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    Shutter Island

    Reviewed by
    psterl3384@

    My first ever ten! How does one address the loss of a loved one? That is at the core of this movie. The lead character is barraged with thoughts that impose themselves into his day-to-day life. Our main character while on a police investigation is constantly pulled away by his memories of his loss. During these scenes of reverie, the director’s use of flowing materials in the peripheral areas is breath talking. These delicate objects seem to float gently, aimlessly- almost dream-like, through these scenes in the movie. As the movie progresses the peripherals become more violent and intrusive- much like the degradation of the characters mood. Scorcese is an artist. The use of symmetry in even the simplest scenes is uncanny. The close-ups are either gritty and graphic OR soft and serene. How can any one make a stack of Holocaust bodies appear surreal, flowing and gentle? Truly this effect was remarkable. I would imagine if one were to turn off all of the audio for this movie, the movie would still be entertaining as a treat for the eyes. As for the acting, well I feel that all actors in all movies do fine work. However I believe that the director enhances the emotions, the moods, and the feelings with his assorted bag of tricks. In this movie, Scorcese is brilliant. I know that this review is a bit long so I will close by saying that this movie is not for anyone under the age of 18, as the viewer discretions advise. It is a visual masterpiece but requires a more cerebral approach in order to enjoy the different storylines and sub-plots, even up to the last line of the movie with all its ironies.

    10
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    psterl3384@  26.2.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

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    Great review. My thoughts exactly. The choice of costumes was interesting. The main guards hat was an interesting shape and size... the inmates in Building C... mainly nude... Di Caprio's tie... the eccentric behavior of the nurses... the apparent lack of a road to the light house... Lots to think about.

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    buddie_dog@  28.2.2010 age: 26-35 20 reviews

    Pat, I posted a longer reply to this reveiw sometime over the weekend. For some reason it was not published. At any event, I really liked the review. You've a better cinematic eye than I do and you're review shows that vision. Perhaps you are involved in graphic design or the visual arts in some way. I also note your other comment about the meanings of water in this film, something I had not even considered. This was not a film I felt able to review, but I liked it as much as you and will be seeing it again. BHiii.

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    basil.herringbone.iii@  1.3.2010 age: 50+ 123 reviews

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    Thanks Basil. Yes the water mirroed his mood and/or dream. There was one scene near the end where his "dead" wife appeared to him through a door. The door was Blood red, while everything else was a dull colour, and its entire surface was a flowing waterfall cascading silently down the door throughout the scene... so surreal. I will be seeing it again too. Thanks for your kind words Pal. I will be looking for your review!! And it's my birthday... check my new age.

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    psterl3384@  1.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    Congratulations and happy birthday, Benjamin Buttons! If I can think of anything to say about this movie, I will write. Till then I cede the floor to thee, my younger colleague! BHiii.

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    basil.herringbone.iii@  1.3.2010 age: 50+ 123 reviews

    A 10 for Shutter Island? That was nice of you. Were you an extra on the set or something?

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    michjulien@  6.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    Funny. Were you trying to elevate yourself by belittling me? Take a look at my other reviews. This is the only ten I have ever given. I would guess, based on your response that you aren't bright enough to see the assorted nuances presented to you in this flick. So instead you just fire out insults to anyone who does not fall into your personal "omg see it now" or Crapfest avoid it" categories. I am entitled to express my opinion and you can have yours. [...]

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    psterl3384@  6.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    You have said that before "OMG see it now" Get a new line! And your defensive stance goes with your NEW 1-12 age group. I know it's your only 10, which was nice of you. Don't get your panties in a bunch. I was seeing WHY you gave it a 10 and not say a 9. Is that to much to ask? I don't know I'm not brite enough.

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    michjulien@  8.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    Mich you were insulting me by asking if I was an extra on the set. I gave it a ten because in my view this is, as the scoring describes, a masterpiece. The storyline is intense and yet intricate. The visuals are woven into the fabric of the main character. The visual parallel/mirror the main characters moods and dreams. The attention to detail is remarkable. The director enhances every character's presentation on screen. I can go on and on. I suppose it is simpler to ask what was wrong it, and I can't think of a thing. I have criticized kids who come in and give a ten and simply say OMG see it NOW. That is used ad nausea by some people, and is not in any way helpful. If they get a new line then I will use it Michie. So you imply I am an inmate and are asking me to distinguish between a nine or a ten... I believe that my review was lengthy enough to explain my position. As for my age well that is an irony that another friend in here and I share, as a joke. And I don't wear panties I wear Depends.

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    psterl3384@  8.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    Let me guess you and your friend Buddle dog, who also gave this movie a 10. I believe your really in the 26-35 range a little early for Depends.

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    michjulien@  8.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    If Buddie gave a ten he must have good tastes. No my friend is a guy named "com" something. He and I have a few chats hidden within other reviews. There is a long thread in wolfman and you can follow our cyber conversation there. He told me that he had written a long review for Shutter Island but it was not posted. I am guessing that it was too long. We also chat about the "age" of the reviewer and how it impacts on the reader. I believe that 'com' also wrote a response in this review section. Just look up to one of the earlier posts in my review. As I read through my assorted other comments I do notice that you are a regular commenter... usually good. I'll hunt around for your other reviews. I am sure that they are succinct and likely in line with my opinions. (Not that it matters to either of us) Yes I might be in the 26-35 range but that horrible lab accident has left me in need of Depends and a bib.

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    psterl3384@  9.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    So back to you mich. I am trying to find some of your reviews, for insight. Did you do one for Shutter?

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    psterl3384@  9.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    I hope that last line is a joke.

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    michjulien@  9.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    Yes Mich. That last line was my feeble attempt at humor. I finally found your reviews. By and large we are on the same page, in terms of rating most movies. Yours tend to be more succinct than mine, which may make them more effective. I tend to focus on a point and then ramble along. If you want a good read go to Wolfman and check out com2013. There are 33 responses to his original post... There is some funny stuff in there. It is one of the earliest reviews for the movie. This includes the topic of posted 'ages'. Nice chatting with you. Have a good day. Pat.

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    psterl3384@  10.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    I also have been reading some of Buddie's posts. I think he is a kid playing games in here. He has posted a couple of notes as though he is me. He is probably doing that to other people as well. Odd indeed. It's too bad you can't block people from using the site. [...]

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    psterl3384@  10.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    Its good to know that was a joke. I will check out com's post. See you at Green Zone and Remember Me.

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    michjulien@  10.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    His review is 4 up from yours on this movie and he made a coment to me when I asked for his review on this. Some of his responces don't seem like a kid so... I'm not sure he seems to rip on other people pretty good.

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    michjulien@  11.3.2010 age: 36-49 174 reviews

    He is a mosquito in a tent... if you ignore him he will go away, I am sure. He is a puzzler. He has only done a few reviews. He seems to get pleasure in lurking and commenting on others' stuff.

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    psterl3384@  11.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    I read his review, and agree with his/her comments. There are tons of tens for this movie... I wish those who gave it a 1-3 range Mark would elaborate on why.

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    psterl3384@  20.3.2010 age: 50+ 202 reviews

    You're not as smart as you thing you are. Buddie_dog and you psterl3384 is the same person. You made a mistake by replying to truemania (age 26-35) critic on Shutter Island as buddie_dog and then, aswering back as psterl3384 responding to your first comment. Explain that!

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    butterflysauvage@  20.3.2010 age: 26-35

    Shutter Island was a miserably boring movie which tried way too hard to be clever. It's hardly a masterpiece and you seem to have been easily mesmerized by the not-so-subtle psychological babble that animated the entire film. The movie was incoherent, shallow and filled with plot-twists that were anything but genuinely suspenseful. This movie is a classic case of a director trying to be too creative to the point where he's too obvious about it, such that it annoys the majority of his audience.

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    adil_socialtheory@  18.12.2011 age: 26-35 40 reviews

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