KRABAT

Directed by: Marco Kreuzpaintner

The film says that it is an adaptation from a classical book in German, well I never know or read the book so I went to the cinema with no knowledge at all, hoping that the cinema will present the film in its original language, German. Lucky for me it wasn't dubbed at all, so I can enjoy the real language and I can still understand spoken German.

Like most European movies I have seen, the music score is outstanding, I never thought that this film has an impressive score. The cinematography is outstanding and images are beautiful. I like the aerial shot, and seeing that, if there is a film consisted of only aerial shot of anything, I will watch it. Kreuzpaintner succeed in mixing scenes and music score.

As for the actors, they are no stranger to me, I have seen Daniel Brühl in Goodbye Lenin! and Die Fetten Jahre sind vorbei, Robert Stadlober in Schwarze Schafe and Sommersturm (the latter from the same director with this film) and David Kross from The Reader.

The story itself looks good, after his mother died because of Black Death in the 17th century (I am no expert on European history, so correct me if I'm wrong), 14 year old Krabat (David Kross) wander from village to village as a beggar. Until someday he heard a voice that lead him into a mill where he met a master (Christian Redl) who ask him to be one of his student. It turns out that there are other students, 11 of them, like the younger version of Bon Jovi, Lyschko (Robert Stadlober), and Tonda (Daniel Brühl) who befriends Krabat. The mill has a secret and as Krabat uncover it, he know he sign up for something dark. The mill is a magic school, dark magic which makes their work easier in the mill, magic that makes all of them fascinated. But behind that, lies another deadly secret. Like what Tonda says, "Everything in this world has its price".

With CGI and aerial shot, this film doesn't look cheap. But the ending is a bit confusing and less "flashy" or perhaps I am used to Hollywood ending where flashy stuff happens in the end. However, this film wasn't so bad at all, it has darker tone than Harry Potter and certainly not for children. In other words, it is a typical European film adapted from novel, with hints of philosophical points here and there.

BEST MOVIES OF 2008

This is my personal list of last year's best films. Slumdog doesn't make the cut since it is too cheesy for me and I wish I can make the list longer since I haven't seen Rachel Got Married and Milk, however, enjoy the ride (I will add this if there's another film worth mentioning) and if you have time, please leave a comment. By the way, do you have your own list? I'd really like to know about it. Every title is linked to the complete review in this blog, just click it.

1. The Wrestler
Definitely the best, raw and frank emotion that will move you. This is a big comeback for Mickey Rourke. For complete review just scroll down, it is located directly under this posting.

2. The Dark Knight
No need to say any further, this crossover between crunchy superhero with thought provoking philosophy makes other superhero like wimps. Don't forget, the Joker is the creepiest villain ever.

3. Gran Torino
Very powerful but snubbed by the Oscars, this one definitely will make you learn something about life. A grittier but wiser form of Dirty Harry and the man with no name in the spaghetti western trilogy.

4. Revolutionary Road
Happiness cannot be measured by materialistic belongings and this could be Titanic 2 if Jack has survived the disaster and marry Rose.

5. Frost/Nixon
If only the real interview is like this, then the American people get the "trial" they deserve.

6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
What if life has to be lived backwards? Would everything be the same? It teach us that life is more than just our skin and the only thing eternal is time.

7. The Reader
How can someone illiterate do such crime? Why does such crime ever happened? A question that cannot be answered easily.

8. Tropa de Elite
Brutality in the slum, corrupted public official and a never ending social problems.

9. In Bruges
Definitely forgotten, this film succeed cooking comedy, drama and thriller to the screen. Bad Boy Colin Farell shows that he got the talent. Catch this on DVD.

10. Sukkar Banat
As sweet as the title, this story can get bitter too. Although set in Lebanon, the message is universal to all women.


Honorable Mention
Doubt
If you like long dialogue and has doubt on so many things, this one will open your mind that sometimes doubt, is stronger than certainty.

Pintu Terlarang
This one will make you shocked. A genuine Indonesian film that explore the nature of the mind.

THE WRESTLER

MPAA Rating: R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.
Run time: 115 min

I felt chill down my spine watching Mickey Rourke re-invented by Darren Aronofsky in this brutally honest film. As a pro-wrestler, Ram (Mickey Rourke) is past his prime, he is physically deteriorated, his fame has dimmed, his brain is still in his famous 80s wrestling match, his souls is tortured and he cannot even pay his own rent so he has to work on weekends in a supermarket.

Outside the ring he is a lonely man, his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) doesn't want to know him at all, and the only person he can relate to is the aging stripper named Pam (Marisa Tomei).

For those who think that pro wrestling is just some fake show, they will be shocked to know that eventhough it is fake, the injuries are real. You cannot stop to cringe as medic pull staples over Ram's body or how Ram deliberately slit his own forehead for a realistic effect. With all the punches he deliver (literally and figuratively), you will sympathize with this man who would do anything to redeem his mistakes and back on the ring, despite his previous heart attack and a promise to retire, because inside the ropes is the only place he cannot get hurt and unconditionally loved by his fans.

This is not a physical wrestling but a psychological one and Aronofsky manage to wow the audience with flawless directing, see the scene as Ram walks from supermarket garage to the deli, uncut with a tracking shot, accompanied by the sound of loud cheer of wrestling fans or the scene as he sit giving signatures to fans and see other wrestler are limped, bored and unhappy. You can sense loneliness there. This film isn't cheesy or over melancholic, it is frank, heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time and as the credits rolled, will left you speechless.
I cannot imagine someone else playing Ram beside Rourke, he own every second of this film and definitely do to wrestling what Robert DeNiro do to boxing. Without a doubt, this is one of the year's best film, even better than the over hyped Slumdog Millionaire.

PINTU TERLARANG (FORBIDDEN DOOR)

Directed by: Joko Anwar

If you have seen (and understood, at least partially) Mulholland Drive, The Science of Sleep, Adaptation, A Beautiful Mind, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind, Identity and The Machinist, this film is not so shocking and easy to understand, although it still can have another interpretation and has enough power to shock and awe.

As for those who haven't seen such films I mentioned above perhaps they will be scratching their head, or somebody else's head in my case. For Indonesian film, this one is a breakthrough. It has a new theme, a fine animated opening scene which looks like originated from 60s TV Series and perfect visual editing. Pintu Terlarang has been selected in the 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam scheduled to run from January 21 until February 1, 2009.

Gambir (Fachry Albar) is a very successful sculptor, he has a beautiful wife to be, Talyda (Marsha Timothy) and a small number of friends. But he has problems, his wife to be wanted an abortion and there's a mysterious message saying "help me". To make matters more interesting there's metaphor of pregnant women in Gambir's sculpture and aborted fetuses Gambir use for his "maternal" sculpture. Not only that, the mysterious message lead Gambir into more mystery (there's a forbidden door in his home) as he uncover a secret organization with revealing truth.

After this point, several scenes are predictable (especially for those who already watch the above mentioned movies) and in a shocking end, the viewers were left dumbfounded and some might nod as if they understand something (this one could be me too). Sure some might say that it was all happened in Gambir's head or some might say that the secret organization really do exist and play a role in Gambir's insanity. I myself like to switch between those two possibilities.

But watching this film isn't like opening a forbidden door, it is simpler than Mulholland Drive and the metaphor is easy to understand. Although it seems that Joko Anwar tries so hard to put so many "Ooh" and "Aaah" moments and trying to push too many philosophical questions whereas a simple metaphor of a sculpture of a pregnant women is suffice enough for this film.

As for acting, the leading actor/actress is convincing and the camera work is simply stunning and rare for Indonesian movies. The dialog is much better than Kala, another Joko's film released in 2007 since it doesn't sound as if it has been translated word by word from English to Indonesian.

What really bothers me is the use of too many English language dialogue and songs. I think it is very disturbing and doesn't sound real enough for Indonesian viewers, what's wrong with Indonesian songs to make it sound "Indonesian"?

DOUBT

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material.
Runtime: 104 min

How can you be so sure if you didn't have any hard proof? You just have to be certain and rely on your instinct, according to Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) the principal of St. Nicholas school in the Bronx.

Set a year after JFK is assasinated, as a strict Sister, Aloysius reject modernism and stick to old school rules. As the opposite of strict Aloysious comes the sweet, charming and naive Sister James (Amy Adams). And in the other end Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the voice of progression at school, he is open to new ideas and close with his students.

Even his first sermon in the beginning of this film echoes the meaning of the film title itself"Doubt", he says, "can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone."

Problems arose as Sister James suspect of Father Flynn wrongdoings with one of his student, Donald Miller (Joseph Foster II), who happens to be the only African-American student in the school. Quick as a fox Sister Aloysious start to build up a case against Father Flynn, accusing him of inappropriate relationship with Donald and vows to kick him out of the school.

Another stunning performance is from Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother, although only got a 10 minute screentime, she managed to landed herself an Oscar nomination. Even Amy Adams got a nod from the Academy. This is a film that showcase four main actors acting skill and it is no surprise that Meryl nail another nomination, it seems that in every movie she's in, she always got nomination.

Doubt avoids easy answers and makes us even doubt whether Father Flynn really do the wrongdoings. The theme itself is timeless and has a rare quality of keep making the viewers thinking after the credits rolled. In a verbal showdown Merly Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman) throws up punchline that echoes in our consciousness, did he really do it? If he did why did he has to resign? if he didn't where's the evidence? The viewers were left with difficulties to digest ambiguity and endless doubt.

W.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language including sexual references, some alcohol abuse, smoking and brief disturbing war images.
Run time: 129 min

Oliver visit his most favorite subject: politics and controversy, but making a film about a President whose approval rating can only be match by Nixon is very risky. No need to say about the story but what really bugs me is, does Oliver have a least try to interview the real Bush for this film? or he just take liberty to inject his own opinion? And how many expert did he consult to make this film, well, believable since several scenes are not believable at all, it is borderline dark comedy with absurdity tone. In two hours we are served with the life of George W. Bush from his youth up to the invasion of Iraq and the viewers got a peek on how the administration "work" although not as deep as West Wing and it looks like only analyzing the surface.

Dick Cheney looks like Rasputin, whispering doomsday scenarios to W. and in a scene featuring a huge background of middle east map, he looks like one of James Bond villain (or Darth Vader) trying to conquer the world. Thandie Newton deliver Condoleeza Rice as a "yes Mr. President" female secretary of state and Colin Powell is the only voice of reason who quietly against the policy of Mr. Bush. While Bush Sr is portrayed more sympathetically.

What about Josh Brolin as W.? He looks good and believable although it is laughable that he play young Bush and his physical feature could be more enhanced by prosthetic make up instead of graying his hair.

Oliver Stone deliver Bush as a boy trapped in daddy issues, booze addiction, insecurities and sibling rivalry in a non-linear story telling. Although he is born with a silver spoon but Bush continue to fight the devil inside him. As he rose to Presidency he sees things as black and white and unfortunately he is surrounded by people who have their own agenda.

What comes as disappointment is that there is no mentioning on the controversial election in 2000, hurricane Katrina, Patriot Act, Abu Ghraib incident or how Bush react after the 9/11, Oliver only focus at Iraq. Oliver should have extended the film 60 more minutes so the film could get deeper, just like Nixon, instead of doing that he just show the viewer the "surface" of the administration.

After the film end, you might wonder, how come this guy ever elected as President twice? Well borrowing a line from Slumdog Millionaire; "Perhaps it is written".

THE READER

MPAA Rating: R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity.
Runtime: 124 min


After seeing this film, I conclude, the book must have been a very good one since the film is really worth seeing. I think there are two kind of people wanting to see this film, the one who want to see an Oscar nominated film with ethical complexities, and the one who wanted to enjoy some thought provoking soft porn (as if such genre ever exist).

As always, Nazi related movies are abundant throughout the ages but this one dwelve deeper into the consciousness. This film is not an excuse but a disturbing question whether a hideous crime could be redeemed and whether a single information that can make one of the perpetrators got a light sentence is justified morally. Yes it is a very complex thing I received from this film and I think for Germans, this film is really important. I even think that this film should be in German, to give a more authentic look.

The lead character, Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes as an adult; David Kross as a teenager) has his first meeting with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet) in West Berlin in 1958. At the beginning it was just another love affair that lasted in the summer, the Last Tango in Paris kind of affair and director Stephen Daldry doesn't shy on parading nude scenes. During their so called affair, Michael reads passages of literature to her. Then Hannah vanishes only to appear later after Michael is a law student in the university with a shocking revelation: Hanna was an SS guard in Auschwitz and Michael has a piece of information that could make Hanna's sentence in the court lighter.

But revealing that, would mean revealing that Michael had an affair, would he do that? Especially after he knows what crime Hanna has done. The emotional breakdown creates a deep moral dilemma and obsessive conflict for Michael in years to come. The adult Michael sentence himself in loneliness and introversion. One cannot be wrong to guess that the adult Michael still root for Hanna but her crimes complicates the matter. Kate Winslet once again show an Oscar worthy performance and the not so known beyond Germany David Kross surely has talent.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

MPAA Rating: R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
Run time: 120 min

The five stars review and accolades of awards for this film turns me on. I expect some sort of magic or some reviewer said "triumph" of cinema. And Slumdog triumph at Oscar too with 10 nominations, so I am thrilled before I see it. I expect some kind of Atonement, Gandhi, Gladiator, Crash or even No Country for Old Men. So, good reviews with tons of awards seems a fine turn on right?

It turns out for me that Slumdog wasn't as triumphant as I thought it would be (three stars is enough for this film). It is okay but it is not as thought provoking as Revolutionary Road or as tight gripping as Frost/Nixon, even as melancholic as Benjamin Button. In fact, in general it looks cheesy and and well, wafer thin.

I wonder why reviewers in the states are so head over heels for this film, as for me, the praise is just too much. Perhaps it is cultural differences. For people who lived in Europe or United States, seeing some third world country slum with densely populated housing, rotten sewage and dirty streets plus the people inside it is something exotic or unique. As for me, the one who lives in Indonesia, such slums is reality I see and smell everyday, so there's nothing special about it. It is not that I didn't sympathize with slums but if you seen it everyday, then it is not special at all. This is added by the fact that I have seen countless Bollywood films, so the name of Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bhachan is nothing strange to my ears, even the dance sequence is very familiar (and expected) to me.

Sure, some scenes are breathless but even from the first minute, I already know that Slumdog will end in a happy manner since hints are almost everywhere. Not much of a surprise eh?

Jamal is an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who is born into a brutal world and he has to survive all by his own by improvising almost anything. He is an Indian Oliver Twist, high-spirited and see life as something optimistic.

Played as a teenager by Dev Patel, Jamal is the contestant of Indian version of Who Wants to be A Millionaire? It turns out that he can answer all of the questions. Of course, the anchor of the show (the famous Anil Kapoor) suspect Jamal of cheating, throws him into the hands of brutal cops.

The cops interrogating him badly and by a series of flashbacks, we know why he can answer the question correctly, it is from his life experience. Oh yeah, have I forgot to mention that Jamal is desperately wants to see a girl he has known since he was a child? That one has predictability rate of 10 out of 10.

Somehow I am startled by the fact that this film was made by the same director who use to tell stories about decapitating zombies. But he's also the one who made Millions so bizarre amount of cheesiness is predictable.

As for me, it is an okay film, not award material but something that can make you smile as an escape, but it doesn't make you think hard about the meaning of life since it is just some Indian Oliver Twist tale where in the end, the boy gets the girl. Add extra 60 minutes and another 5 songs and dances, than it is just another Bollywood movie. Oh have I mention that I have seen so many Bollywood films?

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking.
Runtime: 166 min

David Fincher is no stranger to labyrinth of darkness, from Zodiac to Fight Club, now he embarks on a lighter and epic side of labyrinth, the life journey of a man.
Viewing the nature of life through a reversed lens gives us another point of view. Perhaps by looking at life in backwards, at least in physical appearance, we might have a better understanding on happiness and the strength to let go.

This film is certainly curious and live up to its promises, Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button, a man who was born under unusual circumstances. He was born in 1918 as an old man - the size of a baby but afflicted with all of the problems of the aged while life around him is progressing naturally. The birth kills Benjamin's mother and, unable to cope with his son's monstrous appearance, Thomas Button (Jason Flemyng) abandons him to be taken care by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a nurse at New Orleans nursing home. As time goes by, Benjamin grows younger and met Daisy (Elle Fanning as Daisy at age 6 and Madisen Beaty as Daisy age 11 and Cate Blanchett in the older years).

Benjamin also become a witness of many historical events including World War II. Although unlike Forrest Gump who had to met extraordinary events, Benjamin, on the other hand, is an extraordinary man who experiences ordinary events that most could relate to, like falling in love and letting go some burden of life. As he grows younger, Benjamin grows into Brad we all know from media, the Brad from Troy until the younger Brad from Thelma and Louise.

But although it has Big Fish type of story and a very magnificent production value, at certain point in the film the audience felt unattached to the life of Benjamin. It was as if Benjamin was only a mere observer without any active role. Or perhaps this is what David Fincher wanted us to feel, we are observer of our passage, left to the mercy of fate and chaos theory.

With running time that can make you want to run to the toilet, remarkably, this film doesn't bore at all, it can keep the pace and entertaining. You just cannot help being melancholic and uplifted after the credits rolled and for some, the story is simply mesmerizing and worthy to watch.

In the end, we can absorb something grand and epic this film try to tell us, that life shouldn't be measured by wrinkles on our face but by moments that defines us as a man.

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

How do you break free without breaking apart?

MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Run time: 119 min

We already have a peek on American suburbia in Little Children and Oscar winning American Beauty, but this film gives a new meaning of hell in suburbia of the 50s, hell defined as loveless marriage and superficial society.

Although after watching this you might feel slightly depressed and sympathize with the suffering of marriage people. The acting and narrative story telling is brilliant, after all this is the first reunion of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet since Titanic (1997). And somehow, it deserves all fancy nomination in the upcoming Golden Globe or even Oscar.

Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet) met in a party and married ever since. But two beautiful kids, a nice home, 9-5 jobs and friendly (but sometimes superficial) neighbor wasn't enough for them. They do not know what they want in life and still figuring out what real happiness is. There's the hollowness and hopelessness that cannot be defined and at one point, it seems the plan for the Wheelers to move to Paris seem a good idea for escaping the boredom and hell of suburban life.

It was April who convinces Frank to move to Paris after she got a poor review for her performance in a local production and see the signs that her youthful dreams seem to fade away, Paris is seen as a necessary escape.

In the meantime, to kill the boredom, Frank has an affair with a secretary and April has a one night stand with her neighbor. All those boredom and repressed feeling exploded as April suddenly pregnant with the third child, in a violent verbal fight, everything went loose cannon. Not only that ruin the plan to go to Paris but a promotion for Frank in his job also play a major role.

To make matters more interesting, none of the neighbors actually understand the hopelessness and unhappiness of the Wheelers, only a mentally ill man named John Givings (Michael Shannon), the grown son of the Wheelers' real estate agent, Helen (Kathy Bates) seem to understand, with cruel words and merciless judgment, the severity of the Wheeler's zero fantasy marriage. I have to say, even the performance of Michael Shannon deserves another nomination for this film and I wouldn't be surprised if Leo and Kate also get one, they surely has mature a lot since Titanic.

In a shocking end, some single men/women might re-think their plan of getting married after seeing this film. Revolutionary Road is mesmerizing, disturbing, intelligent, a bit depressing for single people, thought-provoking and a triumph for superficiality of suburban life that gives you the taste of harsh reality.