Craic Addict Films
Editing the movie right now…
Shutter Island
I really liked this film, and I’ll tell you why, but before I do, let me say this:
Spoilers ahead!
The poster of the film
People who don’t like this film don’t get it. Right from the start, Martin Scorsese is playing with the audience. Many nerds and geeks will watch it and guffaw a few times, saying “haha, the continuity is out of whack!”. These people are idiots.
The whole film is playing with the protagonist’s (and our) perception; the continuity is out of whack deliberately to confuse and disjoint us – Thelma doesn’t balls things up.
The thing I really liked about the film is that both endings are possible – Teddy may be insane, or he may have been set up, it’s up to the audience to decide. The film deserves multiple viewings, but not just for this reason alone; watch it many times, simply because it is a great film by an auteur.
I’ve heard a few people that have said Scorsese knows nothing about films; these people know nothing of anything, and deserve to spend the rest of their lives on Shutter Island.
A bit sour
This is going to sound very much like sour grapes. I like to moan about a lot of things – ask my wife. I’ll have a good old rant about a variety of subjects, whether I fully understand them or not. We’re all entitled to our opinions, and the vast network of the web allows us all to put what we think into the public domain. This of course is not what is grinding my gears at the moment, but I have strong feelings about that issue as well.
Anyhow, I was watching the BAFTAs last night, and I was particularly interested in the “Best First Director Award” – as a first timer myself, it’s nice to see what’s happening in the real world.
I was a bit miffed by who won the award – Duncan Jones for Moon.
Now, I fully admit I don’t know the guy, and I probably never will. I don’t have issue with him, just the decision to award him the BAFTA. Moon didn’t really do anything for me, to be honest. It had a decent enough trailer and concept, but I found it unexciting for the most part. I kept expecting something big to happen, which never did. The scale of the production was immense, and the special effects and model sequences were awe-inspiring, but I found the story lack-lustre. Hang me if you like – it’s just my opinion, and I’m a nobody.
What got on my nerves was the fact that this “first time director” has never suffered the kind of rejection, stress, heartache, and general turmoil that most first timers experience, myself included, as he is David Bowie’s son.
Let that sink in for a moment. David Bowie’s son – Zowie Bowie – now Duncan Jones, has a wealth of contacts, and an immediate access to funding for his career. Even Trudie Styler got in on the act – Sting’s wife, who occasionally produces films. He has bypassed most of the hurdles that first timers endure because he has money – money for crew, cast, equipment, sets, props and special effects.
It would be great to have a huge money pot to delve into as a first timer – it could solve a lot of my problems I’m facing at the minute with my own production. But wait – most of the problems I’m facing aren’t life or death – they just require some troubleshooting. I like troubleshooting. I like looking at a problem and coming up with solutions. Maybe having no money isn’t so bad after all, as I jump from one puzzle to another in my quest to get my vision onto a viewable medium. Maybe I shouldn’t be too bitter about having no money as perhaps Mr Jones is missing out on some of the more exciting and challenging aspects of filmmaking.
It would be nice to have the experience of both to compare and contrast!
Congratulations to Duncan Jones for his First Time Director BAFTA. I did actually enjoy it!
Been a while…
Apologies for the lateness in updating, but I’ve had a good reason – I’ve just regained my faculties from watching Avatar last week.
Yes, it is that damn good. Do not listen to any negative reviews – those people are just jealous and have no idea about films. This is the film that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up because your brain realises it has just watched something that will change the world.
The story is amazing, but what is even more amazing is the visuals. Spectacular. You really will believe that you are watching a window to the moon of Pandora.
My only advice to people – see it in 3D, not 2D. You will be doing yourselves an injustice otherwise. The 3D makes it so realistic and lifelike, you’ll come out of the cinema and think your own life is a computer simulation.
Well, heading off here to do some more work on the movie – it’s never-ending, but I like it like that. Have a merry xmas, and a happy new year! I hope 2010 is good to you all!
