'Shutter Island' tops weekend box office at $40.2 million

**Prince** · 02-22-2010, 11:21 AM

'Shutter Island' tops weekend box office at $40.2 million

The gothic thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese drew young and old, men and women.

By Steven Zeitchik
February 22, 2010

Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio and a set of gothic thrills proved to be a huge draw at the box office this weekend, as "Shutter Island," Paramount's psychological thriller based on Dennis Lehane's bestselling novel, earned $40.2 million domestically, according to the studio.

The number is the best-ever opening for director Scorsese and star DiCaprio, the latter of whom had reached the $30-million mark only once (with "Catch Me If You Can," more than seven years ago). Many box-office experts had predicted an opening in the low-mid $30s, with any gross over $35 million considered a notable success.

But perhaps an even more decisive factor than its two high-profile collaborators was the calendar. Paramount moved the film out of a crowded October to this slot in February, where it was the only new wide release this weekend.

The film also rode a wave of promotion in high-profile television events.

"As we got into the movie and saw how commercial it was, we thought we could go for a broader audience than the October release, when it would have been positioned as an adult drama and academy movie," said Paramount Vice Chairman Rob Moore.

"In this release window, you have giant promotional opportunities like the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics."

While it raised some eyebrows at the time, the gambit worked.

While "Shutter Island" didn't come close to the $56.4 million that "Valentine's Day" earned over three days last weekend, it did rival the $41 million of "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" (2009) for the second-biggest February opening in three years -- and as an R-rated film, no less. (Paramount also earned $9.1 million internationally from an assortment of territories, including Spain, Russia and the Netherlands.)

Though a big success in its opening weekend, "Shutter Island" was not inexpensive to produce.

The movie cost nearly $100 million to make, according to a person close to the production, although a Paramount spokesperson said that tax incentives from Massachusetts, where the film was shot, brought the final expenditure down to about $75 million.

The 1954-set story of a New England detective (DiCaprio) investigating a mysterious disappearance at an island-bound insane asylum also attracted a female audience that doesn't typically come out to genre films. Indeed, moviegoers were split almost evenly between men and women, as DiCaprio's presence helped boost the "Shutter Island" numbers among women.

The Scorsese pedigree was also likely part of the reason older viewers came out to the thriller in droves, as the numbers were also evenly split between filmgoers above and below age 25.

**Prince** · 02-22-2010, 11:21 AM

I just saw this yesterday, damn good movie, the best I have seen in quite some time!

**DOMS** · 02-22-2010, 11:45 AM

Really? The trailer didn't generate any interest for me. Is a District 9 sort of movie? Where you can't know the plot without blowing it?

**Prince** · 02-22-2010, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by DOMS

Really? The trailer didn't generate any interest for me. Is a District 9 sort of movie? Where you can't know the plot without blowing it?

yes! very unpredictable, great story and acting, check it out.

there is one element of the movie that would spoil the whole thing if I said it, so I won't say anymore.

**DOMS** · 02-22-2010, 11:55 AM

Okay, I'll have to watch it.

Have you watched District 9? One of the best Sci-fi in a long time.

**FMJ** · 02-22-2010, 01:36 PM

After seeing Dicaprio in Titanic, I was not so impressed, then I saw "Gangs of New york", "Catch me if you can" and finally in "The departed"
Especially the last one, really changed my opinion of him. I think he's one of the best actors on the scene right now. I can't wait to see Shutter Island.

**Prince** · 02-22-2010, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by FMJ

After seeing Dicaprio in Titanic, I was not so impressed, then I saw "Gangs of New york", "Catch me if you can" and finally in "The departed"
Especially the last one, really changed my opinion of him. I think he's one of the best actors on the scene right now. I can't wait to see Shutter Island.

same here, I could not stand him in Titanic, but now he is one of my favorite actors, he has done some great movies.

**maniclion** · 02-22-2010, 02:01 PM

Basket Ball Diaries, Gilbert Grape and Total Eclipse made me like DiCaprio, I just saw Titanic as his break into bigger things.....

**AKIRA** · 02-22-2010, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Robert

yes! very unpredictable, great story and acting, check it out.

there is one element of the movie that would spoil the whole thing if I said it, so I won't say anymore.

On the contrary, it was VERY, VERY predictable. Weve seen this story before in other movies. I know one that comes to mind immediately which was a sleeper hit when it came out. Regardless, I was annoyed that it was wayyyyy too obvious. It got so bad that at the end, I was praying I was wrong.

I liked it though and do recommend it. The very ending (2nd to the last line) was a nice touch and I wonder if I would have done the same thing.

**Hoglander** · 02-22-2010, 05:29 PM

The whole movie is waiting for something cool or interesting to happen.

Nothing novel in this movie at all. If you can't see such a obvious plot, this is the movie for you. In this case rate it 5 stars.

If you can see the obvious and want them to get past it in a way that something interesting happens it gets 2 stars. Nothing interesting happens.

**maniclion** · 02-22-2010, 06:06 PM

From the trailer I think it's going to be like Insomnia meets Fight Club....

**MrRockstar** · 02-22-2010, 10:28 PM

I went to see it with 3 friends, it was unanimously disliked. The entire movie is spent waiting for some action and not knowing whats real and whats fake. To many twists. I've only talked to one person who liked it.

**AKIRA** · 02-23-2010, 07:09 AM

Wow, I didnt expect this much dislike.
It was better than other "suspense twist enveloped" movies, thanks to Scorsese (sp?).

**DOMS** · 02-23-2010, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by MrRockstar

I went to see it with 3 friends, it was unanimously disliked. The entire movie is spent waiting for some action and not knowing whats real and whats fake. To many twists. I've only talked to one person who liked it.

* SPOILER for the move Basic *

This is why I hated the movie Basic so much. 85% of the movie never actually happens. Only 15% of the movie really involves the characters and their outcomes.

What a shit movie.

**Scarface30** · 02-23-2010, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by DOMS

Okay, I'll have to watch it.

Have you watched District 9? One of the best Sci-fi in a long time.

+1

I thought District 9 was a great movie. Very original. I heard from someone that the main dude in the movie, Sharlto Copley I think his name is, improved like 70% of his lines.

But Shutter Island looks sweet, too. I'll have to see that one now.

**OfficerFarva** · 02-24-2010, 12:25 AM

I'd have to say it's definitely a movie worth seeing but its not at the top of list. 3.5/5 would be fair IMO. It's pretty predictable, sixth sense style.

**brk_nemesis** · 02-24-2010, 08:17 AM

The Departed was a good movie as well as Gangs of NY, but Blood Diamond is what did it for me in terms of DiCaprio's acting. Very Good movie. So I will surely be seeing this movie.

Originally Posted by DOMS

* SPOILER for the move Basic *

This is why I hated the movie Basic so much. 85% of the movie never actually happens. Only 15% of the movie really involves the characters and their outcomes.

What a shit movie.

I kinda liked Basic. Not the best movie ever but i enjoyed the mindfuck, considering the dvd was free, lol. That part where sam jackson goes off on the guy during training for removing his sidearm is fukin hilarious, plus i think the girl from gladiator is kinda hot, even with that fake ass southern accent.

**thane22** · 02-25-2010, 04:26 PM

Amazing Movie and DiCaprio should get an Oscar for it, best actor right now for sure.

**Hayden** · 03-04-2010, 05:57 PM

gotta see this!

**Curt James** · 03-04-2010, 06:28 PM

Any other comments from people who have seen it now?

Artsy cool look. I believe I have equal parts love and hate for this film.

Raise your hand if you'd like to punch the male reviewer in the head.

Er, never mind.

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