tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post995585020347488439..comments2024-02-10T01:22:29.316-08:00Comments on Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: Shutter IslandKevin J. Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-66727976064831609952010-03-03T21:58:51.114-08:002010-03-03T21:58:51.114-08:00Andrew:
Your review was one of my favorites. No ...Andrew:<br /><br />Your review was one of my favorites. No prob on the link. Thanks for stopping and commenting.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-57687411660500456192010-03-03T21:58:10.851-08:002010-03-03T21:58:10.851-08:00Jason:
I don't want it to seem like I don'...Jason:<br /><br />I don't want it to seem like I don't understand what you're saying in regards to the mystery plot. I actually agree with you. The purpose of my post was to focus on what I loved about the film and how for my experience the problematic storytelling didn't bother my ultimate outlook on the film.<br /><br />I agree that a more linear story or something that doesn't rely on flashbacks without us knowing the context (beyond he was in the war and he lost his wife in a "fire") would be vastly more affecting and cinematically the equivalent to something like <i>Vertigo</i> (plus it would have made the whole "he's the insane one" twist less of a big revelation and more of a sad and dark admission.)<br /><br />However, for some reason those problems weren't big enough to derail my enthusiasm for the film. I do find it odd though that Schoonmaker, an almost always reliable editor, couldn't convince Marty to cut this thing differently.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-20670485668811187702010-03-03T14:34:14.554-08:002010-03-03T14:34:14.554-08:00Thanks for the shout-out, Kevin!
This is well-wri...Thanks for the shout-out, Kevin!<br /><br />This is well-written, enthusiastic review. Like Jason, I'm a little talked out on the film now, but it's great to see more cogent commentary emerging as time goes on.The Caustic Ignostichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573539801150336099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-26282410277981429752010-03-03T04:39:55.264-08:002010-03-03T04:39:55.264-08:00"I know I am going to see this again."
..."I know I am going to see this again."<br /><br />And I predict you'll like it even better. I don't know if you (and others) are being "too easy" on Scorsese. In my debates about this film, I realize I'm getting all too close to suggesting there are certain rules that must be followed -- that is, that if Scorsese follows the <i>Vertigo</i> model in one way that he should follow it completely. That's not my goal.<br /><br />Thus far, however, while I've seen the mystery justified and defended in many interesting and legitimate ways, I've yet to have someone build the case that the movie is actually better because of all the effort it spends kinda-sorta hiding things. Likewise, I've yet to find an argument that convinces me that the movie would lose anything -- in fact, I think it would gain a lot -- by letting the cat out of the bag much earlier.<br /><br />So to that degree, yes, I think Scorsese is getting a bit of the kid gloves treatment. But he's certainly made an interesting film that is at times quite moving. I just can't escape my feeling that it could have so easily been more interesting and more compelling, just by nixing the mystery drama.<br /><br />OK, I'm done rambling.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-33221989647610914772010-03-02T18:07:32.585-08:002010-03-02T18:07:32.585-08:00Jason:
Thanks for the kind words. I like doing re...Jason:<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. I like doing reviews this way when I'm trying to hammer out a post, and then I take these thoughts and make it more conventional. But I think I might start using this template more as it cuts though a lot of the stuff I don't like in traditional reviews and allows me to talk more at length on the things that interested me.<br /><br />I did see the Emerson entry. It made me think of the time when Scorsese was on Ebert's show doing 'The Best Films of the 90's' and they were talking about <i>Eyes Wide Shut</i> and how all of the critics and audience members were wrong by trying to hold that film to some kind of realistic standard (i.e. "I can see British street signs in what is supposed to be New York!")...the clip is on Youtube, and it speaks to what Scorsese does with a lot of his films. I liked Jim's title for his post: 'Artifice and truth'...very apt.<br /><br />As for how you felt about the Patricia Clarkson scene...well...I took be to the final straw where he is trying to link all of these un-linkable things together. I don't think it's a mistake that the scene is preceded by the moment where "Teddy" is on the edge of a cliff...another obvious but appropriate metaphor. I do agree that the scene dragged too long.<br /><br />One of the things that I think Scorsese did really well was lay off the groan-inducing metaphors (although the storm could qualify)which were abundant in his previous film <i>The Departed</i> (especially that horrible final shot).<br /><br />I don't know if it's a problem that the image above has more weight after the fact. I found the scene pretty emotional to begin with, and when I figured out was going on, and Scorsese did his <i>Vertigo</i> thing at the end then I just found that moment -- and all the other flashbacks -- to be heartbreaking. Perhaps I'm being too easy on him and not thinking enough about the story...I guess we'll see because I know I am going to see this again.<br /><br />Thanks for your ramblings. It's always great to have you stop by and leave your thoughts.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-14384082839912813012010-03-02T17:57:47.433-08:002010-03-02T17:57:47.433-08:00John:
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad yo...John:<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you liked the film, too.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-39433881553999054002010-03-02T17:37:51.757-08:002010-03-02T17:37:51.757-08:00Thanks for the link, Kevin. I like how you've ...Thanks for the link, Kevin. I like how you've reviewed the film. Strong, specific analysis. Good stuff.<br /><br />You've probably seen it by now, but <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2010/03/artifice_and_truth_from_mean_s.html" rel="nofollow">Emerson</a> unearthed some Scorsese footage and accompanied it with screen shots in a way that underlines your points about how <i>Shutter Island</i> plays with genre and form.<br /><br />I'm kind of talked out on the film in general, having posted thoughts all over the place, but I did want to respond to the Kenny quote above: "it's a chronicle of a man who simply cannot stop hurting himself, cutting himself open."<br /><br />Alas, that's not what it's a chronicle of. At least it's not a chronicle of that until Scorsese drops the whole mystery nonsense. On the other hand, the latter half of <i>Vertigo</i> totally fits Kenny's description.<br /><br />I was on to the mystery early, but the mystery proves so empty that it's an unnecessary distraction. To me the best example is the Patricia Clarkson scene. Does that reveal a man cutting himself open, or is that a needlessly long scene that misdirects us toward the mystery?<br /><br />As I've said elsewhere, I find myself defending the movie to doubters and picking it apart when I come across believers. On the whole, I enjoyed the movie, and I think a second viewing -- when I can ignore the mystery altogether -- might make me like it even more. But Kenny's quote above bugs me because it implies that we go through the film with the understanding that we have at the end. And we don't.<br /><br />As I'm typing this, I see the image of Teddy with his arms wrapped around his wife as she drifts away. What a terrific image! But it means so much more to me now, now that I know. Isn't it a problem when a still of the movie after the fact has more weight than the film itself on first run? Is anything really gained from the mystery? On the whole, isn't the mystery a net loss?<br /><br />Anyway, this has turned into a ramble. It's an interesting picture to discuss; I love it for that. I'd been saving your review for when I had time to digest it. Good read.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-31582286421611680402010-03-01T08:22:53.301-08:002010-03-01T08:22:53.301-08:00Kevin,
a great review and I am on board with how ...Kevin,<br /> a great review and I am on board with how good this film is. Scorsese pulled out all the stops and had a lot of fun with this yet as you mention it still contained some of his regular themes like guilt.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-2558530604457981142010-03-01T00:08:36.341-08:002010-03-01T00:08:36.341-08:00Sam:
Thanks for the link on the MMD. I appreciat...Sam:<br /><br />Thanks for the link on the MMD. I appreciate it. I'm glad you loved the movie, too, it's certainly the deepest film of Scorsese's recent output. Dante Feretti's exquisite set design -- which you wonderfully inventory in your comment -- is one of the stand-out aspects of the film. I also like what you say about the weather, and I love how Scorsese makes it a point (yeah it's obvious, but whatever) to show how serene the weather on the island is as Teddy arrives (a cloud is coming when they're arriving) and when he "leaves" (that closing shot is great)...suggesting what you're getting at with your comment about the storm. <br /><br />Thanks again for the link and for stopping by here, Sam. I appreciate it...as always!Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-83179337506130052192010-03-01T00:03:08.492-08:002010-03-01T00:03:08.492-08:00Troy:
Hurry up and write your post. We agree on ...Troy:<br /><br />Hurry up and write your post. We agree on a lot of things, which we discussed at breakfast yesterday, but I'll say it again based in your great comment here: you're right-on. The film is an experience, and even though it's not the one I thought I was paying for...it ended up being something that I hadn't seen from Scorsese in a little over 10 years.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-81897239001836266602010-03-01T00:01:21.890-08:002010-03-01T00:01:21.890-08:00Hokahey:
Thanks for the comment! I think I stupi...Hokahey:<br /><br />Thanks for the comment! I think I stupidly omitted your review in those links. I apologize. Your thoughts on the film didn't necessarily mirror mine, but your argument against the film (especially on the length of the film, which we agree on, but bothered me less than you) is more than valid. I do remember you talking about the music. It was so wonderfully campy...again fitting nicely with the noir tropes that play out in Teddy's imagination.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-34817706221059273982010-02-28T23:58:11.187-08:002010-02-28T23:58:11.187-08:00David:
Thanks for the kind words. I loved your r...David:<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. I loved your review, too! Thanks for stopping by.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-85939900236631567682010-02-28T19:31:00.306-08:002010-02-28T19:31:00.306-08:00Kevin, I am frantically trying to get through the ...Kevin, I am frantically trying to get through the prep of the MMD now, but I couldn't ignore this great essay, which is also informed with a number of superb critical excerpts. But above all, we are on the same page with this one. I have been frustrated with some negative appraisals in some corners of the blogosphere, but you really frame this film marvelously and accentuate its strengths, which of course are it's exquisite set pieces in those unforgettable places (i.e. the lighthouse, cave, study, cafeteria, cemetery burial vault) and it's marvelous use of weather as something that externalizes the action.<br /><br />Bravo!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-281950963275302152010-02-28T16:58:33.427-08:002010-02-28T16:58:33.427-08:00Good thoughts here -- I haven't made the round...Good thoughts here -- I haven't made the rounds on the rest of the blogosphere's views yet, so I'm not fully aware of the debate out there on this film.<br /><br />I quite like that Scorsese played it straight, for the most part, and didn't employ the Shyamalan-like twists (which I guess I was expecting).<br /><br />As you point out, the most off-putting thing about the whole endeavor is that the marketing was extremely misleading as to the type of film this was. I was expecting something over-the-top and a bit crazy ala CAPE FEAR (which it had moments of), I got closer to A BEAUTIFUL MIND as filtered through Scorsese.<br /><br />But whatever, as you point out, it's the craft involved that makes me enjoy the film. I hadn't thought about the projected backgrounds in such a manner as you point out -- that's deep man -- but saw allusions to plenty of great cinema touchpoints. Much like watching a Tarantino film, Scorsese allows us to take a journey with him through his lifetime of film watching/study/enjoyment.<br /><br />As for the guilt aspect, I thought the whole VERTIGO allusion played well into that (as you state, it is a pretty obvious homage). I immediately was comparing Teddy to Scottie and looking at the connections between the two characters (and someone has covered this already, right? Because that could take some time, comparing the two. We weren't the only ones who noticed?). Even without that, the guilt aspect was played up extremely well through the flashbacks to his wife and his wartime experiences. Scorsese builds up sympathy for Teddy where at the end we don't want to believe that he's the crazy one -- we want him to be on some righteous journey to expose some terribly conspiracy.<br /><br />And beyond all this, I'll just have to write my own blogpost, instead of trying to hijack your comment section.<br /><br />Oh, one last thing. I like this format you did here (I notice you did it for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS as well). It's a great way of getting your thoughts out without having to hit just the big points of the film. I may have to try it.Troy Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843741571724231174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-28359242167800780632010-02-28T16:35:05.363-08:002010-02-28T16:35:05.363-08:00An excellent analysis. I like your observation tha...An excellent analysis. I like your observation that the ferry emerging from the fog alludes to <i>King Kong</i>. Also, you refer to the dramatic musical score, and if you remember from my post, I found the grand entrance through the gates of the asylum to be one of the best moments in the film. Also, the massacre scene, which you analyze well. Also, the images you post here make me wonder why I didn't enjoy the film more than I did. I mean, I admired the construction of this film with all its visual embellishment, but I felt it dragged on too long and it had an ending that involved too many words of explanation - and I was disappointed with the explanation. <br /><br />Now, this is a total non sequitur, but I noticed the picture you have here for "Blog Awards" - "You are a great read!" - and I noticed the book that the rather attractive librarian has dropped. Looking closer I realized it's <i>Spirit Lake</i>, an epic novel by MacKinlay Kantor, and I've read it, and it's one of my favorite books. I know this is a weird observation, but I just had to say it.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-75738213164973733982010-02-28T15:03:13.871-08:002010-02-28T15:03:13.871-08:00I love your detailed write-up here and thanks for ...I love your detailed write-up here and thanks for the link.<br /><br />I especially like your "layered" take on Scorsese's use of projected backdrops. I don't think they were simply "homages" to past noirs either. <br /><br />Great stuff, man!David H. Schleicherhttp://davethenovelist.worpdress.comnoreply@blogger.com