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I read a review before I went out to watch Shutter Island. It stated that upon finishing the film, you will make plans to see this film again, immediately. I could not agree more. I woke up early this morning to get into the theater as early as possible so I could avoid seeing this with a crowd. By the end I had quite a few thoughts on the film and I actually ended up wishing I had someone to discuss them with. (I know, I know, you're thinking, "Ew, he went to the movies alone?" *presses remove friend*)

There are films that I will go and watch with friends, such as Action flicks or horror films. But then there are films I will make an effort to see alone. Things like Lars Von Trier's AntiChrist and pretty much anything by Martin Scorsese. I find I need quiet and time to properly analyze films like these. (I know, now you're thinking, "Fucking pretentious film geek." *Presses remove friend*)

So here are a few thoughts on Shutter Island:

I will be watching this film again when I get a chance so it is possible that I may come up with new views or these views may change, but this is the state of where we are as of right now.

This film, is clearly something that could only have been headed by a master film maker like Martin Scorsese. You see the grace and beauty of his technique from beginning to end. If anything, this film once again illustrates his mastery of the craft.
The story could have fallen apart easily in the hands of someone less capable. Especially considering

Scorsese avoids this by drawing attention away from having the film hinge only on that moment and instead have it done amazingly casually.

This film is one of the most beautiful I have seen since P.T. Anderson's gorgeous There Will Be Blood. The sequences in which we see DiCaprio's walking nightmares is absolutely stunning, beautiful and haunting at the same time.

Speaking of DiCaprio, he gives probably his finest performance in this film. Definitely his strongest among his Scorsese collaborations. Actually, everyone in this film was really just damn good. It's like these actors know that when working with Scorsese you need to bring your "A" game. Everyone from Ben Kingsly and Mark Ruffalo down to Jackie Earle Haley were frakking excellent.

The film is definitely worth watching, for several sequences I was glued to my seat, tense and excited, but afraid of what was going to happen next. In a way the film demands to be seen again, fuck, I'm definitely going to. I hate that lot's of critics who gave this a bad review were unable to come up with a reason other than something like this, "Well the movie is good, but it's directed by Scorsese, and it isn't as good as Goodfellas of Raging Bull, so I'm gonna say don't watch it." It shouldn't matter that this film isn't as good as Raging Bull. It should be judged on it's own merits. I mean that's like saying, Inglourious Basterds isn't as good as Pulp Fiction, so that must mean Basterds is shit. Well then that must mean that 90% of the films that have come out since 1994 are also shit.

Final thought, this has nothing to do with Shutter Island. I realize that this little bit I just wrote is basically me stroking off Scorsese for several paragraphs, but all I can say to that is I would take a shot in the mouth if it meant I could be 1/10 as talented as he is.

DO IT!!!