Shutter Island

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 19, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Two U.S. marshals go to Shutter Island, a facility that houses the criminally insane, to investigate a missing patient.

Review: Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) are assigned to a case involving a missing woman who is believed to have escaped the mental ward. Dr. Crawley (Ben Kingsley) is the liaison at the island and tries to help them by giving them access to the buildings, grounds and patients. The facility is heavily guarded by armed officers as only the extremely violent or crazy people get sent to the island. The film uses dreams, hallucinations and visions to jump between the past and the present, creating doubt in the audience's mind as to what is real and what isn't. There have been movies like this in the past, but I think this one was carried out very well. While the twist is nothing new and almost too easy to figure out, I still felt that the film was able to take you on a ride. I wish that Ruffalo had a bigger, better part. However, he probably did the best that he could do with what he was given. All the juicy parts were given to DiCaprio, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was nominated for some awards. Also in this film are Max von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley and Elias Koteas.

Watch It: For a throwback to film noir that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

Skip It: If an intense Leo is a turn off. He's pretty much the focus of the show and you can't escape him or his frown lines.

Wendy And Lucy

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: Lucy is on her way to Alaska but runs into hard times in Oregon when her dog Lucy goes missing.

Review: Michelle Williams is Wendy, a girl from Indiana making her way to Alaska for work. She's taking this journey with just her dog Lucy and her Accord. When she reaches Oregon, she gets arrested for shoplifting dog food, and while she's in jail Lucy goes missing. This is a really sad look at her life as she tries to recover her beloved pet. Williams is really good at portraying the emotional turmoil she faces during this experience. It isn't only the desperate loss of a missing pet, but the overwhelming obstacles she faces along the way that really wreak havoc on her. She is a brave girl who I think can make the trek on her own. However, she has so much invested in the animal. Lucy keeps her company, loves her and makes her feel safe. She gives Wendy confidence. Wendy is lost without her and it's heartbreaking to see the desperation in her eyes as she tries to locate her.

Watch It: Because it doesn't sugarcoat life on the road.

Skip It: Because it is a slow character drama that's basically Williams and the camera.

Me Without You

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 5, 2002

DVD Release Date: June 17, 2003

Plot 411: Two British girls experience life together as BFFs who become toxic to each other.

Review: This was a really good movie because it's probably one of the few that really shows how vicious and catty girls can be. Despite believing themselves to be best friends, the two girls (Anna Friel and Michelle Williams) constantly hurt each other for a variety of reasons. It reveals their insecurities and jealousies and shows the complexities of transforming from a child to an adult. It really displays the struggles girls go through to find their own identities and how competitive we are without even really knowing it.

Watch It: If you grew up in the 70s and 80s (because that's when this movie is set) in a sex, drugs and bad wave music era or have a BFF you just can't live without. This movie'll make you rethink your friendship or get your ass into therapy.

Skip It: If you're already seeing a shrink because it'll give you more issues than its worth.

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