The Ghost Writer

Zach is unable to write a review this week so I will be filling in for him. You can call me Ghost. I really shouldn't have told you that since the whole point of a ghost writer is so the reader would think that they are the credited writer. Hm now that I think about it I was actually joking around before I actually am Zach. I had you going there for a second. Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod is recreated beautifully in Germany in Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer. Every detail is perfect from the shops to the licence plates. Ewan McGregor plays "The Ghost"... yes it's one of those movies where the main character doesn't have a name. Robert Harris's novel that the film was based on was actually called The Ghost. Pierce Brosnan plays Tony Blair... I mean Adam Lang a former British Prime Minister accused of committing war crimes who hires "The Ghost" to replace his last ghost who died under mysterious circumstances. I had no idea what the film was about going in. I thought it was a supernatural thriller with ghosts that takes place in London or something. But what I actually got was a nail-bitter of a political thriller that has lots of not-dead people talking to each other intensely and a mystery element to it. The twists and turns that it takes are unexpected unless you read the novel before seeing the movie, in that case you would probably know the entire plot. I would recommend the film even if you have read the book because of the great acting. I really enjoyed Tom Wilkinson in a bit part. Eli Wallach is in it as the ever memorable "Vineyard old man" who appears in one scene. Roman Polanski delivers as usual and it is probably a better bet to check this film out over some of the other "less-worthy" films that are being released.
The Ghost Writer - 4 out of 4
-Zach

Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese is a master filmmaker, I don't think there is much controversy concerning that. I personally think that Taxi Driver is his best film and I have never seen anything of his that I haven't enjoyed. Shutter Island is no exception. Shutter Island is a beautiful film, from the production design to the cinematography and the lighting, it is all close to perfect. It's one of the best looking films in years, it just blew me away. It is also amazing how Scorsese build suspense through the entire film. Imagine a suspenseful scene in a movie, it starts off rather normally and the suspense builds and builds throughout the scene like a ticking time-bomb until it erupts. Shutter Island is like that except it is spread out across the entire film. The way the plot unfolds is masterful and literally every performance is amazing. I did not enjoy the films score though, I felt it was basically saying the entire time "there is something wrong on this island, be afraid," it is okay for a score to say that but it said it in such a way that it pulled me out of the film. There are some continuity errors and one shot in a flash-back involving German soldiers being shot that doesn't make sense if you think about it. But, if you are looking for a break from the below-par, early year releases Shutter Island is the way to go.
Shutter Island - 4 out of 4
-Zach

The White Ribbon

When someone recommends that you see a 2 hour and 24 minute, black and white, German film about a little village before WWI would you be interested? My guess many people wouldn't be. If the daunting running time doesn't scare people away, the fact that it is in Black and White and in German probably would. The film also contains some disturbing subject matter and images that may deter some potential viewers. But once you get past all that on the surface, this is one of the most beautiful films of the year. It is utterly mesmerizing, the black and white visuals are key to the films enjoyment. The film would really be awful with out the black and white. There is no music in the film which gives it an eerie quality. The acting is amazing, some performances are just so creepy they will stay with you hours after the completion of the film. When you go to see a film in which the first 2 minutes consist of a silent and slow credit sequence, it can give you a clue to what you are about to encounter. The film is made up of slow paced scenes but when the scenes are put together they make a film that isn't slow paced at all. It actually moves rather quickly. I did not find myself checking my watch or wondering when it was going to be over once during the movie (and some 90 minute films have me checking my watch). It is one of the best films I've seen in a very long time. I'm probably going to add it to my top of 2009 list. It is defiantly the best looking film I've seen that was released last year. This is the type of movie that people will look at in 100 years and still be as moved by it as I was, watching it in the theater. I'm still pondering what really happened in some parts of the movie, and what everything symbolized. It is a movie that leaves you will just as many questions as answers and it will give you something to talk and think about. I know it seems like a movie that may be unappealing to many but it is simply amazing.
The White Ribbon - 4 out of 4
-Zach