Shutter Island is a sign that the Martin Scorsese/Leonardo DiCaprio collaboration should end. It was with much anticipation that we attended an advance screening of the movie a few days ago and it was with much disappointment we left the theater. We haven't seen a film as confused as this in quite some time. Yes, the plot about a US Marshall, played by DiCaprio, investigating the disappearance of a patient/inmate at an island-bound mental hospital ("for the criminally insane" - repeated inanely) in the 1950s, is convoluted and complicated, but it's the actual film that feels confused. more ›

OK so the Oscars are this weekend. Even though the writers' strike is over, the prediction is that this will be a ho-hum (excuse me?) Oscars. First of all, the majority of the films presented for consideration are real downers, secondly, because of the strike, many potential presenters thought that the awards ceremony would be canceled or drastically cut back so they made other plans and are now not available to present at the show. I'm sure they will have enough presenters but perhaps there won't be as many "mega-stars", thus leaving room for more indie-types. more ›