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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)

Viagem ao Princípio do Mundo, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are:  Portugal
wikipedia



Overview:
"One of the most beautiful films ever made about aging. VOYAGE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD brings together 89-year-old Portuguese film maker Manoel de Oliveira and Italian icon Marcello Mastroianni, in what would be his last film. Playing a film maker clearly based on Oliveira, Mastolianni takes three actor friends on a driving tour of a mountain village, where one of the actors (Jean-Yves Gautier) is united with the elderly aunt he has never met. Family becomes the link between the past and present, in a film of great simplicity, dignity, and wisdom. Through Mastroianni, Oliveira speculates on the beginnings and endings (the village is in the North, where the Portuguese nation began), on what remains of the past (a primitive wooden statute, the meaning of which has been lost) and on what disappears (the ruins of a hotel). The cinematography, by Renato Berta, is at once radiantly clear and surrealistically devoid of detail - as if what we were seeing was already a recollection." - Dave Kehr, NY DAILY NEWS

My Thoughts:
This was a beautiful, poetic film, simple in execution, subtle and complicated in thought.  It's a study in character, in memory and origins, the meaning and hold of the past, whether that be the past of the individual, the family, or the country.  It's a film that takes it time - another person might say it's slow and talky.  There really isn't any action, all of the conflict is internal, and there are no heroes or villains. Instead it's a film about the search for identity, whether that search is focussed toward the family one comes from or things left behind from one's youth as age has taken over.

I found it to be an elegant little film with a lovely nostalgic atmosphere, but as much as I enjoyed the film, I would only recommend it for the art house crowd.  There is nothing to hold the attention of the Hollywood blockbuster crowd.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on May 12th, 2013)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

8. Smashed
Spike discovers that his chip now allows him to hurt Buffy; it seems Buffy came back wrong somehow. Willow reverts Amy to human form and the two party with magic.

My Thoughts:
This was another good episode. Obviously Willow goes nuts with her magic addiction.

9. Wrecked
Willow nearly gets Dawn killed after going to see a warlock for a dose of magic, and thus decides to go told turkey on the magic.

My Thoughts:
This is also a good episode. This is the episode that Willow hits rock bottom.

10. Gone
A social services worker threatens to take guardianship of Dawn. Meanwhile, the Geek Trio accidentally turn Buffy invisible with a ray gun.

My Thoughts:
This is another one of those episodes that is little more then just fun. I try and try... but I just can't take the Trio seriously.


11. Doublemeat Palace
The Slayer takes a job at a burger joint, and suspects that something demonic might be going on.

My Thoughts:
This is one of the ones that is a decent episode... but just nothing all that special about it. Just a basic good episode.

12. Dead Things
Warren kills Katrina and frames the Slayer for it.

My Thoughts:
Decent episode... and at least the Trio is finally seems somewhat evil and slightly more serious in this episode.

13. Older and Far Away
Dawn feels like the odd-girl out on Buffy's birthday, leading to a fateful wish that leaves the Slayer and her friends trapped in the Summers' home with a demon.

My Thoughts:
Ahhh.... Another Buffy Birthday episode... these are always entertaining. I felt they had a good concept for this one... and was really into it. Though I do have to admit I think the way it ended and how they finally got out of the house a little bit of a cop-out.

14. As You Were
Buffy is jolted by the reappearance of Riley, who needs her to help him - and his new wife - track a demon egg nest.

My Thoughts:
And Riley is back.... for what I believe is the final time in the rest of the series. Also (if I am not mistaking) the end of the Buffy/Spike sexapades.  A decent episode... though nothing too special.

(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 26th, 2007)