Be Kind, Please Rewind

He’s Mentally Chill. He’s the…

Vidiot

Week of June 10, 2010

A heavily medicated country is a hallucination. First up…

Shutter Island

Of course building a hospital for the criminally insane on an island is a great way to prevent mentally unstable inmates from escaping; however, it does little to dissuade those patients who believe that they are Jesus Christ, a pontoon boat or a mallard duck. 

Fortunately, the escapee in this psychological noir thriller doesn’t consider herself a waterfowl, a watercraft or a water-walker.

Sent to the Shutter Island mental facility to help locate an escaped female prisoner, Rachel (Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson), who’s believed to be hiding in the island’s cave system, US marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) soon suspects a deeper issue involving the administrative staff (Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow) and their unethical treatment of inmates. Later, as the investigation intensifies, he begins to question his own sanity.

Directed by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a morose mystery that delves into the dark recesses of the human psyche. And while the intricate plot can be a tad challenging, and some characters unnecessary, the atmosphere and direction are commendable.

As for the best way to capture a crazy person on the loose: stage an open casting call for a new reality show called “So You Think You’re Being Followed?”.  0

From Paris With Love

When receiving an item from Paris with love it’s important to ensure that that love that’s being included in the shipment is not just an elaborate ruse to conceal a secret compartment containing thousands of black market berets.

And while the American agent in this action movie isn’t tracking down noggin knockoffs, he and his new partner are attempting to solve a criminal conspiracy.

Desperate to see some action after a lengthy stint serving the US Ambassador to France, CIA operative James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) welcomes the opportunity to work alongside an impetuous agent who has been sent to Paris to impede a pending terrorist attack, Charlie Wax (John Travolta).

Employing unorthodox methods, Wax uncovers a Parisian crime ring dealing in drugs and prostitution, which ultimately leads back to a militant cabal with a close connection to Agent Reece’s personal life.

A comical collision of bullets, bombs and bad one-liners, From Paris With Love will sate the appetite of wham bam action fans but will leave more discerning connoisseurs malnourished.

However, the worst aspect of fighting crime in France is that it must be done using only locally manufactured weapons, like The Chauchat machine gun or The French Tickler.  0

***French Kiss Off***

Le Samouraï

You’d think with all of the wine that they drink, the French would make terrible assassins. However, excess libation doesn’t seem to affect the steady hand of the hired gun in this essential cinematic import.

When a meticulous, autonomous hit man, Jef Costello (Alain Delon), is spotted at the scene of a hit he is brought in for questioning. In lieu of concrete evidence, the police decide to follow Jef, who leads them on wild-goose chase before being double-crossed by his client.

Employing static shots, modest set designs and a Bushido code of conduct, director Jean-Pierre Melville creates an icy cool atmosphere that not only set the stage for the French New Wave movement but also inspired countless filmmakers as well as the archetypal assassin aesthetic.

And while a gun is a surefire way to kill your mark, feeding them a steady diet of butter-rich French pastry works as well.

He’s a Vintage Whiner. He’s the…

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