What makes a Film a “good” Film ?

A film I believe to be a good film is “Shutter Island” (directed by Martin Scorsese). Shutter island is a dark thriller and has a very elaborate plot that requires concentration, I believe the plot itself makes it a great film as you must pay your full attention to the film rather than doing something else whilst watching an “easy watch” film like Jurassic Park. In conclusion to my first point I think a good thriller film should mean the audience has to give there full attention.

Shutter island is more famously known for its unbelievable twist towards the end of the film where U.S. Marshall Teddy West (Leonardo DiCaprio) is told he is a prisoner at the mental institution and has been for a long time, This twist could never be expected by anyone watching the film as there was so much attention on the girl who had gone missing to distract the audience from suspecting anything. To sum up my point I think films with an elaborate twist are usually great films.

Cinematography is used in shutter island to present Leonardo’s character as firstly being an important and special character compared to the rest because of the close up shots. Later on in the film when the characters mental problems begin to be unfolded, the camera angle changes to a wider shot of Leo signifying he isn’t any different from the surrounding patients or people. Some shots of Leo’s character are filmed from a higher angle and in a circling motion around the character which shows his insanity.

Sound is very important in a film, this can be any noise such as: speech, music or natural noises. In shutter island the use of sound is crucial in the storm scene. The scene is a very loud scene and this is used to unsettle the audience and take there attention away from the fact that the storm isn’t a real storm and that Leo’s character is actually imagining in. Another example of sound in this film is that whenever there is water eg: rain or a tap, the sound of the water is distinctively loud. This links to back to the plot of the film and how the marshals kids were drowned and this memory is embedded in his subconscious mind.