I saw "Avatar" in 3-D while I was on the road and really enjoyed it. Despite a plot drawn from just about every sci-fi, action, western and fantasy film you've ever seen, I was drawn in emotionally, felt real suspense, and was of course amazed at the beauty and creativity of Pandora and its creatures. Tomorrow I'm going to see it in IMAX 3-D to complete the experience.
Today I saw a screening of "Shutter Island." I was reluctant to go to what I've seen advertised as a spooky kind of thriller, but since Scorsese directed it, I went along. Despite the creepy location, a hospital for the criminally insane, and a fair amount of gore and corpses, I found it more of a cerebral exercise than a thrill ride. There were lots of good actors, including Leo DiCaprio, Michelle Williams, Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow, but in the end I think it's more for fans of mystery novels and Hitchcock movies than anyone. There were lots of plot holes, and the film has the too-perfect look that can make period movies seem fake. I'd give it a seven out of ten.