INTERSTELLAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

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

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

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

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

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

MUD

Directed by: Jeff Nichols

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard, Reese Witherspoon

Running time: 130 minutes

Do you remember when your childhood is consisting of having real adventures in the wild instead of gluing your butt to play video games? Some might remember it and if your childhood spend with real adventures, you have a good one.

The third film from Jeff Nichols (after Shotgun Stories and Take Shelter, all featuring Michael Shannon) still covers American South, this time set in a small town next to the Mississippi river and it brings us to the two main characters, Ellis (Tye Sheridan, known for his role in The Tree of Life) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) to a certain adventure that wil change their life forever.

The two boys set to a deserted island to find an old boat. But then they encounter Mud (Matthew McConaughey), a fugitive who claims the boat and on the run because he killed a man who hurt his lover, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). The boys are mesmerized by the heroic tale of Mud. They did not once being skeptical on the story at all.

Knowing that these boys can be useful, Mud sent them to the town to collect stuff so the boat can be flown and Mud can meet Juniper. As for Ellis himself, he has parents but they are not a good role model, so he sees a big brother figure in Mud, while Neckbone looks up to Ellis. The naive Ellis is about to learn the lesson of friendship, coming of age and love.

Nothing turns out as expected and it shows good acting from the three leading actors. The river play a major part here, representing adventure and chances, while supporting characters are also interesting like Neckbone's loving uncle, acted by Michael Shannon and Mud's so called father figure that change the course of events.

It is a film about Southerner in their homeland and it is a good story. I really liked it on how Nichols managed to tell a coming of age from the teenager's point of view. It reminded me of my own childhood, although I did not grew up next to a river, that adventure is out there!