DVD Review #40 (The catch up edition)

After some time away I try to catch up on a few 2010 titles.

Shutter Island (2010) Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley Directed By Martin Scorsese

I read mediocre to bad reviews of this odd Scorsese film, but that low expectation sort of saved it for me because I didn’t find it all that bad. The music was WAY too loud and the execution was a bit shaky, however all in all this murder/mystery with a twist ending is a solid watch. DiCaprio is fine, and the rest of the all star cast does the best it can with what it’s given. I thought Sir Ben Kingsley was the standout and Mark Ruffalo was the weak link.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) A decent surprise ending, some good creepy scenes, and a solid cast make for good 6.0 on the scale.

Edge of Darkness (2010) Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone Directed by Martin Campbell

Martin Campbell whose an ok action director (he was great with Goldeneye and Mask of Zorro, but bad with Vertical Limit, and Casino Royale), takes on a remake of an old TV show that he also helmed back in the 80’s. Mel Gibson plays Boston cop Thomas Craven whose activist daughter gets whacked by ruthless and corrupt business types. Ray Winstone acts as the moral guide (did I mention he’s a hitman?) along the way and Dennis O’Hare shows up to creep us out with his sociopathic-ness…that’s a word right? Anyway it’s not terrible and you will get through it, but the story which is interesting gets pushed aside so we can see Mel Gibson do his best Liam Neeson from Taken impression (a much better film)…oh yeah and as expected he butchers the accent…wicked bad.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) Well for the effort and the pleasant Boston scenery I’ll give it a 5.5 on the scale, but next time give me more of the story a la The Constant Gardner…that’s the meaty part!

Remember Me (2010) Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin Directed by Allen Coulter

Will Fetters thought process of writing this film must have gone a little something like this…”c’mon Fetters I can squeeze just a few more ounces of drama in…there…now it’s at max capacity…unless…” anyway he really lays it on here especially for the ending which is both arrogant and unnecessary. The two Brits in the film (Pattinson and Pierce Brosnan) really struggle with their New York (Queens no less) accents and the love story is shaky at best. Allen Coulter (director) who did a nice job with a film about George Reeves death called Hollywoodland should probably just stick with TV if this is what he is into making…try Lifetime…they would love this!

(The Shawhank Scale 1-10) I’m a bit harsh on this one, but see the ending and decide for yourself if it was central to the story, it gets a paltry 5.0 on the scale and if you really want to see people not catch breaks in their life (and I may never say this again), try Precious instead.