STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Directed by: J. J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, John Cho
Running time: 133 minutes

I wonder what people would think of this film, 300 years from now. Will they be seeing it with nostalgic feeling (look son this is how they think our lives are in the 21st century) or will they point out to technological flaws? Or perhaps 300 years from now we still cannot explore space since we still kill each other in the name of God and greed, that being said, also perhaps there is a chance of zombie apocalypse that prevents mankind to boldly go where no man has gone before.

However, Gene Rodenberry's vision of the future is a nice one. Not too optimistic but not as dystopic as zombie apocalypse. As Star Trek launched as TV series in the 60s the theme is about humanism and exploration in space. In Gene Rodenberry's utopian future, poverty is no longer a problem and multiracial crew of a space ship is not a big deal at all. Sure, some actions happened but still, a franchise that survived six TV series and ten non J.J. Abrams motion picture plus a legion of Trekkies, is something of a kind.

I myself only familiar with The Next Generation series and have only seen Captain Kirk by William Shatner on several movies. I also have seen the 2009 version which I think, is very good. I really liked how J.J. Abrams re-boot the whole series but still managed to give a nod to the spirit of Star Trek itself.

So where do we start? It started in a Mount Doom like scene where Spock (Zachary Quinto) have to tame a live volcano on a primitive planet and Kirk (Chris Pine), break the rules to save Spock. Yes, breaking the rules and using your instinct is the core of this film, besides the heavy political overtones and the wonders of space.

A starfleet rogue agent, John Harrisson (Benedict Cumberbatch), bombed an archive building in London and in a smart move, gunned most starfleet officers in a way that reminded you of helicopter raid in The Godfather Part III. So Kirk is handed a mission to capture John Harrison and kill him with 72 powerful torpedoes.

After John Harrisson bombed London, it is a revenge mission, just like the hunt of Osama bin Laden, and all "laws" should be broken to capture the number one terrorist. But is he the only evil in this film? Is there something else behind it? Wait, what? I thought it is about exploring space not killing? The political allegory is palpable and that what makes Star Trek: Into the Darkness unique.

If you did not read any news about this film the twists and surprises will pleases you. Trekkie or not this one is entertaining. As for myself the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing, it is as if he cleaned my ears. The scoring is also good, Michael Giachinno manages to bring grandeur into the space.  But Mr. Abrams play safe here, if only he decided to kill one of the beloved character it surely will sent this franchise into an area no franchise has gone before. I can understand why a "safe" ending is necessary since another sequel is inevitable. If you are looking for scientific flaws then you cannot enjoy this one since it will makes your forehead frowned like a Klingon forehead. Meanwhile, live long...and prosper.

9 SUMMERS 10 AUTUMNS

Directed by: Ifa Isfansyah 
Starring: Ihsan Tarore, Alex Komang, Dewi Irawan.

From rags to riches, a very generic but interesting template. Each country has its own rags to riches story. This time it is Iwan Setyawan's turn who told his story from the city of apple (Malang) to the big apple (New York). Iwan wrote a book (with the same title) about his own experience; born in a poor family but struggle to study and finally able to work in New York.

His family might be poor but his parents are the one that makes Iwan like this today. The good and the bad, ups and down of the family is the centerpiece of the story. The film told the story of Iwan since his childhood until adult time. He had a modest childhood but a smart brain. His brain is the one that makes him successful. 

At first I am afraid that the point of this film is about materialism or being cool since New York is the embodiment of success and glamor, but it turns out that it is about family and the values within, something which resonate to Indonesians.

Kudos to production value of this film, from depicting tiny tidbits like Indonesia's money in the 80s, drive in theater that shows a classic Indonesian film of the 90s, into Times Square in 2001 that you can tell that the running text in one of the building tells about President Bush. I like those tiny attention to details. However one minor mistake is quite annoying, a Lord of the Rings: Return of the King poster in a subway on a scene set in 2001. It feels out of time.

Another clever thing is how establishing shot of New York (I suspect the production team only had less than a week to shoot in the big apple. Thus maximizing using famous landmarks in New York) with adult Iwan walking from here to there, helps to make the film look grand.

Overall the story is nice and family friendly, it tells the viewers that family is above money. This one proves that Ifa Isfansyah is a good director since I enjoy Sang Penari.

WHAT THEY DON’T TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT LOVE

Original title: Yang Tidak Dibicarakan Ketika Membicarakan Cinta

Directed by: Mouly Surya
Starring: Nicholas Saputra, Ayushita Nugraha, Karina Salim, Priambodo, Lupita Jennifer

With such a lengthy title, this one is surprisingly "quiet" although not a silent film at all. With storytelling reminded you of the Dardennes brother, What They Don’t Talk About When They Talk About Love, is an unusual love story and a good one. That is if you ara patient enough to read between the lines since I doubt summer moviegoers who flocked into Iron Man 3 and consider the special effect as the pinnacle of movie making will enjoy this one.

In a school for disabled children, or teen, there are Diana (Karina Salim), a girl with low vision (she can only see things an inch from her eyes) who secretly liked her peer, Andhika (Anggun Priambodo) who happen to be visually impaired too. Then there's Fitri (Ayushita Nugraha), another visually impaired girl who had a some sort of boyfriend but hooked into Edo (Nicholas Saputra), who is mute.

How do they speak of love if their senses are impaired? That is how this film succeed to convey. Although they had disabilities, their love is just like anybody.They must transcend their disabilities to express their feelings. Their mistakes and misunderstanding is very human. Surprisingly this film is very simple and does not try to be too difficult or reduced itself into a tearjerker moments.

The acting was good, with Nicholas Saputra shines all by himself and as a marquee name, he proves that he is worthy of admission price. However I feel something is lacking in the subtleties that follows, I think it could have been more deep and symbolic. But it is not bad, as the first Indonesian movie to be screened at Sundance this year, Mouly Surya is a filmmaker to watch.