Shutter Island (2010)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Also the director of The Departed, Goodfellas, and many more.

Plot Summary: It's 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He's been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he wonders whether he hasn't been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals "escape" in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything - his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.

The Good: First off, where could Martin Scorsese go wrong when having Leonardo Dicaprio as his main character? At first I was skeptical about seeing this movie. I had friends and co workers who said it was creepy and unbearable, while some others said it was really interesting. I am glad that I took the initiative to judge the movie through my own eyes, because hands down this film has become one of my new favorites. It literally keeps you on your toes the entire time, but definitely gets your brain working. I was legit exhausted after watching the movie because not only did it make me think to the absolute fullest, but gave me the ability to think outside of the box. It was well worth the exhaustion though. The plot itself is just amazing and unpredictable, but we are talking about Martin Scorsese who wrote The Departed, which is also one of my favorite movies directed by him.

The Bad: I wouldn’t exactly consider any part of this movie bad. Although it was kind of extreme in the sense where it could be considered disturbing to many people. Shutter Island opens a whole new world from the perspective of the sanity of people who have gone crazy because of life triumphs. It definitely got me wondering if there is even such thing of what we all consider a “normal person”. We live in a sick and frightening world and just because a movie touches upon the fact of the negative aspects of life and of the minds of people, does not mean it is bad by any means.

Overall: I would give this movie 5 stars for sure. A 5 star movie in my eyes is one that opens windows in the mind that have never been opened before. That is exactly what Shutter Island did for me. Yes, I would agree that the movie is disturbing and that there are some scenes that make your hair on your arms rise, and make it so you have to look away… But this is what makes the movie so different and amazing. The overall approach to the movie was well thought out and genius. I definitely recommend this to anyone who craves mental stimulation, because it sheds plenty. Also the lovely Leonardo did a fantastic job and wasn’t so bad to look at. This lady on the other hand…

Sorority Row (2009)

Directed by: Stewart Hendler.

Also directed another feature film called Whisper.

Plot Summary: "Sorority Row" sees a group of sorority sisters try to cover up the death of their house-sister after a prank gone wrong, only to be stalked by a serial killer.

The Good: From my research on the director of the film it has come to my knowledge that Stewart Hendler hasn't directed many movies that have gone big. I grew up on films like this, ones that have plenty of blood, killing, and gore so ofcourse that is what instantly drew me to this kind of movie. I enjoyed the story plot, it is mysterious and does keep you hanging through-out the entire film. The whole idea of a prank gone wrong immediately made me want to keep watching it. The nudity of young college girls is at an ultimate high so I am sure it is a film that a parent wouldn't want their curious teenage boy to watch. This kind of movie does make you think of how sick and twisted the directors mind must be while writing a film like this, but fortunately I must be sick and twisted as well because the bloody scenes are what lured me further into the movie. This movie definitely did use sex as its main objective with the young beautiful actresses, the nudity and the sex. For instance, the very first scene of the movie consist of half naked college girls drunkenly dancing at a party.

The Bad: Oh, where to start. The plot was extremely predictable hence the music or the quietness that always increased right before someone was being killed. Again, the nudity, which depending who you are this could be a good or bad thing. The first half hour of the movie was a million times better than the last hour. The movie was just a little too obvious and expected, although the end is somewhat of a surprise.

Overall: I would give this movie about 2 stars. It wasn't the most awful, unbearable movie I have ever watched, but it most certainly was not the best. Without the sex appeal or the actresses that actually performed quite well, the movie probably wouldn't even have made it to the theatres. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys low budget horror films that consist of a lot of bloody scenes and half naked sorority girls. You won't go wrong.