Swanner: I feel really bad for this movie because the preview on the film gives the whole story away. The reason I feel bad is that the movie is actually very good and it deserves some attention. To get over that hurdle at my screening I just pretended I had read the novel by Dennis Lehane, so even though I knew the story I was watch the movie to see what director Martin Scorsese was going to do with this very stylish thriller.
Judd: You’re always claiming that you’ve figured out the end of a movie by the time the lights have dimmed. Sometimes I believe you, but most times I think you’re being pompous. This time I believe you. I figured out the twist within the first 45 minutes of this 2 hour and 18 film. Shutter Island is about two US Marshalls, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, who go to an Alcatraz-like maximum security mental institution to investigate a case of a missing patient. Shortly after their arrival, the audience is led to believe there are more sinister machinations at hand.
Swanner: I thought you were going to make fun of me for claiming I would ever read a novel. You’re right, I don’t know how many minutes but I had figured the twist as well. The interesting thing is it didn’t matter to me…not with this film. Scorsese really had fun f***ing with the audience, constantly throwing out clues and red harings faster than rip off a band aid. He also had a lot of fun bringing back a 50′s feeling but keeping it very contemporary. It’s a beautiful film to look at and a lot of that credit goes to the production design and cinematography.
Judd: I agree, the film does have a phenomenal look and feel. The whole atmosphere is creepy. Everyone thinks about the 50s as “the good ol’ days” and that juxtaposed against the danger and reality of the hospital, it’s definitely unsettling. The problem with the clues at the beginning is that anyone who’s a real fan of psycho-thrillers is going to pick them out right away. Scorsese tipped too much too early.
Swanner: I thought the acting was really good. I’m still having a problem with DiCaprio looking so young. He’s 36 but he still looks 16. I’m probably the only one that has this problem but I felt the same way in a the last few films he’s made. His youthfulness is distracting even though I think he always give incredible performances. The rest of the cast has really good and they looked like they belonged in the time period. I do want to mention that Mark Ruffalo is adorable and should do more movies shirtless
Judd: Only in Swannerland is looking too young a problem. None of the performances are Oscar worthy, but they are all good performances. Ben Kingsley was properly restrained, which lately he’s been getting borderline campy in his delivery. If the movie had not been so predictable I would rate the movie much, much higher.
Swanner: 
1/2
Judd:
