2009 BEST MOVIES

Just click on the link which will direct you to the full review still in this blog (don't worry I will not link some suspicious site. I just want to make it easier for my readers, just in case they want to read more. Speaking of readers, I don't think I got so many readers here, since every time I check my blog most of the post has zero comment. I began to think I can write anything without angering anyone since no one will ever read it at all) and it is not in chronological order, some aren't reviewed at all in the past so I just wrote few sentences on it. Actually I have seen more movies than what I wrote here it is just for me, it is difficult to find the right time to wrote it down. I haven't seen Precious and Up in the Air, so this list is a little bit incomplete since my instinct tells me that both movies are also good. The Hurt Locker is just okay in my opinion, so I didn't write the review here.

SANG PEMIMPI

AVATAR

MOON

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

DISTRICT 9

MERANTAU

CHE

OKURIBITO

GAKE UE NO PONYO

AN EDUCATION

THE HANGOVER
I'm too lazy to write the review but this film is hilarious in every sense possible. It feels like the comedy version of Jason Bourne having amnesia, tripled!

ZOMBIELAND
Very cool, I even forgot to write the review on this one, if you love blood, splatter and politically incorrect jokes, this one is for you.

THIS IS IT
Even the rehearsal video is stunning. I wonder what if the concert is really done, that must have been great.

STAR TREK
My review is lost in the stars, J.J Abrams has re-boot the Star Trek franchise to boldly go where Michael Bay will never go.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
I cannot write the review in 50 languages so I didn't write it here. I just keep it inside my head. However, the jokes are funny and I love how Quentin makes a lot of homage to old WW II films, he even put Emil Jannings and mention G.W. Pabst in this film!

WATCHMEN
Zack Snyder deconstruct superheroes in an amazing way. Sure it takes almost three hours to finish the whole shebang but it was worth it.

AN EDUCATION

Directed by: Lone Scherfig
Run time: 95 min

Let me see, a teenage girl has a special relationship with a 40 something man. That will make Optimus Prime squirms with fear wouldn't it?

Based on journalist Lynn Barber's book (I haven't read the book), this film is set in 1961 England. A bright 16 year old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is smitten with the 40 year old David (Peter Sarsgaard). Jenny's parents are a bit overprotective but naive, they wanted their only daughter to go to Oxford.

It is logical since Jenny is smart, likes French movies and songs, avid fans of culture and sophisticated. How many 16 year old are as sophisticated as Jenny? Perhaps Lindsay Lohan is sophisticated but the last time I check she wasn't 16 anymore.

David takes Jenny to the world she could ever dream of, to fancy restaurants, cinemas, concerts, play, dog race and painting auction. David's sophistication satiates Jenny's intellectual hunger which cannot be fulfilled by her peers.

David can also charm's Jenny's naive parents up to a level taking Jenny to Paris. But if things are too good to be true, it actually aren't and the so called rude awakening makes Jenny more mature, thus, his tumultuous relationship with David has given her an education of its own.

The delicacy of this film is in the dialogue, it is sharp, witty and quotable, filled with questions unasked and moral uneasiness. This film is an education for naive women who easily charmed by well mannered men and a lesson for us all, that there is no instant way to be mature, it all need a process.

SANG PEMIMPI

Directed by: Riri Riza
Run time: 128 min

Actually I have seen this film on the first day of the release. But I just have time to write the review right now. So, excuses aside, I have to say this film is inspiring and please, those who have read the book, just stop comparing book to movie okay? It is just plain silly.

How inspiring is this film? Well it inspires you to do the simplest cardio exercise ever, running. Yes, this film features a lot of running scenes by its main actors. It seems every 15 minutes they are running here and there for the sake of simple running or sentimentality.

It must have been very tiring for the actors running here and there in several take. But at least they are healthy. Aside from running, this film is a breathe of fresh air in Indonesian movie scene.

The direct sequel of Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors) is the most anticipated movie in Indonesia. It is the first Indonesian movie to open last year's Jakarta International Film Festival. In case you wonder, Sang Pemimpi is based on the novel of the same title written by Andrea Hirata, the second of four best selling novel of his Laskar Pelangi tetralogy. With fans of the book flocking at the local cinemas, I think the chance of the third book being filmed is positive.

Casting newbies, Riri Riza doesn't shy to experiment with new actors and I have to say the new actors are natural. Not only they are originally from Belitung island, the setting of the story itself, but they can act well.

Continuing Laskar Pelangi, Ikal (Vikri Septiawan for teenage Ikal and Lukman Sardi for adult Ikal). is now a teenager and studying at local high school in Manggar. Ikal befriend Arai (Rendy Ahmad as young Arai and Nazriel Ilham as adult Arai), his distant cousin and Jimbron (Azwir Fitrianto), a teenage who is overly obsessed with horse. The rest of the cast are professionals and they contribute greatly to the quality of the film, especially Mathias Muchus as Ikal's father.

They grow together, with ups and downs in their life, trying to make ends meet and make their parents happy, and to fulfill their dreams. The story continue until Ikal and Arai left Belitung island and stay in Bogor, where they study at the University and still continuing their dream, to go to Sorbonne, France, to study there.

Using 35 mm, this film has a neo-realism approach and it looks so good on the screen, you can see the vibrant life in Manggar, Belitung and the art department is making the film more believable by showing tiny details of 80s Indonesia.

The appearance of Nazriel Ilham, better known in Indonesia as Ariel, the front man of one Indonesia's famous band, Peterpan is not distracting. Unfortunately, he only got 15 minutes of screen time and didn't speak that much. Overall, this film is a must see and after several weeks have garnered 1.5 million Indonesian viewers, a box office according to Indonesian standard and a success considering this film released on the same day as James Cameron's Avatar released in Indonesia.

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.