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.