juliet Landau (Drusilla), Armin Shimerman (Principal Snyder), Brian Poth (Fighting Boy), Sarah Bibb (Fighting Girl), James Lurie (Mr. Miller), Ryan Taszreak (Ben), Anna Coman-Hidy (50's Girl #1), Vanessa Bednar (50's Girl #2)

A good episode. I especially like the fact, that Angel and Buffy switch the (gender) role at the re-enactment at the end.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on February 15th, 2009)