Favourite Movie Friday with Jim Loach

The Oranges and Sunshine director and son of legendary filmmaker Ken Loach spills the Fave Movie Friday beans:

“I’m very taken with Cassavetes films for lots of different reasons. I also like early Scorsese films; early American independent cinema was really important for me and my generation. Also early Michael Winterbottom films like Wonderland. I tend to see a wide range of films.”

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My heart's a shutter

Shutter Island marks the fourth collaboration with director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, after their multiple Oscar-award winning efforts Gangs Of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. Based on the novel by Mystic River author Dennis Lehane, DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo play two US marshals called to a remote island to investigate the disappearance of a murderer from an institution for the criminally insane.

On the surface Shutter Island looks like a simple mystery-thriller, but nothing about this film is simple. From the themes explored to the complex characters, Scorsese is a master storyteller and it is not long before you find yourself trapped in the intricate web he has crafted. The plot twists come with dizzying speed, leaving you feeling disoriented and slightly uncomfortable, somewhat like the occupants of the Shutter Island facility.

The performances from the top rate cast strengthen the illusion and the always impressive DiCaprio sets a new bar for himself as the tormented investigator. The supporting cast in Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson are all captivating, especially Williams who shows off her superb range.

Visually, this is some of Scorsese's best work, as a muted colour palette of greys and blues contrast dramatically with the warm hues of the dream and flashback sequences. The noir-esque moments are balanced nicely by the Hitchcockian story arcs which lead to some truly eerie scenes.

Slightly longer than it needs to be, Scorsese doesn't rush, unwinding his intense narrative slowly, leaving goosebumps on your arm like the best kind of horror film. Without spoiling Shutter Island's biggest gift to the audience, it is a thrilling, often creepy, journey that takes you places you never expected to go.

Shutter Island opens this Thursday, February 18.

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It's what all the cool kids are doing . . . edition #4

Appian Way

Run down:

Named after the most important ancient Roman road, Appian Way productions is the brainchild of I’m flying Jack opps I mean Romeo no, um, sorry I mean Leonardo Dicaprio. Leo certainly has a talent for picking the right roles and he has made a career of good choices. He’s obviously using the same talent with his production company which have and are pumping out some of the juiciest movies to hit our screen. Of all the companies listed here I get excited about what Appian Way are creating more than any others and I think much of this has to do with Leo’s brilliance as a producer. Just look at his track record, you’ve got to admit the boy has talent both on and off screen.
Released films:

The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004) –Leo was executive producer

The Aviator (2004) - Leo was executive producer

Gardener of Eden (2007) - Leo was executive producer

The 11^th Hour - Leo was executive producer and writer

Up and coming films:

In Dark Woods (2008) – although not much has been released about this yet we do know it’s a horror thriller and Leo is producing. (Leo to produce).

Greensburg (2008) (TV series) – Leo is executive producer

Atari (2009) – there’s been a lot of hype surrounding Atari which is a biopic about godfather of the video game industry, Nolan Bushnell and his transition from fixing broken pinball machines, to launching his own manufacturer in the early '70s. (Leo to produce).

Orphan (2009) – okay so this storyline has been done a 1000 times before; a husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not as innocent as she claims to be. But, I bet the other films never had the always incredible Peter Sarsgaard in them!

Shutter Island (2009) – the next film from legendary Martin Scorsese is set in 1954 as U.S Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island. Leo is in the lead role and if his performance is anything like the last time he collaborated with Scorsese (The Departed) prepare for the wow factor. Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams and Ben Kingsley also star.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (2010) - Leo to produce.

Conspiracy of Fools (2011) - Leo to produce.

The Chancellor Manuscript (2011) – Leo is novelist Peter Chancellor who's life becomes a mirror of his latest novel, and he becomes tangled in a web involving Washington power brokers and a blackmailed plot targeted to alter U.S. policy. (Leo to produce).

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