AVATAR

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.

MOON

The last place you'd ever expect to find yourself

Directed by: Duncan Jones
Run time: 97 min

Most people think, a science fiction movie only need amazing special effect like 2012 or countless over hyped summer movies. But people forgot that a good science fiction is all about the story and how it can relate to the audience.

I think this film is underrated in this year, sure it doesn't have a wide release and the budget for this movie seem only suffice enough for one earthquake scene in 2012.

Sam Rockwell is Sam Bell, a lunar miner who is nearing the end of his 3-year contract at a single-man mining outpost in the Moon at some time in the future. His only companion is the station computer, Gertie, voiced by Kevin Spacey. Sam didn't actually mine the Moon all by himself, he is the man who operates everything from an IKEA like station. There, he lives alone all by himself.

Sam had a bad dream and he seem cannot concentrate on his job. Being alone in the moon, at one mission to check one mining machine, he is wounded. Then he is rescued to the station by a guy who looks, speaks and thinks just like Sam. What is going on here? Is that guy a figment of Sam's imagination, or is he for real? Which one is the real Sam? Loneliness can be scary sometimes, especially if you are claustrophobic.

The whole film depends on Sam Rockwell's acting ability, and he didn't disappoint us at all. His performance is top notch. For some the plot might be confusing and we just have to concentrate to understand the story. This sort of thing is a turn off for those who used to be feed by cheesy plots, but as for me, I like this sort of plot that force me to think. This is a rare gem, a sci-fi with brain and mixture of so many other genre.

GOMORRAH

Directed by: Matteo Garrone
Run time: 137 min

If The Godfather glorifies the mafia, this one desensitized everything you ever know about mafia from the popular culture. With no marquee name to attract teens, this film is swaying between cinema verite and documentary feature. Just like City of God, it all feels real here, especially with no fancy soundtrack. Gomorrah has five different stories but with one thing in common: these people cannot escape the influence of criminal organization run by the Camorras, in the city of Naples, Italy.

For those who seek for entertainment value, they will be disappointed since this film will show you the gloomy reality of ordinary people under the influence of mafia. There's this pre-teen who has no clue whatsoever about things around him and drown himself into the underworld, a tailor who happens to be caught between mafia wars, two youngsters who had seen too many Scarface and has an itchy fingers to pull the trigger, an aging man giving weekly payment to families of mob prisoners and a college graduate who had a high profile job of managing a toxic waste. It is a story where criminals kills each other, everyday, just for the sake of interest and business.

I think the labyrinthine structure of this film represent on how chaotic and deep the influence of mafia is it also want to drag the audience on the despair of the common people. The plot was separate and didn't intersect with each other. Somehow I feel that the cinematography of this film is top notch, with strong emphasis on simplicity and efficiency and certainly no romanticism at all. Sure no CGI robots killing each other but daily life with dull colors seen with a hand held camera can look so interesting in Gomorrah.

The absent of famous actors/actresses makes this film more believable. This is a very European film, with the absent of glorification of mafia and a bit slow pacing to test the patience of the audience. However it all pays off, you get to see something you never know it has existed for years.

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn't.

Directed by: Marc Webb
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual material and language.
Runtime: 95 min

Unless your heart is never broken by a girl, or you are not the sort of girl who has a heart to treat an ordinary guy as cruel (but warm) as possible, this movie will not resonate into you. In the spirit of smart rom-com of Annie Hall, Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, this film is surprisingly believable. Although told in a non-linear structure, it is not difficult to follow. Like this year's District 9, this film defies the usual template for a successful summer movie. This is Annie Hall of the 21st century with strong emphasis on quirkiness and indie music as the soundtrack.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom and Zooey Deschanel as Summer are the next Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in between sunset and sunrise. They are real everyday people, not some over glowed Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn in some over glowed relationship.

The premise is very simple, Tom believe in true love while Summer believe in the opposite. They get to know each other. They were in love and at one point, the love ended. What seems to be a cliche formula can be presented in a new way by Mark Webb. Don't hope for a nice ride to the sunset for this film, just expect a character walking limping in the sunset after being beaten by hard truth.

Every guy can relate to Tom, he's the ordinary boy next door who wants to get a girl like Summer but for some reason, he just can't have her. The rest is realistic and believable, it is a love story everyone can relate to from Europe to Indonesia. This is the story of a search for one true love and sometimes in romance we believe what we want to believe. Decorated with so many nice songs (well, nice or not depend on your taste actually) and imaginative dance sequence picked from Bollywood movie, you'll never stop smiling after watch this one.

But there is one flaw, this film doesn't explain why they broke up. I think it is important that this explanation exist instead of all the sudden they just broke up and we have to guess why. But hey, perhaps it is not important why they broke up, perhaps the story is about relationship for the hopelessly romantic.

In the age of CGI and 3-D attack, 500 Days of Summer is really refreshing, charming, original, simple but also smart. It is a living proof that a simple story can be made as a good movie.

GAKE NO UE NO PONYO

Run time: 103 min

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of Japanese animation movie. Until I heard about this so called Ponyo that makes some buzz. If you mention the name Ponyo to anyone in Bandung, people will think that it is a Sundanese restaurant chain, well that is not wrong, Ponyo is one of sundanese restaurant chain in Bandung. The name similarity with a Sundanese restaurant chain spark my interest. I know it is a weird thing to be interested in a film because its title just like the name of a restaurant, but since the food in that restaurant is good, I hope the film is good too.

Watching this film brings back the good childhood memory (you know, the time where we didn't have to lie to the cops for speeding on a freeway) where everything was so simple and easy to understand.

Even the animation feels like it has sprung up from children drawing book. The story revolves around the friendship between a magical goldfish, Ponyo (Yuria Nara) and the five year old human child, Sosuke (Doi Hiroki). Sosuke lives in a small house on a cliff where he lives, Lisa (Yamaguchi Tomoko). I suspect Lisa is not Sosuke's mother, but his step mother since Ponyo refers Lisa by name, no by calling her 'mom'. Sosuke's father, Koichi (Kazushige Nagashima), is a ship captain rarely seen at home since he is away in the sea.

Ponyo and Sosuke met by chance, Ponyo escaped her father and Sosuke loves Ponyo at the first glance. Sosuke himself gave the name Ponyo to the goldfish. Ponyo soon begins to adapt and take on human aspects since she lick Sosuke's blood. Both have a strong bond and Ponyo has strong desire to become a human. A desire, Fujimoto (Tokoro Joji), Ponyo's father, cannot contain anymore. Fujimoto himself is a former human who has magical powers and obsessed of cleaning the sea. Notice how Miyazaki slowly put an ecological and environmental message in this film.

What will happen to Ponyo and Sosuke as their mutual affection grows significantly? As you can expect the line between the real and spiritual world is being blurred in an enchanting way.

The animation was wonderful, Miyazaki didn't only drew characters but he made the characters act, anyone would fall in love with the cuteness of doe-eyed Sosuke and Ponyo and Miyazaki did a convincing job on how the animated character authentically mimic a body movement of a 5 year old human. The 2 D animation was splendid and imaginative, I even liked the pastel colored background, it gives me the classic feeling of animation.

What I watched is the original Japanese version, but I am interested to watch it in English language version since it is said that Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett and Liam Neeson doing voices for Ponyo's US version. A lot of people say that this film is for children (I even like the childish Japanese theme song), but as for me I think it speaks for all of us since this film reminded us on how beautiful life is when we were young.

DISTRICT 9

MPAA Rating: R for bloody violence and pervasive language.


This film was made, perhaps, by the budget of Optimus Prime's foot but manage to be much better than two Transformers movie. District 9 is a fine example on how budget limitations doesn't limit your creativity.

Peter Jackson and first time South African writer-director Neill Blomkamp, have made a sci-fi thriller that is original and mesmerizing. It is a new breed of sci-fi with racism and xenophobia themes.

Using mockumentary style, with hand-held cameras, the horror and reality seem real. A spaceship out of nowhere hovers over Johannesburg, South Africa. There are no clues why the aliens chose Johannesburg instead of other cities. The prawn/grasshopper like alien arrived on earth as refugees. First they were feared and incite violence in the city, thus the government, with the aid of MNU, a private interest organization, localize the aliens in a slum like place called District 9. In that lawless slum the aliens live poorly and gangs rule the streets. Humans doesn't seem to care about them, there seem to be a silent hatred upon those alien refugees since their appearance is quite scary.

The MNU which had secret plans to acquire aliens weaponry technology will relocate the aliens who had lived in District 9 for 20 years to District 10, a new place which looks like a concentration camp.

Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copely) is the MNU agent in charge of the relocation to District 10. At first he doesn't look like capable of handling such a big project. Things changes as Wikus is infected with some alien liquid, his hands started to change into prawn like (Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis anyone?) thus his body undergo a slow but sure process from human into alien.

The second act deals about how Wikus is escaping MNU's facility (they wanted to make him a guinea pig since he is the first successfull human-prawn combination) and his 'partnership' with Christopher Johnson, an alien who had a plan to escape from earth.

Sadly the last third felt like Hollywood type of ending where the main antagonist was kept alive until the end where he is 'butchered' viciously after some fascinating shootout (you just can't believe that such scene can be made with such low budget by Hollywood standard). However the whole film is fascinating, the acting was great and you got the sense that sci-fi genre in the future will not be ended in G.I. Joe's way of visual effect and sugary cinematography. Forget special effects, this movie is about human fear and discrimination.

South African settings brings back old memories of Apartheid, one can draw parallel between District 9 and South African Apartheid policies in the past.

I do wish that Michael Bay could learn something from Neill Blomkamp, that having mega budget doesn't necessarily makes your movie good.

MERANTAU

Directed by: Gareth Huw Evans

If Yuda is about to leave his homeland for such a long time shouldn't he take a big bag containing his clothes and life necessities instead of a small bag? why would Yuda sleep on a construction site if he could easily sleep in any mosque in Jakarta (as long as you ask permission first, and I believe it is easy to be allowed to sleep in a mosque as long as you are clean and nicely behaved) since a mosque is better place to sleep instead of some construction site. Why does Yuda's shirt always look neat every time he finished fighting? Why does the blood dripped into the shirts of the character in this film doesn't look like red at all? And last but not least, I think it is impossible to make a phone call to Bukittinggi from Jakarta from a coin pay phone.

But you know what, those plot holes are slightly forgiven since the action scenes here are amazing, I even think to put as many superlatives as possible for the action scenes alone. The filmmaker surely puts hard effort to make us awed and inspired by the fighting scenes with tight paced editing.

Iko Uwais is Yuda, a young man from Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. He master the local martial arts, silat Harimau. As most of men from West Sumatra (or Minangkabau) Yuda wanted to begin his 'merantau' (going away from home to be a man, learn new things abroad and back home bringing his experience), a traditional custom which until now still practiced by many men from Sumatra.

But Jakarta is not as nice as Yuda's village, he has difficulties finding any job, the guy he met on the bus to Jakarta chose the job on the dark side and Yuda, like it or not, has to save Astri (Sisca Jessica) who is trapped inside a ring of human trafficking headed by the wildly psychotic, Ratger (Mads Koudal) and his right-hand man Lars (Laurent Buson). As expected fighting ensues between him and gangs of nameless thugs and ended with a climatic battle between Yuda against Lars and Ratger.

At first I thought it would be another clone of Ong Bak, but it turns out to be a whole new film, a good one, reminding me that Indonesia hasn't made any decent action films since years. Iko Uwais is the 21st century Indonesian action hero, our own version of Tony Jaa (Iko still keep his shirt intact during the whole action here by the way).

I like the beginning of the film, although slow paced, but shows how close Yuda is to his small family. Here, even the acting of Christine Hakim as Yuda's mother alone is worth watching. For those who didn't speak Indonesian, some of the dialogue is in Minang language, which is a surprise for me but not a big deal.

DER BAADER - MEINHOF KOMPLEX

Run time: 150 min

As a historical piece, this film try so hard to cram up so many facts into just a two hour plus plus movie. The result; for those who already know the history of RAF, this film is interesting, for those who had no clue at all about who Andreas Baader or Ulrike Meinhof is will find this film as chaotic and confusing. In other words, this piece is only for those who knows those events. This is a review from an Indonesian who had no direct experience with RAF (Rote Armee Fraktion) actions, not only that I wasn't even born that year and until now never lived for such a long time in Germany, I only knew it from books and newspapers. So I have a different perspective.

This is the story of radicalized youths in the turmoil years of Germany. It begins in 1968 as the youths protest the arrival of Iranian Shah and ended in 1977 events people called as German Autumn.

The friendly welcome of Shah by German government at that time, shooting of a student during a demonstration, police burtality, US bases in Germany being used as operation in Vietnam war and presence of ex-Nazi in the government convince this people to act in a drastic measure.

Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) are the trio of left-wing radicals, fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism in Vietnam supported by the German establishment.

It looks like they had a good cause, but what they do is quite violent. They bomb public places, US Army bases, stealing cars and robbing banks, thus create fear among the crowd.

There is also another point of view, the head of the German police force, Horst Herold (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds arresting the young terrorists, he knows he's only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.

This film doesn't shy on violence and nudity. It also tells story of the second and third generation of RAF who did horrible crimes. The story itself is very complicated, there is no introduction on who's who, everything happens so fast. This will make viewers who had no knowledge about the events more confused.

But as a whole, it is not so disappointing, it doesn't glorify nor vilify the RAF and it is full with historical figures like Rudi Dutschke and tons of the real news reel. By leaving no space for interpretation or even a slight glorification, it tells the story as it is. After seeing this film I get the impression that this youths are hardcore fanatics, their arrogance and cruelty is beyond reason. By justifying violence, these youngsters has failed to fuel politically driven terrorism as an agent of socio-political change.

Production value is stunning, you get the feel as if you were transported to Germany in the late 60s and 70s.

OKURIBITO

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic material.
Run time: 130 min

I didn't know that a job of taking care of the deceased in Japan was considered as a taboo or as a low caste which can make your longtime friend doesn't want to know you at all. I mean what is so taboo about it anyway? It is normal and everyone needs it right? However this film open my mind on another culture.

Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) is a 30 something ex cellist who had to take the job of 'encoffinment', Japanese way in dealing with the deceased in a very respectful way. He live with his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue), in his dead mother's house in a beautiful Japanese backwater. He needs money, that is why he took the job.

Working for a quiet undertaker (Tsutomu Yamazaki), Daigo learns more about life and death by preparing so many 'clients' for their journey to the hereafter. At first Daigo felt disgusted by his job but as time goes by he began to enjoy it. As a film about death, there's no need to be depressed since some humor is being injected lightly here. Perhaps to hide the character's fear or at least adding some color.

This film is very simple, the story, acting and cinematography are not glamorous. But the simple story telling is the real power behind this film. It is moving and beautiful at the same time. No wonder it nails Best Foreign Picture at the Oscar.

CHE

The first time I heard that Steven Soderbergh helm this film is a surprise. I mean, is this the guy who deliver crowd pleasing Ocean’s trilogy? What would he do with a biopic about a guy whose face printed in T-Shirt around the world? It turns out to be, this so called two part epic is very satisfying, that is, if you have read Che Guavara’s biography. If you haven’t read it nor have no clue who he is, this film is confusing. There is no explanation to why and how Che could achieve things or who Fidel is. So for ‘beginners’, they should watch Walter Salles’s Motorcycle Diaries first and at least read something about this bearded guy.

He is a medical doctor, fluent in French, brilliant military tacticians and a revolutionary. Not many people could master that in one breath. Do not expect some romanticized or over the top presentation of Che in this film like most Hollywod films do to most biopics. Soderbergh manages to deliver Che in a quiet and fragmented way. Audience gets the feeling that Che is a man who truly believes in his ideals and willing to sacrifice his personal pleasure, even his very existence to defend those he never met. Surely this is not a crowd pleaser, first there’s the 4 hour plus duration, second; it is 90% in Spanish and third, it is certainly for those who had previous knowledge about Che.

First part is The Argentine, depicting Che's leadership in jungle and town fighting that led up to the ousting of Fulgencio Batista in the late 50's, and the second is Guerrilla, Che's failed effort nearly a decade later in Bolivia to spearhead another revolution that led to Guevara's execution in 1967. The first chapter has interval of black and white Che's speech at the United Nations in 1964; the second chapter is claustrophobic jungle warfare. What lacks from this film is his controversial side of Che or even his personal life, so for those who hate Che, this film is a major disappointment and I didn’t understand why Soderbergh left out the part Che went to Congo and Europe even the Bay of Pigs event. Will be directing some mid quel for this important part of Che’s life? I hope he make that since it will be a complete trilogy with The Motorcycle Diaries as an addition. As predicted, Benicio Del Toro gives a mesmerizing depiction of Che, and the fact he speak Spanish add the realism.

Now if you remember that famous picture taken by Korda which could speak a thousand words, being a symbol of fighting against imperialism and oppression, this film doesn’t even re-create that moment, thus avoiding a cliché. In conclusion, this is an interesting and satisfying film.

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

MPAA Rating: R for language and brief sexuality.
Run time: 113 min

You cannot help to feel that Rachel's wedding party is one of your very own relative. Thanks to 'personal' naturalistic documentary style by director Jonathan Demme, you can feel the reality much closer than other film. Demme apply digital camera approach, in the spirit of cinema verite of Dardenne's brother and Cloverfield, it is nice to see that this film didn't drown itself to the common kitchen sink drama with overlong argument and too much tears. Even the soundtrack is the song played inside the film, added the realistic effect intended by the director.

Kym (Anne Hathaway) is having difficulty adjusting to family life after ending her drug rehab since she has to attend her sister wedding, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt). Her arrival and the drama around the wedding cause some uneasy situation and reveal family secrets. Notice the cinematography, it really takes you inside the conflict and some tracking shot is very impressive. Anne surely deserve an Oscar nod, her acting, combined with countless actors and actresses in this film is superb.

If you expect a fixed ending, you will be disappointed, not only this film looks real, it is like real life where problems sometimes just passed by and left unsolved. However it is a nice experience to watch something with near zero special effect and mind numbing action.

CHANGELING

MPAA Rating: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime: 141 min

You can't help feeling deep sympathy for Christine Collins who just lost her only son, you understand her struggle through Angelina Jolie's brilliant interpretation. I know I always like period films with fine production values. Although not as thought provoking as Gran Torino, Clint's other flick in 2008, but you simply cannot ignore this film.

Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) is a single mother who works at PacTel switchboard, a workplace almost similar to today's communication center. Christine loves her only son, nine-year-old Walter (Gattlin Griffith). All went well until one day, Walter is missing. The police didn't help much, they even invent a fake Walter to cover Los Angeles Police Department's inability and corruption. The fake boy rejected by Christine uncover more secret. At this point, this film sounded like L.A. Confidential.

Meanwhile Rev. Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), a popular radio preacher ran a campaign against the incompetence of LAPD and found that he and Christine share the same goal. But it wasn't easy, the LAPD force Christine to be institutionalized, during this scene one cannot forget that Angelina have no problem acting with mental hospital as background if you remember Girl, Interrupted.

This story is paralleled with the discovery of children mass grave Detective Lester Ybarra (Michael Kelly). It is suspected that one of the boy killed may have been Walter Collins.

These two story mingled in the middle and we see here why the academy gives Angelina Jolie a nod, she acted well as a mother who fought, by tooth and nail, the corrupt LAPD. The ending was an open ending, hinting a slight of hope by Christine in finding her son.

Some directors start young and get tired. Eastwood is only gathering steam. I like the way he direct his movies, he doesn't try to spice up too much, but let things flow as simple as possible with deep meaning.

Sure, the duration is quite long, but for a chance to see what Los Angeles looks like in the 20s, I have no problem with it.

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.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexuality, and smoking.
Runtime: 96 min

This is threesome love story according to Woody Allen which still maintain his style, the same font used in the opening scene is the same in almost all his movie, and the cast name is being put in alphabetical order.

In this film, we meet two best friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), who decide to spend summer in the city of Barcelona, Spain, thus explaining the title easily.

By some weird narration, we know that Vicky engaged to Doug (Chris Messina) when she returns to New York while Cristina is more impulsive and has childlike quality that will make your eyebrows met in the middle of your forehead.

In the middle there's the Spanish cassanova, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), an abstract painter who had a tumutltuous scandal with Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). As some 17 year old with raging hormones could predict, these people are enganged in a web of love, one night stand, threesome acts, lustful violence and despair to a level where you start to question the level of stupidity.

Not that this film is stupid, it is just that the degree of impulsiveness (is there such thing like that?) is beyond belief but also realistic, makes you wonder that for love, people will do anything and for this film, it is just weird. This is not as good as Annie Hall or Match Point but still can make you ponder about the nature of love and despair.

Like most Woody's work, it is hard to categorize this film as a romantic one, since it is also funny in a weird way, although not as funny as Scoop. Seeing this film makes you feel as if it is some hidden tourism promotion for Barcelona. I can't blame that, the scenery and building is very beautiful.