Shutter Island
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Rated: R for disturbing violent content, language and nudity.
While Scorsese is a master visual artist, I always feel that his films (the few that I’ve seen) fail to have much of impact or message. All-star cast, and spectacular visuals can’t save a harsh and offensive story that fails to move or say much.
State of Play
Starring: Russel Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman
Rated: PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and drug content
Another political thriller from writer Tony Gilroy that packs plenty of punches, twists, and suspense to keep you entertained from start to finish. Crowe and cast are great, and Jason Batemen gives a standout performance. A first-rate thriller that focuses on integrity in a world of mistrust and deception.
While Robert Surtees’ cinematography is fantastic, The Graduate is not a film I enjoyed or appreciated. The screenplay forces characters to interact quicker than reason, and the film is just plain dirty. Skipped through most of the film, and would have rather just listened to my Simon and Garfunkle greatest hits album.
Bonnie and Clyde
Directed by: Arthur Penn
Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman
Released: 1967
Rated: R for Violence
While the beginning of the film seems forced and on-the-nose, I was actually invested in the film by movie’s end. Estelle Parsons (who won an Oscar for the film) didn’t deserve much recognition for her annoying and easy character, while Gene Hackman and the lovely Faye Dunaway (who didn’t get nominated) deserved the golden trophy, instead. Not sure why this 60s blockbuster is as famous as it is, but it is a truly entertaining film at the least, and caters to the rebel culture of the late 1960s.
The Seventh Seal
Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Max Von Sydow
Released: 1957
The Film is Unrated (although I would say PG-13 for thematic elements)
A masterpiece of philosophical questions that somehow tries to correlate hope in a world of nihilism and failed theology, where the main character plays a chess game with Death (literally) while trying to derive meaning and purpose outside of the “Christian culture” of the middle ages. Bergman’s rejection of his father’s hypocritical and harsh “Christianity” shines through, giving the film a deeper message than the visuals and storytelling would lead you to believe.
That's all for now.
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