stednitzrules250 Reviews

The Wretched (2008)

Enter 80's Awesomness

[10/10 · 28 June 2010]

The Wretched

Horror fans, rejoice. Some of your fondest memories of the great 80's cheese movies will be reinvigorated after a viewing of Daniel B. Iske's "The Wretched". This writer, inspiring director, and fellow avid horror fan, was reminded of Sam Raimi's classic "Evil Dead". Hilarious, tense, violent, and memorable; the filmmakers have taken what they have learned and applied it with great effectiveness to their own film. There's the classic camp fire ghost story, the suspenseful shower scene, the bloody deaths; we all could of been watching a movie that really was from the early 70's and 80's.

So, how does this film set itself apart amongst the thousands of renditions, re-dos, and throwbacks? How can the filmmakers possibly make their film memorable? It's all in the characters; they are effectively built through quick, funny dialog. They will remind you of your own friends, relatives, neighbors; they are easily identifiable. The writing is spot on, and the script seems to move through the story effortlessly; the whole film flows. But, what sets it apart the most is that this little indie film, that was made for no money at all, looks fantastic. It is surprisingly seamless, and actually looks better than most low budget B horror films that you can buy at the local video store. With their immense creativity and problem solving skills, Iske and Co. were able to bypass what seemed to be a huge setback, and instead thought of it as: "more money, more problems." For all filmmakers, and especially those of the Indie variety, this statement is immensely true. You have to be able to look at every scene, every detail, and think "how can I make this look professional and slick without any cash?" The filmmakers answer is one that draws upon their own strengths as they focus instead on building their story and characters instead of their lack of funds. This is film-making at it's most raw, and it's most enjoyable.

Recommendation is sky high, folks. If you want to scream, laugh till you cry, and be on the edge of your seat, then seek out a copy. If you want to see what a Spielberg, Eastwood, or Scorsese would make without any funds, seek out a copy. This one, my fellow horror fanatics and movie buffs, is one that can't be missed.

-Connor Stednitz 10/10

Shutter Island (2010)

No one likes to be messed with.

[10/10 · 21 February 2010]

Shutter Island. A film that will divide the film community. A film that will leave many upset, and hating it. A film that has already completely split the critics. A movie that messes with you. And no one likes to be messed with. And that is exactly where it exceeds. Think I'm contradicting myself?

Shutter Island is one of the most well crafted psychological thrillers to come by since Silence Of The Lambs. And it is no coincidence both were brilliantly written novels. Shutter Island is adapted by a book written by Dennis Lehane (wrote gone baby, gone and mystic river). It is a book filled with twists and turns, that will leave the reader dizzy. And, that is what it's film counterpart does to the fullest. Martin Scorsese helms the director chair, in a movie where he is more free than any before. This is Scorsese at his most unrestrained.

Marty takes what he has learned from the great films of the past and puts it into his. The master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock's influence is everywhere you look in this film. And it is no wonder, considering Scorsese even showed one of his greatest works to the crew: Vertigo. And many of those ideas are present in Shutter Island; the cliff scenes scream Hitchcock. This is a film that creeps and crawls, and is filled with dark corners. And it is all heightened by the coming storm that looms over the island. This is classic film noir.

The story follows Teddy, a federal Marshall, and his partner Chuck (Played by DiCaprio and Ruffulo). They go to this mysterious island enveloped in fog to investigate an escape. From these opening scenes, Marty has set up a dark and creepy premise.

Almost the whole movie incorporates this story as Teddy desperately tries to find the truths he seeks. Teddy is shown as a scared man; a man of war and violence as portrayed in various flashbacks. These will go on to be increasingly important as the story progresses. We follow Teddy on his quest, through every dark corridor and perilous confrontations. Slowly, we are given pieces to the puzzle, but the audience does not even realize it. For we, like Teddy, are blind. For the moment at least. It is because of this that the thrilling conclusion will leave many blindsided. But, you see, that is where this thriller becomes something more. We as the audience are put in Teddy's shoes, and we feel all the things he feels. It is a complete assault on the senses, and it works beautifully.

This is a film you must watch carefully. That is another thing that sets this apart, it is a horror film that makes you actually think. In this day and age, I'm not surprised some found it terrible esp. after their brains have been turned to mush by these new gore filled horror films. Scorsese's ultimate goal here is to wake you up. And trust me, you probably wont like it.

This is also a film I would recommend seeing a second time. In fact, it is even better the second time. All those pieces of that puzzle you didn't catch the first time, you will the second. You see, we as the audience are first put in the shoes of Teddy. The second? Well, without giving too much away, lets just say you are put in someones else's shoes entirely during the second viewing.

Shutter Island. A film that will make you question your own sanity. A film that will leave you breathless. A film that has re-ignited the thriller genre. A film that will leave you, and the main character, searching for answers.

10 out of 10

-CLS