Shutter Island Review

by Molly McKenna

After several delays that heightened anticipation for the film before
it even hit the screen, Martin Scorsese's newest mystery thriller,
Shutter Island, finally makes its debut this weekend. The film, set in
1954, follows US Marshall Teddy Daniels and partner Chuck Aule (played
by Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo) as they investigate the
disappearance of a prisoner of Shutter Island, a mental institution
for the criminally insane. But things go south when Daniels finds out
that shady things are happening on the island, and it becomes apparent
that he may never get off the island.

Shutter Island certainly delivers as a haunting psychological
thriller. From the moment Daniels arrives on the island, you get the
feeling that you can't trust anyone. As more about the history of the
island and its residents becomes apparent, you realize that Daniels
got more than he bargained for with this investigation. At almost 2
hours and 20 minutes, Shutter Island does feel long, but the countless
plot twists will make you want to keep your bathroom breaks to a
minimum.

Shutter Island is beautiful aesthetically;

through moody lighting and
spooky buildings that set you on edge from the beginning, Scorsese
delivers a period thriller that is as beautiful as it is entertaining.
However, the film seems to take itself too seriously at times.
Scorsese ineffectively tries to force on the audience a personal
connection with Daniels with lengthy dream sequences and flashbacks;
however, the character is carried by DiCaprio's fine performance as
the confused but inquisitive Marshall. Though the dialogue sometimes
felt forced or stilted, the spooky supporting cast, with Ben Kingsley
as the head of the island and Michelle Williams as Daniel's haunting
former wife, helps the pace along enough to keep the interest.

In all, while not perfect, Shutter Island is an entertaining
commercial thriller that will keep you guessing.

EBUZZ Giveaway!!!

Movie goers get excited! Screen Gem’s have partnered up with us to promote their new movie Dear John (below is the synopsis). With only days till its premier, we have plenty of great prizes to give away to our EBUZZ viewers and Blog readers. The prizes include movie passes to an Ann Arbor Theater soon to be announced, t-shirts, bookmarks, 2 sets of Dear John limited edition postage stamps that feature art from the movie itself, and a copy of the Dear John novel signed by THE Nicholas Sparks!! The first few followers of our blog to email wolv.ebuzz@umich.edu will be some of the few lucky winners! When you email state in the subject box: your full name, Dear John, and your favorite WOLV TV show…hint hint EBUZZ! Also watch our show this coming week for more chances to win!

Getting closer to Valentine’s Day, it’s time for another great romance. Coming to theaters is Dear John, based on the novel by the best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, also greatly known for his other book the Notebook. The story surrounds a young soldier John, played by Channing Tatum, who on leave meets and falls in love with an idealistic college student Savannah, played by Amanda Seyfried, who is on her spring vacation. While falling head over heels for each other, reality checks in with their forced separation. They are separated when John is faced with increasingly dangerous deployments which span over the next seven years. While they are disconnected physically they continue their bond by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas. With their lives filled with danger and passion, their ultimate fate is unknown. Watch it on the big screen February 5th.

#MusicMonday: Must Watch Video

 I've been slacking on my #MusicMonday posts. In fact, I've been slacking on posting altogether (my apologies). When I saw the following music video this morning I new, though, that no matter how busy I got today, I'd have to take time out to share this with you.
 DJ Earworm's "United States of Pop" took massive hits from 2009 and made them into one, entirely awesome, and slightly sensory overloading, experience. The fact that he made the mix is impressive, the fact that there is a music video TO the mix, rocks my world.
 I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!!

Why I love the AP Entertainment Wire

 When I read the following AP entertainment wire story today I KNEW I was going to have to blog about it. I didn't include it in our morning show (come on, we report on REAL NEWS lol), but I did share it with the other morning show producer so we could have a laugh together. I'm sure you'll see the irony and laugh out loud as well.

Here it goes:

"HANNAH MONTANA" COULD BE DONE
NEW YORK (AP) -- Doesn't it seem like Miley Cyrus already has moved on from "Hannah Montana?" The show could be on its way out. A Disney Channel executive tells the New York Post "Hannah Montana" probably will shut down for good after filming its fourth season. But, he says "you never know in this business." And, a Disney spokeswoman confirms those comments but won't say anything more. Production on season four is expected to begin later this month. Those episodes will start airing in late spring and continue through next year. The Post reports that the fourth season will reflect the real-life struggle Cyrus is having about saying goodbye to the character that made her famous. The Disney Channel is just airing the third season now. The third season finale will air in March as a one-hour episode. That's when the character of Miley Stewart will decide if she wants to continue being popstar Hannah Montana in disguise or just be a regular girl.

Now let me highlight what made me laugh. "That's when the character of Miley Stewart will decide if she wants to continue being popstar Hannah Montana in disguise or just be a regular girl."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't that been the question in EVERY episode of the show since the series began? Isn't that what the movie apparently tackled in its plot too? So basically Disney is saying we'll officially resolve the issue in the last episode ever of the series. It's like Gilligan getting off the island. If he does, the show is over. So I guess Hannah won't be going full-out Miley anytime soon.
 And how much you want to bet that the Hannah character dies in the end to make room for a big Disney Miley push? Maybe a Miley only season 4 album? Maybe a Miley headlining tour (oh wait, been there done that TWICE).
 The good news is that if you AREN'T a Hannah fan, you only have one more year of fresh material to put up with. The bad news is that much like Hilary Duff's departure from Disney, Miley's separation will be the subject of serious debate for the next two years.

Big Shocker Miley ditching Hannah, NOT

Anyone else wonder why the entertainment world has their panties in a twist over Miley Cyrus putting an end to her Hannah Montana days?
 We all knew this was coming. Much like Hilary Duff once let Lizzie McGuire go, it was only a matter of time before Miley said goodbye to her blonde-wigged alter-ego.
 The fact that the popular series has lasted four seasons is a testament to Miley's appreciation of Disney. If I were he I probably would have bailed after the Hannah Montana Movie hit theaters.
 I do give Cyrus credit though, she's been really smart about her career thus far. Her slow, but deliberate seperate from her Hannah character has made it easy for her fans to grow up with her. She hasn't left many feeling alienated, and in the mean time has even matured to the point where she's gained support from older audiences (admit it, you've belted out "Party in the USA" when it has come on the radio). This spring she'll hit the big screen in her first non-Disney film: "The Last Song". The movie, which was written specifically for her by best-selling author Nicklas Sparks, also stars some solid adult talent (Greg Kinnear and Kelly Preston) which should be a great resume booster for the young talent.

The Climb, and the Fall

Miley Cyrus' most successful single to date has undoubtedly been "The Climb". It's permeated both country, top 40, and adult contemporary charts for a time far surpassing its prime, and as such has raked in the accolades. The songs' appearance in "Hannah Montana: The Movie" propelled it even further into the realm of song superstardom.
 Thus, it was no surprise to most when "The Climb" received a Grammy nomination for best song written for a movie. What WAS surprising was when it was announced that Disney was pulling the track from contention.
 Apparently Miley's ballad wasn't actually written FOR the movie. Director Peter Chelsom found it while scouring Nashville for the movie's music and built the film around it (not the other way around).
 It doesn't look like Cyrus has spent too much time (or any at all, for that matter) dwelling on the incident. Instead she's giving fans something new and exciting to look forward to musically. This time it's a remake of the Poison hit "Every Rose has its Thorns".  Word even has it that Poison frontman Brett Michaels has even helped Miley record the remake.

Do Miley and Timberland Really "Belong to the Music"?

 I just listened to the new Miley Cyrus/Timberland track for the first time. They are certainly a pair I had a hard time picturing working together (Timberland doesn't scream "Squeaky clean Disney"). I think this may be the next "Party in the USA" adult-driven track. It's catchy, has a nice rhythm, and again has the power of Timberland--who has a lot of respect in the business right now--- behind it.
 What do you think?