THE GOLDEN CANE WARRIOR

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Directed by: Ifa Isfansyah

Starring: Christine Hakim, Nicholas Saputra, Reza Rahadian, Eva Celia, Tara Basro, Aria Kusumah, Landung Simatupang, Whani Darmawan, Slamet Rahardjo, Darius Sinathrya, Prisia Nasution
Running Time: 112 minutes

Original title: Pendekar Tongkat Emas

A certain move in the martial arts that can be the ultimate weapon, betrayal, a prime weapon, disciples vs teachers, loyalty and a mysterious stranger posessing a certain skill that can help the protagonist win the battle, those are elements of a good martial art stories. 

Once upon a time, before the fire nation attacked, I mean before the time of social media, martial art stories written on pulp papers are a hit in Indonesia. Kids and adults love those stories that fires up imagination. But those time is long gone.

It was also decades since the last time Indonesian movie scene filled with local martial arts movies. In the 2010 you can count only several Indonesian movies with martial arts in it, and they were mediocre. Most Indonesian movies relies heavily on pre sold ideas such as adapted from popular books. 

So this one, titled The Golden Cane Warrior in English, comes as a fresh of breath air since it is not an adaptation from a popular book. It is, by all means, original. But it also means that the stakes are high, thus this is why Ifa put marquee name in it.

Without explaining where and when this happened, the audience must accept that this is some sort of pseudo past in Indonesia.  Cempaka (Christine Hakim) is the golden cane master. She has four students; Biru (Reza Rahadian), Gerhana (Tara Basro), Dara (Eva Celia), and Angin (Aria Kusumah). Her students were the offsprings of her enemies. When Cempaka decides to give her golden cane, that's when the story got interesting. 

As a film, this one is good. But it also pose a serious problem, most actors here are not martial arts actors/actresses, so they have to train really hard to fight with cane. But in the acting department, they are good. I think it is not a problem at all, although most action happened in close up, I can see that their training really pays off. But in years to come, Indonesia really need several martial arts actors/actresses that can really act. An all in one package.

The pseudo past is good, I don't mind that it does not specify at certain time or area in Indonesia. Some might question why do these people use cane not swords or other weapons, and why does the style looks like a wushu? Why cane? There are no explanation apart than this from of martial arts with cane can defeat other weapons. 

Perhaps this is the personal choice made by the scriptwriters, and perhaps by this they tried to fire up the martial arts genre in Indonesia. But I am a bit pessimistic since not all Indonesian movie producers wants to go through long and arduous process of training and location hunting for just a movie. Most just want to make more with less production cost but this is an example how going the extra mile will get extra credit from the audience.

As for the visuals, I like how the cinematography blend with the story. Some beautiful establishing shots seamed smoothly into the film without trying to show off. Ifa Isfansyah, also a director of Sang Penari, proves that he can tell a simple and beautiful story that can engage common people. If you wonder, the location is in Sumba, East Indonesia. In conclusion, The Golden Cane Warrior is a visual gasm journey with a simple story.

WINTER SLEEP

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Original Title: Kış Uykusu

Directed by: Nuri Bilge Ceylan. 

Starring: Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbag.

Running time: 196 minutes.

Three-hour-chamber epic that does not makes you yawn at all. Only few directors manages to pull this magic, including Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Winter Sleep is about anything and something that is driven by dialogue and superb acting. An aging actor, Aydin (Haluk Bilginer) who refused to be called as actor but thespian, is a wealthy man in his village. He has a cottage to cater the needs of tourist and a land where the tennats does not see him in a friendly manner.

But his world crumbles as a boy hit his car window with a stone. That event triggers a crack in his family's life. His wife feels as if she has no role thus start a social comittee, the sister felt as if her life is incomplete and Aydin himself realizes that his so called intellectual lifestyle, keeps him away from daily minutiae.

This is laos rich in other themes such as moral ambiguity, social class, ethics,religion and hypocrisy. In one scene Aydin seems irritated by the local imam about some trivial matter (it is of importance to the imam but not to Aydin), but soon the scene changes as Aydin recite one of his articles about religious piety.

Such broad themes can be made simple and personal around long, literate, sometimes funny and bitter conversations. It is clear that all his "intellectual" pursuits from Aydin is nothing more than just a facade to hide Aydin to bear with his real self. The characters reminded you of characters in Ingmar Bergman's movie and the dialogue is meditative just like Russian novels.

Is this for everybody? I don't know but if you want to expand your emotional spectrum, you should try Winter Sleep. Just like Once Upon A Time in Anatolia, this one is rewarding. Don't let the duration turns you down, you will be dazzled by the dialogue and acting.

NIGHTCRAWLER

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Directed by: Dan Gilroy
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, Bill Paxton
Running time: 117 minutes

What sort of news would you rather choose? A normal one about something more important like energy crisis or education? Or about Kim Kardashian's ass and Miley Cyrus twerking? It seems that in this economy, nobody values real news minus all the "spice" to increase the rating.

Then comes Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) , a drifter, freeloader, former thief who comes to hijack the American success story. Roams the streets of Los Angeles at night, he finds his true call, being a freelance video journalist. But to get there, he stole a bike to buy a camcorder. Lou lives by the fringe and he seize chances as he sees it.

Recording accidents and crime in night, he hopes to climb the ladder of the media industry by selling his footage to a local TV station where their ratings has slumped. They needed Lou to revamp their rating by broadcasting crime scenes or accidents. But what follows is bitter satire on journalism and job market.

Lou always stare, he rarely blinks as if he needed to capture anything with his eyes. His instinct grows as he realizes that he had the power to record things as it is, or to with hold important things for his own benefit. It comes with a price that will makes the audience thinks that Lou is the sithlord of citizen journalism.

It is dark, cynical and murky. It also reminded me of Ace in the hole (1951) with Kirk Douglas, also put the media industry in a not so romantic point of view. Nightcrawler is a dark comedy, makes you laugh and hiss at the same time. Jake shows that he is an actor worth to watch. After End of Watch and Source Code, his flexibility as an actor has already been proven. This time as Lou, he become the voice of darkness, sithlord of citizen journalism in the face of American dream.

GONE GIRL

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Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Running time: 149 minutes

There are two sides of every story and in Gone Girl those sides are explored wildly by David Fincher. Gone Girl is not your typical romantic story but your typical mind fuck story which will leaves you gasping with awe. Fincher is one of my favorite director and by this he manages to keep himself in the game. 

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) finds his home  violated;  his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), missing. With the help of the police Nick tries to find his wife. But as things revealed, the suspicion mounts on Nick. Is he the killer playing poker face? Is he the sociopath? The media circus is frenzy with the way Nick behaves. But this is from David Fincher and he gives more than just whodunit saga. Gone Girl shifts from past and future, also Amy and Nick's side. 

There are two major spoilers for those who haven't read the book by Gillian Flyn, it is better to enjoy the film without knowing anything. With score from Trent Reznor, there is a dark atmosphere as the story progresses. This film is more than just police investiogation, it examines marriage, love, gender roles and psychology in a twist manner.

Some scenes are brutal and raunchy, viewers discretion advised. As a slow burner, this 149 minutes drama is not even boring at all. In fact it makes people scared of marriage. The revealing of Amy's fate not in the end of this film will make you gasp and it leads to a swirling, shocking and provoking ending. For all its secrets, Gone Girl is one of the year's best that will keep you by the edge of your seat.

PULP: A FILM ABOUT LIFE, DEATH & SUPERMARKETS

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Directed by: Florian Habicht
Running time: 93 minutes

I have to say that this one will be very subjective since I am a fan of this band. I grew up listening to them in the 90s. However I shall judge this documentary free from my rose tinted glasses. As a documentary, Pulp: a Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets is amazing. Although only works with Pulp fans.

If you have no idea what Pulp is and never heard of them, I suggest you watch another documentary about the origin of this Sheffield's pride. This one is not about the origin but on how common people (pun intended) in Sheffield see and tell how Pulp changes their lives, for the better.

This documentary extend beyond the "normal" MTV. It has fleeting moments, interviews with common people, some songs being sung by (also) common people and off course, the compulsory snippets from concerts in Sheffield. The way the cinematographer depicts the concert is good, it gives you a romantic view on Pulp and the followers.

Pulp: a Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets is about the process of growing old. It is more than just selfish documentary about self glorifying by having too much interviews woven in one big picture. It is more than just the story of Jarvis Cocker and friends, but the story of common people, just like us. Warm and tender, I think even non-Pulp fans can smile after watching this documentary.

BOYHOOD

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Directed by: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater

Running time: 163 min

We have seen people grow in Harry Potter series, but Boyhood is another kind of growing up. Shot in 12 years with the same cast, we got to see how time flies, child grows and the adults, grow older. At the center of this story is Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane).

We follow Mason's life since 2002 to 2013, we seen the tiny tidbits that marks the passage of time such as gaming consoles, US presidential elections, popular culture references, and obviously how Mason Jr grew taller and taller as the film goes by. It is an amazing experience.

Mason is a child of divorce. His mother and his sister move around a lot from town to town. Mason's biological father only visits them for weekend and his mother marries someone else. The first step father was an asshole, the second one is almost an asshole too.

This, together with Mason's experience at school with his peers, shapes him to become a free spirited independent person. It asks deep questions without being too pretentious such as what is a family, do people change over time? Can someone have free will? And how to raise a child. As the film progresses, not only Mason "learns" how to become a human being, so does his parents while his step fathers are just man child not gutsy enough to face reality of life, they escaped by means of alcohol.

Richard Linklater proves once again that by simple dialogue and drama, he can make a captivating story just like Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight. The notion of cinema sculpting time and story is perfectly captures here and although the duration is long, it is a rewarding journey into Mason's adolescence and perhaps, reflection of our own.

THE LOOK OF SILENCE

Directed by: Joshua Oppenheimer and anonymous
Running Time: 98 minutes

How do you feel if one day a stranger come up to your house and after pleasantries have been exchanged, that stranger said that your father, someone you deeply respected, is responsible for killing his brother for 50 or so years ago. That awkward uneasy silence will follow. Thus the title The Look of Silence or Senyap in Indonesian, is a perfect title for this documentary. It is a numbing silence, reacting to such revelation and stories of savagery.

This is not "just" a murder, this is a slaughter that happened in Indonesia in 1965 after the so called regime change and communist uprising (according to the government) happened. The Look of Silence is a stunning companion piece for The Act of Killing. In The Act of Killing, also covering the same historical frame, the main star is Anwar Congo, here there are many Anwar Congo, but with a twist. What if the so called people who comitted slaughter met with the family of he victims?

What done is done, said a supposedly perpetrator. A term we Indonesians always heard everywhere and used in many occasion. But nothing is ever done for Adi Rukun, he himself the youngest in his family. His brother, Ramli, is one of the victim killed in 1965. For years his parents must suffer the condemnation and discrimination felt by relatives of the people accused of being a member of communist party. As if there is a thing called inherited sin to anyone blood related to those being accused. 

Adi, himself a 40 something ophthalmologist, roams the streets in North Sumatra, "interviewing" the perpetrators and sometimes their families. He confronted them with harsh realities. Some of the dialogue are full with tense and awkward silence. Not all perpetrators are the same. Some would deny their responsibility and said that they did the right thing, some would vehemently defend their actions, some dare to recreate what they had done and some has no courage to look at Adi's eye directly. None of these perpetrators have face any law at all. They walk free in Indonesia.

In one tense scene, a family of the perpetrators (the perpetrators himself had passed away), shocked upon learning that their father is a member of the militia that hunt and killed many people, including Ramli. As if there is an earthquake happened in the room. Who to blame? This film clearly shows that even the perpetrator's family must bear the pain.

Filmed with different approach than The Act of Killing and also a stand alone from the Oscar nominated documentary, some of the scene in this documentary seem a bit "artificially framed" but the story is not. It is a real story and what happened to Adi's family, happened to hundred of thousands other families, who decided to just be silent. This is another powerful documentary from Joshua Oppenheimer, produced by Werner Herzog and Errol Morris, that shows that there is an open wound that everybody ignores under the saying: what done is done.

INTERSTELLAR

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Directed by: Christopher Nolan 
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, Topher Grace, Michael Caine, Wes Bentley, John Lithgow, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon. 
Running Time: 169 min

In the age of comic book and young adult novels adapted into screen, something "original" is a breeze of fresh air. Although this so called originality comes in almost three hours. Christopher Nolan is back with another mind bending spectacle. Mind bending in a sense that the story inspired by physics in space and he mixed drama and physics as an interesting tale.

It is colossal but also personal. It also redeem the "disappointing" The Dark Knight Rises from Nolan and reminds me of Inception's originality. Some might want to take reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey but in my personal opinion it has elements from Contact (1995) too. Nolan takes on the idealism from 2001, and put a family drama in this thrilling space saga.

It started in some Midwest USA farm where Cooper (Matthew McConaughey, this year's Oscar winner for Dallas Buyers Club) living with Tom (Timothée Chalamet), Murph (Mackenzie Foy), and Donald (John Lithgow), his father in law. The world is somehow suffering from food crisis and by that, oxygen can be scarce. So the NASA scientist asked Cooper to be the pilot of a mission to find a new planet, helped by a wormhole they found in Saturn. Who put he wormhole? It is a mystery inside a mystery.

Full with physical jargon that can make lazy people cringe, this is a journey worth every minute of it. Sure some other reviewers complained about the amount of lagging drama, but not me. I like the drama and the science behind it. Wormholes and other phenomenon at space depicted as scientifically as possible. 

In terms of building up suspension and grand scenes, Nolan wins. He proves that he can make something grand also complicated. Gasps can be heard and if you are some science purist out there, relax, it is just a movie with imagination and good music score. No need to point out inaccuracies or some holes, since Interstellar has less holes than The Avengers.

I do wish that in the future, Hollywood producers will put much priority for "original" screenplay like this. Dazzle the viewers like what they used to make in the 80s with Indiana Jones or Star Wars. Stop adapting comics and embrace the world of unknown, just like what Cooper did in Interstellar.

RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO

Original title: Rurôni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen

Directed by:  Keishi Ohtomo. 
Starring:  Takeru Satoh, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Emi Takei, Yusuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki, Yu Aoi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Tao Tsuchiya, Min Tanaka
Running time: 139 minutes

The two part sequel of the long awaited live action adaptation from Rurouni Kenshin meets the expectation, at least from the cartoon and manga fans. Based on a best-selling manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki in the 1990s, the first film is a box office smash hit.

Just like any movie adapted from another medium I believe this one is independent from the animation/manga version. Takeru Sato takes the role as Himura Kenshin, an ex killer who become a pacifist hero. But his challenges are getting harder.

Home minister Toshimichi Okubo (Kazufumi Miyazawa) asks Kenshin to go to Kyoto and stop Shishio Makoto (Tatsuya Fujiwara), the ex-assassin who hated the new government since he is betrayed. Kenshin's jon is very risky, he might resort back to killing. Will he return to his old self?

With running time almost two and a half hours, this sequel can be chaotic and confusing for those who haven't seen the first film or who is not familiar with the animation/manga at all. Some might even lost to the historical and cultural background of swordsman in 19th century Japan.

In terms of story, it is not as good as the first one, although it does not mean that it is bad. For action fans, the action is amazing and breath taking but still holds more action for the last part, The Legend Ends, released just one month after this one.  

I think the story can be better by putting more motive's for Shihio's and his men. I mean, for an epic villain, how come he can gather so much capital and henchmen to his purposes without any hint of unifying ideology, let alone money? Some hyperbolic cartoon character is also here, which makes this one somehow felt like made just for true fans, not for average moviegoers.

But for most viewers it doesn't matter, at least they can relish the fact that their favorite cartoon series is now an epic movie. 

ROARING CURRENTS

Starring: Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Myung-gon, Jin-gu, Lee Jung-hyun

Directed by: KimHan-min

Running time: 127 minutes

South Korean cinemas realized that they have no Marvel comics to cash in. So they become more creative than audio visual factory of Hollywood. This time they took their own history to the big screen and put Choi Min-sik in the titular role. It pays off since this one is all time biggest grossing film in South Korean history.

The 16th-century historical epic is stirring nationwide enthusiasm, since it shows the early skirmish between Japan and Korea. Choi Min-sik act as admiral Yi Sun-shin (Choi Min-sik), once disgraced but then returned to the war scene to defend Korea under Joseon dynasty.

The Joseon's naval fleet were destroyed in the previous war. Only having 12 battle ships, Yi must face 300 Japanese battleships ready to take Korea. Facing limitations and mutiny among his own, Yi manages to keep the ranks in good shape and try to outwit and engage Japanese fleet by using the treacherous currents.

In the Japanese side, there's admiral Wakizaka (Cho Jin-woong) and pirate Kurushima (Ryu Seung-ryong), each has their own grudge against Yi. The battle of Myeong-Nyang is considered one of the most epic and memorable battle in the Korean naval history.

The film itself is mainstream at its best. With 60% of the duration allocated for the thrilling war, it does not disappoint action seeker. In the acting category, Min-sik is a badass actor with badass character. He shows that Yi is a leader that can inspire and sometimes, so hardcore. Unfortunately, those who seek drama and strong characterization will not find it here. The first half seems rushed in for the epic battle scene.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe 

Running Time: 100 minutes

With distinctive visual style and theme's about loneliness, dying to be belonged to something or someone and social awkawardness, Wes Anderson is one of my favorite hipster director.

Most of his movies have his style, such as static shot, travelling shot, ensemble cast (including Bill Murray and Owen Wilson) and deadpan comedy. I enjoy most of his movies, I even reviewed The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom here. 

Actually I was afraid that Wes has become more in style but not in substance. But my fears were not realized. In the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, lies The Grand Budapest Hotel. The story itself is multi layered, an aging writer (Tom Wilkinson) recalls his memory in 1968 as he (Jude Law) met enigmatic Mr. Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Mr. Moustafa then recall his memory as he was just a lobby boy known as Zero (Tony Revolori) in the 1930s under the wing of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). M. Gustave is a vain man, superficial and loves to manipulate old dowagers. Preying their insecurities and need to be loved. Being careless and free, it is M. Gustave's adventure that moves the story. From the death of an old dowager (Tilda Swinton), into meeting arrays of absurd and quirky people including Harvey Keitel as an inmate.

Zubrowska is not a real place and like most Wes Anderson film, it is Wes Anderson universe with it's own rules and theme. However what Wes tries to show is the feeling of being displaced, nostalgia of a bygone era, true friendship and how humor can be a weapon against tyranny. It is one of Wes's best, delightful and can be enjoyed by everyone. You will be charmed and amazed at the same time.

20 FEET FROM STARDOM

Directed by: Morgan Neville

Starring: Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega, Jo Lawry

Running time: 90 minutes

Do you know that other voice in the song Gimme Shelter belongs to Merry Clayton? Who is Merry Clayton? She's not a superstar at all but she sang in one of the legendary song of all time. She's one of many backup singers, lies 20 feet from stardom but got rare if not at all, recognition.

This is the documentary that beat The Act of Killing at this year's Academy Awards. Not just the story of Merry Clayton but other veteran backup singers like Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega and Jo Lawry.  The story follows their career from the beginning.

The stories told through interviews and archival performances. Those interviewed are also legend in music industry like Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger. The presence of backup singer are mostly anonymous, but they contribute greatly to famous songs and they had been through ups and downs in life. As for this, Sting says: the spiritual journey to become a musician is very important.

What I like from this documentary that it shines light to those who deserves to be recognized in the music industry. Most will even say that how come they didn't get the spotlight, they are talented. To this, it is still a mystery. Even Sting says that in music industry the playing field is not level and why someone become financially successful and not perhaps lies in the hand of destiny.

THE GREAT BEAUTY

Original Title: La grande bellezza
Directed by: Paolo Sorrentino
Starring: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi. 
Running Time: 142 min

Jep Gambardella: This is how it always ends. With death. But first there was life, hidden beneath the blah, blah, blah... It's all settled beneath the chitter chatter and the noise, silence and sentiment, emotion and fear. The haggard, inconstant flashes of beauty. And then the wretched squalor and miserable humanity. All buried under the cover of the embarrassment of being in the world, blah, blah, blah... Beyond there is what lies beyond. And I don't deal with what lies beyond. Therefore... let this novel begin. After all... it's just a trick. Yes, it's just a trick.

Anyone familiar with La Dolce Vita from Fellini will understand that this one is a nod to Fellini's classic. Rome is the city of old and new, full with magnificent buildings and relics of the past. Fellini covered Rome in the 60s with empty hedonism.

Now Sorrentino is releasing a whole new story about Rome and its people. In the middle lies Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo), an aging journalist who had an apartment near the Coliseum in Rome (I wonder that journalists in the third world country might be jealous. Apparently being a journalist in Italy can make you rich).

He drown himself in meaningless parties and talks of high class socialite in Rome. But he didn't feel any happiness at all. His engagement with high class people only shows the decaying picture of high class people in Rome. 

We can see that these people are jaded and cannot do anything else to overcome their boredom. We also see various character surrounding Jep's existence. There's his editor in chief, his pretentious friend, Rome's hasbeens and religious figures. 

They all mixed up together to show us the diversity of Rome. The visual is beautiful, just like the title. But I have to warn you, if you are not used to La Dolce Vita or Rome, Open City, perhaps you will be baffled and confused by the narrative. 

But if you know those two movies, it is good since it can give you (probably you have never set foot in Rome at all) a glimpse on decaying high class in Rome but told in a warm and beautiful way.

THE DOUBLE

Directed by: Richard Ayoade

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Wallace Shawn

Running time: 93 minutes

When I heard that Richard Ayoade will try to adapt Dostoevsky's The Double I simply think: what the fuck? Who on earth can adapt such dark novella? Who wanted to finance him?

But Ayoade proves that he can do it and this is a huge departure from coming-of-age-the-Wes-Anderson-way-only-more-british: Submarine (2010). 

Jesse Eisenberg (shot to fame by The Social Network) plays the titular role as Simon, an unhappy salary man in a dreary job (wasn't clear what his job is, but it seems like in statistics). 

Ayoade makes sure that the audience is lost in time and space. It wasn't clear when the story happened, one thing for sure, the people in The Double has no smartphone.

Simon is insignificant in his job, not just because he is shy and socially awkward, but his boss and peers does not consider him to exist at all. His office is bleak, uninspiring and feels like Hungarian offices in 1970s. 

Having a crush on a pretty co-worker, Simon fails to impress her. Until Simon finds another employee that looks like him 100% but have a totally different personality. His name is James and James took the office by storm. His charm and wit conquers everything.

Not even a single soul in the office care to point out that James and Simon looks alike. By this Ayoade points out the alienation of human by work, something most salary man who have worked more than five years in the same office and doing the same thing over and over again could relate.

Is it a ghost? Simon's imagination? Or something else? That is not the point of this stylish film (even the score is amazing, it will remind you of Hitchock's movies), the point is, as a human we should not be imprisoned by structure and make our mark.

A dark but compelling story from Ayoade and a magnificent act from Jesse Eisenberg. Most viewers will not like this film, but if you like something good and provocative, The Double is the answer.

JOE

Directed by: David Gordon Green
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan
Running time: 117 minutes

When was the last time I saw Nicolas Cage in a good movie? He's a good actor I think, but sometimes he chose bad movies over good one. I remember Adaptation and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans as his good ones (among many). So what about this one?

Joe Ransom (Nicolas Cage) is a man of restrain. He can explode into violent behaviour in minutes but try to hold himself back. He drinks and have a bulldog as companion. He also had an arch nemesis in that small town.

It wasn't clear what town it is, but it is not modern and it looks rundown with poverty. Joe is friendly and loyal to his crew of laborers. One runaway kid, Gary (Tye Sheridan) suddenly shows up and impress Joe with his work ethic.

But Joe has a troublesome family. His father is a drunkard and his family is dirt poor. Soon everything will comes crashing down and Joe must took severe action to protect Gary from the madness of this world.

Low budget, this one felt a bit southern gothic and present a world where loyalty and friendship as something important. Nicolas Cage is amazing here, he shows that he still got the skill to be a good actor. Is he going to abandon tentpole movies to indie ones? I do hope so. Tye Sheridan (known from Mud and The Tree of Life) is also good, he got talent and his looks is perfect for his role.

Had this been released during Oscar season, Nicolas Cage would easily got nominated. Well, actually that depends on release time and campaign.

LOCKE

Directed by: Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy
Running time: 85 minutes

Few movies reminded me why I love movies. Just like Un Prophete, this one reminded me why I love movie: story that engage the audience in a simple way.

Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is just an everyday man. In one fateful night, Locke must decide, whether to finish his professional business as a construction professional or choosing the personal one. 

One journey, one decision that changes everything. Like one quote from this movie: "The difference between once and never is everything". His job and his personal life is connected. As a construction manager he must built a solid ground for a building, so does with his life.

Abandoning his job and chose to finish a personal job, the viewers only get a glimpse of Tom Hardy alone in the car, the whole 85 minutes. Other characters present as voice only vie telephone conversation. Although this premise sounds boring, but it is engaging and thrilling.

Visually, it is also creative. It is not as stagnant as Ten (2002) from Abbas Kiarostami but interspersed with scenes from the highway in a moody tone. Only few directors manage to shine under such restrain, and Knight proves that ideas always triumph beyond special effects and comic book based movies.

Shot digitally in collaboration with cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, Steven Knight manages to deliver an engaging story that is simple and touching. Tom Hardy is superb and this one is nothing short of brilliant.

NEBRASKA

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, Bob Odenkirk
Running time: 110 minutes

I always wonder how The Simpsons in real life and now I have the answer in Nebraska, a black and white (since Alexander Payne wanted to produce an "iconic, archetypal look") film about an old man's journey to fulfill his life.

Alexander Payne is the perfect choice for this film, having launched The Descendants into major awards, this one is nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture. So what's this all about? Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is an old man who believes that he just won US$1 million. His son, David (Will Forte) knows that it is actually just a scam for magazine subscription and after several funny and stubborn exchanges, decided to play along his father, taking him to Lincoln, Nebraska.

But not before stopping by in Hawthorne where Woody's past and his brothers catch up with him, also with the "news" that Woody won a lot of money. Soon they gather and bicker about anything, from the past, present and off course, the money itself. I like Bruce Dern's act here since he can portray a quirky grandpa with no regrets in life. He is Homer Simpson of real life in Nebraska.

The whole film itself is not as depressive as August: Osage County, but a bittersweet homage to almost extinct American extended family in the Midwest and a reminder to us all, that no matter how old you are, to achieve what you want is worth fighting for.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
Running Time: 116 minutes

I used to undermine Matthew McConaughey since he was once famous starring in romantic comedies such as The Wedding Planner (2001), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Failure to Launch (2006) and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009). I think there are no big challenges as an actor to act in rom coms, but when this Texan actor takes a U turn with The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) I start to take notice.

His southie accent is something and in Mud (2012) I enjoy his act. So without further introduction I watch this one, which happened to be nominated in major awards this year.  As a skinny rodeo driver, McConaughey act as Ronny Woodroof, an anti hero in the first wave of AIDS plague in the 80s. At first Woodroof is in denial, thinking that only homosexual will get AIDS, not heterosexual like him.

Woodrof who had no degree in pharmacy and infected with HIV, took a turn by overcoming FDA regulations and importing unlicensed medicine (or drugs) which he distributed through his "club", Dallas Buyers Club. The result were impressive although it breaks the law. It is also worth noted that Jared Leto as Rayon/Raymond comes flawless in the screen. Long gone the bearded vocalist of 30 second to Mars, replaced by a suave transgender as Woodroof's sidekick in the club. This odd couple will make the FDA realize their mistakes.

I know such theme (especially since it is loaded with events only those who know what US is in the 80s when facing AIDS epidemic)  is a hard sell among mainstream audiences but if you like a good story and acting, this one worth your time.

12 YEARS A SLAVE

Directed by: Steve McQueen

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano

Runtime: 133 minutes

Slavery, upon listening to that word most people will get a hard time recognizing it. It felt like ages ago that people still practice slavery. Although in today's world slavery still existed. In 2012 we have Django Unchained, the pop corn version of slavery, now we have the gritty and uncompromising 12 Years A Slave.

With only two movies before this one (Hunger and Shame), McQueen is gambling his future by taking a very serious theme. The torture and flogging are represented as it is, it will make you flinch and wonder; why does such atrocities happened at all? Don't these slave owner have consciousness or not?

To discuss the historical and socio-cultural aspect of slavery will take so much time so I will just review the movie itself. Chiwetel Ejiofor is Solomon Northrop, a free African American. At that time some African American are free man, not all of them are slaves. One day Solomon got kidnapped and sold as a slave for years, taken away from his family for years and facing numerous act of violence (and kindness) professed not just by the slave owners but fellow slaves too.

What I like from this film is not just the uncompromising violence and depiction of human degradation by another human being, but also the gradation of characters in it. Not all slave owners are maniac like Epps (Michael Fassbender), one is sympathetic like William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) although not as 21st century sympathetic, more like a 19th century slave owner sympathetic.

After seeing this I wonder, why such thing ever happened? Why does nobody, not even the slaves, rebel against such deprivation and degradation? Perhaps the answer lies in history books and analysis from expert. Somehow McQueen succeeded in making a gripping tale of human survival and it deserves to win best picture at the BAFTA and nominated for the same category in this year's Oscar.

HER

Directed by: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson
Running Time: 125 min

In the age of 2.0 everything is simplified, including relationship. Long gone the era of real life stalking preserved only for the creeps and mentally disturbed, now comes the era of digital crush and stalk.

How we show our self in the social media also plays a role in changing our lives. A short film titled Noah (which went viral) shows how facebook, skype and other social media platform change how we relate to each other. Now, what comes of love in this age of scroll and click?

Spike Jonze who disappoint me in Where the Wild Things Are shows a very intimate look on how a non human entity with artificial "humanity" can give a real feeling to a real human being. Joaquin Phoenix is Theodore Twombly, a 40 something divorced guy who lived in future Los Angeles (or Shanghai?). It is not clear which year but it does not matter since what matters is how Theodore finds love in a hopeless place even Rihanna can't find it. He finds it in Samantha (voiced beautifully by Scarlett Johansson) some sort of romantic Siri in iOs.

With her (pun intended), Theodore feels the love he longed. But Samantha isn't real. She has no body, she's just some artificial intelligence consisted of algorithms and stuff. No one can touch her. As their relationship develops, Samantha began to learns that human relationship is very complicated but rewarding.

Her deals with loneliness and the need to belong in someone, to lose yourself spiritually in the age where even talking to each other is very easy. The story is amazing, I really like it and the ending is one of the most bittersweet ending I have seen in a movie. Is it a grim satire? Yes. Is it romantic? Yes. I think it is grim and romantic at the same time.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR

Original Title: La Vie d'Adèle Chapitre 1 et 2

Directed by: Abdellatif Kechiche
Starring: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Aurelien Recoing, Lea Seydoux, Salim Kechiouche
Running time: 179 mins

Adèle, played by Exarchopoulos, is the main character of the story. She was a young woman in the beginning of this almost three hour drama and a mature one in the second part. A student in the beginning and a teacher in the end. Adèle is confused about her sexuality, she thought she likes men but in the end she realizes that only another woman can make her happy, inside and outside.

After a stroll at the gay bar, she get to know Emma (Lea Seydoux) an art student. They both light a spark and become lovers. First Adèle must face discrimination from her friends and her own feeling, but then as their relationship moves over a "stable" one the problem is not over. Emma's shining career and her dominating intelligence makes Adèle feels lonely and underachieved. The loneliness leads to events that will define her personality and future. The second part felt a bit like The Kids Are All Right (2010), surprisingly it is also about lesbian couples trying to be loyal to each other.

The duration is long, sometimes it is too long and the sex scenes is very graphic. I wonder must this one overly use the graphic sex scene? I think eight minutes for that is too long, what's the point if not to "incite" arousal? If it wants to show emotional connection or how lesbian couples can have "many" ways to satisfy each other, then a four minute scene is enough.

However the acting is amazing, it feels like natural and for the viewer we can sympathize with the characters. Emotionally absorbing, Blue takes the audience to learns that even for lesbian couples, it wasn't easy to stay in a stable relationship. 

This is not just "find the love of your life" or "find someone else if a relationship fails", this is a character study. It feels like they can never get the love they used to have after it all broke down into pieces. Isn't it sad and makes you think: am I going to have the love of my life? Or it has passed away and I will never get it back again?

AMERICAN HUSTLE

Directed by: David O. Russell

Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence
Running time: 138 minutes

Rosalyn Rosenfeld: Life is ridiculous. And you know that I would never say anything bad about your father in front of you, but your father is a sick son-of-a bitch.
Danny Rosenfeld: Daddy's a sick son-of-a-bitch?
Rosalyn Rosenfeld: Don't repeat that... but yes.

I didn't remember the last time I enjoy a crime film, was it a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away? David O. Russell proves that he can take the mantle from Martin Scorsese by delivering us a "funny" crime story. Loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970s and early '80s, this one reunites Christian Bale and Amy Adams for The Fighter (2010); Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro for Silver Linings Playbook (2012).

The story is how an FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) who employ to con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), with his girlfriend and partner-in-crime Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) to frame some government officials in New Jersey. They all have their own motives. Richie wanted to climb up the rank and be popular. Meanwhile Irving just wanted to escape the FBI by doing the job and Sydney is torn between Richie and Irving.

Irving himself has a wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), some sort of trophy wife but with an easygoing and sometimes erratic personality. The rest of the story is a thrill. Somehow I don't get it why the FBI wanted to hire con artists to do their job, don't they got people to do that? I can feel the aura of Goodfellas and some Coen brother's movies here. Blending black comedy and drama, David O. Russell direction is getting better.

As usual in the acting category Christian Bale triumphs. There is no sign of Bruce Wayne at all, he is a fat and nervous Irving Rosenfeld. As for Jennifer Lawrence, she shines here. The rest is okay, I relish upon the fact that Robert De Niro is here, although for some brief moment. Some of her lines made me chuckle. The twist by the end is very smart. It reminded me of Matchstick Men (2002) or Ocean's trilogy with a touch of Scorsese.