Not bad, slightly infantile sometimes but undemanding humour for a night in. You won't remember it in a few months time (or even a few days time) but it does what it says on the tin.
a truly awful film - contrived stereotypical characters, more like a mid seventies sitcom than anything else. do something useful with the time you save not watching this.
Based on Dennis Lehane's novel, Shutter Island follows two US marshalls who are despatched to Ashcliffe Hospital; an institute for the criminally insane, which is located on a remote island. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are charged with the task of investigating the disappearance of one Rachel Solano (Emily Mortimer) who vanished from her cell some 24 hours earlier. Solano - incarcerated for drowning her three children - left no clues as to her whereabouts, save for a cryptic message found by Daniels. Before long, our intrepid duo encounter solid opposition from the medical wing of the institute, as Dr John Cauley (Ben Kingsley) and Dr Jeremiah Naering (Max Von Sydow) refuse access to documents which may contain fragments of evidence. Add to this Daniels' grief-stricken past and the use of psychotropic drugs on already unhinged patients, and the scene is set for a debillitating excursion into a world haunted by the past and fuelled by the present terrifying locale.
If Shutter Island is really a B-Movie with A-list ingredients, it succeeds on both levels, working as a loving homage to '40s/'50s noir cinema, and as a glowing testament to the skills of an exceptional cast and crew.
Here, DiCaprio excells with what may just be his best performance to date, battling the ghosts of his part in a World War II liberation of Dachu alongside unbearable personal loss, whilst Kingsley and Von Sydow present a formidable barrier to exactly what is going on in their institute.
For Martin Scorsese, this is territory that suits his directorial skills down to the ground, full of Hitchcockian sensibilities and - fittingly - a love not just of noir-ish nightmares, but also of the inky black horror from a genre he greatly admires. Indeed, Shutter Island is often reminescent of Sam Fuller's Shock Corridor and Brad Anderson's bone-chilling Session 9, with less out-and-out shcks than the former, but perhaps a greater sense of depth and purpose.
By combining a series of flashbacks, halucinations and real-time terror, Scorsese has fashioned perhaps his best film since that golden '70s period, and is even audacious enough to leave a liberal sprinkling of clues before our eyes and ears.
With a high replay value, Shutter Island will doubtless prompt many return trips, whether or not you believe the mystery has finally been solved.
most people these days have seen a martial arts film but never back down is different. its about fighting for sure but its also about trying to fit in and how difficult it is to fit in in a place that is new and not letting life get you down even if life is beating you down NEVER BACK DOWN!!
I really didn't expect much from this film, other than a typically good performance from Sandra Bullock and perhaps a classic American High school ending, full of cheer leaders and ceremony, where the hero wins the game from the losing side. However I must eat my words and say that this drama really has a lot going for it.
Sandra Bullock is outstanding, and a very worthy Oscar winner for best actress as the determined and forthright, perhaps some would say brusque, Leigh Anne Tuohy, who literally picks up Michael from the street and takes him home because she has a hunch that all is not right. Quinton Aaron is the highly credible Michael, who has been neglected by his crack addict mother, is struggling academically at school, and despite his enormous potential to be a great athlete due to his sheer size and bulk, and hasn't quite got a grasp of what is expected of him during training, because his natural inclination is to avoid aggression.
Despite looking quite extraordinary as a huge black teenager in a household of petite middle class Americans, Michael adapts quite quickly to living with the Tuohy's, mainly because they are remarkably warm, unjudgemental and generous without being sanctimonious or boastful. In fact, Michael's real break stems from this unconditional love that he is given. Essentially Michael is not achieving at school either academically or athletically and without giving too much away, the plot follows how the family, in particular Leigh Anne, goes out of her way to ensure Michaels happiness and fulfilment. There are also a few gentle comedic moments, such as Michael's new wardrobe, which consists entirely of Rugby shirts, and his new little brother's rather unflattering but entirely justifiable opinion of them. There are also some quite poignant scenes, particularly where Leigh Anne goes in search of Michael's real mother and when having bought the 18 year old a bed, Michael comments that he hasn't ever had a bed of his own before.
The setting of the film, which is predominantly around the Tuohy's prosperous environment contrasted with several episodes in the downtown ghetto, provokes consideration of the clever title, 'The Blind Side. Initially the film explains that the task of the quarter back (I may have the wrong football position here) is to protect the star player (sorry I didn't really understand the football rules). But there are several blind sides to humanity alluded to: one being the enormous gulf between those who are affluent and those who live in deprivation; the other is about what motivates us to do good and bad actions. Leigh Anne challenges her wealthy friends on the question of whether they had ever gone to the other side of the city, where there is abject poverty, crime and neglect, and she is challenged about why she would take in a young black man to her home, with the suggestion of potential harm to her daughter. I really enjoyed Leigh Anne's preparedness to challenge the bigoted attitudes of others - a particularly difficult task with friends.
The subject of motivation is interesting. Quite clearly others would question why the family chose to take Michael in, but what is really thought provoking, is the questioning that Leigh Anne has of her own motivations, and whether indeed she is a good person. It brings to mind the philosophical question, 'is there such a thing as altruism', or is everything we do, however good, motivated by our own selfish motivations and ambitions. Although it is not covered in great depth by the movie, it certainly alludes to the subject's complexities.
So as well as a lovely feel good family film based on a true story, some probing of moral and social dilemmas, and a gentle humour , some nice performances by a supporting cast that includes Cathy Bates and Tim McGraw- the Blind Side is definitely worth watching.
This is a true classic, a must see!
Well, what can I say about this classic film. Released in 1960 and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, it was way ahead of it's time. It's an absolutely fantastic film with a perfect performance from Anthony Perkins as the troubled motel owner, Norman. The film is still as scary as it was when it was first released and will always be known as one of the best films of all time.
As for picture quality on this bluray, it is the best Psycho has ever looked. I've had a VHS and a DVD of it, and the quality of this is unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I saw! It looks like the film was made yesterday! The audio quality is also a huge improvement.
I cannot recommend this film enough. If you've seen it, buy it and watch it again. If you haven't seen it, you're in for a treat. It's one of my all time favourite films and I could watch it every day. 5 stars.
If there were ever a reason for movie purists to upgrade to Blu-ray, then the 50th Anniversary edition of Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' has to be considered as one of the front runners.
A lot of people believe that Blu-ray is simply to showcase the more modern HD special-effects laden movies of the 21st century, but this certainly isn't the case. With all the attention and care taken over this newest 'Psycho' release, we see just how good older movies can look, even 50 years after they were first released.
'Psycho' was never a movie that relied heavily on visual effects, but rather a compelling story with a notorious 'shower scene' and the unusual treatment of a notable star in Janet Leigh (perhaps known best to modern audiences as the mother of Jamie Lee Curtis). And of course, what better director than Hitchcock to present the twists and turns of the unusual Norman Bates, played to perfection by Anthony Perkins.
Even in 2010, 'Psycho' manages to have one of the most compelling stories, involving characters that you just don't know what they'll do next. Hitchcock had a way of filling the audience with suspense and shocking them to their very core. In fact, critics were not even allowed to see the movie before the general public, ensuring everyone was surprised at the movie itself. Such secrecy these days is near impossible with the Internet and Youtube so easily accessible. Hitchcock rode this wave of notoriety and 'Psycho' cemented its place in Hollywood history.
A movie has to be special to be worthy of a release such as this. The Blu-ray print leaves 'Psycho' looking better than it ever has done, and the extras tread the fine line between depth and over-informed. I personally found every detail fascinating - from the 77 camera angles used in the shower scene, to the integral use of music throughout the movie. The package offered here is a real treat for avid movie fans, and really manages to put you in the 1960s with a real understanding of what the movie did at the time. It will certainly make you wish you could have seen it in the cinema right then, sharing in the awe and hysteria surrounding it.
To know that, as with movies like 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' this movie is based loosely on the real crimes of a serial killer, only adds to the terror. It certainly makes you think twice about staying in any unfamiliar hotels. The trepidation created by the black and white images, along with Bernard Herrmann's string-heavy score, is something that many movies have tried to recreate since but often failed. Nowadays our horrors and thrillers are often too glossy and overly gory, and they lose the sense of genuine dread that Hitchcock created so expertly.
I cannot recommend this release of 'Psycho' highly enough. It is a wholely commendable effort by all involved, restoring a movie that truly deserves to look and sound this good. I can only imagine how Hitchcock would feel if he saw his work so visually stunning in 2010. I think he'd be extremely proud.
This is a Blu-ray release for collectors and movie fans alike, old and new.
The Bates Motel. A shower. Alfred Hitchcock. A classic restored in its full glory.
Definately a very funny film. Omud Djalili gives an excellent performance.
I loved this film i felt in todays current situation this is the perfect mix of comedy and truth. Omid Djalli is hilarious and it is quite clear to me that david baddiel is infact a genius the script could not have been written any better to maximise its comic affect....5 out of 5
This movie is genuinely funny! It features funny performances from Richard Schiff, Matt Lucas & Miranda Hart, but Omid Djalili is responsible for making this movie very very funny! It provides a great 'how to' be Jewish and also gives a funny look on religious stereotypes! I recommend you watch it!
Funny!
This film is the definitive (and first) version of the classic Dickens novel.
As with many films on first release (which subsequently become revered over time as a classic) this won no awards in 1948/9. This was wholly due to the fact that "Fagin" strongly resembled the archetypal Nazi image of a Jew (very sensitive subject so soon after WWII). In fact, the reality was that the grotesque nose was not part of the original screenplay, but Alec Guinness (when made up as Fagin as per the scripted description) looked so remarkably like Jesus Christ that they had to strongly detract from this image! Hence the nose - perhaps in hindsight, this was insensitive.
The passage of time, however, no longer allows this error in judgment to detract from a remarkably strong drama, which is still capable of shocking you. The imagery is classic David Lean, capturing as he does, the Victorian atmosphere to perfection, with plenty of seediness, fear and foreboding.
The murder of Nancy by Bill Sykes is probably the best filmed version ever. Never once do you see any gratuitous detail of the murder, but only see Sykes' dog reacting to this appalling act, which has more impact on you than you could think was possible.
One of the best films ever made.
This is a surprisingly engaging, if quirky film, about the hopes and aspirations of a group of people in the east end of London
Little Joe (Jonathon Ashmore) believes these aspirations can be realised by his belief that his goat (kid) can grant wishes (it has a single horn).
With sumptuous Technicolor (unusual for a British film in the 1950s) and all round good performances from a stalwart cast, you can't help but be drawn into the characters and find yourself actually caring what happens to them.
A surprise find and well worth buying the DVD.
As an aside, Jonathan Ashmore is the son of actress Rosalie Crutchly.
This is a fascinating film. The story is pretty simple. Hard man, Colin Diamond isn't so hard when his wife Meredith tells him she has a lover and is leaving him. Apart from the expected brutality you would expect from this revelation -it is a gangster film after all - comes a less typically but probably more realistic interpretation of the likely fallout produced. Without spoiling the plot too much, predictably his mates want to seek revenge, but what emerges is that really they think that Diamond is being a bit of a drip ( and that is putting it in much politer terminology than they use) and they just want to do the necessary damage and get on with their lives. At times there are some surreal moments which although initially confusing, represent the scenes going on in Colin's distressed and alcohol induced hallucinations. Winstone is utterly convincing throughout his tear stained performance, which due to its small cast and simple set locations would seamlessly transfer to the stage. Other outstanding performances occur from all the actors in this relatively small cast, but particularly from John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson. If you just like shoot 'em ups, you might agree with the negative reviews from others, but if you like intelligent writing and well considered acting performances, you are guaranteed to enjoy this film, as long as you can bear the inevitable strong language.
Verdict
Gripping, interesting and well performed!
I'm in plaster so we usually stay in on a Saturday evening at the moment. Bought this for our Saturday evening viewing as TV stations are hopeless. How glad I did, what a brilliant film, it was hilarious and Omid particularly was great. Would highly recommend it, can't wait to watch it again
Made Our Saturday Evening Viewing Perfect
A few good laughs with this film. Definately worth a watch
I felt the film was hilarious. And because it was English it made it a little bit better :)
Omid Djalili gave an fantastic comic Performance. He makes a convincing typical Muslim man in Britain, who doesn't pray all the time, fast every single day of Ramadan, or always abstain from alcohol. Yet he finds a reason to form a closeness with religion after he finds out shocking and upsetting news that he was born Jewish.
Its a film about our personal identity at its core, and Omid, being neither a Muslim nor a Jew, in fact he is a Baha'i, is really able to get to grips with the script.
At times it can seem rushed and may have worked better as a TV series, but overall a very enjoyable movie.
Brilliant film a must see in my opinion
When I hear of David Baddiel I always think football and that lets me down, however I was pleasantly surprised to see that this wasnt! Great comedy in every way and fantastic credit to the actors. A mixture of Jewishism and Muslim. Comedy at its finest. Ok the storyline wasnt at its best but the humour and direction led this film to be an excellent viewing.
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