One of those thing

NEGERI 5 MENARA

2012-03-15T11:52:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Affandi Abdul Rachman
Run Time: 120 min

I have to say that the book, literary-wise, is quite boring. There's nothing much going on except for the daily activities inside the pesantren (Islamic boarding school), no shocking conflicts and doesn't leave much for imagination since it is a straightforward story telling, which is kinda 'normal' from a journalist who tries to write a fiction.

With that I embrace myself going to the cinema to watch the film, since I like Indonesian films and to support it, one does simply watch it at the nearest cinema [insert Sean Bean meme here].

After seeing the film I can say that this is a rare case where the film is better than the book where some improvisation really adds to the ups and downs of a story and it is not as boring as the novel. It is nice to see a film which is not too preachy and not overly melodramatic.

The production value is something of a kind where we can see that the filmmaker is really serious to make things convincing, especially all the tidbits about the 80s era, from money that only available at that time into papers for writing mail that reminds me of my own paper mail at home.

However if you pay attention closely, especially for those native from Bandung (just like me) and familiar with the places in the scenes featuring Bandung you can tell that some locations aren't actually as what it seems in the 80s, for example the Asian African Conference museum has pavement tiles that only has been installed in 2005 not in 1989 and Salman mosque in the 80s aren't as colorful as of today. But the filmmaker has tried their best to make it as if it happened in 1989. For non Bandung native it doesn't even matter at all. It is just some small things that I notice.

The chemistry between Alif (Gaza Zubizareta), Baso (Billy Sandy), Atang (Rizki Ramdani), Said (Ernest Samudra), Raja (Jiofani Lubis), and Dulmajid (Aris Putra) is a nice thing to watch. As newcomers they really show their strength in action. To make it better, they are of age of portraying teenagers and this is a good choice since if the director chose some well known face and older that the character, it might ruin the mood.

These six teenagers are students at Pondok Madani, a modern Islamic boarding school (the setting is the real Gontor boarding school in Ponorogo, East Java) and the film follows their struggle to study and adapt to the discipline of the boarding school, also with their personal problems.

The gang of six then gathers regularly under the mosque tower, thus the name Sahibul Menara (friends of the tower) surfaced, they promised to each other that one day they will be successful and have each picture of them with different famous towers in the world.

The ending is a bit choppy and people can be confused, why all the sudden the adult version of Alif is in Trafalgar square, London? Well that's the way it is in the book.

As of this review being published, this film has been watched by half a million viewers, something of a kind for an Indonesian film. I know it sounds weird, but I do like the establishing shot in this film, except for that aerial view of Trafalgar Square which I think it's a bit too much.

Having inserted Sean Bean into this review, I also wanted to say this, 9gag wise; I don't always watch Indonesian movies at the cinemas, but when I do I make sure it is good.

THE YEAR OF WATCHING CALMLY AND SITTING NICELY, NOT IN 24 FRAMES PER SECONDS

2012-02-15T15:22:00.006+07:00

Just like every year, I feel compelled to write my favorite movies of [insert year here] and although it is already February but think it is necessary for me to put this here. I haven't seen War Horse or Extremely Loud but Incredibly Close [both are Best Picture nominated in this year's Oscar], but I think I don't have to watch it right now besides the trailers are not interesting in my opinion. However if you wanted to know what I like in 2010, just click here.

I watch many movies but only several reviews I wrote. Finding the mood is quite difficult but heck, I manage this far. Those who didn't make the cut but I think is very good is Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which in my opinion a good film.

However what is 'the best/favorite' list without me mentioning the crappiest film I have ever seen? That honor fall upon Jack and Jill, the worst movie from Adam Sandler that makes you want to punch his face. Low brow at it's best.

So, honoring my own tradition, I shall put the links on my own reviews here and here are my favorite movies of 2011, not in chronological order.

You might wonder why am I not writing the movie title as it is, but using 'the one'. Well, I wanted people to click on the link [a safe one, leads into the reviews not some suspicious links] and before that, guess the title. I hope it is fun, because I think it is boring since 'the one' is something I borrow from Friends TV series.

The one with Michael Shannon

The one with Turkish version of Zodiac

That baseball movie with Brad Pitt

The one with naughty kid

The one with Fincher fingerprint

The one that doesn't speak much

The one with chocolate pie

The one with serious spies

The cheerful cancer comedy

The one that can be titled; Virus, Actually

The one with a sick twist

The one with the kid with a bike

That Iranian Drama

The one with the grass is greener on the other side

That home kid movie with high production value

That melancholic tone

The one with brothers on the ring

The one with Ryan Gosling in it

The one with deep thinking

TAKE SHELTER

2012-02-08T14:17:00.002+07:00

Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Run Time: 121 minutes

It has been a while since the last time I got scared by movies. In recent years most horrors failed to frighten me, Paranormal Activity is sucks and the rest is passable. The last time I went scared is when I watch The Others from Nicole Kidman at TV. Well, it is more than just a while I guess.

Now comes a scary thriller that doesn't rely on ghosts or scary score but on the dread and confusion of the main character. Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon) has apocalyptic dreams, like seeing storms and rain of yellow liquid, but he keeps them from his wife Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and their hearing impaired daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart).

La Forche is a construction worker and his dreams are disturbing him. Not only that, his daughter need an operation. However La Forche 'believe' his dreams and try to built a storm shelter, by borrowing the money from the bank. He also borrow tools from his work that makes him got fired. Angry and facing the problems that the health benefit for his family will run out before his daughter got operated, La Forche is torn apart. He knows that his mother has once diagnosed with schizophrenia and perhaps he has one too. But is it mental illness or there is really an apocalypse looming in the horizon? La Forche is confused, the wife is scared and the whole community think that he just lost his mind. His behavior is distancing himself from his family and sometimes, himself. But what makes the story interesting is that La Forche himself somehow admit the possibility of him having mental illness.

The idea that keeps the viewers doubting whether it is real premonition or just some mental illness has been played good here, especially by the amazing performance by Michael Shannon. This thriller unfolds slowly but sure and some scenes are just plain frightening. Jessica Chastain also shines here, and I think 2011 is Chastain's year (with The Help, The Debt and The Tree of Life, showcasing her acting ability), and also Ryan Gosling's year.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA

2012-02-07T11:22:00.003+07:00

Original Title: Bir Zamanlar Anadolu'da

Directed by: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Running time: 157 minutes

There is something hidden underneath the beautiful Anatolian steppe, a dead body being searched by a prosecutor, cops, the doctor and the accused. Together they roam the steppe and as they found the body they sent it to nearby town to be autopsied.

But it is more than CSI; Turkish style or the panoramic Anatolian steppe or hidden body, it is about hidden feelings, repressed emotion, guilt, justice, fear, existentialism, small town mindset and limits of knowledge. Those themes doesn't need sophisticated dialogue since everything in this film is understandable. But the viewers must be patient in absorbing this film since the pacing is quite slow at the first half, but it gets better by the end. The characters developed as the film goes by and we can be aware of their layers of emotion but not fully understood what lies beneath it, just like real life itself since sometimes we just don't understand people around us.

What comes as points to ponder for me as when the prosecutor dictating crime scene report at the crime scene and they laughed a bit at the joke that the prosecutor looks like Clark Gable or how the other doctor by the small town complaining about the lack of high tech autopsy tools as if he has no feeling or sympathy at all to the victim. Well, he is not wrong by bringing that up since it is important to have the right tool for his work but it just feel unsympathetic at all.

In other field, the cinematography is great without forcing itself to be too glossy. The cars moving ahead in pitch black darkness accompanied with the silence of the night is beautiful to watch. This is my first Nuri Bilge Ceylan movie I watched and I am looking forward for his other works like Uzak and Three Monkeys. I have to say, this film really does deserve to share the same prize with The Kid with a Bike at last year's Cannes.

SUPER SHOW 3 - 3D

2012-02-06T09:43:00.004+07:00

Directed by: Kim Min-Soo, Kim Hyeok-Il
Running Time: 80 min

I never watched any concert movie at all, not even a 3D one. At first I am skeptical since I have already seen Super Show 3 on video and what could 3D offer in a concert movie? Well, apart from the wallet choking admission price, after seeing this one I can say that 3D enhance your movie concert experience. Besides I have to taste what a 3D concert movie is all about. Not only that, this one is a limited release in Indonesia, for five days only and only at Blitzmegaplex.

It makes you feel as if you are sitting in a tribune, seeing the stage in front of you and all the concert gimmicks like laser beams, fireworks and lighting are as maximal as possible. Not only that the atmosphere inside the cinema is also like in the concert with some of the viewers bringing light stick and sing along.

For those who didn't know what Super Junior is, you can Google it. All I can say that they are Korean boy band. Their songs are mostly pop (and sometimes synthpop), R n B and with a little bit of rap with mathematically precise dance that makes you feel as if you are looking at better version of Step Up 3D.

Opened with Sorry Sorry from their third album (and quoting from wikipedia: ...was a critically and commercially successful hit in Asia, becoming 2009's best-selling Korean-language album in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, China, and the Philippines), the 3D makes the stage seems alive. The rest of the songs need no explanation, they are just songs and performances with zero behind the scene scenes. That's too bad since if there is some behind the scene scenes then it can be an advantage.

But the editing between the songs are too tight and doesn't seem to flow smoothly. Not only that, it feels too short and it ended too soon. However the presence of Indonesian subtitle really helps not to mention the song lyrics that can make the viewers sing along, if they wanted to. Overall it is not a disappointment since the 3D illusion is awesome, it is just too short.

THE DESCENDANTS

2012-01-31T23:45:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Run Time: 115 min

It's all about family in this drama from Alexander Payne. Accompanied by a nice soundtrack that shows the viewers the variety of Hawaiian music this is where George Clooney shows his talent and proves that he is a versatile actor. Matt King (George Clooney) is a successful lawyer. His wife is suffering from a coma and he comes to terms to something very difficult to stomach; that his wife is actually cheating on him.

The news was broke by her 17-year old daughter; Alexandre (Shailene Woodley) who at first is nothing more than a rebellious teen but later transformed into a mature sister for Scottie (Amara Miller) and a good daughter for King. King himself is an emotionally distant father and this tragedy put him back together with his family not to mention that his cousins is nagging him on a piece of paradise their big family had, to be sold to any developer, thus makes them filthy rich. King, unable to side the news that his wife is cheating on him then go into a journey trying to find the man his wife is falling.

But this one is not just about family coming to terms with reality and unsaid feelings but about protecting family tradition and heritage, something we sometimes forgot in the modern age of materialistic pursuits. Here we see more than just template family drama, the main character transforms from ignorant to care and it is done smoothly without overly melodramatic.

There is no twist whatsoever since Payne is making the viewers enjoying the ride (literally and metaphorically) while treating us with amazing Hawaiian scenery that makes you want to go there.

MONEYBALL

2012-01-31T10:19:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Bennett Miller
Run Time: 133 min

I don't understand baseball and how people play it. I have seen it on TV and I think it is boring. However it does not turn me down as I know the fact that this one is about baseball since this one is an Oscar nominated film with Brad Pitt on it. But this one is a tough sell for international audience, unless if it is about football.

Unlike many sports drama that relies heavily on dramatic cliche and last minute scoring (well it does happen here but very subtle) this one relies on meetings, dialogues and phone calls. What makes it interesting is how 'flat' but deep this film is. Flat in a sense that there's nothing much going on that can be called as dramatic, not even a romance just like in Jerry Maguire but 'deep' in a sense that Brad Pitt acted his character, Billy Beane, in a good way we can see his layers as a GM and as a father.

Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), former would-be superstar of baseball, he is now the general manager of Oakland Athletic team. As a GM he faces a huge problem; replacing three of their star players with shoe string budget. Billy then hires Yale-educated economist behind the desk guy, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) who 'created' a certain mathematical formula in how to assemble a 'cheap' but skillful team. To take matter simply, what Beane tries to do is to built a team as strong as FC Barcelona with the budget of Aston Villa by exploiting undervalued athletes instead of trying to buy a star one.

Billy believed in this so called new approach and try to implement it, to the disdain of many who thinks that baseball cannot be determined by numbers, especially coach Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman). He put everything at stake, even his job as a GM. Will he pull it? Especially it is him against the world.

It is the mixture of instinct, personal approach and statistic, Beane proved that by swimming against the current, sometimes it is worth the fight. Sometimes.

PEARL JAM TWENTY

2012-01-30T14:56:00.002+07:00

Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Run Time: 109 min

I am a fan of Pearl Jam since I was a teenager. Eddie Vedder's voice is amazing and I have listen to almost all of their songs. However I will not let my love for Pearl Jam to tarnish my review since this is a documentary about Pearl Jam not about the music, which I really like.

I have to admit, if I listen to music and I like it I just listen to it and doesn't even bother to know where the band comes from or even what the vocalist or the singer looks like. Heck, I just knew Drake's face few months ago yet I have listen to his songs for such a long time.

For me this one is enlightening, since I get to know Eddie Vedder's face for the first time [insert your sigh here]. Didn't mean to be rude but I listen to Pearl Jam not watch their faces one by one and try to memorize it in case I stumble into one of them in the mall. Besides there is near zero chance I will stumble upon them here in Indonesia. This means I am just an average fan, not some hardcore fan. However their songs are amazing to me.

So it begins in linear, the beginning of grunge rock movement in Seattle in the early 90s. A lot of stock footage was shown and very nice, it has the look of 90's MTV. As we all know, the 90s were ruled by Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

I do listen to Nirvana and know the face of Kurt Cobain though, in case you wonder. It is interesting to watch the ups and downs the inner work of Pearl Jam as they grow from zero to hero. Through various interviews (so that's their faces, I mumble to myself) the viewers will get to know tidbits, conflicts, dreams and opinions of people and themselves about their career.

I kinda wished that there will be several full footage of their performance and a little bit disappointed that most of it were just cuts and shorts. I am looking forward for the concert video though. This documentary reveals nothing new at all, it feels like any MTV documentary made in the 90s, and that's another disappointment from me.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

2012-01-30T14:50:00.001+07:00

Directed by: Lynne Ramsay
Run Time: 112 min

I thought that devilish child from The Omen is evil, but this one is also evil, without any supernatural stuff around it. This is a depressing but good drama about a mother, Eva (Tilda Swinton) who raised a hell-child named Kevin. We track Kevin's lifetime since birth until his adolescent age (adult Kevin by Ezra Miller).

Since he was a child, we can see that he's a sociopath who shows no regrets in doing mistakes. This got worsened by the emotionally detached Eva. The husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly) seems like a husband who doesn't want to know more about his son. After Kevin goes for a killing-spree, it is Eva who has to face the blame and guilt of raising Kevin.

It ain't easy being a mother, especially if you have to raise Kevin and this film successfully point that out. It is also not easy to lay the blame on the mother since it seems Kevin has seeds of destruction since he was a child. The family is emotionally dysfunctional and that fuels Kevin's disdain to society plus enhancing his sociopath behavior.

Swinton is amazing as Eva and it shows her spread as an actress while John C.Reilly manages to free himself from his normal comedic roles while Ezra Miller is haunting as Kevin.

The violence are implied and not seen directly but we can sense that there is something dark and depressing about Kevin and his family. Seeing this is an eye opener for parents would be that it ain't easy raising a child.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

2012-01-28T11:07:00.000+07:00

Directed by: David Fincher
Run time: 158 min

Did you grind your teeth in anger as you heard the news that David Fincher is about to make the English language adaptation of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? I grind my teeth as I read the news. Does Americans lazy enough to read the subtitles of the Swedish version so they need to make the English language version? Besides, I hate Hollywood remakes of successful non Hollywood movies, except for Let Me In, the remake of Let the Right One In.

However this is Fincher who made Se7en and Zodiac, not Bay, so I still have some faith. Lowering my expectation as low as possible this one manages to surprise me. The Fincher version is better than the Swedish one. Thanks to bigger budget and better score from Trent Reznor which will remind you of The Social Network.

Opened with a brief prologue and weird opening credits that remind you of James Bond movies (Daniel Craig is even the leading actor here) with the cover of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song, Fincher take us into the feel bad ride of the year.

Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is scorned, he lost a case against a millionnaire. Blomkvist is called by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy man, to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet, almost 40 years ago. He assumes that Harriet has been murdered. Telling to Blomkvist that he will work under the guise of writing a biography for him, Blomkvist must stay at the private island of Vanger family to investigate further.

Then Blomkvist get some help from Lisbeth Salander (Ronney Mara), a gothic punk girl with haunting look who can hack into the internet. In fact she manages to hack into Blomkvsit computer previously. Together they are the dynamic duo, dwelving into the dark and shocking secrets of the Vanger family.

As expected, it is a harsh, gritty, murky and rough. Not suitable even for teenagers. The pacing and the acting is good however what comes as my disappointment is how they all speak English in Sweden with 'forced' Swedish accent. It is not necessary and feel awkward. How would you feel if Michael Mann's Heat made in Germany in German language but with 'forced'E nglish accent?

You don't have to read the book or the Swedish version to understand this one, since this time Fincher proves that not all remakes (or re adaptation in this case) have to be bad.

THE ARTIST

2012-01-28T11:01:00.002+07:00

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Run Time: 100 min

In the age of 3D movies and heavy special effect, a silent film titled The Artist steal the attention. Made as a homage and love letter to cinema (just like Martin Scorsese's Hugo which I haven't seen up to now), this film even incorporate technical aspect of the silent period like shooting at 22 frames per second, 1:33 aspect ratio and the campy acting. Not in wide screen, 3D even not in IMAX? This must be insane. But insane is the word, together with 'underdog' and we all know how Hollywood loves underdog movies in this award season. Silent is golden this time.

Opens in 1927 the protagonist is George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), attending the premiere of his own movie. He's famous and rich, having a mansion and legions of fans. During the premiere he accidentally kissed a nobody named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). The kiss was immortalized in a movie newspaper. Seeing that as a capital, Miller start using that newspaper edition to get inside the movie business.

The film tracks the ascent of Miller into the show business and George's popularity (and financial) decline due to the new technology that allowed movies to have sound. George seem reluctant to adapt to the new technology, in fact he insisted of making his own silent movie from his own pocket in the time of the peak of Miller's popularity with her talking movie.

It is a feel good and heartwarming movie for everyone to watch and the music background is amazing. However if you try to put this film with other 'real' silent movie, the story is just fine, not great but just fine. But in time where cinema has done more than just talking, this is some sort of breathe of fresh air for movie goers. That is if you are not lazy enough to read subtitles. You don't have to be an avid silent film fan to understand this film since the story is universal and easy to understand.

THE HELP

2012-01-25T15:24:00.001+07:00

Directed by: Tate Taylor
Run Time: 146 Min

Racism is bad and countless film has shown us about that, from Color Purple to Mississippi Burning. But this one takes another less glitzy approach, instead portraying the big picture, it goes to behind the yard of a middle class Mississippi in the 60s where segregation is the 'acceptable' norm.

By focusing on African-American maids were treated by their caucasian employer, this one manage to extract good acting from the cast.

Focusing on Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), a recent college graduate who comes home and finds that her own society is treating the maids in a cruel way, thus fuel her spirit to write the stories of the maids from maids's perspective.

The maids are Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), who has to endure insult even threats of being fired. Aibileen takes care of the kids (who in the future had a chance to be just like their racist bitch mothers) and Minny has to face her ueber bitch employer; Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), a social climber who has tongue as sharp as razor. As the antithesis for Hilly there is Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain), who is nice and didn't treat Minny as if she is a sub-human.

This is a human story where ignorance and racism will make you puke and the problems of the maids will make you sympathize with them. Emma Stone shine here, but it is Chastain who add the comical effect for this 'serious but safe' movie. I do hope the film could be more 'daring' in exploring racism as a theme, perhaps as daring as American History X but this one is decent and worth watching.

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

2012-01-18T14:24:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Tomas Alfredson.
Running time: 127 minutes.

What does most spies do in real life? They waited in dark room, smoking, drinking coffee, typing telegrams and discussing. The real actions were done by the one in the field and not as glossy as James Bond. No car chases or fancy gadgets or let alone, sexy girls for the guys.

The story is straightforward but you really need to pay close attention (and intellect so to say) as to why, who and where since it does not being stated clearly on the screen. Having said that, concentration is a must. Bringing the A list of British actors, the acting is not disappointing. Even Benedict Cumberbatch we all know as Sherlock from BBC can shine here.

Main plot is about Smiley (Gary Oldman) who just being 'sacked' from MI 6 (The Circus is the nickname here) and try to find a Russian mole inside the top brass. To assist him is Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), head of the Service’s strong-arm ‘scalphunters’ unit and Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy), Guillam's so called henchmen. With multiple flashbacks often from different angles, we can see a glimpse of the main character's personality.

You can feel the atmosphere of cynicism, distrust, betrayal and insecurity from this one. It makes you feel, as a viewer, how cold, silent and soulless the world of spy is. Sadly this make the film lack emotional and dramatic impact. Not only because of the nature of spying but also the film duration that try to compress the meticulous story into two hour only. Had it been 30 minutes more it can explore more on the mole suspicion to add the thrill or perhaps some personal insight into some characters.

Thanks to a tight script and editing, the film manages to squeeze Le Carre's book into a two hour movie although sometimes fail to deliver Chekov's gun to make things interesting.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

2012-01-09T10:13:00.001+07:00

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Run time: 129 min

Thank God this sequel doesn't have number '2' in it but goes for longer title instead. I do not set my expectation high for sequels since it tends to just bring you more superlatives. But I can say that I am entertained. Bringing back the super duo of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and James Watson (Jude Law) from the first film, the chemistry is still intact. If you have seen the first film this one dealing with James Moriarty, (Lex Luthor of Sherlock universe, well acted by Jared Harris) and watching the first one is something you can do to add knowledge although not necessary.

The year is 1891 and World War I is still far away but you can smell the embryo of it as it is being fueled by Moriarty himself. He even, in one scene, predicts that even Sherlock cannot stop the suppressed need of the nations in Europe for a conflict. Well we all know world war I is inevitable somehow.

Unlike most criminals, Moriarty is not a big mafia boss but an university professor making genius plot to put European nations head to head in a world war so his weapon industry could profit from it.

This time less bromance element and more to Sherlock's deduction plus pre-visualization skill. The slow motion scene is awesome and glossy, Zach Snyder better watch out, Ritchie can hold your breath for these scenes only.

Sadly Irene Adler's (Rachel McAdams) screen time is too brief and the woman role taken by Simza (Noomi Rapace) as the kick-ass gypsy lady. The first half deal with how the special effect helps the story and the last half is about battle of wits between Sherlock and Moriarty. The fights are amazing and the change in setting (not only in England but also Paris and Switzerland) is visually refreshing. Ritchie has managed to breathe new air for this franchise by not dwelling too much on bromance but focusing on the investigation.

However the BBC miniseries is better, in terms of story and wits, but it doesn't make this one disappointing since each has its own pros and cons.

50/50

2012-01-07T11:09:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Run time: 100 min

When you are up, it's not a wonder so many people wanted to be your friend. But when you are down, it reveals who your real friends are.

I rooted for the main character, Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who suddenly had the news that he had a rare spinal cancer with 50% survival rate (thus the source of this movie title). Hearing this new is a blow to Adam and without overly melodramatic (or even flashy) and trying to extort your tears, this one manages to make me laugh and cry at the same time.

Revealing he had cancer is quite difficult for Adam, His mother become extremely worry not to mention that she has to taken care of Adam's father who suffers from Alzheimer. His girlfriend, Rachel (Bryce Dallas-Howard) who initially back him, finally bow out in disgrace since she cannot handle the situation anymore.

But his friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen) stand by him, no matter what. Although at certain point he is just plain annoying and low (besides his character doesn't seem to be different from his previous movies), trying to pimp Adam's misery so he can get laid. The chemistry between these two characters is intense and funny. Then there is Katherine McKay (Anna Kendrick) an inexperienced young therapist who is nervous but actually have good intention.

This is one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's best act (let's just erase G.I. Joe from our collective mind shall we?) since he can deliver a realistic and memorable character.

The whole film is a beautiful experience for me, accompanied by a good soundtrack from Pearl Jam, one of my favorite band. It teaches you that if you cannot change how things are, at least you can change how you can see it.

CONTAGION

2012-01-05T18:00:00.002+07:00

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Run time: 106 min

Don't talk to anyone. Don't touch anyone.

This one can be easily called Virus, Actually just like Love, Actually, a hyperlink (?) film with bunch of marquee names and it's all about one theme. This time it is virus and lucky for the viewers it's not about zombie or being as silly as Resident Evil.

But Soderbergh take another approach, he make it 'what if a lethal viral disease' is happening right now?' in the style of documentary and realism. Following Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) who contracted the virus in Hong Kong and his husband (Matt Damon) must face this. Then there's Dr Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) the head of CDC who send Dr Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) to investigate. Meanwhile the virus spread so fast, creating panic in the society, fueled by an activist blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) who publishes inflammatory and controversial stories about conspiracy theory involving the government and the pharmaceutical company.

Then there is Dr. Orantes (Marion Cotillard), a WHO investigator, who is being kidnapped by her Chinese counterpart Sun Feng (Chin Han); she is being held for a ransom of the vaccine, as soon as it is developed.

It is not only virus being taken care of in this film but also the fabric of the society plus how fast the spread of fear among people is. The film itself is good but at certain point it feels too brainy and left no space for character development due to the number of ensemble cast almost the same as the number of players of a football team.

This is not pure entertainment and felt like some documentary which pose us the most common question: what would you do in such situation? Would we just work separately and not as a global citizen helping each other regardless of politics and interest?

THE SKIN I LIVE IN

2011-12-29T10:49:00.001+07:00

Original Title: La piel que habito

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Run time: 117 minutes

Just when you thought no movie could ever surprise you with the sickest twist, Almodovar came with his latest film about sexual identity, revenge, betrayal, loneliness and science fiction wrapped in the skin of thriller. He also dare to explore themes many other directors are afraid to absorb.

Almodovar has also succeeded to bring another side of Antonio Banderas mainstream audiences only known as the voice behind Puss in Boots or Zorro. Banderas acted as the mad but brilliant scientist Dr. Robert Ledgard, driven by his personal problems to repair human skin (and the hole in his soul). He attempted to create a synthetic skin through transgenesis by doing some experiment on human being, regardless of bio ethic.

At the beginning Ledgard held captive Vera (Elena Anaya) in his luxurious mansion for reasons later will be unfolded, including why and how is Vera being there. She wears some sort of skin tight body suit and constantly watched. The back story is that Robert's young wife badly burned in a car accident and something tragic also happened to his daughter.

With devious plot, Almodovar manages to slip so many psychological layers from each characters, Ledger's ambition which leave no space for emotion, Vera's psychopathic needs and the lust for scientific advancement into the film without looking as if it is something cheesy. In terms of cinematography nothing is new and Banderas has successfully acted as a mad scientist minus the comical stuff that usual happen to these characters. Don't forget the twist itself manages the viewers to squirm.

THE IDES OF MARCH

2011-12-27T22:45:00.002+07:00

Directed by: George Clooney
Run time: 101 min

The road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue isn't paved with roses and red carpets but with mud slinging and dirty work. Everybody knows that, even those who never laid their ass at any campaign. So how does George Clooney try to depict the murky face of politics? He could have easily blame the Republicans, but here he portrays inside the Democratic Primary campaign where candidates would be, fight tooth and nail for certain number of delegates to seal the party nomination and if possible, the presidency.

At the center lies Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) as the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic presidential candidate, competing against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman (Michael Mantell). The place is Ohio where both candidates seek for the endorsement of Franklin Thompson (Jeffrey Wright) who pockets 356 pledged Democratic delegates, which if Morris or Pullman nail it, one of them will seal the nomination.

Shit hits the fans as Stephen found out the Governor's dirty secret plus Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), Pullman's campaign manager, made a move towards him. What would Stephen do? Be professional or smear his hand with mud to play the game according to what it used to be played?

As for me it is an interesting movie but lack of breakthrough, especially in the genre of political thriller. We all know that in politics people sell their soul to Mephistopheles and be cynical for the rest of their life but this one seems a bit 'safe'. We didn't see any drastic change from Stephen pre and post 'revelation' and it seems like a bit weird that a guy like Stephen looks like he can be inside politic without having to be dirty. As for Gosling he did well but Clooney is as wooden as any Republican candidate trying to unseat Obama.

The script is decent (and that politic is dirty is nothing new to the rest of us anyway) and full with terms perhaps not familiar with those who had no knowledge of how the election in the U.S happened but for political drama, I still like West Wing although this one didn't disappoint at all.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL

2011-12-21T15:42:00.004+07:00

Directed by: Brad Bird
Run time: 133 min

If you go to Dubai make sure you checked these items. Eyeglasses to protect eyes from sandstorm? Check. Some piece of ethnic cloth to cover your mouth and nose. Check. Money to go there? Not checked.

But after you saw Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt climbing Burj Khalifa in a stunning way, you will want to visit Dubai and check that money. But not climbing Burj Khalifa all by yourself. As usual the fourth outing of the profitable spy franchise beside James Bond and Jason Bourne is full with superlatives. Everything must be grander, bigger and more. There's daring escape, infiltration and game of trick that will make you wonder, perhaps that's how David Copperfield is able to do his flying illusion.

Here, Brad Bird has successfully make a leap from animation into live action. Although in terms of action, Christopher Nolan's Inception is much more mind bending than this one. Which will make Nolan a better candidate for James Bond movies than Brad Bird. But it doesn't mean that this one is lame. In fact it was thrilling especially the scene in Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

The whole film gravitate towards Tom Cruise and for some reason I don't know he let his hair just like in the second film. The rest of the cast is decent with scene stealer Simon Pegg edged by Anil Kapoor, a big star in India, for comedic relief. This time the spies of IMF are not only relying on gadget but their hunch and improvisation, something that gives the element of surprise and thrill for this film.

Some might complain that it has comedic element, in fact it has the A113 signature from Brad Bird. But the real complain lies with the two dimensional villain. Little screen time was spent for the villain to unleash his character, unlike in the third film where Phillip Seymour Hoffmann can bring a very scary villain into the screen.

The rest is just action after action after action and it will entertain you to the max, making you feel that it is not the cold December winter but the hot summer of blockbuster movies.

THE KID WITH A BIKE

2011-12-20T10:55:00.000+07:00

Original Title: Le Gamin au vélo

Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Runtime: 87 min

Cyril (Thomas Doret) is an 11 year old boy who search for his father, Guy Catoul (Jérémie Renier, the main actor of L'enfant, also by Dardennes brothers) who went missing without any notification. Cyril lives in a children care home and it looks like he rarely had contact with his own father. He also search for his beloved bike. Parentless, (his mother seem to be not present at all) he took refuge at the local hairdresser, Samantha (Cécile de France). He soon try to find his father only to find that his father is actually throwing Cyril out of his life. Angry and rejected he find a friend with the wrong figure which leads him into new trouble.

At first Cyril looks naughty and hard to restraint but as the film proceed, the viewers began to empathize with him since what Cyril did is just a manifestation of him seeking love and affection. He is just a kid who cannot articulate his own feelings in words. All he can do is just manifesting his anger into his surroundings.

Just like L'enfant, the previous Dardennes brothers film, this one has minimal soundtrack and neo realistic approach. Although almost free of soundtrack, it has a non natural music between certain scenes to mark an emotional change which reminds you of Kieslowski's Blue.

By avoiding to explain each character's back story the film which won Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival can avoid sentimentality but manages to provoke deep thought inside the audience's mind. To sum it up, all what we need is love, Beatles-wise of course.

A SEPARATION

2011-12-20T10:33:00.004+07:00

Original Title: Jodaeiye Nader az Simin

Directed by: Ashgar Farhadi
Run Time: 123 min

A small family drama is a very difficult theme to tackle, it can be beautiful like Biutiful or just another Hallmark channel movies with too much dramatization and easily forgotten.

Simin (Leila Hatami) had enough with Nader (Peyman Moadi) after 14 years of marriage. She asked for a divorce, something Nader will not give since he thinks he is a good husband who treated his wife rightfully. Simin thinks that Nader pays too much attention to his elderly father who suffers from Alzheimer and she wanted to take their daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi, the director's daughter) abroad to have a better future. She thinks that Nader is being selfish. Here the story takes no sides since both seems to have a valid argument.

They live separately ever since with Termeh living with her father. As Nader is busy working at the office he hire a help from a woman, Somayeh (Kimia Hosseini) to take care of his father. This lead into another problem which probes deeply into the fabric of modern society in present Iran and lays out each character's motivation.

Here is the story where right and wrong are not clearly divided and everyone just do things what they think best (or right?) for them. Wonderfully crafted and well acted, wherever you come from you can relate to the hopelessness and the uncertainty of the situation. It is emotional without having to rely on popular song or some score to lead the viewer's feeling.

Free of any political messages, it proves that Iranian filmmakers are able to make a neo realistic film without having to be political.

This is the first Iranian film to sweep Golden Bear for Best Film and Silver Bear awards for Best Actor and Actress at this year's Berlin Film Festival.

SANG PENARI (THE DANCER)

2011-10-31T14:48:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Ifa Isfansyah
Run Time: 111 Min

As a film trying to portray one of Indonesia's turmoil years, where the Indonesian Communist Party is having it's peak in the 60s and the subsequent event that everybody (unless some people who have no interest in history) in Indonesia knows what it is, it is a very good one. Not trying to be pretentious or even preachy, it even had a good production value.

Sadly, for foreign viewers they will be left confused to the what and why in this film since even the name of the Indonesian Communist Party didn't even mentioned at all and there is no title card that explain the socio political background of the historical events that become the background of this film.

Not even any visual symbol depicts the peak of communist influence in Indonesia at that time, not even the logo of hammer and sickle appeared at all. As for me this is important since this film has big potential to be sent into foreign film festivals.

But for Indonesians, we already know what and why without us needed to be invaded by the extreme visual of communist logos.

However instead of trying to portray the historical event in a generic way, this one explore the how and why this situation could flourish in Indonesia by stating that poverty, prejudice and people's innocence come at play.

Inspired from the novel Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari (which I haven't read), it tells the story of Srintil (Prisia Nasution) a young woman who lived in the village of Dukuh Paruk in Central Java. She wanted to be a ronggeng dancer, a profession regarded as prestigious in the village. Not only that it could elevate the village's prestige but it could bring a lot of money too.

The thing is, as a traditional ronggeng dancer, it is obliged for her to have sex with the highest bidder and that hurts Rasus (Oka Antara) deeply since he had a soft spot for Srintil. But who is he anyway to take Srintil into his arms? He is just a poor guy happens to be in love with a woman impossible to reach.

As time goes by Rasus enter the Army from the bottom and become a soldier. Meanwhile the ronggeng dance troupe were infiltrated by the Communist Party cadre, capitalizing on high illiteracy level and low education among the villagers.

In the end everybody knows, communist purge take it's toll to the common people and Rasus and Srintil are at different ends of the relation between power and the powerless. Like it or not, Rasus and Srintil cannot escape history's mighty force in determining people's fate.

The ronggeng procession were depicted very nicely and Prisia can act as a dancer convincingly. Oka himself is a good choice, his voice and mannerism is a perfect choice to act as Rasus a naive villager transformed into a soldier. The pacing is tight and even for those who haven't read the book, the whole story is understandable.

Some people complained about Pia's use of Javanese language and accent but me being a Sundanese who cannot speak any Javanese language at all cannot tell if there is a problem at all. Overall, this one is an important film not to be missed.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

2011-10-28T01:11:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Woody Allen
Run Time: 94 minutes

"Nostalgia is denial - denial of the painful present... the name for this denial is golden age thinking - the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one ones living in - its a flaw in the romantic imagination of those people who find it difficult to cope with the present. "

The grass is greener on the other side. That is the simple premise of this newest Woody Allen film. As for me I always enjoy his films, although haven't seen all of his works. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, Scoops, heck I even like Cassandra's Dream.

Just like the title, it is set in Paris and the main protagonist is Gil (Owen Wilson) a successful screenwriter apparently unhappy with the present time. He is in Paris accompanied by his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), on vacation together with her conservative parents. One night, after saying that he would rather live in a 1920 Paris (he worshiped the aura and ambiance of Paris even wanted to live there to the dismay of the upper class Inez), he stroll the Parisian street and voila, 'transported' into that period in Paris.

He encounter many famous people like F . Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), Ernest Hemmingway (Carey Stoll), Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), and Adriana (Marion Cotillard). He even met Luis Buñuel and on a party apparently giving an inspiration for Buñuel's famous work; The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois. If you read, then you will know who they are in history.

Coming back and forth between present time and the 1920's changes Gil into an enthusiastic person. He even let his novel being read by Gertrude Stein. But is it just a dream or the time travel really does happen? What sort of influence does these famous people give to Gil and his views of life?

I think whether it is a time travel or just an imagination is not the case. The core of the film is being dissatisfied with present time and wanting to go to a golden age which the person think, suit best for them. But in it lies the seed of discontent that the person cannot accept life as it is in their present time, thus finding escapes in the so called 'golden' past. But we have all been in that position, daydreaming what if we lived in a different time. Would we be more content? or not?

What comes as a surprise is that the message is not hidden in some sophisticated symbol, it is in plain view. This is not Allen's best but surely fun to watch. Wilson is the appeal of this film, together with Adrien Brody and Kathy Bates's performance that steal the spotlight.

SUPER 8

2011-10-26T22:20:00.000+07:00

Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Run Time: 112 min

How do you keep secrets in the age of internet? Apparantly J.J can do that and he has been successful in keeping so many mouth shut on his projects (Star Trek and Cloverfield). The teaser trailer can make you think that this is some sort of prequel to Cloverfield and it will be a full action alien movie.

But not keeping any expectation or even trying to peek what Super 8 is all about really pays off, at least for me. I didn't even want to know anything about this film. Set in the 70s (hence the Super 8 film stock as the reference and it is a nice reference since Spielberg and Abrams were both raised in this era, although Abrams is younger. So the film format itself is sort of a nostalgic road trip for both of them) the main protagonist is not some 20 year something spy but a 12 year old kid named Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney). Lamb helps his friend, Charley (Riley Griffiths) to make a cheap 8mm zombie movie for a local film festival. They were helped by their friends and there is always be a love interest for the protagonist in the form of 14 year old Alice (Elle Fanning). From the beginning of the film, it is being told that Lamb's mother died in an accident and his father Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler, I know him from Early Edition TV series), is drowning his grief in his job as a sheriff deputy.

As the kids try to film a scene on an empty train station something tragic happened, a pickup is making the train derailed, leaving so many explosions. The camera accidentally capture a disturbing image.

Soon the kids learn that their small town is being swarmed by military men and they suspect it has something to do with the cargo of the train. Will they be able to solve the mystery? Make the film on time and survive the test of friendship and first crush?

It is interesting to point out that everything is from the point of view of the kids and whatever inside the cargo is actually a fringe story. The core of the story is about friendship and ability to let go.

Does this remind you to E.T.? Not a surprise since Steven Spielberg is the producer. As a director Abrams managed to deliver a convincing drama about small town kids accompanied by a very good special effect plus the artistic lens flare. I think this is not a ripoff of E.T. but a nostalgia on movies based on friendship like Stand by Me or E.T. itself where a big thing affecting the lives of many ordinary people manage to change their perspective on their life and in the end we care about the characters and doesn't care about the effects at all.

MELANCHOLIA

2011-10-26T22:01:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Lars von Trier
Run Time: 136 min

A disaster/sci-fi movie by Lars von Trier? Don't get your expectation too high since this is not your typical summer movie about disaster. Actually it is still a disaster but a psychological one. Melancholia is the name of a planet which has been hiding behind the sun and about to crash the earth.

The opening sequence in extreme slow motion is stunning and open to many interpretation. A montage of meaningless scenes is teasing us about the nature of the film. Von Trier himself is reported having a state of depression while making this film (not to mention his Hitler controversy at a film festival). Unlike most disaster movies that take on a global scale, this one focuses on Justine's (Kirsten Dunst) wedding, her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and Claire's husband, John (Kiefer Sutherland) and located in a mansion.

Since the wedding Justine has shown the symptomps of being uneasy. She went sad for no reason and do unthinkable stuff. Meanwhile the party goes on as if everything is just okay. Eventually the hidden planet of Melancholia is nearing by. What will these people do?

Sure anyone can go at length criticizing the scientifically aspect of this film (where is the global panic? They didn't watch any TV? How come planet that big cannot be detected at all? What about the gravity of the planet that can affect the earth and so on and so on). I think this is not a sci-fi per se but the whole film is a metaphor for human fear of dying with Melancholia, the planet, as the embodiment of the inevitable fear we all must face. It has a nihilistic and depressing tone, but it is not a surprise considering Von Trier's mental condition at the time he made this film. Dunst and Gainsborg did an awesome job as an actress and surprisingly, I enjoy this one than most of Von Trier's other movie.

WARRIOR

2011-10-15T13:31:00.000+07:00

The devil you know, is better than the devil you don't know

Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Run time: 140 min

So how do you make a movie about fighting that must defy all cliches? Apparently Gavin O'Connor has raised the bar. Although it has a training montage but not accompanied with cheesy songs and the premise is amazing. Usually we root for one main character who has to fight his way (including the disposable two dimensional opponent) but here we root for two main characters who has to fight each other. We don't want them to get hurt but there has to be a winner.

I am familiar with Mixed Martial Arts shows, in fact I used to be a fan of it. This film is not about the quest for a title or rags to riches but it is about the conflict inside human heart that got materialized in a brutal fighting inside the cage.

All three main characters are broken. Estranged brothers Tom and Brendan Conlon (Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton) and their father, Paddy (Nick Nolte) has to cross path after so many years not seeing each other.

Tom visited his father after so many years. Apparently Paddy was a drunk s.o.b back then, his wife moved out with Tom and lost contact with Paddy and Brendan. Tom asked Paddy to train him for the upcoming Mixed Martial Arts, profesionally, putting aside all his hatred but doesn't mean forgiving him. As of this point the viewers doesn't know why Tommy wanted to enter the competition.

Meanwhile Brendan is facing a problem of his own. He is about to save his house from foreclosure, cannot pay for his daughter medical bill and got suspended without pay from the school he used to teach in since he is involved in some illegal fighting scene. Seeing no option, he too wanted to enter the competition.

It takes no genius to figure that in the end it is the brothers who have to face each other literally and figuratively. Nick Nolte is amazing as a regretful father trying to mend his past mistakes. Tom and Edgerton are also believable in conveying their deepest grudges and sadness. Several acting nominations at the Oscar is waiting for this film.

The first half is very effective for building up the tension in the fighting arena and the fighting is near realistic, although there are less blood on the screen due to the PG-13 rating. Slightly better than The Fighter, Warrior is powerful and disturbing but at the same time; very human.

DRIVE

2011-10-07T16:06:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Run time: 100 min

That nameless driver is Ryan Gosling, and like numerous nameless characters in a movie (Won' Bin's The Man from Nowhere and Clint Eastwood's Spaghetti Western trilogy has precede it) he is a quiet loner that can burst into violence in matter of seconds.

Drive is not your usual car chase movie filled with sugary hip hop music, instead it has a European feel of things seeping slowly waiting to explode. The driver is a stunt driver in Hollywood who happens to work in a car factory and have an interesting side job. As a driver for robberies that can take the car as fast as possible to hide from the cops.

The driver meet his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan), and her son. Her husband is in prison and soon the driver gladly take the role as boyfriend/father surrogate. Things are getting more complicated as Irene's husband returned and one of his side job ended in tragedy. Now the driver must do whatever it takes to protect himself and the one he loved.

Unlike Fast and Furious franchise or even The Transporter, although it has an eerie and effective action scenes, it doesn't feel like a typical action film. It feels like as if the audience will not know what will happen next and then completely blown away. Refn attention to detail adding a unique edge to this movie, from the Scorpion jacket to toothpick, the nameless driver surely got an attitude no one will forget.

You can feel that this film has the European touch and that is not wrong since Refn is a Danish director famous in art house circles. Refn doesn't even try to outdo Fast and Furious he just present Drive as it is, noir, brutal and honest.

Ultra-violent and ultra-stylish, Drive is clearly one of this year's best not to be missed.

THE TREE OF LIFE

2011-09-05T10:10:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Terrence Malick
Run time: 139 min

Since I have seen most of Malick's work, I am a bit prepared for this one. As I expected the film relies heavily on visual treat (including the ring of Saturn, dinosaurs and squids) with 'footnote' narration but doesn't disappoint in terms of story. Well, that is if you can figure out what the main story is. But if you are not familiar with Malick's style (mostly wordless sequences involving individuals, distilled to actions or looks, shots of nature to convey mood and tension, and enhanced with musical interludes), you can get lost in the beautiful but disjointed scenes of natural life and the drama. To put it simply, it feels as if a National Geographic documentary has a story in it. Beautiful pictures are abound and it will not bore you at all.

Although the story seem plot-less but if you let yourself immersed in the whole thing, you can figure out what it's all about without choking yourself with loads of books about Philosophy and Religion. To put it in one word the film is contemplative, regardless what your belief is.

However, loaded with spiritual symbolism, this one is not difficult to follow at all and eventhough it encompass a family story combined with the creation of the universe, it doesn't fall into a pretentious movie. It could easily fall into such category by inserting over the top narration with sophisticated vocabulary, but it doesn't.

So what's it all about? Supposed you have read the synopsis and watch the trailer, you still cannot guess what the story is all about.

The film begins with the O’Brien (Brad Pitt) and the wife (Jessica Chastain) grieving their teenage son’s death. Then the story moves forward to present time where Jack (Sean Penn) still thinking over his brother's death. The story itself revolves around the family drama with less dialogue. Mr O'Brien is a loving father of three boys trying to balance being a warm father and a strict one, while Mrs. O'Brien is more permissive, providing comfort and warm.

As usual the boys rebel and the father has to apply his harsh measurement. The mother become the comforter and the son try to find his place in the world while make peace with them self and the father. I think the father is not strict, he just behave what he think is right and yes conflict does happen in any family.

So what is the connection between this family drama and the creation of the earth (and universe)? I think it is left to the viewers to figure out all by them self. In my opinion it means that we human ponder about our existence in the universe, and how small we are in the vastness of space.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Part 2

2011-07-30T11:27:00.000+07:00

Directed by: David Yates
Run time: 130 min

So this is it; the final chapter (or a very long encore) of the last chapter of Harry Potter saga. After 10 years accompanying Muggles and alike, the journey has come to an end. As for the viewers who haven't read the book or watch the first movie, they should have watch the Part 1 first (and read my review on it here if you click the link; shameless promotion always get me somewhere) since this film spends no time in flashbacks and start directly after the funeral of Dobby. As for me, I have read the seventh book so I will not be disturbed by spoilers, and I am not the one who like to spoil the ending here.

Leaving the character development on Part 1, Part 2 spends more time on action and tied up loose ends, giving a proper send off for the billion dollar franchise that started in 2001 and a sort of 'reunion' for past actors and actresses that have acted on the saga.

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) now must locate and destroy the remaining three horcruxes in order to defeat the dark wizard Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), whose power grow and threatens the magical society.

Meanwhile, having discovered the elder wand as the ultimate wand for power, he seek Harry in a hurry (it rhymes!) and in the ultimate battle in Hogwarts the only way to solve it is to fight face to face.

As for other characters, Snape (Alan Rickman), is the star of this film, stealing enough screen time with Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis)

In terms of acting, Alan Rickman shines. It is not a surprise since he is a good actor and I like him as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. As for Daniel Radcliffe he is just wooden, and sorry, although he did it well but he doesn't shine that much here.

Non fans might complain that the film is too fast and leaves no character development while trying to recollect their last memory of the first part. Die hard fans might point out details that they don't think represent their wishes after they read the book several time but one thing for sure, Harry Potter has given us the magic inside the cinema, uniting moviegoers at a singular experience.

Few months later, after the blu-ray/DVD for this film has released, the fans of the saga will enjoy a full and thorough experience of all the eight movies in one nineteen hours long chunk. Spans of movie marathon event will be held and it will be cherished for many years to come, that is if there are no re-boot at all.

The backdrop of the release of this film is the so called tax standoff between the government and film importers which leave Indonesian moviegoers with severe drought of Hollywood movies and the delay of this film's release here. But does the tax standoff end beautifully just like this film? Well, that's another story.

CATATAN HARIAN SI BOY

2011-07-08T13:47:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Putrama Tuta

“Mau ngeberesin apaan? Hidup lo aja berantakan gimana lo mau beresin yang lain?”

The impending tax standoff between the government and MPA has left me and so many Indonesian moviegoers in drought. This means severe drought for my English language blog since I cannot write reviews about X-Men: First Class or even lash my harshest words on the third metal clanging Transformers.

So in the spirit of trying to make this blog look alive, I have spin so many bottles and kick so many curbs to find the right film to review. Actually I have seen Limitless but at that time I am not in the mood to write reviews. Then I have another blog which this time is 90% in Indonesian language and that takes some of my free time. So gentle readers, ready for this one?

Let's cut to the chase. What is 'si Boy' anyway? For those who were born in the 90s, here's my take; Catatan si Boy (Boy's diary) was feature film made for five times in the 80s with Boy (Onky Alexander) as the main character. He's got everything that any girl would fall for; good looking, rich, smart, religious and attitude. The whole five films revolve around Boy and his romantic adventures and if you seen it now, it was so 80s with brick shaped hand phone to the language they used. The formula is simple, a protagonist surrounded with beautiful ladies and some fight happens with some other guy. It was immensely popular in the 80s.

So how does Putrama Tuta and his team make 'Boy' relevant for 21st century movie goers? Did he re-cast Boy? or make a remake? Fortunately not. He made an attractive and decent homage to Boy as legend plus make it relevant to today's film goers with reference to Google and Twitter.

Using Boy's diary as the Mac Guffin (Google yourself what Mac Guffin is if you never heard of it), Tuta manage to create a whole new story and character around the myth of Boy.

Boy himself (Onky Alexander) only appeared briefly but holds a pivotal part for this film. The difference between this one and the previous five Boy sequels are; this one is about friendship, not about one man’s quest to woo girls and being the center of the story all by himself although you can see Satrio's way to woo Natasha very clear. You don’t have to watch the previous ‘Boy’ to understand the story although if you have seen it, you can complete the ‘bigger’ picture.

Satrio (Ario Bayu, do you remember Kala from Joko Anwar where he is one of the leading actor? Joko Anwar also appeared in this film as a cameo) is a car mechanic and one cannot be mistaken if he is the 21st century Boy (minus didn't write any diary). He likes competition and illegal racing, he used to be born into silver spoon before he realize all the nice things he had in life was in fact a result of his father being a corruptor.

At one illegal car race he is arrested and sent to the police station. There he's bailed by his friends; Nina (Poppy Sovia), Andi (Abimana) and hilarious Herry (Albert Halim) who work in the same car station with Satrio.

Meanwhile Natasha (Carissa Puteri) just return from London to see her mother, Nuke (Boy's girlfriend from the 80s version, but her face wasn't shown at all) who is deeply ill. She is taken by Niko (Paul Forster) her boyfriend to the hospital. At the hospital she realized that her mother keep clutching to Boy's diary. So she tried to find where Boy is.

On the road home, Niko was assaulted by Jeffry's (Leroy Osmani, again if you have seen the first Boy film, he's some sort of the antagonist and he's back for a very brief time) henchmen since he cannot pay gambling debts. The car taken by Jeffry's men, Natasha went to the police station to report the assault and there the story begins. Natasha's journey to find Boy through his diary and Satrio's desire of competition to get Natasha's out of Niko's hand plus the journey to find Boy is the theme of this film.

As for me, I like this one. I mean it has been ages since I have seen a good Indonesian film. The production quality is top notch, it feels as if it has raise the bar for production standard in Indonesia.

Everything in this 98 minutes film is balanced, the drama, acting (Ario Bayu and Abimana stand out, the dialogue are real and fresh) comedy and action fits well. Some reference to the previous Boy is also present with Btari Karlinda, Didi Petet and Onky Alexander himself, making brief but important appearance.

Thumbs up for the effort and more movies like this will surely revive the so called drought in Indonesian movies quality.

SOURCE CODE

2011-05-18T10:38:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Duncan Jones

The 'what if' question is getting a science fiction (and repetition) in the second film of Duncan Jones. His first movie, Moon is amazing, so I have a bit of expectation for him.

Bringing science fiction to the table with not so glittering special effect requires a solid story and in this field Jones did it well.

In this mind bending virtual reality, the viewer is challenged to question whether existence is the state of being or state of mind by opening the story from the middle of the action as Sean (Jake Gyllenhaal) awakens from a nap on a train bound to Chicago. Sitting across from him is, Christina (Michelle Monaghan). Sean is disoriented and doesn't know why he's there. Then he said his name is Colter Stevens, a US Soldier serving in Afghanistan. Eight minutes later the train blows up and Colter awaken in a capsule, listening to the voice of Goodwin (Vera Farmiga), who gives a very small briefing about what happened.

It appears that there is this military program called Source Code and Coulter has to be send into the last eight minutes before the train exploded to find out where the bomb and the bomber is.

Is it a time travel? A new universe from the 'after glow' of people who had just died or just an illusion? A life inside another life? Some secret simulation? I will not spoil you the fun here.

The fun part is actually how viewers with limited knowledge of physics can digest this straightforward story telling, although for some of you who knows too much about quantum physics, some of the science here is just a bit ridiculous.

However the film has successfully bring memories of almost but not similar movie, Inception, about the nature of reality and a high pacing thriller. It will also remind you of Groundhog Day, a movie about one same incident being told several time. Here, Jones managed to repeat the last eight minutes without make everyone bores. Although I do hope that Jones added another layer to make the story more complicated.

As for me, I like this film, it is engaging and has amazing twists. The opening itself even reminded me of Hitchcock films. In the future Jones is a director to watch, since he can make a story without wasting too much on effects.

OF GODS AND MEN

2011-04-27T11:52:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Xavier Beauvois

Original title: Des hommes et des dieux

As I read the title, it makes me frowned, 'Was it just another over the top movie with preachy messages?'. However I was wrong, although the pacing is slower than the fastest snail on a race, but it was good, in fact a bit amazing and not preachy at all.

Based on the true story of nine French monks who lived peacefully among the majority Muslim population in Algeria in the 90s, it adds an element of 'reality' into the film. If you happen to google what happened there, the story is scary, seven of the monks were captured and beheaded by a group of religious extremists.

It could be a movie about blood and over dramatic scenes but director Xavier Beauvois dives into the psychological aspect of the monks. Here we can see how the monks and the majority Muslim population lives side by side respecting each others faith and there are lengthy scenes of the monks praying, giving new perspective for the viewer. The monks also provide free health care for the villagers, something the villagers really appreciate.

Beauvois has successfully made a clear distinction between the peaceful Muslim villagers and the extremists on the difference of the level of their tolerance and the way they treat each other.

Trouble comes as the so called extremist ruin the peace and the monks are faced with difficult choices; to leave the village they loved or stay there and be true to their mission at any price.

The tone of the film is very peaceful and the acting is just okay by not focusing on just one character, but if you pay close attention you can get the message of this film.

For action movie lovers, this film which close French Film Festival in Indonesia will make you snore, but for those who wanted to watch something meditative and different, this one is a must.

SUCKSEED

2011-04-27T10:55:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Chayanop Boonprakob

Original Title: SuckSeed Huay Khan Thep

I'm in the mood for romantic comedy and anything lighter than wafer, so I stumble upon this. First I have seen the trailer and judging from that I have a feeling that this one will be hilarious, and I am right.

This is the sort of film that will remind you about your younger days, that is if you were young and nice.

Coming from GTH, a successful production house from Thailand which has given South East Asian viewers with Shutter, Alone and Phobia this one will make you laugh and realize that our neighbor Thailand has better story to tell than most if Indonesian film.

Look at the simplicity of the story, a boy who fell in love with a girl but keep the feeling for himself. In the hand of mediocre Indonesian filmmaker it will be one boring Jakarta centric story, but here, it is down to earth. No overly handsome loser who dreams of a perfect girl, they are just ordinary people with daily problems.

Ped had fallen in love with Ern since he were just a kid, he even try to sing his own song and send the tape to Ern. But one phone call at night to Ern's house make Ped change his mind, Ped lies to Ern's parents that he is Koong, Ped's best friend. It happened as they were kids and it lead to future complication.

Flash forward to 2006 as they are already in high school, Ped (Jirayu Laongmanee) still keep his feelings for Ern (Nattacha Nauljam) deep down inside. Ped still hang out with Koong (Pachara Chirathivat) who lives in the shadow of his successful twin brother, Kay who plays lead guitar in a better rock band called The Arena.

Trying to have his own spotlight, Koong try to form a band consisting of him as the lead guitarist, Ped as the bassist and a new kid, Ex (Thawat Pornrattanaprasert) as the drummer. Guess what, who Koong will ask as another guitarist? Ern.

First Koong just want to attract girls by forming a band, but as they spent time together he too have feelings for Ern and that make things more complicated for Ped. Will the unity of the band destroyed by a normal love triangle?

Accompanied by so many Thai music I am not familiar with (lucky for me even the songs has subtitles!) I am entertained to the maximum. Aside from the music and the incorporation of what seem to be Thai's famous musicians whom I do not known at all, the acting is believable and Pachara Chirathivat steals the scene.

As for the story it is just a so-so teen rom com but the deliverance is very successful and can make you lough out loud plus reminding you of the glorious days of your time in high school. As for me this is more fun to watch than that pseudo artsy fartsy Uncle Boonme who can recall his Past Lives.

I know it is not a fair thing to put these two films on the same table, but we watch movies to enjoy it right? Regardless whether it is just a simple rom com or some dialogue heavy court room drama.

ELITE SQUAD 2

2011-03-25T17:07:00.000+07:00

Original Title: Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro

Directed by: Jose Padilha

Sequels with numbers usually sucks and falls to the trap that everything must be bigger and more explosives and sometimes sequels without number sucks too and falls to the same trap.

Only few stand out as equal or better than the first installment, just like The Godfather Part II that can stand tall with The Godfather as for this, I was a bit skeptic at the beginning.

I mean how can the same person who made the first Tropa de Elit e could top their own creation? But after seeing this I am stunned, this sequel, although titled with a number (something I hate) is like what The Dark Knight do to Batman Begins, a better sequel with better substance.

If you forgot what happened at the first film, you can click the link above which will direct you to my own review. The first film was stunning, the degree of violence and nihilism is prevalent, not to mention realistic visualization and story that, in my opinion, can be understood pretty well by Indonesian people.

I mean corrupt cops and officials? We have plenty of them here. Okay, enough of that let's get back to the film.

Ten years after the event of the first film, Captain Nasciemento (Wagner Maura) is becoming a scapegoat as his special police unit kill a drug dealer in a prison. It is all because a human right activist who happen to be a leftist and a liberal, Fraga (Irandhir Santos) make a noise about it in the media. Fraga himself married to Nascimento's ex wife, making things more complicated.

To save face, the government didn't fire Nasciemento but made him a security intelligence, a behind the desk position. While his sidekick, Captain André Matias (André Ramiro) is demoted to another police division, a corrupt division.

At the beginning Nascimento think he can change the system by eliminating drug dealers thus police corruption. But he unleash another monster, having lack of income from drug dealers, the corrupt cops turns to control the favelas (Rio De Janeiro's slum) and more bodies fall.

From there rise Russo (Sandro Rocha), a corrupt cop who become too corrupt and connected with a politician, Fortunado (André Mattos). This is an election year and every vote from the slum is important.

Things went awry as Nascimento's ideals, Fraga's activity and politics vs crime become one awful mix. Can he change the system? Who must die for his war and does it all worth it?

On paper and on trailer it looks like just another crime drama, but this one is a bit complicated and smart. It reminds me with Infernal Affairs but with better action and shootout.

As for the actions scenes, there weren't that plenty but effective and engaging. Michael Mann, be careful, Padilha can top your Heat shootout scenes.

Some aspect are specific to Brazilian people, but I can find the universal message that change takes time, what to do in a lawless situation and sometimes you wonder why everything is so bleak just for the sake of greed.

This is a good film not to be missed it thrills you and thought provoking. A better sequel to watch.

INSIDE JOB

2011-03-23T16:00:00.000+07:00

The film that cost $20,000,000,000,000 to make

Directed by: Charles Ferguson

Although I read much about the global economic meltdown of 2008 in the news I only know few things like collapsing companies, foreclosures, people being out of job and the 700 billion dollar bailout package. Basically just the big picture.

I don't know anything about sub prime, derivatives or even hedge fund. Those are strange things for me and reading those Wall Street Journal editorials are a bit of a pain for a simpleton like me.

However, this film has explain the why and who of the global economic meltdown, complete with the explanation of those specific financial terms which is enlightening for me.

I cannot explain in my own words what's sub prime and their friends are, I don't even know what's Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers or Merryl Lynch is and the only information I got about AIG prior to the crisis is they sponsored Manchester United football club, that's it. So if you are still wondering, Google and dozens of books will help you to understand it better.

However, unlike Michael Moore's Capitalism a Love Story which address almost similar matters, this one is not political or trying to be funny at all.
Narrated by Matt Damon, this one enter legions of documentary narrated by famous people. Why using Matt Damon? I think the film maker want to raise awareness by this, since this film will appear at Matt Damon's filmography page and people who have no idea what's going on will try to watch this one.

Divided by chapters as in book chapters, it is an easy to follow story with heart wrenching end, that the cause of all of this mess is simply greed and how those smart people in Wall Street robbed ordinary American only to make them rich.

The worst is yet to come, the people who let these atrocities happened doesn't even go to jail, they are getting richer and those government policy makers are still on their throne.

The lobbyist also have spent five billion US dollar to lobby both side of the aisle so they, in a simple word, can get off easy robbing people without any government regulation at all. All because this open market has no regulation at all and all attempt to do it will be killed by those powerful people.

What makes me sad is how the academics, the one common people rely if the politicians cannot be trusted at all, are also taken part in this complex web of deception.

I wonder, is this human nature to be greed? This documentary is a wake up call to anyone who is involved in financial sectors and a nice lesson for us, common people who have no idea what those white collar people are doing behind closed doors.

Filled with so many interviews this one is not boring and a decent Oscar winner in the category of Best Documentary feature. This one is also a perfect companion to Wall Street and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (both are my favorite) and if you are majoring in economic or finance, a must see.

IN A BETTER WORLD

2011-03-15T16:48:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Susanne Bier

Original title: Hævnen

Whenever there's a film winning Oscar's Best Foreign Language category, I am interested to see it.

I think that category is the most interesting at all, giving us windows about a world we rarely see. Besides there's always be something nice to know beyond Hollywood. So with high expectation I watch this one, the one that had won and I am a bit disappointed.

Sure the theme of revenge and redemption is well played here, but it is not as good as Biutiful (I haven't seen the other nominees besides Biutiful). Not that this one is bad, it is just, as a winner, it doesn't provoke my thoughts. Is it because I have seen movies with similar theme? Or am I looking for something more that I haven't been able to express it with words yet? I don't know for sure.

Sure it is nice and I can get what the director is trying to say. It just doesn't left me speechless at all.

However, to make my blog sound sophisticated, I shall review this film. The original Danish title is Hævnen, which means The Revenge and that makes much more sense in terms of a title instead of In a Better World. I don't know why the translation of the title can be so different than the real meaning from the real title. Commercial purposes?

Span in two continents, Europe and Africa the tale of revenge, fatherhood and redemption is nicely told.

It is not a global story about some pretentious artsy stuff, it is a family story. Elias (Markus Rygaard) is a 12 year old boy who used to be bullied at school. His father, Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) is a doctor in a war torn Sudan. Anton himself is in a process to divorce his wife.

Elias found a friend in Christian (William Jøhnk Nielsen), a new student who bravely defend Elias as Elias about to be beaten by the school thug. Christian himself is an angry boy, unable to convey his emotional loss after his mother passed away to his cold father.

Soon things start to unravel, Anton must face the dilemma in his profession and a revenge act by Christian left everyone shocked. The adults and the children learn something out of their actions.

Preaching revenge is bad is something this film is trying to do, and it is successful. However the happy ending tone of this film gives hope instead of grim premonition that if people do something, they can avert disaster. It is not the sort of sugar coated Hollywood happy ending that can be negated by grim ending, but the realistic one that we can believe.

Speaking of revenge, I have this strange idea of putting this film slightly below I saw the Devil, Old Boy and Confession. I don't know why, those movies are darker and brutal in tone but has almost the same message about revenge; that we as human might learn something from it, whether it resulted in bad or good end.

BIUTIFUL

2011-03-10T10:52:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Alejandro Inarritu

Marginalized people who lives underground tend to live under fear and degradation, but they do have hopes and dreams too, at least that what this film tries to convey.

Telling a story about a sympathetic criminal middleman named Uxbal (Javier Bardem in his magnificent role) this is a story about underground life in Barcelona. There's illegal Senegelase and Chinese immigrant with corrupt cop pressing in to Uxbal.

To make matters more interesting; Uxbal is a single father, separated from his bipolar ex-wife, Marambara (Maricel Alvarez) and took care of his children in his small apartment.

Uxbal learns that he had a prostate cancer and his days are numbered. So he tried his best to manage his chaotic life and business while seeking redemption and understanding.

Nominated for an Oscar for both Best Foreign Film and Best Actor (Javier Bardem), this is the story not only about fatherhood but slightly political by exposing the harsh conditions the illegal immigrants have to face in order to earn money better than in their homeland.

Visually poetic without being pretentious, this one is more enjoyable than Uncle Boonm e, especially since both films have almost the same theme; facing death and the illusion of life itself.

You don't have to be smart or pretended to be some intellectual tech savvy to understand some symbols or the disjointed scenes in this film, this one is accessible, in terms of understanding, by almost any viewers since it doesn't try to be ueber-artsy. Even to those people who watch mainstream movies only.

This is important to me since films like these have power to reach the masses, not some elitist film trying so hard to be smart, but a smart and soulful movie trying to be populist.

Although it is a 'dark' story that hangs heavily on Uxbal's fate (also Bardem's charisma) but still pleasant to watch because here we can see that beauty and misery can live side by side and people 'trapped' in this condition have a very limited choice in their life, make us ponder deeply before we judge people.

Uxbal is not a usual criminal, he is not brutal or cruel, he looks like a guy who just want to make ends meet. But since his choices seem to be limited, this is the one he can do. He is sympathetic to the illegal immigrants although it has a tragic consequences. He is not a bad man, but he works in a bad world.

For a 'dark' film, I think Biutiful (a misspell from Uxbal's daughter) is beautiful and offers hope. Uxbal finally comes to terms with his condition and move beyond desperation to appreciate the preciousness of life. Some deep thought in there eh?

Shot mostly in hand held, it makes the feeling of intimacy more stronger. What makes me wonder is technical aspect of this film. As I watch it at the cinema, the aspect ratio changes from wide screen to letterbox. I don't know why, was it technical adjustment? However it doesn't disturb at all.

As for me I am familiar with Inarritu's work, and together with Amores Perros, Babel and 21 Grams, this one is my favorite since somewhere between good and amazing, lies Biutiful.

THE ILLUSIONIST

2011-03-10T10:27:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Sylvain Chomet

The title can make you confused with the title of the same movie title released in 2006. The difference is the one released in 2006 is a live action starring Edward Norton and this one released in 2010 as an animation movie but the similarities is one; both portraying a magician.

With pictures as if it sprung up from watercolor painting, The Illusionist manage to deliver the story with minimum dialogue as possible. The beauty of the animation will remind you of Miyazaki's animated movies (although this one is a bit dark in theme) and this one doesn't need any translation at all, anyone can understand the story.

The story is about an old magician named Tatischeff who lives in the 50s. He performs standard magic tricks like pulling bunnies of a hat and flowers out of thin air. He fails to amuse audience from halls to halls. Eventually he ended up in Scotland, amusing some villagers, especially a young woman named Alice. They both strike a chemistry and Alice follows Tati everywhere he goes even to Paris.

But Tati's carreer doesn't get much better, he still fails to amuse broad audience. Staying with Alice in a hotel, Alice helps Tati with daily chores and Tati buys her shoes and dress. Soon the paternal relationship grows.

Money is still a problem, Tati has to work night shift at the garage and since he is inexperienced, he got fired. Does Tati manage to enchant Alice to stay by his side? Does Alice enjoy her choice being embedded with Tati?

In a poetic but silent conclusion, the audience can get the central theme of this film; that sometimes even magic cannot face the face of change.

Beautifully animated, in the age of sugar coating CGI, this one is a reminder that classic animation look can still triumph. In my opinion, this one deserve to win an Oscar instead of that over rated Toy Story 3.

TRUE GRIT

2011-02-24T10:50:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

I like western movies, especially the one with standoff and gritty characters. I enjoy the Spaghetti Western trilogy and The Quick and the Dead. Western movies makes me want to ride a horse and eat some steak.

As far as I know, this film is a remake of the film of the same title which was released in 1969, as for me I haven't seen the John Wayne version but upon hearing that the Coens are behind this, I am intrigued.

Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) is a 14 year old girl seeking to avenge the death of his father. In her mission she employ, with her superb talent of persuading and pushing people with words, Marshal Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track down Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the one who killed her father. 'Joining' the band is LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) a Texas Ranger who also hunt Cheney. As expected the three ara at odds with each other but as the mission goes by they find out that they needed each other more then they thought of. This is a tale of vengeance, friendship and loyalty in the unforgiving wild-wild west where brutal man like Cogburn is needed to establish justice.

What makes this one interesting is the bonding between these three main characters isn't over the top with sugar coated sentimentality. There's no doubt that Mattie is clever but her judgment of people improved during the journey and Cogburn, initially dismissing Mattie as just some teen having too much rage, began to appreciate Mattie's enthusiasm. As for LaBoeuf, his character transformed from just some annoying Texas ranger to a loyal and helpful friend.

As for the language, here is where the Coens are masterful. The extensive use of accent and swear words is perfectly and colorfully tuned into the dialogue.

This is perhaps the first time Coen brothers make a straight genre movie and surprisingly it works. For core fans, it doesn't feel like a Coen movie filled with darkness and cross genre, but it still feel good. The acting and cinematography is amazing, Jeff Bridges gives the maximum performance he can give and Hailee Steinfeld is plain amazing.

I never thought that Coens can make a good western as this one, and the 10 Oscar nomination is very justified. This is one of the best in 2010 and a reminder to us that remakes aren't always bad.

WAITING FOR 'SUPERMAN'

2011-02-23T12:31:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Davis Guggenheim

The title is misleading, a lot of people would have thought this one is about searching for the new Superman after Brandon Routh. But this one is about the failing of educational system in United States. So for superhero movie fans who doesn't like a documentary movies consisted with people talking serious stuff and statistical graphics, this is not for them.

As for me I am not familiar with educational systems in the states, however this one gives me an insight that even in a country that has sent a man to the moon, there is something wrong with their educational system.

Guggenheim focuses on an African-American educator named Geoffrey Canada, who happens to be an idealist and has successfully open Harlem Success Academy, a successful charter school [school made and for the public] in the poorest area in Harlem.

Canada has a solution for failing systems; better teachers, highly paid and qualified. Although it is told that not all charter school successful but what Canada did was something nice, he gives back to the society.

Then this documentary spotlight the problems, like the difficulties to fire unqualified teacher, the teacher's union politics [I seriously doubt that teacher's union are evil as portrayed in this film, sure everything has a bad side but a union is meant to protect teachers from being discriminated in terms of profession, however the teacher's union in the states need to be reformed, I think] which hindered reformation in education and the educational system itself.

Not only on education, this one follows the fate of several children from low income to high income families who strive to get a placement in charter school. Since the seats are limited but the applicants are many, a lottery need to be made. Sounds fair but cruel. The one that made the cut has the chance for cheap and better education, the one that fails has to be sent home with big disappointment.

According to this film, public schools are failing and something serious need to be done sure. As for the title, it is an irony that people wait other people to save them from peril, sometimes all it takes is just one self action to save our self.

Now seeing the condition of educational qualities, teacher's and school in Indonesia I think this documentary is a nice insight for us to make education better and accessible for everyone, not just some commodity to earn cash or to elevate social status.

Sure as a documentary it tend to be subjective and you need to cross check the facts itself but as an idea that education should be good and available to everyone is a universal idea we share no matter where we come from.

WINTER'S BONE

2011-02-23T12:11:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Debra Granik.

The fearless young female heroine, one of my favorite character, the one with no super powers or weapons but have the will to do what she think, the best for her.

As for myself, I didn't know the existence of this film if this one didn't get Oscar nomination for best picture.

The heroine is Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) a 17 year old girl who took care her younger brother and sister in the city of Ozark. Ozark itself looked like a Dumpville with trash and crappy stuff scattered all over the place. Everyone in Ozark has known a criminal, related with them and some are ex and soon to be criminal. Not a nice place to grow, especially for Ree who has to depend on neighbor's kindness even for daily food.

Ree's father, Jessup has been missing the deadline to show up at court and if he fails to whos up, the house Ree lived in will be taken by the government. Jessup has put his house and estate as the bail. So like it or not, Ree has to look for his father to save their house.

The road to find her father is tricky with other people refusing to give her some help but Ree will not give up, no matter what happened she has to be the family leader and save the day. What happened to her father and will she be able to survive the harshness of life and the threat of eviction? This is a heart breaking tale of survival that makes you think that in moments of harshness it is very important for family to stick up together.

Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant in this film, she can be fierce and strong while other actors and actresses are also amazing to watch, especially Teardrop (John Hawkes), Ree's uncle who is as fierce as Ree's. Even the dialogue itself is unique, they speak in an implicit way that seems to sprung up from Cormac McCarthy novels. Filled with tensions not fueled by crappy soundtracks but with silence with pauses that makes you think deeply, this one deserve an Oscar nomination in the category of Best Picture plus a nod for the talented Jennifer Lawrence.

I SAW THE DEVIL

2011-02-23T11:47:00.000+07:00

Original Title: Akmareul boatda

Directed by: Ji-woon Kim

If you try to do some revenge to a certain person, will you become the one you hate? This film pose that serious question with extreme gore and violence not suitable even for adults who have a weak heart or those who used to listen to Phil Collins all day long.

My suggestion that if you hate seeing blood and decapitated bodies, don't watch this. The film started as an innocent woman raped, murdered and decapitated by Kyung-Chul (Choi Min-sik) who attacks her as she wait for towing car to tow her car.

The fiancée of this victim, Kim Soo-hyeon (Byung-hun Lee) happens to be a secret agent of some kind and as he found out that her fiancee already in pieces try to track down the murderers all by himself. He 'visit' each suspect and brutally tortures them until he finally met the last suspect, Kyung-Chul, which he finally conclude, from the evidence he gathered that Kyung is the one responsible for his fiancee's death.

But as Kim tortures Kyung-Chul and almost killed him he decided to play a cat and mouse game with Kyung by implanting a tracking device in Kyung. He let Kyung go but follows him religiously and tortures Kyung again whenever he had the chance and each torture is getting more brutal.

The game changes when Kyung knows about the tracking device and turns to hunt Kim's loved ones. Now Kim has to become the monster to fight the monster.

The magnitude of the violence is too much here, you need to listen to Super Junior happy songs to dilute it. However these gore violence seems to have a point that revenge; the colder and brutal it gets, will get you nowhere , eat you from the inside and will make you almost as the same as the one you hate.

This is gore orgy that travels between moral and ethical borderline back and forth and sometimes if you feel you had enough you can feel the pointlessness of the gore in this film. Like I said, this is not for everyone. But if you have survived Oldboy from Chan Woo Park, you can survive this.

There are some fascinating scenes, like when Kyung fights two other bad guys in a cab and the camera revolves around the cab unedited, remind me of the car scene in Children of Men.

THE GREEN HORNET

2011-02-08T14:38:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Nicolas Cage and Ben Affleck is actually laughing now, knowing that there are superhero more lame that the one Nic acted in Ghost Rider and Ben in Daredevil. The lame superheroes are Britt Reid and Kato. Everything about this film is lame, the joke, the action, the dialogue and the linear plot, not to mention 3D converted to rip off decent people is in the category of ultra-lame. Gosh, even Kick-Ass and that lame Clash of the Titans are more entertaining than this one. If you happen to have insomnia and trouble sleeping well, this movie will make you snore to the roof.

It seems that this film is nothing more than just showcase for Seth Rogen's ego since he talk too much here, very annoying. I know he is also the screenwriter and the producer but did he have to put so many words in his character? As for Kato, the choice of Jay Chou is nothing more than a mistake, sure he can sing and very famous in Asia but he still need to learn to speak English in a way people can understand. To add salt to the wound, both of them has no chemistry at all.

The Green Hornet was based on a popular radio series in the 30s and TV series in the 60s the latter catapult Bruce Lee into fame. It's about superhero fighting crime and comedy.

It could be good if only Jay Chou decided to go to the gym to train hard so he can look mesmerizing shirtless. Here, Chou doesn't even take off his clothes and wear see through tights. If he did that at least it is one small effort to redeem the bad quality of this film and make the ladies (and some men) happy. Remember that Korean star Rain who appear shirtless in Ninja Assassin? Although the film is also suck at least he show some effort by looking muscular and entertain the ladies (and some men too). Do I need to bold the above mentioned sentence?

I don't know why I wrote that, especially the see through pants stuff that can make me vomit, I just think that at least some eye candy stuff can make this film a bit better. I do wish that Emma Stone is in this film, seeing her alone is worthy of admission price, but she's not here and I don't know who or what to blame except to blame the existence of see-through pants.

Cameron Diaz is certainly wasted here, she didn't show herself in a bikini and her character was made to make the guys who watched this film not bored. Sorry but why Cameron Diaz? Does Hollywood is running out of young beautiful girls who take a line at any fast food restaurant to cast? Why her? It's not her best part and she doesn't look comfortable at all.

The director of this mess is Michel Gondry and I think, after the reviews are out he wished he had the memory erasing machine he had from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to erase any memory he had making and watching this film and perhaps have the generosity to lend it to us.

THE FIGHTER

2011-02-08T14:29:00.000+07:00

Directed by: David O. Russell

I don't know why boxing movies always have a special place in Hollywood. Some of them are good, like Rocky and Raging Bull, but the rest is just okay. As for me, I am a big fan of boxing and curious on how movies bring fights into screen.

With a very simple title, this one doesn't attracts me at all. But hey, any movies getting nomination as Best Picture is worthy of my short attention span. Like life itself, boxing is a perfect metaphor for 'life is a fighting' the difference is, for boxer, they have to fight it literally and metaphorically.

In the main spot is Mark Wahlberg, a talented actor with equal number of suck and good movies in his CV. Acting as Mickey Ward, Wahlberg shows that in the age of 39 he can still pull some punches.

Mickey is a struggling fighter from Lowell, Massachusetts, a blue collar small town America. His brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) is a has-been. He was once a boxer who had KO'd Sugar Ray Leonard and lives in the past glory. In present he is nothing more than just a crack addict.

Then there is his mother, Alice (Melissa Leo), a dominating wife that gives her husband no space to breathe. Together they are in team Mickey (as in team Jacob in Twilight saga).

Just like what people said, 'in the end you hurt the one you love the most' the family that supports Mickey ended up hurting Mickey, they just don't realize it until Charlene (Amy Adams) become the voice of reason to Mickey, well sort of.

Problems arise as Dicky got jailed and Mickey's career hangs in nowhere. Who can help Mickey and what will happen next?

The cast are superb, Melissa Leo can play a dominating mother and Christian Bale is so convincing in his The Machinist like performance; he make himself skinny. While Wahlberg is just okay but not disappointing.

The Fighter effectively balances sports elements with dysfunctional family drama and the result is very nice. I find myself inspired after watching The Fighter, just like as I watch 127 Hours.

The fact that this film is based on real people and real story makes everything interesting since it is not only about boxing but about fighting to be the best in this life by making the most of everything you had.

THE KING'S SPEECH

2011-02-05T11:34:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Tom Hooper

If you were a king and have to held a speech, having a stammer would be a real pain right? That particular King was King George VI, Albert Duke of York (Colin Firth). And if you have to speak for the British Empire to the whole world, to be able to speak eloquently is a must. Especially if speeches is the only way you can convey your messages to your people.

Actually Albert wasn't suppose to be a King at all had his older brother, David (Guy Pearce) who become King Edward VIII decided to marry a twice divorced widow from United states, Wallis Simpson.

In history people recognized this as Edward VIII abdication crisis. Apparently as a king you have limitations too, especially if you want to fall in love. So Edward VII decided to chose Miss Simpson (Eve Best) instead of the throne and gave it to his brother.

I wonder, what sort of social rule disallow a king to fall in love with a widow? I mean there is nothing wrong with that right? Well who am I to comment on British monarch anyway. Fate has chosen Albert to become a king and he has to live up to his fate.

So after trying for years without luck to cure his stammer, his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) ask the help of an Australian therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), whose unorthodox methods are said to be successful.

Under Logue's guide, Albert began to show some improvement and they have become 'friends'. What amaze me is the acting quality of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush is above amazing, they can portray their character convincingly and as a period piece it wasn't boring at all, in fact it was mesmerizing.

So 'clash' between two man of different social standing is something of a kind. Logue as a commoner must try so hard to position himself as a mentor to a king and the king must put himself in an inferior position, clinically to Logue.

British monarch has been a source of inspiration and this one gives us, common people, a peek into their privileged life. For those who thinks that the royals are just some lazy people they are surely mistaken, although born with a silver platter they also have to bear responsibility which is very difficult to handle. After all, they are human too.

If you happen to like Harry Potter movies, this film is a bit of 'reunion; George V played by Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Elizabeth by Helena Bonham Carter (Belletrix Lestrange) and Churchill by Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew) have all appeared in Harry Potter movies.

Unlike that overrated Slumdog Millionaire which earn 8 Oscars, I think the 12 Oscar nomination for this film is well deserved since this one is surely will enrich your soul. This one is a strong contender this year, and deserved to be named Best Picture alongside The Social Network, Black Swan and 127 Hours

I don't know what will happen on Oscar night, but I do hope The King's Speech win big since they deserve it.

UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES

2011-01-28T11:06:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Here's the deal, you really wanted to like this movie but you just can't. Even though it has won Golden Palm at last year's Cannes Film Festival and it could bring you some dim hope that this will be some spark of thought provoking piece from a new movie but after seeing this disjointed vignettes of nonsense and too simple magical realism you will come into one cruel conclusion, that the film with the real title; Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat is nothing more than just some pretentious pseudo intellectual trash trying so hard to be artsy. Some incoherent mess people will call as as art in order to make them look important and sophisticated in front of people they wanted to impress since they just follow what the critics said instead of having their own opinion.

I am not going to praise this film just because everybody else is praising it, in my opinion, this one is a boring film and fail to impress people and don't give me the bullshit that it is my mistake since I have some hope for this film because it has won main prize at Cannes since what would life be without hope. Besides it's not like I hope that this film will appear in 3-D.

Uncle Boonme is an absolute bore. Make no mistake I do like weird and surreal films, like Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 which in my opinion is superb, but this film about an uncle called Boonme (Thanapat Saisaymar) who can recall his past lives and has serious kidney problem, coupled with apparition of his long deceased wife and spirit of his long lost son in a form of a scary monkey with eyes glaring red in a dinner table.

The rest is an incoherent mess filled with a catfish having sex with a princess and some kid soldiers in pictures.

This film seem try so hard to grasp the metaphysical and dreamy substance with hints of Thailand's folklore but fails to impress common people like me. I don't know why the critics like it, I even think that this film doesn't deserve to win Golden Palm at all and be in the same league with Das Weisse Band or Un Prophete.

In one interview the director said that this film is a symbol for the death of cinema. Well he got it right there, more boring and pretentious movies like this will sure bring people to sleep at the cinema.

BAL

2011-01-27T11:10:00.001+07:00

Directed by: Semih Kaplanoglu

What do you get if you put a movie camera in a forest and record things just as it is? Then just add no sound tracks at all? You get this film.

At first I thought this one could be another pretentious movie about life and stuff (I hate pretentious stuff) but after viewing this I really like it, especially the cinema verite approach and the minimum amount of dialogs and how the director let the visual speak for itself. It makes me wanted to listen to Kitaro or Enya and root for the main character, Yusuf.

The title itself means 'Honey' and tells a story about a boy, a very adorable one, Yusuf (Bora Altas) who lives with his father, Yakup (Erdal Besikcioglu) a honey farmer and his mother Zehra (Tülin Özen) in a remote village in Turkey.

The six year old is having difficulties in school, especially in reading. Having a very close relationship with his father, Yusuf tried so hard to please his father by winning a special badge for good merit from his school.

But things went hard for Yusuf, he still have difficulties reading in the class and in a quick way he became the outsider of his class.

The only thing he like is when he accompany his father into the woods, finding honey. But one thing changed Yusuf's life. His father didn't return from the two day trip. What is happening? Will Yusuf keep struggling with reading and waiting the return of his beloved father?

What amaze me is not only the simplicity and the beauty of the story but how Bora Atlas can act very naturally, for a boy his age. Not only that he is adorable, but he got talent.

I just learned that this Bal (Honey) is the third part of a trilogy of Yusuf, after Yumurta (Egg) and Süt (Milk). I am curious to see the previous two films and to explore Turkish cinema in general since I rarely watch Turkish movies.

127 HOURS

2011-01-27T10:52:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Don't worry guys, this is not the duration of the film but the time Aaron Ralston (James Franco) trapped inside a boulder with his right hand also trapped by a falling huge stone.

Talking about scaring people doing adventure huh? However, with the Buried feeling induced in this film, Danny Boyle manages to inspire people. So we get to see Aaron got trapped, him trying to survive and saying nice things to himself to keep the spirits up.

Aaron also see hallucinations of his life, which is great since it is not in the Requiem for a Dream kind of visualization. What makes this film more interesting that it is from a true story and we all know how true story can really inspire people, just like Daniel Day Lewis inspiring us through There Will Be Blood. Don't argue to me about this one, Daniel Day Lewis's character in that bleak movie is very inspiring, just like Woody from that Toy Story thing.

After seeing this you will be left inspired and be thankful for what life has given you so far, something that is rare in movies nowadays.

So the whole film gravitate towards James Franco's performance and he didn't disappoint. I already like this guy from Spider-Man movies (Sam Raimi's version) and don't you even dare to berate Spider-Man movies, even that weird third installment because I really like Spider-Man a lot.

Look at this, a man trying to balance his superhero life with daily minutiae. that's like everyone of us right? Although most of us cannot swing from skyscrapers but the 'with great power comes great responsibility' shit is something of a kind. Which Kick-Ass answered; With no power comes no responsibility.

However James Franco didn't act as Peter Parker but his best buddy/nemesis and he didn't disappoint. He is the one that makes Spider-Man more interesting in terms of story development and I think in the future James Franco is heading Leonardo DiCaprio way, not Robert Pattinson's lane.

I know, perhaps you might wonder, why partial review of Spider-Man movies got inside this 127 Hours review. Because I can and I wanted it that way.

THE MAN FROM NOWHERE

2011-01-27T10:48:00.000+07:00

Directed: Jeong-beom Lee

Won Bin? Yeah I know the guy, no I don't know him because he used to be my school friend I just know him by reputation. Besides I don't spend my youth in South Korea. However upon hearing that name I promptly think that this new film from Won Bin is a romance one. Well I was wrong, although I have no interest in watching South Korean romantic movies but when I learned that Won Bin is going to kick some ass, it wakes my curiosity. Especially since I learned that this film is the highest box office holder for 2010 in South Korea. There has to be something right?

So the South Korean movie prince is playing Tae-shik, a pawnshop guy with annoying hair cut (we have to see this annoying hair cut for 50% of the movie duration). He is so mysterious, we cannot even see his eyes since that annoying hair cover half of his face. However his loner attitude is something of a template, we know that this quiet guy will make some noise.

Tae-Shik only connection with life (if you define life is something full of other people) is a little girl, So-mi, who lives nearby. Her mother, Hyo-jeong is a prostitute who smuggles drugs from a drug trafficking organization and entrusts Tae-shik with the product, without letting him know.

Yes, something beyond Tae-Shik's control will take control of his life. The rest of the story is familiar, Tae-Shik turns out to have this martial art capability of dicing people in pieces, not literally and the whole movie is about Tae-Shik trying to protect that little girl from the bad guys by doing bad things. It turns out that Tae-Shik is not just a mere pawnshop guy, but some bad ass trying to lay low. Lesson learned; don't mess with a quiet guy, especially the one with weird hair cut.

Actually I was hoping for some mind fuck twist in the end, just like Oldboy, but the whole film is in a linear line and no twist will fuck your mind, literally or figuratively. Some twist is here and there but not obvious and I think a 15 year old with 3 seconds attention span can understand it.

However the film is not boring, it is even exciting to watch Won Bin kick ass and at certain point I am afraid that this film will go in the way of making Won Bin shirtless and went berserk, just like those B-movies. Well he did went shirtless for a few seconds which is a bit weird since I have no idea what was that for but the rest of the movie he keep his shirt on.

I also learned that this is Won Bin's first action film and I do hope that he will acted in this genre more, he got the talent as long as in the next movie he doesn't sport that annoying hair cut.

THE YEAR OF WATCHING DANGEROUSLY or HOW AN EPIPHANY BREAK MY DREAM IN 24 FRAMES PER SECOND

2010-12-30T18:33:00.000+07:00

It started with Avatar, the so called ground breaking visual orgasm which re-defines 3-D in theatres then a slew of fake 3 D movies hit the screens, hoping to cash in from higher admission price.

Unfortunately, fake 3 D or a converted one is plain sucks in terms of visual and ripping of the cash of decent people who wanted nothing but some entertainment to endure their daily tension (Clash of the Titans, Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver's Travels, My Soul to Take, Nutcracker in 3D, Piranha 3-D, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Airbender).

Those studios just want to rip our pocket by releasing a converted movie. Sadly this trend will still follow in years to come, check The Green Hornet for instance. It wasn't even shot in 3-D but they marketed it with strong 3 D gimmick. Not to mention the second part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

To make things clear, here are movies not in 3-D but converted into it which will be released in 2011; Captain America, Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Priest, The Cabin in the Woods, The Green Hornet, The Smurfs and Thor.

Source: http://realorfake3d.com/

So don't say I haven't warned you.

Some have the decency to really shoot in 3 D like Step Up 3 D, Resident Evil: Afterlife and Saw 7 in 3 D, as for the latter I haven't seen it at all. It doesn't even show here.

I know, shooting in 3 D takes much effort and time but for the love of decency, stop converting those movies in 3 D and didn't tell us about it. All they need is to be honest in telling the audience that it was a converted one. Besides in the age of twitter and facebook, anyone can find the information whether the movie is in real or fake 3 D.

Lucky for me after hearing how viewers complained about the low quality of converted 3 D movies, I didn't even watch any of them at all in 3 D.

Now let's move on to other subject. As we all know, the title of this blog is movie addict 101. Well it doesn't live up to it's title since what sort of a movie addict who only write 30++ reviews in a year? For the love of blueberry juice, there are 52 weeks in a year, why only 30++? It is not even an addict at all, I suspect I am writing all these reviews while I am snoring on my desk and my fingers mysteriously just tap in into the keyboards.

Well, I am just plain busy, besides I used to have the policy of only reviewing new movies. I do watch movies but most of them are old ones and sometimes to find the right mood to review it is like to find an ice cream in a salad bar. Which is easy, just walk few meters, find the nearest supermarket and buy an ice cream. What is difficult is the motivation to buy the ice cream and whether you had the money to buy it at all.

However I do have some regrets. I wish I have reviewed Old Dogs. I don't care what the critics said about this one but heck, it was the funniest movie of 2010 and it makes me laugh so hard but how can a review filled only with 'Hahahahahahhahaha' for six paragraph? Although that would be a revolution in itself and it would save time.

I also wish I have reviewed Wall Street 2 and off course The Ghostwriter, I liked it very much but I am too busy to write it down. The Ghostwriter is actually one of my favorite in 2010.

Now I will try to review old movies I have seen for 2011, you know, to live up to the title of this blog, to give the word 'addict' it's true meaning; more reviews. Perhaps some Tarkovsky and Ozu to make it sound pretentious, self-centered and full of myself?

Actually, do people read my blog? How come after years of me blogging I rarely got any feedback at all? Do I have to put someone naked in my blog to attract comments? I am thinking to put a nude cat here, just in case. I think no one is reading my blog and I don't know why I am still writing. Heck, I just write. Just like those people who dance even if there is no one watching or like Lady Gaga who wears some clothes made of meat to get attention, wait the minute, she did get the attention.

To put cherry on top, here's my personal 2010 best movies, not in numerical order and I refuse to give star to my reviews since I want people to decide it by them self by reading it.

Sorry Old Dogs and Iron Man 2 doesn't make the cut. They are entertaining but forgetful.

So here's the list with the link into my own review on it. Talking about being a narcissist eh? No I haven't seen True Grit and The King's Speech although I had a hunch these movies are good too and can manage to be in my favorite 2010 movies. So feel free to click the link which will not lead you into some spam password stealing site with unblock-able pop ups about ceramics and botox, but my own review inside this blog.

The one with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis doing something you wished for years to happen

The one with Ben Affleck robbing banks

The one where Ryan Reynolds got buried

The one where life is just a game

The one with the virginity on it

The one about that social networking site people use to stalk their exes

The one that blur the line between mocking and documenting

The one that you cannot dreamed of

The one which actually released in 2009 but I have seen it this year therefore I would like to make it qualified here. Why? Because I can.

The one with Toothless in it

That Hindi film that ran for three or four months here

The one that makes fun of this country

The one with Leonardo DiCaprio inside an asylum

Hey, don't you just go and write funny status on Facebook yet, check this one I dig from my own post in 2007! [There's nothing shameless than keep self-referencing my own blogs for shameless desire of promotion] It's about something relevant and the weird thing is, I even laugh at my own writing, talking about masturbation of the mind eh?

FOURTEEN RADICAL WAYS TO IMPROVE CINEMATIC VIEWING IN INDONESIA

BLACK SWAN

2010-12-29T14:39:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

I am not a big fan of ballet show. I don't even know what ballet is all about although I did enjoy some of the music. But I have seen some documentary showing how hard it is to train to become a ballerina. Being a ballet dancer, a good one, you must be exposed to hard training and the philosophy of pleasing others since you were young. I wonder whether it can also damage the soul, not only the physique. However I find ballet as a form of art under appreciated for it's rigorous training and preparation.

However what I like from this film is how Aronofsky manages to make ballet accessible to most viewers by tying it into his favorite theme, obsession. Aronofsky's movies are full of obsession. Pi is about a man's obsession on numbers, Requiem for a Dream is about obsession with drugs and happiness, The Fountain is about a husband's obsession with his wife and The Wrestle r is about an aging wrestler obsessed to make his own last action.

Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is a dedicated ballerina. You can see how her mother is very protective and intrusive about Nina's career up to a level of horrific intrusion. The director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) makes a decision to put on a new rendition of the classic Swan Lake. With the leading ballerina, Beth (Winona Ryder in her short but stunning performance) forced into retirement, Nina is chosen to be the swan queen and ordered to embody black and white swan.

Nina take it too seriously, she danced tried to be so perfect. Meanwhile she face a competition from Lily (Mila Kunis), another ballerina and Thomas, although brilliant, seem to abuse his powers to Nina. Soon she began to question her sanity, what is real and not began to blur.

The rest is a horrific tale on obsession and what it cost to be perfect. You can see both sides of Nina, the innocent and sexually repressed little girl whose sole purpose of her life is to please her mother and in the end, turns into a 'black swan' who can dance as if she become, not only act it on the stage.

The last 30 minutes is a thrill that makes you remember why you like movies, it's the experience of watching fine acting from all of the castand directing that mimics life and takes your soul into a ride you never take before. It's not as mindfuck as Inception or as visually orgasmic as Avata r, but this one is an artgasm that cannot be translated into words. It's the feeling of content and catharsis upon viewing one of this year's great film.

Aronofsky has a talent and by this, I am waiting for his next movie. I hope Wolverine will be another The Dark Knight from Aronofsky.

THE TOURIST

2010-12-27T10:18:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Have you ever cried after watching a film? This one will make you cry so hard you forget what the film is all about. Check this fact; it is directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, an Oscar winner for The Lives of Others (which I have seen three times since I loved it very much), then there is the eternally sexy Angelina Jolie (she can wear a potato sack, thrown into a puddle of mud and screaming something in Latin and still look sexy) with Johnny Depp (He's a talented actor with Ed Wood and Donnie Brasco in his resume).

Throw Lady Gaga into the mix and a 3-D convert, this one is a sure Oscar winner. It is a a sarcasm in case you don't get it. Donnersmarck just waste a handful of talent and money for this soulless film. To add salt to the wound, The Tourist made it into the Golden Globe awards. Was the jury also crying when they watch this film?

The remake of Anthonny Zimmer, a French movie made in 2005 is more glossy and expensive but has no chemistry between the two lead.

The story is around Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp), a tourist visiting Italy. He crosses his path with Elise (Angelina Jolie) a woman who wanted to shake the Interpol and mafia of her tail.

Elise met Frank on a train so the one who trail her will be fooled that Frank is Anthony Pearce, the man sought by mafia and Interpol for stealing so much money from the mafia and tax evasion from the government.

In paper it is an interesting story, with the spirit of North by Northwest from Alfred Hitchcock, but on screen it just fail.

Johnny Depp seem has no interest in acting in this film, he looked like as if he is just a tourist in this film. Meanwhile Angelina Jolie looks dazzling as ever, she is perhaps the only reason why this film still has appeal.

The rest is just another yawn-fest with weird dialogues, no chemistry between actors and so-so action scenes.

I don't know what Donnersmarck want with this film, is it a comedy? Some scenes can make you grin politely but that's it. Drama? Zero chemistry between actors . Action? It feels like a TV movie. Does it make you want to visit Venice? Only if your bank account is as fat as Jolie's.

So feel free to cry since all of the good element Donnersmarck had, he cannot manage it to make it into a good film. It makes you wish that perhaps Donnersmarck just have to stick with making serious movie only.

BURIED

2010-12-27T10:07:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Rodrigo Cortés

Call it crazy, cheap, film student-like movie, but Buried is a scary thriller. This is not recommended for claustrophobic people or those who wanted to become a vampire.

The idea behind this is crazy, just one person in one coffin for the whole film and that's it. With an opening which can remind you of Hitchcock film in the 60s, the whole film rely on Ryan Reynolds as Paul Conroy, tight editing and a thrilling script.

Paul Conroy is a truck driver in Iraq, he is captured and confined alive in a coffin somewhere in Baquba, Iraq. Armed with only zippo lighter, a hand phone and some fluorescent light he has to race with time and oxygen supply to save himself.

It is clear that the kidnapper wanted to contact him through the hand phone. Using the phone he contacted the FBI and his family too.

Only Conroy get screen time, you seen him from the beginning to the end and the rest of the cast like FBI agent or his wife and mother existed only in voices Conroy heard from the phone.

This is a thought provoking film from another level, it puts a lot of thing in a new perspective. War, innocence, guilt, ignorance and humanity can be put inside one small coffin and one actor only.

Although set inside a coffin, no shot is boring, Cortés managed to squeeze many shot inside a small space and Ryan Reynolds do a convincing job as a man trapped inside a coffin.

Sure some flaws existed like how come his zippo lighter can burn for so long without consuming the oxygen inside the coffin and other 'gadget' that seem to be added so the film has a dim light. But the whole idea behind this claustrophobic adventure is fresh.

THE TOWN

2010-12-17T16:21:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Ben Affleck

There's something about The Town that remind me of Heat (1995) by Michael Mann. First the template story about a bad guy trying to live a straight life, a smart law enforcement agent that will do anything to nail that guy, one last heist for the protagonist to make it right and a deadly shoot out to finish everything. In the middle of it stand one woman the protagonist really care.

Stemming from Bostonian sub-culture, there is no better filmmaker to capture this than Ben Affleck. As we know, he and his buddy Matt Damon successfully write Good Will Hunting but strings of his appearances in Gigli and Daredevil turns me off. However having read all the raving reviews on this film, it turns me on again.

The Town opened with a sophisticated and successful bank robbery. Here Ben Affleck plays Doug MacRay, a guy with bank robbery runs in his blood. His father is also a bank robber and sentenced in prison for so many years.

Doug head a four men team and most notably is the trigger happy temperamental Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner, showcasing his acting muscles) who happen to be angry all the time and being a best friend to Doug. During the robbery Doug and his team take Claire (Rebecca Hall) as a hostage and release her afterward, without harm.

It turns out that Claire lives only four blocks away from the robbers and Jem, being paranoid wanted to 'eliminate' Claire. But Doug has better option, he start dating Claire, thus make things more complicated.

In other end of the town there is an FBI agent Frawley (John Hamm), itching wanting to nail Doug and his crews for bank robberies, he just have no evidence at all and his only witness is Claire.

Meanwhile Doug has to lay low while the neighborhood crime boss known as the Florist (a chilling Pete Postlethwaite), who has a strange hold over Doug, insists they pull off one more heist. This is the last heist that will determine everything, including Doug and Claire's fate.

Perhaps you have seen such story in dozens of movies but what makes The Town different and a strong Oscar contender is how tightly paced and stunning the performances are. The shootout is generic, Heat is better but still, it can make you hold your breath.

BABIES

2010-12-06T11:45:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Thomas Balmès

Prove it that you have a heart by watching this film, If you are not moved or at least utter 'aww wasn't that cute' I believe you might be Chucky from that Chucky franchise.

It is the documentary without any narration or dialogue at all, leaving the audience to watch the babies as they do their thing all by them self. Actually, even though you had a baby at home and can say 'Damn, documentary on babies? I have at home and it's like 24/7' this film is still attractive.

There are four babies being featured here; Ponijao from Opuwo, Namibia who drink water from the gutter, Mari who is being raised in Tokyo, Japan. Bayar (short for Bayarjargal) a boy from a farm in Mongol and Hattie from San Francisco, California.

It is a modern vs traditional way of upbringing. Marie and Hattie has a clean environment where their parents shower their kids with toys and activities whereas Ponijao and Bayar is one with the nature with less toys and activities but still active to search and explore their new world.

They are cute in their own way, Marie is frustrated with her toys and cries while Bayar was left in the field with goats. Although they were raised in a different situation but they all went into almost the same phase, crying, sitting, crawling, babbling and then standing.

Babies is enlightening, it open new horizon on cultural differences in raising children. I feel this one as a visual lecture on socio-ethnology class and it is entertaining. What come as an objection is this parade of cuteness lasted for 80 minutes only, since I believe no one would mind if it runs for four hours. Those who mind are people without heart I guess.

SCOTT PILGRIM vs. THE WORLD

2010-12-06T11:37:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Edgar Wright

I am not a big fan of game or console. I don't even have one. Sure I have once played a game on Nintendo, PlayStation and PC, but not XBox. I just play for the sake of curiosity and I didn't even play all of the games, it is just a simple fun for me. In fact, I am not a gamer at all and I am not interested that much in game.

Not only that, I don't watch movies adapted from video games seriously, not only it has bad quality, I am not interested in it at all.

So this movie is the combination of things I rarely do in my life, reading comics and playing a video game, although I am familiar with its visual style. As for me I didn't read Scott Pilgrim comic at all, I tend to see this film as a stand alone art.

At first I am a bit skeptical on this film, it is a bit campy and laughable but then after I saw it, actually this one is cool and fun to watch. Unlike that excruciating Uwe Boll's adaptation, this one is full with hyper indie music and quirkiness.

At the center of this movie is Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) some sort of guy next door with ueber geek/nerdy attitude. He dated a High School girl and hasn't recovered from being dumped by his ex-girlfriend.

Then he falls for Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) some sort of generic version of Summer from (500) Days of Summer, lest bitchy though.

But to win Ramona's heart is an uphill battle for Scott, he has to fight her seven ex-lovers (one of them is a girl!) to have Ramona. Not only that he has problems with his High School Girlfriend. In the ultimate battle, he will settle all bad bloods and tie all the knots.

Anyone familiar with video game visual style will be entertained by this third film from Edgar Wright, there are heavy use of CGI to enhance the story and all the funny things that can make you feel nostalgic as you have once play arcade games as you were a boy. This is a homage to video game culture and please, just suspend you disbelief for this one since everything and everyone in this movie seem to have no problems with characters suddenly fighting and destroying each other in a video game fashion. If you never ever played any arcade games or video games at all, don't bother watching this one, it could bore you.

The story itself is quite fresh and interesting, how the search and battle for love can be tied into video game culture is an achievement of it's own. Actually I don't know which game this movie adhere into (if there is one) but I can enjoy the whole thing.

As for Michael Cera, I think he need to chose another role besides being a nerdy and a social misfit character, he began to look like a typecast for such role.

UNSTOPPABLE

2010-11-30T17:16:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Tony Scott

Trying to catch a speeding train? You can ask Denzel Washington and Chris Pine for that. As for Chris Pine, this can be his new career choice, after being Captain Kirk now he can become the machinist-minus insomnia and dark imagination. Why train? Since Keanu Reeves has already chase a bus in Speed and Steven Seagal messed up with his horse tail hair in Under Siege 2 so someone should give the train a proper stand off and that guy is Tony Scott.

As for Denzel, I like his movies but I haven't seen his latest flick like The Taking of Pelham 123, since I always remember him as Malcolm X and that guy from Training Day. I do have hopes for Chris Pine since he acted good in Star Trek. However I watch this movie with an expectation. It has a good rating from rottentomatoes. I am expecting this film to be as exciting as Die Hard series.

I have to say I forgot their character's name, even the back story since the main actor of this film is the train! Yes an unmanned half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, with poisonous tank behind it. If it crashes it can make a huge disaster. The authority has tried anything to stop it (including trying to shoot it with a machine gun, they must have forgot that Willie E Coyote has more chance stopping a speeding train that a bunch of hot shot SWAT team trying to shoot a small button with a machine gun) but still it doesn't work. Now it is left to these two machinist to stop it.

I like how Tony Scott direct this film. It is quick, fast and entertaining. It looks expensive too with trains collided and helicopters and stuff. The dialogs are also nice, heavy with specific terms on train with Washington and Pine give their best.

It is thrilling and entertaining. If there is one big flaw is that the train is an unmanned train. It has no villain at all except the mysterious train that suddenly went away because of human error.

It would be cool if the train was train jacked by Justin Bieber wearing nothing but a kilt made of Lady Gaga's album cover, demanding the authority to buy his album. Or if Bieber declined to do so make it supernatural, like a ghost manning the train. Now that would make this film an Oscar material.

EASY A

2010-11-29T17:17:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Will Gluck

I have no idea why virginity is such a big deal in American teen movies. Is it like that in real life? I have no idea. However virginity is like some inspiration for most movies, from American Pie to The 40 Year Old Virgin.

Just like most teen rom com I have no expectation on this one, in fact I was kinda hoping that this one is like some MTV skit that is a bit funny and forgettable. But I was wrong, Easy A is this year's (500) Days of Summer, a fresh, witty, smart and funny idea for a movie about virginity.

It explores themes many movies have explored,;insecurities, the power of rumor and the hidden will to fit in but in a way smarter (and avoiding stereotypes) than most teen rom com.

Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) is just an ordinary high school student from Ojai, California. I don't know why, but why does a film portraying an unpopular girl put an attractive girl acting as the unpopular girl? In my high school, Emma Stone could lead a cult of men worshiping her with me as the cult leader.

One day, Olive lied about losing her virginity and overheard by Marianne (Amanda Bynes), a self-righteous religious type. Seriously, these types existed in here too and they are freakishly hilarious.

It takes minutes until the rumor spread and Olive is no longer invisible on the radar of popularity, now even though she could be just a crack on the pavement, Google Earth can locate her.

Losing one reputation, Olive gain a new one. She helped a gay friend named Brandon (Dan Byrd), who has been bullied at school of being gay to make an impression on the public that Brandon is straight. Then it is just an opener, the 'let's not but say we did' antique attracts hordes of geeks and nerdy students who want their 'reputation' to be elevated to a new level. Actually Olive don't do sex at all, she just lied about it and it works.

So where does lie going to take Olive? To a new level and a new problem. Filled with reference to 80s movies and the letter 'A' from Scarlett Letter novel, in which Olive advise people to watch the original film version instead of the Demi Moore version with fake British accent, this one is a surprise for rom com fan and certainly will gain many fans.

Like many good comedies, Easy A manages to make you laugh out loud but also thoughtful in the execution. It proves that a film about virginity doesn't necessarily need to visualize gratuitous nudity, although the word 'twat' and 'skank' is abundant here.

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

2010-11-29T16:32:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Detlev Buck

A story about a HIV positive ex prostitute from Cambodia and naive fresh graduate student from Germany could be a very serious and murky film. But with a romantic title which is taken from an Asian-English phrase mainly used in South East Asia can make this film looks beautiful.

As always I am afraid that if a film from Europe/United States try to portray a third world country (as far as I know there is only one world) it would fall into a film which degrade or mock the way people live there, as some movies used to portray. But avoiding postcard scenery (and poverty exploitation) plus the usual stereotypes, Buck has managed to deliver a decent and intimate inter cultural love story between Benjamin Prüfer (David Kross, you know him from Krabat and The Reader) and Sreykeo (Apinya Sakuljaroensuk) as they met in a party in Cambodia without over exploiting.

What I find as amazing is I directly recognize the song played in the club, it's Rammstein's Amour which lyrics are great in my opinion. Try to Google the lyrics and find the translation (if you understand German the meaning is more wonderful) of the song.

As their love grows Benjamin learns that Sreykeo is in dire need of money. He naively sent her money for her living (which her mother used it for gambling) and then after he got a job in Germany he return to Cambodia to fight for Sreykeo to have her medication.

What Benjamin did is amazing, not only that he fight for her life, he also have to experience the ups and downs of his relationship with Sreykeo. Will he find his true love in Sreykeo?

Without over the top melodrama and over melancholy song, I can get the chemistry between Benjamin and Sreykeo and how love can cross boundaries and difficulties. But I do mind on Benjamin being too naive, is there a person as naive as Benjamin in real life? I know this film is based on a real story but the director can at least add an edge on Benjamin's personality instead of making Benjamin a naive and a plain lovable person. By making Benjamin too naive the director fail to reach some emotional height necessary for this film. However in the light of that weakness, this film is not a disappointment but something nice to ponder and enjoy at the same time.

David Kross is pulling his best here, he can switch talking German and English in an instant without hesitation and Apinya looks charming talking broken English and a bit German.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Part I

2010-11-20T23:28:00.000+07:00

Directed by: David Yates

Most people review about the film; well I thought I shall review my journey to watch the film to begin with. It was a surreal journey as I sat on the bus going to the cinema and the bus driver is singing Bad Romance from Lady Gaga over and over again.

I have no idea what went through his mind as he torture the passengers with his very own special rendition. However that was a blast, since few days ago I hear another bus driver played Metallica on their radio.

I have no expectation on David Yates. Ever since he directed the fifth installment of the Harry Potter franchise I wish that the producer would take Darren Aronofsky or Lars von Trier as the director. His first Potter film, Order of the Pheonix is a decent installment and Half Blood Prince is a disappointment. So accompanied by that bus driver rendition of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance I have no expectation from Yates.

This one is different, the last film from an almost 10 year old franchise. We saw Daniel, Rupert and Emma grow on the big screen and time goes by, we have to bid farewell to them. By that, Warner Bros will make sure we dig deep in our pocket to bid farewell since they decided to split the seventh installment in two movies released in six month period. They even consider of converting the film in 3 D to make it more profitable, lucky for us they cancel it at the 11th hour. Ever since Clash of the Titans converted into 3 D, slew of ‘fake’ 3 D have appeared and make the audience disappointed. I do hope Warner Bros learn from that experience.

As for me, I do read the books and watch the previous films but I am not a hard core fan who watches the movie twice and point out differences between books and film while frowning, I tend to just enjoy the ride.

This one is different, the wizards of Hogwarts is no longer inside Hogwarts. They have to be out there in the wild (including in a real London instead of in magical places) surviving the onslaught of Voldemort and his follower ever growing power and influence over the wizarding world and try to destroy the remaining horxruxes (If you don't know what it is, let's say they have to destroy Voldemort's external hardd disk so he cannot backup his data in the future in case the main hard drive and CPU got destroyed by Lady Gaga). By this, the trio of wizards are exposed to new condition and Yates has manage make it as efficient and as entertaining as possible.

In terms of special effect, visual representation and music score there is no complaining at all, it all helps the understanding and by splitting this film into two makes more space for better interpretation and visualization from the book. But in terms of acting there are no improvements from Daniel Radcliffe, he look as wooden as we last saw him on the sixth installment. Emma Watson done decent job but Rupert Grint shines throughout the film. It seems if he keeps doing that he might have a better acting career post Potter fame. Unlike the yawn-ish Half Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows show that Yates has matured in his third attempt in this franchise, the viewers even can understand what a Deathly Hallows is, accompanied by a very interesting animation. Even the lengthy duration itself is not a big deal, everything moves in a good pace.

What I find to be funny is how Dobby is more similar to Vladimir Putin (this one has been a joke in the internet) and how Voldemort is like George W. Bush in terms of visual. Although the story has no allegory on real world we live in, I do hope that Harry Potter is not Tony Blair.

If you are not a Potter fan and never read the book (or at least watch the fifth and sixth installment), you might have difficulties understanding the story and this one definitely not for kids since it has harrowing scenes and some blood.

As for where they split the story, they have done it perfectly by leave it hanging in the middle, making those muggles eagerly anticipate the coming second part thus bidding farewell to a franchise more successful than James Bond franchise. I do hope that the second part will not be a 'Bad Romance' for us all.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

2010-11-13T13:56:00.000+07:00

Directed by: David Fincher

Do you really need to have a legion of friends to create THE most popular social networking site?

According to this cautionary tale, you don't have to. For all we know, this film is a dramatization of the beginning of Facebook although the people and the law suit that happens is real. This is the anti-social tale of the genesis of social networking.

Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) basically just some nerdy who just got dumped by his girlfriend. Then a combination of anger, feeling rejected, alcohol, blogging and programming ability gave birth to a website comparing woman in Harvard in terms of hotness with farm animals.

The website's traffic increased exponentially in matter of hours and attract the attention of Winkelvoss brothers (both twins acted by Armie Hammer), who wanted Zuckerberg to help them creating some Harvard social networking site. Here, Zuckerberg see a winning move and move ahead by delaying meeting with Winkelvoss brothers and move on with Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield, our future Spider-Man) to create baby Facebook, Facemash and leave the Winkelvosses uninformed at all. By that he infuriated the rich twins and has to face reprisal.

Then comes Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) the Rasputin who whispers ideas into Zuckerberg's mind and the rest is history, especially the breakup of his friendship with Eduardo and how Facebook become the most popular social networking site in the world worth of US$25 billion.

Framing the story in the legal lawsuit in flash-forward and flash-backward, Fincher manages to creep the audience by showing his version of Mark Zuckerberg; a cold, heartless, smart, calculating person who has zero interest in human relationship at all, he even doesn't care on parties and beautiful girls. He doesn't even care on money, it seems that his driving force is because he broke up with his girl friend. To that we have to thank Zuckerberg's ex girlfriend for 'motivating' the nerdy guy from Harvard to revolutionize our life.

This is a cynical and cruel film about how a venture into the making of a website based on friendship ended up destroying friendship of the maker itself.

Loaded with fast pacing dialogs that shoots like a bullet from a Rambo movie, if English is not your mother tongue, you need to concentrate more. Is this a masterpiece? I don't know, time will tell but this is a good film that lingers in my mind hours after I watch it.

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

2010-10-26T10:15:00.001+07:00

A Banksy Film

Politically correct common sense dictate us that a documentary is a film about things that happened as it is. But as time goes by, so many documentary went into another category of documentary, like mockumentary (Borat or Modern Family TV series). This one venture perhaps into one of interesting sub-genre, prankcumentary. Documentary about pranks. What's the joke all about? Perhaps it is all about us.

Billed as a documentary about street artist it could be something pretensious, boring or both. But Banksy, whose name wasn't even credited in the credit title as director but in the beginning as 'A Banksy film' manages to pull out a what the fuck documentary that deconstruct the meaning of art and commercialization of art.

Banksy himself is a mysterious guy. He is a London graffiti artist known for his provocative and highly critical piece of art. Nobody knows his real name and face, perhaps only his agent and selected number of people.

But the focus of the film isn't Banksy but a guy named Thierry Guetta a Frenchman who lives in Los Angeles for years videotaping underground graffiti street artist. It all went well until he met the mysterious Banksy.

Banksy took him everywhere, even take him into his studio. I have to say Banksy's art is fascinating and thought provoking. At certain point the funny Thierry Guetta suddenly wants to become an artist himself. He re-mortgaged his house and open up a studio with so many people working to produce so many pieces of art and installation and plan to open a very big exhibition. He didn't actually work on his art, he has people to do it for him.

Now this is just plain insane. How could a guy with no reputation whatsoever in the art scene suddenly decided to become an artist producing paintings posters and installation?

And he got the money and means to make it! Can anybody be an artist and claim to be one? What is a valuable and high art product actually? How do you measure it? Was it by some endorsement from the art establishment or just generate some hype to make people believe that 'is' art? And what is art actually?

Not only that what Thierry 'produce' actually is just a ripoff or a re-interpretation of other famous art product (Campbell soup's spray? Are you kidding me?) that actually can be made with a advanced photoshop and Corel Draw skill. This pose a question between hype vs authenticity.

But people buy the hype, L.A. Weekly ran a special story about Thierry's exhibition and as the exhibition opened, people lined up to see it.

In the end, Thierry managed to pull a huge fortune out of it. This is insane, amazing and what the fuck at the same time.

The first half of the film deals with Thierry videotaping the street artist and try to make a film out of it, and the second part is about Banks taking over the job and make Thierry an object for his film.

Was it all true? Was Thierry actually a videotape loving guy with funny French accent who decided to become an artist in an instant? Or was Thierry actually an 'invention' of Banksy who wants to poke fun at all of us, including himself? Could it be that the real art installation/performance is Thierry himself, being a puppet of Banksy?

I have no idea. This is the documentary that blurs the line between a real documentary, an op-ed and a mockumentary. But as mind blowing as it is, this has to be the must watch documentary of the year.

The irony is if someone with enough credential and reliable in the society tells people that it is art then the masses will believe that is art although it is just a re-interpretation of another famous art piece or just something anyone can produce. In the end art is in the eye of the beholder.

INCEPTION

2010-07-17T13:42:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Run time: 148 min

What if you can enter someone's dream and steal something out of it? Well, there wasn't much to steal from my mind, but if you are some corporate hot shot, there are plenty of things to steal.

Think of this, before painting Nightwatch, Rembrandt must have imagined it in his mind right? What if you can steal that idea from people's mind, especially important people. Wouldn't that be a breakthrough?

Billing as the first existential heist movie, Christopher Nolan just saves Hollywood from remake and sequel summer redundancy. With layers of stories comparable to any layer cake, true movie fans will be satisfied with what Nolan has offered so far.

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a man expertize in stealing secrets from people's dream, now he has to raise the bar by implanting an idea in someone's mind. Burdened by his own dark past, Dom Cobb assemble a team that will penetrate subconscious and finish his mission, while his past still haunt him.

It is not just a mere intellectual thrill ride, but it also involves some epic action scenes like snow chasing (I hope he will helm any James Bond movies in the future) and mind bending fighting in a rotating hotel corridor.

Unlike most movies, all the action and special effect helps the structure of the story. Most people will liken this to the Matrix given its similarities in combining science fiction with philosophical problems. But this one manage one step ahead by not overusing special effect and make Dom Cobb's future world seem close with our very own world. The acting is satisfying, Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best and Marion Cotillard steals some scenes.

If there’s one flaw some people might consider, it’s that Inception is more satisfying on an intellectual level than on an emotional one. But I don't mind that, since I am sick with movies which tries to provoke our emotion by cheap stuff like mellow songs and slow-motion scenes with mediocre story telling. Besides, this film doesn't need to strike people's emotion, it is all about the brain.

Under these layers of dreams Nolan put more subplot and detail that makes their character richer and has more depth. Inception is one of the best film in 2010 and will be talked about in years to come. It would be a crime if Inception didn't make it to be nominated at Academy Awards.

For those who dislike or having troubles following the complex structure of this film, there is one useful trick; concentrate.

The sweet irony is, without any technology that allows people to share their dreams, Nolan has managed to share his dream with us; with this film.

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS

2010-07-14T11:25:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Bahman Ghobadi
Running time: 106 min

Welcome in Iran where secular music is slightly forbidden, especially if you want to make a concert. To the outer world Iran is the one we know from news, but do we know what is really going on in Iran? Through the lens of Bahman Ghobadi, we can have a peek on Iran (or Tehran's) daily life of struggle and hope.

My conclusion after watching this film is that the Iranian people is just like us; they have to struggle to make ends meet but with a slight twist; the youngsters need to do extra effort to get government permission for their creative work. In this case; music.

To people outside Iran, what the youngster do; establishing a music band with many genres like indie rock to jazz, is harmless. But the reality is, it is difficult for them to have government permission to held a concert.

Half documentary half fiction, the film follows two young aspiring musician (Ashkan and Negar) who tries to form a band. The pair befriends a big mouth man named Nader (Hamed Behdad) a music and American movie enthusiast. Nader helps them travel in clandestine around Tehran to meet other underground musicians possibly interested in forming a band and later (perhaps) try to leave the country to some other country (possibly England and they even hinted Iceland so they can meet Sigur Ros) where thay can free expressing their musical taste.

They also meet some guys who can falsify their passport and visa. You might wonder, they are not even political or planning to make any revolution. But it seems that it is very difficult for them to live in their own country and expressing their own hobby.

The film also highlights many of the legal and cultural challenges independent musicians and generally the Iranian youth have to face in Iran. You can't help to chuckle and being sad at the same time as you see Nader try to plea for his case in front of the police. His crime; having American movies in DVD and a bottle of alcoholic beverage.

In visiting those musicians viewers can get a taste on Iranian secular music, which is nice to hear. Who knows, it turns out to be indie rock music, jazz, death metal and rap can be so amazing in Farsi and so much different than all the trash we all hear in the radio.

Not only that, through the lyrics of the songs featured in this film, we can at least, know what these people are thinking or worrying of. In the end this film makes you wonder whether Coldplay will ever held their concert in Iran anytime soon.

KICK-ASS

2010-05-17T10:45:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Run time: 117 min

I rarely read comics so whenever I try to review a comic based movie, I just review the movie itself. By that it means that I will not settle with anyone saying "Well that's what the comic is all about" since if the story suck, there could be a possibility that the comic is also suck. I don't care whether the movie is loyal to the book/comic or whatever it's original material is, I will just pay attention to the movie since I am not interested in comic books at all.

Watching Kick-Ass without reading the comic is something really fun if not borderline silly. The first half is a bit boring but the second part is exciting. Will Kick-Ass will be spoken in the same breath with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight? No it wont since although it is fun to watch this one is slightly better than Spider-man 3 because no matter how fun this movie is, it has no depth whatsoever, it is just some stylish movie accompanied with perfectly placed soundtrack from several movies that you already know.

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) is a generic version of Peter Parker, it is just no spider ever bite him and he is not alien thus he has no superpowers at all. He thinks that being a superhero doesn't need a bombshell catalyst.

Then he don a super-suit that he buy from the internet and roam the street as Kick-Ass, the only superhero without super powers or fancy gadget. Kick-Ass gain notoriety through You Tube as some bystander record his action in helping a guy from being beaten up.

It doesn't end there, Kick-Ass involved in a crime lord devious plans, where his path crossed with Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) and her doting father (Nicolas Cage).

I think every decade, there always be a breakthrough in movie industry, like when Jodie Foster play a prostitute in Taxi Driver and this one, a 12 year old girl saying the 'c' word then slaughter grown up as easy as dicing onion.

Hit Girl, that potty mouth little girl, is the most annoying character I ever encounter in any movies. If the merit of good acting is being valued by how many shocking things you say on the screen I think Eric Cartman deserves an Oscar. Make no mistake Chloe Moretz acted just okay but to call Hit Girl as the most spectacular superhero(ine) is an insult to Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. No superhero on the screen could deliver punch (pun intended) like Christian Bale or Toby Maguire in Spider-man 2, and they did it without saying the 'c' word.

I have no problem seeing Ewan McGregor diving the toilet in Trainspotting, or that kid in This is England spitting 'f' word but seeing a 12 year old girl have more strength than a dozen grown ups, is borderline silly.

There are more things that is just illogical like how come a tiny rocket pack could fly as high as 30 something story building? Would FBI at least investigate who Kick-Ass is? How come Kick Ass can learn how to use Gatling gun in just minutes and how come Kick Ass, after being severely beaten with batons that can make ordinary guy hospitalized, could regain consciousness and strength in just one night. Wasn't he just an ordinary guy just like us?

Don't mention the villain, they are nothing more than just cardboard characters and comical (once again, all pun are intended) I know, by this point you will say "Hey that's the way it is in the comic book" .But everybody knows I will not settle by that. Perhaps the comic try to emphasize on the over-the-top action and jokes, or try to invent something new and racy or a satire. But a satire of what? Of nothingness?

Those illogical stuff is the one that draws the line between this film and reality. It feels that this sort of story cannot exist in reality, which means Kick-Ass is an irony since it's theme is about superhero in real world without real powers. That is not the only irony since here, it is not Kick-Ass that become the superhero, but Hit Girl.

However by attempting to gloss this film with profanity and violence, the film has lose its depth and it feels like any generic superhero movie where the good and the bad is clearly divided and no moral ambiguities at all. It is a G Rated movie with R Rated delivery. Is it cool? Well I do not equate cool with style, I equate it with substance.

If you are looking for a good laugh, this one is for you but if you are looking for depth, realism and ambiguities, The Dark Knight and Watchmen is still available on DVD and Blu-Rays.

ALANGKAH LUCUNYA (NEGERI INI)

2010-04-20T23:16:00.001+07:00

Directed by: Deddy Mizwar
Run time: 90 min

What is so typical about movies from Deddy Mizwar? Apart that he starred in it too, it has a down to earth stories, regular cast and funny dialogue with sharp jabs at Indonesia's current social political and economic condition. No CGI, foul language or cheap thrills from him, just a nice family drama with realistic visualization.

Check Nagabonar Jadi 2 (2007) for instance. The sequel of the successful Nagabonar (1987) managed to attracts millions of movie goers because it can mix good acting, drama, story and a moral message everyone here can understand.

Movie goers are very familiar with Dedy Mizwar's work, from his movies such as Nagabonar, Kiamat Sudah Dekat (which is made as a successful TV series aired during the fasting month of Ramadan) and Ketika to Para Pencari Tuhan, another hit TV series also aired during Ramadan too.

His recent outing with Alangkah Lucunya (negeri ini) which roughly translated in English as 'This country is so funny' has proven that Dedy Mizwar hasn't lose his edge. He still manage to deliver a story that can be preachy and boring by some mediocre director, to be something fresh and original in his hand.

As for me, I have no idea what this movie is all about and have slight suspicion that it will be filled with preachy dialogue that can make people yawn. But I was wrong since even though some of the dialogue are a bit preachy but it is necessary for the story itself. So what is it all about?

Muluk (Reza Rahadian), is a university graduate majoring in management. Since two years after he graduated, he still cannot find a job. Until one time he catches a kid pickpocketing at the market. Muluk follows the pickpocket and scowl him, telling that it is not good to steal money from hard working people.

This event led Muluk to encounter the community of pickpockets (also street kids with no parents or go to school at all) led by Jarot (Tio Pakusadewo). Muluk offers his service to 'manage' the money resulted from pickpocketing. At first the pickpockets hated the idea of some strangers tell them what to do. But as Muluk, with his 10% commision, promise that he can manage the money better and can convince Jarot, the kids agreed to Muluk's plot.

Meanwhile Muluk's father is a small scale tailor, Makbul (Dedy Mizwar) who is very supportive of his son, argue with a wealthy father, Haji Sarbini (Jaja Miharja) whose daughter Muluk is dating, that Muluk is not an unemployed person but 'still trying to find a job'.

Muluk's project work so well, he even lied to his father that he worked at some company in Human Resource Department. Actually Muluk has a grand idea, he would like to train those kids to have an education, and hopes that they will leave their illegal affairs once his project is done.

But as Makbul, Haji Sarbini and Haji Rahmat (Slamet Rahardjo), the father of Pipit (Tika Bravani), who helps Muluk run the unofficial school with Muluk's best friend, Syamsul (Asrul Dahlan) found out about the project, how would they react? Things turned unexpectedly from here.

Until this point I thought that the film will ended in an utopia which all the kids realize that pickpocketing is a wrong way of earning a living and they will all be successful.

But I was wrong again, with an open ending which is unusual for many Indonesian film, this film manages to jab so many things, from the corruption that is very rampant in Indonesia, to poverty issues and education in general without being overly preachy plus giving some hope that there is something good in this life worth fighting for. One thing is cliche here, like quoting the constitution in the ending credits. I know this film aims big, but it is not necessary to quote one verse of the constitution in the ending credits.

So in the end some of the kids chose to be a street seller (asongan) and some still wanted to pick pockets. So is life where most of the times education can change people and it also doesn't change some. I like the ending, it is realistic and believable.

Seeing that most of the cast are kids (and most of them are regulars in Dedy Mizwar's movies and TV series universe), one can compare this to Laskar Pelangi or Sang Pemimpi. But the difference is that this film wasn't based on any best selling book so it has an edge on originality thus if it become a hit (I just watched it on the first week so I have no idea whether this one is selling fast or not, it is just the cinema I am in is packed with people, I hope that it is a good sign that people will chose good films over bad ones) then it will be like Avatar, (not in a sense that it is a CGI hyped movie) a hit movie without relying their success on a pre-sold ideas.

In general, this is a good film worth every rupiah and time you spent. A breath of fresh air for those who wanted quality and entertainment in one package.

The cinematography itself is also rewarding, with gritty and 'as it is' look, manage to keep this film as down to earth as possible, therefore could relate to many people who seek for good entertainment and realism.

DAS WEISSE BAND - EINE DEUTSCHE KINDERGESCHICHTE

2010-04-19T15:10:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Michael Haneke
Run time: 144 min

In a feudal northern German village set before World War I, tragedy is happening. This looks like an ideal village with the Baron (Ulrich Tukur), the town’s principal employer and landowner; the doctor, a widower with two children and an interesting relationship with the midwife (Susanne Lothar); the steward (Josef Bierbichler); a tenant farmer (Branko Samarovski); and, perhaps most important, the pastor (Burghart Klaussner).

It all begins when the village doctor (Rainer Bock) is thrown after his horse runs into a trip wire set on the road to his home, then the farmer's wife is killed in a saw mill, the Baron's son is beaten, an infant catches a fever after the window in the house is being opened and one children with down syndrome got beaten harshly, and on it goes.

There are no suspects (or even evidence) but there are few clues, like some children who suspiciously groups together and visit people who were injured and saying that they are just visiting or the farmer's son who secretly blame Baron for the death of her mother in the sawmill or the repressed doctor's lover (a.k.a the midwife) who has to endure the verbal abuse the doctor gave her.

But it is not who did it that matters (is it no one? or everyone?), but why they did it. Michael Haneke shows that cruel and cold upbringing could plant seed for aggression in their kids. What is being shown is the doors to the houses of the village inhabitants; the denial in one house, female and child abuse and indifference.

One thing is sure, the village parents are harsh to their kids, from just a cold look with grammatically correct sentences they deliver in the dinner table to the cruel beating they had. It seems that corporal punishment and humiliation is a part of parenting there. Why were they being punished? Not because they are terrorist or something, but because they are late for dinner and other minor mistakes which doesn't deserve to be humiliated or punished at all.

Could it be that the repressed children stage some tragedy in the village? Or is there anyone else who did it? Will these so called 'repressed' children will pass this behavior to the next generation? Is that the social order that is present in this film has vanished from the earth?

The viewers will be left with no answer for this (and they have to seek it for them self, a good thing to do), and that what makes this film is good since it explore the psychological, educational and religious roots in the small village as a sample for a whole nation at that time.

Not only the stunning black and white cinematography reminding you of Ingmar Bergman's movies or some good old photos, but the acting is superb. The absence of marquee name makes the character looks natural. The story itself was narrated from the teacher's point of view (Ernst Jacobi). In the film we see his young version (Christian Friedel) as a mild and soft teacher, perhaps one character that looks normal than the whole village.

What is The White Ribbon? The priest makes his oldest son (Leonard Proxauf) and daughter (Maria-Victoria Dragus) wear white ribbons as symbol of innocence and shame at the same time.

However if you are looking for a silver lining, there is this one scene where the priest's son is giving his father a new bird so his father will not be sad. Trying to compose himself so he doesn't cry, the priest felt touched by that simple act of kindness posed by his own son whom he rarely hug or kissed.

PS: This film won Golden Palm, FIPRESCI Prize and Cinema Prize of the French National Education System at 2009 Cannes Film Festival, beating Un prophète. It also won 2010 ASC Award for Christian Berger in Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases.

CLASH OF THE TITANS

2010-04-15T12:31:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Louis Leterrier

Run time: 106 min

Is it redundant to start this review by stating that I am not a big fan of Greek mythology? I think it is but heck, I still write it down anyway.

Some of my friends who are big fans of Greek mythology felt disappointed with this film. As for me, this is just a movie, they can make Perseus the son of Kraken and Hades if they wanted to (and I think it is cool to have a pregnant Hades bitching around about daily minutiae in Olympus).

So after listening to some bad reviews from my friend about this particular movie, I embrace myself to watch it, not in 3 D since everybody call the convert is suck, but in glourious 2 D.

Since I have low expectation (I kinda hope that this is the expensive version of Hercules the Legendary Journeys TV Series with Kevin Sorbo), I actually enjoy Clash and I can say that it is not as bad as most people told me and certainly not as bad as New Moon and 2012. It is entertaining although the plot is wafer thin and Sam Worthington is the only Greek with no beard or long hair, which makes things a bit strange.

No need to tell the plot since it is easy to guess from the poster that Perseus is on a mission to kill Kraken or the city of Argos destroyed to dust by the anger of Zeus. Oh and Hades is in it too, trying to milk the situation in order for greater power. To think that this whole shebang started because humans are fed up with Gods is also nice, it seems that Zeus need people to worship him. What lack is the love story. Louis Letterier seems to discard any sort of romance from this film.

The effects and cinematography is beyond average and you will enjoy the sight of Perseus flying with pegasus to save Argos from destruction while trying to kill Kraken.

As for the acting, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes is giving their best while Sam Worthington is the weakest of all, acted flat and have near zero emotion which makes you wonder that this guy is very lucky to have landed roles in expensive movies.

There is also a problem with the script, it seems there is lack of causality or motives for Perseus to pursue a journey to kill Kraken and some of the dialogs are corny.

Contrary to most remakes I have reviewed or seen, I have seen the 1981 version and I think in terms of visual enjoyment (not in terms of story and acting), this one is a huge improvement.

So for those who are not a big fan of Greek mythology, this one is a sweet candy that will make you happy. And for those who is a big fan of Greek mythology, this film is an atrocity at it's best.

Hey at least the phrase 'Release the Kraken' has now replaced 'This is Sparta' as one of the corniest phrase being duplicated in popular culture.

HACHIKO: A DOG'S STORY

2010-04-15T11:04:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Lasse Hallström
Run time: 104 min.

I'm not a dog or cat person, I don't even have pets at all but from my non-pet-owner perspective, this film is touching. It teaches us that dog can be more loyal than human.

Based on the 1987 Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari which is based on a real story in Japan, at first I thought this movie will be just one of generic Hallmark matinee movies. But it wasn't since there is Richard Gere in it, hey at least anything with an A-list movie star cannot be a standard Hallmark matinee movies right?

As a remake, I expect the film to be fully 'Americanized', but this film has the sensibility to ensure that Hachiko remains Japanese, only for it to be accidentally transported from a Japanese monastery, and thanks to a botch up in cargo handling, Hachiko ended up in Bedridge train station, USA.

Fate brings the cute and small Hachiko with Professor Parker Wilson (Richard Gere). At first his wife doesn't like a dog in their house. But as time goes by, there's a bond built slowly between Hachiko and Wilson, a bond that transcend worldly affairs and teaches us the meaning of dedication and loyalty.

This is the type of movie that, even if you already know the whole plot, you can still enjoy it. One cannot deny that Akita dogs are extremely cute and cuddly and one should pay attention to the credit title that to own Akita dogs, you need to be a professional dog owner, not just having it because you just simply want it.

I haven't seen the Japanese original movie, but I will see it and I think it is better than the American version (which is also good too) since it can maintain the original 'feeling'.

The real Hachiko was born in Japan in 1923. When his master, Dr Eisaburo Ueno, a professor at the Tokyo University, died in May, 1925, Hachi returned to the Shibuya train station the next day, and for the next nine years, to wait. Hachiko died in March, 1935. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya railroad station.

It is indeed an amazing story that inspires us all that despite all the indecencies we saw on night news, there is still something good in this life worth fighting for.

UN PROPHÈTE

2010-03-30T14:52:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Jacques Audiard
Run time: 149 min

This movie is the reason why I like films; the story is solid and unforgiving. This is not your usual Hollywood mayhem movie glorifying mafia and crime, and although the story itself centered in a prison, it is not about surviving or escaping, it is about 'An education' in the truest sense of the word.

A Prophet (the English title) serves up crime as a metaphor for life and power. Just like last year's Gomorrah, this is surely 2010 best film not to be missed. The (anti)hero Malik (Tahar Rahim), is a rootless man. From his Mediterranian look people can mistake him for an Arab, French, even Corsican. Malik has no family or friends, he doesn't feel to belong to any social group. Why he is in prison is not clear and like any inmates he say that he is innocent.

As Malik enter the prison to serve his six years sentence, he is an loner newbie, being beaten by other inmates. But opportunities arose as the Corsican mobsters that rule the prison led by Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), orders him to kill another inmates named Teyeb (Hichem Yacoubi) or he will be killed.

Malik kill Reyeb clumsy, messy and brutal, by hiding a razor in his mouth and use it to slit Reyeb's throat. The murder itself is gore at its best, it will make you squirm. As time goes by, Malik is trusted by Cesar to do his errand, in other words, prison opened opportunities to Malik he would never had in real life. As Malik learns a lot of things (learn to read, speak Corsican, managing to be a small drug dealer), he rose from a newbie to a self-made, self-taught mafia boss and it is too late for Cesar to learn, that his pupil already outsmart him. Malik has undergone a twisted transformation from a nobody to become a somebody.

There is one scene that is very strong and subtle. As Malik is ordered by Cesar to go to Marseille on his leave day (it is really weird that in French prison, prisoner with good behaviour can leave prison for 12 hours and then return to the prison. This chance is used by Cesar to order Malik to do things outside the prison), he passes the metal detector gate at the airport and as the security man check him, Malik all the sudden open is mouth and show his tongue to be checked although he was not asked to.

In prison Malik used to be searched by opening his mouth, so that certain mentality has been imprinted in him no matter where he is. It means that you can take the man out of prison, but not the prison mentality. That one scene itself explain everything about Malik's nature.

Director Jacques Audiard is a talented director. I have seen The Beat that My heart skipped (2005) and I can say that Jacques could be the equivalent of Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Copolla in Europe.

This film is different than Goodfellas or The Godfather since it use neo-realistic approach by never try to make any scene look beautiful, but real and gritty. It is epic without having need to use wide lenses and good without any marquee name.

If you wonder why you like movies, this one will surely brings you the reason why. A Prophet swept all major categories this year's Cesar Awards, the French Oscars. It won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival and I can say that all the awards is well deserved.

SHUTTER ISLAND

2010-03-29T22:39:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Run time: 138 min

In the 50s, a woman is missing from Shutter Island, a remote island off Boston, where a Civil War-era fort has been changed into an institution for the criminally insane. The noir Arkham Asylum based on the novel fof the same title from Dennis Lehane, brought to the screen by the one and only, Martin Scorsese.

To this island travel U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). They are assigned to investigate the missing woman. How come she is gone from her locked cell and why do the institution looks spooky with people who seem to withheld secret information? What is actually going on in Shutter Island? Is there a secret experiment going on? Or is there something more?

Teddy is a clueless character, coming to the island with heavy baggage, the death if his wife in the fire and his memory of liberating Dachau concentration camp in the World War II where he see inhumane things happened.

Soon, like peeling onion layers, mysteries resolved and everyone is treated to a twist that will makes them scratch their head because this film will not just give you the easy answer because they have to fit the unfit puzzle.

Uncertainty is the key to understand this film. Martin Scorsese has successfully tease viewer's sense and take it to the endless maze. Bits by bits the viewers know more about the mysteries surrounding Shutter Island, the lines between sanity and insanity, reality and delusion began to merge.

It doesn't mean bad, since by leaving things uncertain, the director best known for Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, has proven he still has an edge in making good movies. The lensing is powerful and the editing is tight, leave no wasted time and space at all, thus make the story not draggy.

As for those who doesn't like to think, this film is confusing and not interesting at all but for those who wanted to see top notch directing and acting with twisted plots in the spirit of The Machinist, Mulholland Drive and Memento, this one is a must see this year.

If you think this film is mind boggling, wait until you see Triangle, an underrated film from 2009 which will left you dumbfounded for days and has more twist than this one.

PRECIOUS

2010-03-25T11:49:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Lee Daniels
Run time: 109 min

Overweight, child out of wedlock, incest. Whoa, that is more than enough to make you depressed. However Precious is not an outstanding movie at all but not bad at all, in fact I think it stands in between, it is actually interesting and not boring. It feels as depressing as Revolutionary Road but also entertaining. What is the word for that anyway? It is the feeling of sympathy mixed with entertainment.

Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) has inferiority complex, she is overweight, illiterate, her father raped her twice and she has been pregnant (again) by his father. To makes things worse, her mother is very abusive, hurling not only verbal assault to her, but physical as well. In this cruel world, Precious must fight so she can be precious again.

In the hand of a generic director this film will be the generic kitchen sink drama where viewers will cry at given cues. But this film stand beyond that, it will not make you cry wildly nor sobbing, but it will make you sympathize with the plight of the poor and abused person.

If there are things that redeem the landscape of despair this film offers, is the two women who want life to be better for Precious. They are Mrs. Weiss (Mariah Carey) the social worker and Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), her teacher who consistently wanted to make the life of their students better.

Gabourey is shining in this film and Mariah Carey is just stunning, you hardly recognize her here. Mo'Nique is also shining, playing the abusive chain smoker mother, she deserved the Oscar.

CRAZY HEART

2010-03-25T10:57:00.000+07:00

The harder the life, the sweeter the song.

Directed by: Scott Cooper
Run time: 112 min

I have no expectation whatsoever for this film so as I watched it, it came as a surprise that Colin Farrell is here and he sings country song.

Actually the reason I watch this because Jeff Bridges already won Best Actor at the Oscars, so I kind of expect Daniel Day Lewis's performance in There Will Be Blood sort of thing. My expectations were too high since Jeff Bridges is just okay in this film.

Sure he played a burn out country singer who try to find his redemption and love in his old age. That itself is an Oscar material, but the story itself is not that satisfying. It is not as good as The Wrestler.

So why did Jeff Bridges won an Oscar? Because he has been nominated four times (speaking of most nomination with no winning Peter O'Toole is the master of this category) and the same reason why Martin Scorsese won Best Director for The Departed not for Taxi Driver or Raging Bull: because it is their turn this time and there might be no next time at all so better give it now or history will be harsh to the Academy.

Kinda cruel? I don't think so since I think that sometimes some awards given by the Oscar were given because it it their 'turn', although still deserved, not because the film has risen beyond horizon.

Check Gran Torino for instance. Why hasn't it won Oscar for Best Picture? Because Clint Eastwood already won Oscar from Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby, it's time to give it to someone else (Paul Thomas Anderson anyone?).

Honestly I don't like the 'it's my turn' principle. I think Gran Torino and There Will Be Blood should won many Oscars instead of that generic Slumdog Millionaire regardless whether Clint has won Oscar for his previous movies or not.

To think that Slumdog won as many Oscars as Amadeus is an atrocity, (Amadeus is superb while Slumdog is just okay) not that I hate Slumdog, but I think There Will Be Blood is more deserved.

Back to the movie, the story is not that bad, it is just okay. What makes it stand out is the performance of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell. Sure Jeff gives all his talents by making Bad Blake (his character) a sympathetic and broken down alcoholic loser without too much self pity, but seeing other best actor nomination this year, he won easily. It's not like he is up against Sam Rockwell in Moon anyway. Wait the minute, even the academy fail to pay attention to the superbly made Moon. Crazy Heart? I am not so crazy about it.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

2010-03-25T10:37:00.000+07:00

Directors: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders

Following the template of most animation movies (a misfit try to fit in the world, finds something new and then find that he is unique and doesn't have to change a bit), at first I thought this will be another generic Dreamworks animation with too much pop culture reference. But this film is beyond my expectation, there is no annoying pop culture reference and anyone can enjoy this film.

Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) is a weak Viking teenager who doesn't fit in with his tribe's tradition of slaying dragons. This makes his father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), the tribal leader, disappointed since in Viking tradition every young man must stand up and fight dragons.

But after Hiccup accidentally capture one dragon he named as Toothless, he discovers a new way of making friends with dragon, instead of slaying them. There he is caught between his affection for Toothless and the world he lives in, which despise dragons.

As Toothless take Hiccup through a fantastic ride, it makes you wish that the seat you were sitting could also sway to the left and right with water sprayed on your face (to make it a 4 D experience). The animation itself is flawless, the flying scene itself almost as breath taking as Neytiri and Jake Sully takes banshee to roam the sky of Pandora.

Not only that, you can see that the viking youth were trained to kill dragons and Hiccup find a way to control how Toothless fly in a way that looks like he is riding a bike. Toothless itself is adorable, with his eyes, he communicate. I like it that the dragons cannot talk at all since if dragons can talk than this film will be as crappy as Transformers (talking robots? WTF?).

Judging from the story alone, with a simple twist at the end, Dreamworks has reached Pixar's level of telling a heart warming story about tolerance and understanding.

This is what 3 D animated movies are supposed to be, not only use 3 D as a gimmick but as a tool to enhance your visual experience by not sacrificing the story.

THE COVE

2010-03-16T21:11:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Louie Psihoyos
Run Time: 92 min

As always documentary has the power to shock and make people realize things they never knew at all. Take this fact for instance, that 23.000 dolphin was killed in one year in Japan alone and how sonar in dolphin is more sophisticated than what human have made.

The fact unearthed by this film is shocking, on how the fisherman in a small but beautiful town of Taiji, Japan kill dolphin in a bloody way. Taiji itself is number one dolphin exporter to sea world theme park all over the world and seeing on how the city seem to honor dolphin, it is shocking to see the previously unknown to the rest of the world, scenes of dolphin slaughtered in cold blood by the fisherman in the cove, the hidden location where the fisherman trap dolphins to be slaughtered.

Not just that, renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry has managed to get the horror scene by conducting a spy operation worthy of a James Bond style. You will be treated to some heart pounding acts by Ric friends who try to elude cops and the fisherman in order to get the harrowing scenes. By planting high tech cameras at strategic place, including the one that can record sound underwater, the viewers can see the cruelty more vividly than ever.

Why are the crew doing that? Because the townspeople of Taiji doesn't want anyone to film their 'secret' activity. The Cove also tells about the dangers of eating dolphin's meat and japan's political stance in whaling policy.

There are many documentaries angry about the human destruction of the earth and let's not forget Avatar, a science fiction movie set in Pandora with imperialism and natural destruction at it's theme which is the highest grossing film of all time, remind us how we, humans are the one that destroy nature but also the one who can save it.

3 IDIOTS

2010-02-23T11:58:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Rajkumar Hirani
Run time: A well spent 160 min

I can't believe this, this month I have just seen two Hindi movies, first My Name is Khan, which is good and satisfying (plus no abrupt scene of dancing and singing) and this one.

Well this one has a skipped dancing and singing scene in case you don't like it. The whole story is just simply amazing, it makes me jealous. How come no Indonesian movie ever try this sort of theme?

I mean such problems (or stigma) posed in this film is so true to Indonesian education system and Indonesian society where most parents want their kids to be engineers and other high profile majors in the university (so they can get high profile jobs), not for the sake of studying but for the sake of prestige in the society. You know, such thought makes me sick. Not everyone is custom made to be an engineer, besides, what would the world be if everyone is an engineer? Who will write movie review like this then?

Enough for my rant, lets dissect the movie now. 3 Idiots is not about three idiot people, it is about three university students; Farhan Qureshi (R. Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi), and Rancchoddas "Rancho" Shyamaldas Chanchad (Aamir Khan) who share a room in a boarding room at the Imperial College of Engineering, one of the best college in India.

They have their own background, Raju comes from a poor family where they hoped that he will graduate, get a job and uplift their family from poverty and Farhan is secretly wanting to become a wildlife photographer. What about Rancho? Well he is the smartest among these three. Together they have to encounter an education system not friendly for the free and original thinkers lead by Viru Sahastrabudhhe (Boman Irani) or called Virus by the students. The campus itself felt like a factory producing graduates suited for the needs of big corporations, not for the needs of their own soul.

Unlike most Hindi films I have seen, the dialogue is very smart in explaining that the education system is too rigid and pressurized for human being, like how the teacher explain things that doesn't resonate simply in real life into how every students is busy getting good marks and good jobs instead of following what their heart wants.

To add the spice there is Pia (the beautiful Kareena Kapoor) as the daughter of Virus who fell in love with Rancho. The story itself told via flashback where Farhan and Raju, 10 years after graduation, embark on a journey to search for the missing Rancho. They meet the annoying Chatur (Omi) one student who is a true believer of the established education system who claims that he is now very successful and boast about his achievement. People like his is so plenty in this world.

For me Chatur is very real, I have several friends of mine who behaved (and sadly never changed) just like Chatur, only live for a prestigious degree and think life is a competition at all cost. Other character is also felt real and I have met them in real life, like a student who study hard to help his family and those who had to hide their true passion because they respect their parents wish.

Humor and emotional scenes (a bit overly melodramatic sometimes) are balanced and some songs are just fit perfectly for this film. At first I am afraid that the Virus character is only a one dimensional 'villain' character, but at the end of the film, his character grew more interesting. This film feel like a combination of Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society.

After watching this you will smile since it is a feel good movie without the pretentiousness we all hate. As for me, this film is so true to the bone, the story and characters are things I encounter in my real life. You have to watch this film since this is the best investment in time you will have, 160 minutes feel so good for your soul.

If you missed this film, the producer announce that 3 Idiots will be released legally 12 weeks after its premiere on Youtube. In case you wonder when it will be, the film itself released on 25th of December in India. So open your calendar and count the week because all iz well!

MY NAME IS KHAN

2010-02-20T13:18:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Karan Johar
Run time: 160 min

I have seen several Hindi films and I have to say, although it ran more than 2 hour (sometimes clocking at 180 min) and features numerous dancing and singing that sprung up from nowhere with plain green fields as the stage and exotic place in Europe as the backdrop, I still have an interest on Bollywood products.

Sure most Bollywood films are overly melodramatic but one cannot simply ignore that they have color palette for visual imagination on the screen and the dancing and singing".

But it turns out to be that this latest film from Karan Johar defy the usual Indian movies presented. No one running wildly in a plain filed carrying five meter sari accompanied by melancholic song. The story is not some cliche Bollywood flick where a handsome and poor prince wants to win the love of a single woman. Basically this one is more realistic than Karan Johar's previous outing and addresses more complex issues.

Sometimes it's more effective to talk about big issues in a small way. Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan in his most amazing performance up to now) is the central character, he has asperger syndrome, loving mother who pays too much attention to him, draw jealousy from his brother. Moved to America from India and fall in love with Mandira (Kajol) a widow with one son. To makes things more complicated, Rizwan is a Muslim who marry a Hindu.

It is a simple love story but inside the context of 9/11 where that event shatter everything, including Rizwan's life. This film touches many issues like racial profiling, discrimination and racism because of 9/11. So Rizwan is on a journey in America to explain to POTUS that: "My Name is Khan and I am not a Terrorist".

The first part of the film is the strongest, where audience can relate more to the characters, the second part felt like a road movie, a bit too long since it tries to address other issues too like helping others and family breakdown.

Shah Rukh Khan has managed to deliver his best performance, he can make the audience not familiar with autism to understand and sympathize with them. So was Kajol, her chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan is fantastic, I cannot imagine this film being acted by another performers beside them.

For those who waited for beautiful songs, this film didn't disappoint you. Several songs in this film is well placed and interesting, although there are no subtitles for the songs.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

2010-02-14T23:04:00.000+07:00

Directed by: It's him! Wes Anderson

Run time: 87 minutes full of fresh quirkiness

The first time I saw the trailer I mutter to myself "Gosh look at the stop motion, so raw and uninteresting, it must have been a failure".

But I was wrong, this film is very good and interesting. Well surely not for kids since it has deeper theme. The story is very weird, but funny. I like how Wes Anderson put dysfunctional family at the center stage. There's always be something interesting and deep about dysfunctional family. It reminds me of The Darjeeling Limited and The Royal Tennenbaums and I believe that Wes let the stop motion look raw for artistic reason.

Mr. Fox (George Clooney) is a foxy fox (all pun intended) who like to steal chicken (well duh, what else then?) who promise to Felicity Fox (Meryl Streep) that he wont steal chicken again. But 12 years later (or 3 human years) Mr. Fox, jaded with his job, back to his old habit, stealing chickens.

To add the flavor, there's Mr. Fox's 'unique' son, Ash (Jason Schwartzman), and a cousin named Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). For some reason, Mr. Fox like Kristofferson more than Ash. Why? Since Kristofferson can do karate, good at sports and athletic also a deep thinker. This makes Ash worried that he cannot be as good as his father.

Sure, the farmers, Boggis and Bunce and Bean, who got their chicken, apple cider and ducks doesn't like with Mr. Fox's stealing streak. So they set up a plan to stop Mr. Fox at all cost which consumed the rest half of the film.

But that's not the end, with his endless wit, Mr Fox try to outsmart them and collect a band of wild animals, including a possum with a different teeth set (so cannot kill chicken in one bite), to counter attack while try to reunite his family again.

The whole film is amazing and interesting, the raw stop motion technique doesn't disturb the viewers at all and the dialogue (yeah I always pay attention to it) is charming at its best. It is funny, deep and unique at the same time.

I don't see Wes as a director, he is an artist who had his own vision. Trying to compare this film to Up or Avatar, or Jennifer's Body (huh?) is something you cannot do since this film stand on its own. Hey you know what, I wish this review is as unique as the film.

UP IN THE AIR

2010-02-06T12:02:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Jason Reitman
Run time: 109 min

The story of a man ready to make a connection

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a heartless bastard, he travels around the country firing people with near zero remorse at all, even in this kind of economy. It appears that Ryan works for a company hired by another company who doesn't have the courage to fire their own employee. Does such company ever existed? I don't know for sure.

Ryan is a man who flies around the country and collect airline mileage (frequent flyer). I am not familiar with it and find the concept of collecting mileage as something new and exciting. Surely it is amazing if you have traveled 10 million miles and have your name printed on a very special card. That makes you feel important or different and perhaps you can have special services for that like entering VIP lounge and free flow of snacks and cookies.

Ryan loves his job, he loves being up in the air, he loves being all alone all by himself without any baggage to carry. But that was about to change. His days of plenty (traveling and firing people) is about to be over when Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), propose a new system, firing people via internet.

Well, that is just plain rude, firing people via internet is like breaking up with your boyfriend/girlfriend via SMS, that is just inappropriate.

But since the company that hires Ryan doesn't have the balls to fire people (that's why they sent Ryan) and find that sort of 'solution' could save money, they began to ponder on that revolution.

This is a threat to Ryan who cannot and will not like to be grounded. So Ryan and Natalie must travel across the country since Ryan will have to 'train' Natalie on how to fire people professionally.

In the hand of mediocre director Natalie and Ryan will have a spark, but don't worry Jason Reitman is not a mediocre director, he manages to escape all the cliches of this sort of film. The rest of the story is hard to predict, if you predict that Ryan will finally settle with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), the female version of him who also share the same life philosophy with him, you are wrong. If you think that Ryan will 'repent' then you are wrong too. The ending is very nice and open. The whole film is amazing and deserve to be nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Picture.

Sure, some people wouldn't like this film because it has too many dialogs. I have no idea why but here in Indonesia, films that has too many dialogs tends to be disliked by people although the dialogs here are smart, edgy and witty. As for me, I like movies with too many dialogues, even though sometimes the dialogue is pointless like in Quentin Tarantino's movies.

NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU

2010-01-28T10:32:00.000+07:00

Directed by: So many people it feels like the members of United Nations are directors who work together nicely.
Run time: Not longer than Avatar, enough to finish three regular size popcorn, four cupcakes and two large glasses of ice tea

New York as the city of love? Does this mean Bruce Willis and Will Smith already stop wreaking CGI havoc in the big apple? I am glad at least some filmmaker didn't cast New York as city of superheroes, international spy thriller or decent action flick.

For those with short attention span, or those who cannot sit nicely in a movie theater more than 90 minute, this is a delight. It feels like a candy or cupcake buffet where you were exposed into so many choices.

With superb cinematography (it feels that the scenes sprung up from postcards), this film is as good as Paris, J'taime. Some performance are beyond good, like Shia LaBeouf who (at last!) show that he can act without CGI, let's just hope he took the Leonardo DiCaprio lane instead of Zac Efron way, and Chris Cooper. My favorite segment is the one with Anton Yelchin directed by Brett Ratner, the one with Natalie Portman by Mira Nair, the one by Shekhar Kapur (finishing Anthony Minghella's part) with Shia LaBeouf and the one by Joshua Marston with Eli Wallach (Tuco from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)).

The rest of the segment is also nice, although the one by Fatih Akin is underdeveloped and the one by Shunji Iwai is just plain boring, lucky for Shunji, Orlando Bloom didn't disappoint, he just need a better script since his segment is aimless. The segment by Jiang Wen is attractive but lack of mojo, I don't know, is it because of Hayden Christensen losing his 'force'.

I have not visited New York, but this film manage to show the beautiful side of New York. I just don't understand why critics doesn't give high rating for this film, does love bores them?

So who directed these segment of love? Hold your breath, here they are: Jiang Wen, Mira Nair, Shunji Iwai, Yvan Attal, Brett Ratner, Allen Hughes, Shekhar Kapur, Natalie Portman, Fatih Akin, Joshua Marston and Randy Balsmeyer. As for Scarlett Johansson segment, the producer decided not to include it in the final cut. I have no idea why, but I wanted to know Scarlett's talent behind the camera.

Speaking of city of love franchise, next year the producer will release Shanghai, I Love You. I do hope they will also consider these places as backdrop; Baghdad, Rome, Berlin, Cairo or perhaps....Pandora!

MACABRE (RUMAH DARA)

2010-01-28T10:23:00.000+07:00

Directed by: The Mo Brothers
Run time: 95 min

If you like blood and gore, watch this film while eating Spaghetti bolognese. Since it is the proper snack for this blood fest. Don't forget to eat it with extra ketchup.

No need to feel disgusted at all, this film deliver what it has promised, horror and thriller every second of it, it is worth every penny of your ticket price and you will be awed by the scenes. Just remember, don't take your kids or your underage nephew to watch this one.

Forget logic, anyone who went to see this don't expect for a twisted story but expect for twisted gore. Slashing, mutilating, squirted blood and severed limbs in a fast pacing editing is to be expected. Not recommended for squeamish people and those who are afraid of blood though. Compared to the Saw series, the gore level of this film is mild, but for Indonesian movie, this one is a breakthrough.

The production value is top notch, it matches those slasher movies made in the States and the Mo Brothers has maximized the use of small set. The title itself is very clever "Rumah Dara" means "Dara's House", added the letter "h", it could mean Rumah Darah in Indonesian or Blood House in English. This is an extension of their short Dara, which is also good. Most of the performers in Dara returns for Rumah Dara, with slight changes.

The plot is easy to understand, few youngsters caught in a bad situation after they had a night in a club. They went into a house of Dara and there, they meet their fate. From that on, your heart will pound higher and higher until you realize that you already eat too many spaghetti bolognese with extreme delight.

The Mo Brothers surely have talent and they have raise the bar on thriller genre in Indonesia. If Rumah Dara about to be made as a trilogy, they can revive the horror/slasher genre in Indonesia. Thumbs up for them.

BRIGHT STAR

2010-01-22T23:54:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Jane Campion
Run time: 119 min

I never heard of anything about John Keats in my life. I am not even a big fan of poetry, I don't even understand it very well. But after watching this movie, I was moved like I never been moved before. Truly John Keats poems are beautiful (for a guy like me who rarely read poetry and hear John Keats poetry being read by Ben Whishaw for the first time in my life, his words are mesmerizing) and so was this film which successfully transform the beauty of poetry into celluloid without over hyped cinematography or some corny dialogue I used to see in dozens of movies with the same theme.

Bright Star is clearly one of 2009's best but underrated, if only more people watch this film, they will get something more of a substance then the generic movies people used to watch nowadays. Jane Campion has managed to deliver a beautiful but heart wrenching love story without trapped inside the web of period drama corny-ism, I believe she deserved an Oscar for this film.

This is the story of the poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), which depicted with an EMO hair here (I have no idea what EMO hair is, but since my friend call those sort of hairstyle as EMO hairstyle, so I call it EMO hair) is smitten and in love with Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish), the daughter of his landlady. To put the plot simply, they meet, they love, he dies.

As the film goes by Jane Campion take this film slowly but sure, giving the viewer a feeling of beautiful but poetic sadness. Don't ask about production value, this film has a superb recreation of early 19th century lifestyle in England, from clothes to daily life.

This film satisfies my hunger for something beautiful but with substance. By casting unknown performers, their performance are natural and allow the viewer to believe that it is John Keats and Fanny Brawne who fell in love.As for Abbie Cornish, she shine in this film, she is the bright star of Bright Star.

Bright Star
By: John Keats

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

CREATION

2010-01-22T13:54:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Jon Amiel
Run time: 108 min

How he saw the world changed it forever

I am not a biologist or some expert on evolution. All I know about Charles Darwin that his work is controversial until today. So it is a matter of time before a decent biopic about him finally see the light of the day.

I cannot help to parallel this film with A Beautiful Mind, not only that Jennifer Connely was in both movies but how the film depicts that Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany, Connely's husband in real life) still see his dead daughter in his mind . This display of a tortured genius resembles A Beautiful Mind. However, A Beautiful Mind is better than this one. Not that this film is bad, it is only decent. The music and the scenery fits the story well. Part psychological thriller and heart-wrenching love story, Creation is the story behind the scene as Charles Darwin compose The Origin of Species.

The process of writing the book and the battle inside Darwin's soul between religion and his new found belief, between faith and reason also one of the theme in this film.

There is no doubt Bettany and Connely has squirted their best in acting, but in story telling I feel something is lacking. Perhaps because I was hoping that this film will investigate deeper on the book or the battle between faith and reason instead of the psychological aspect of Charles Darwin's family life.

Not that it is not interesting at all it is just a bit depressing when the psychological aspect took up 80% of the story. It is not like Revolutionary Road, which is depressing but interesting, this one is a depressing and murky.

INVICTUS

2010-01-07T10:54:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Run time: 134 min

His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.

When it comes to Nelson Mandela biopic I was kinda hoping that it is about his struggle, but when it comes to reality that it was about Mandela being the President and the South African rugby team, I am kind of disappointed. Not only I have no idea what rugby is, this event is largely unknown to most people beyond South Africa, like me.

However, having heard that Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon acted in this film (plus it is directed by my favorite director, Clint Eastwood), at least this film will not be that bad. The marketing team of this film realize that if they put Morgan Freeman on the poster, this film wouldn't apply to younger viewers, so they decide to put the blond but a bit tanned and bulkier Matt Damon in the foreground in the hope that it will attract more viewers.

This is the story of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) who wanted to unite his post-apartheid country through a universal language of sport, in this case, the national rugby team to win the world cup of rugby with the help of Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon). The problem is, the Springbok, (the name or South African national rugby team) was universally hated by most South Africans since it is viewed as a "white man sport", will Mandela and Pienaar succeed in their effort to unite their country with rugby?

Although I have no knowledge at all on how to play rugby, but this film doesn't bore me at all with largely featured rugby games. The acting is top notch, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon immerse in their character and has zero American English accent, it feels like I am watching District 9 the drama version, minus aliens.

But I feel there is something lacking in this film, the spirit of struggle and charisma of Nelson Mandela. It feels that this film will only have an appeal to South Africans only. Inspiring? Well, a little bit but at least this is a decent film about Nelson Mandela and SO, unlike the boring Goodbye Bafana. I wish someday some good biopic about Nelson Mandela's struggle in Robben Island prison will be made.

In case you wonder, this is the poem Invictus which the title of this film based on. In my opinion, it is a good poem.

Invictus
By: William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

2009 BEST MOVIES

2010-01-04T12:40:00.000+07:00

Just click on the link which will direct you to the full review still in this blog (don't worry I will not link some suspicious site. I just want to make it easier for my readers, just in case they want to read more. Speaking of readers, I don't think I got so many readers here, since every time I check my blog most of the post has zero comment. I began to think I can write anything without angering anyone since no one will ever read it at all) and it is not in chronological order, some aren't reviewed at all in the past so I just wrote few sentences on it. Actually I have seen more movies than what I wrote here it is just for me, it is difficult to find the right time to wrote it down. I haven't seen Precious and Up in the Air, so this list is a little bit incomplete since my instinct tells me that both movies are also good. The Hurt Locker is just okay in my opinion, so I didn't write the review here.

SANG PEMIMPI

AVATAR

MOON

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

DISTRICT 9

MERANTAU

CHE

OKURIBITO

GAKE UE NO PONYO

AN EDUCATION

THE HANGOVER
I'm too lazy to write the review but this film is hilarious in every sense possible. It feels like the comedy version of Jason Bourne having amnesia, tripled!

ZOMBIELAND
Very cool, I even forgot to write the review on this one, if you love blood, splatter and politically incorrect jokes, this one is for you.

THIS IS IT
Even the rehearsal video is stunning. I wonder what if the concert is really done, that must have been great.

STAR TREK
My review is lost in the stars, J.J Abrams has re-boot the Star Trek franchise to boldly go where Michael Bay will never go.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
I cannot write the review in 50 languages so I didn't write it here. I just keep it inside my head. However, the jokes are funny and I love how Quentin makes a lot of homage to old WW II films, he even put Emil Jannings and mention G.W. Pabst in this film!

WATCHMEN
Zack Snyder deconstruct superheroes in an amazing way. Sure it takes almost three hours to finish the whole shebang but it was worth it.

AN EDUCATION

2010-01-04T12:33:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Lone Scherfig
Run time: 95 min

Let me see, a teenage girl has a special relationship with a 40 something man. That will make Optimus Prime squirms with fear wouldn't it?

Based on journalist Lynn Barber's book (I haven't read the book), this film is set in 1961 England. A bright 16 year old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is smitten with the 40 year old David (Peter Sarsgaard). Jenny's parents are a bit overprotective but naive, they wanted their only daughter to go to Oxford.

It is logical since Jenny is smart, likes French movies and songs, avid fans of culture and sophisticated. How many 16 year old are as sophisticated as Jenny? Perhaps Lindsay Lohan is sophisticated but the last time I check she wasn't 16 anymore.

David takes Jenny to the world she could ever dream of, to fancy restaurants, cinemas, concerts, play, dog race and painting auction. David's sophistication satiates Jenny's intellectual hunger which cannot be fulfilled by her peers.

David can also charm's Jenny's naive parents up to a level taking Jenny to Paris. But if things are too good to be true, it actually aren't and the so called rude awakening makes Jenny more mature, thus, his tumultuous relationship with David has given her an education of its own.

The delicacy of this film is in the dialogue, it is sharp, witty and quotable, filled with questions unasked and moral uneasiness. This film is an education for naive women who easily charmed by well mannered men and a lesson for us all, that there is no instant way to be mature, it all need a process.

SANG PEMIMPI

2010-01-04T11:21:00.000+07:00

Directed by: Riri Riza
Run time: 128 min

Actually I have seen this film on the first day of the release. But I just have time to write the review right now. So, excuses aside, I have to say this film is inspiring and please, those who have read the book, just stop comparing book to movie okay? It is just plain silly.

How inspiring is this film? Well it inspires you to do the simplest cardio exercise ever, running. Yes, this film features a lot of running scenes by its main actors. It seems every 15 minutes they are running here and there for the sake of simple running or sentimentality.

It must have been very tiring for the actors running here and there in several take. But at least they are healthy. Aside from running, this film is a breathe of fresh air in Indonesian movie scene.

The direct sequel of Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors) is the most anticipated movie in Indonesia. It is the first Indonesian movie to open last year's Jakarta International Film Festival. In case you wonder, Sang Pemimpi is based on the novel of the same title written by Andrea Hirata, the second of four best selling novel of his Laskar Pelangi tetralogy. With fans of the book flocking at the local cinemas, I think the chance of the third book being filmed is positive.

Casting newbies, Riri Riza doesn't shy to experiment with new actors and I have to say the new actors are natural. Not only they are originally from Belitung island, the setting of the story itself, but they can act well.

Continuing Laskar Pelangi, Ikal (Vikri Septiawan for teenage Ikal and Lukman Sardi for adult Ikal). is now a teenager and studying at local high school in Manggar. Ikal befriend Arai (Rendy Ahmad as young Arai and Nazriel Ilham as adult Arai), his distant cousin and Jimbron (Azwir Fitrianto), a teenage who is overly obsessed with horse. The rest of the cast are professionals and they contribute greatly to the quality of the film, especially Mathias Muchus as Ikal's father.

They grow together, with ups and downs in their life, trying to make ends meet and make their parents happy, and to fulfill their dreams. The story continue until Ikal and Arai left Belitung island and stay in Bogor, where they study at the University and still continuing their dream, to go to Sorbonne, France, to study there.

Using 35 mm, this film has a neo-realism approach and it looks so good on the screen, you can see the vibrant life in Manggar, Belitung and the art department is making the film more believable by showing tiny details of 80s Indonesia.

The appearance of Nazriel Ilham, better known in Indonesia as Ariel, the front man of one Indonesia's famous band, Peterpan is not distracting. Unfortunately, he only got 15 minutes of screen time and didn't speak that much. Overall, this film is a must see and after several weeks have garnered 1.5 million Indonesian viewers, a box office according to Indonesian standard and a success considering this film released on the same day as James Cameron's Avatar released in Indonesia.

AVATAR

2009-12-18T16:50:00.000+07:00

Directed by: James Cameron

Run time: 156 min

James Cameron did it again, he pull the strings from nowhere and create another masterpiece. He kick the ball in the injury time and make the home team scream ecstatically. He is Lionel Messi of football, Tiger Woods of golf and by this film, a decent Nobel Peace Prize laureate than Obama.

Avatar combines many elements, nice jab at George W Bush 'fight terror with terror', a bit Braveheart, Pocahontas, Dances With Wolves, Eco-friendly messages, The Matrix and in the end, you get the screaming visual orgasm you never felt before. You felt as if your IQ is elevated to a level no IQ has gone before.

I will not tell you the story here, since you can figure out all by yourself. I will share my utter amazement at this masterpiece. James Cameron has push photo realistic CG to a level that will make Optimus Prime looks like crap, the visual is simply stunning and breath taking. It is a visual joyride. The acting is believable and the score is amazing and chilling, thanks to James Horner.

Sure, some perfectionist or Avatar haters will try to seek some plot holes or point out that the story is a bit simple, but in the end all the effects cover all of that. Besides, simple story always has universal appeal and Cameron has executed the simple story solidly.

You will be amazed by the effects, touched by the story and last but not least, gaping with awe. Must be seen since it cannot be described by words anymore. As for me this is the only film I have ever watched more than once at the cinema.