MELANCHOLIA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Elite 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.