THE ARTIST

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Run Time: 100 min

In the age of 3D movies and heavy special effect, a silent film titled The Artist steal the attention. Made as a homage and love letter to cinema (just like Martin Scorsese's Hugo which I haven't seen up to now), this film even incorporate technical aspect of the silent period like shooting at 22 frames per second, 1:33 aspect ratio and the campy acting. Not in wide screen, 3D even not in IMAX? This must be insane. But insane is the word, together with 'underdog' and we all know how Hollywood loves underdog movies in this award season. Silent is golden this time.

Opens in 1927 the protagonist is George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), attending the premiere of his own movie. He's famous and rich, having a mansion and legions of fans. During the premiere he accidentally kissed a nobody named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). The kiss was immortalized in a movie newspaper. Seeing that as a capital, Miller start using that newspaper edition to  get inside the movie business.

The film tracks the ascent of Miller into the show business and George's popularity (and financial) decline due to the new technology that allowed movies to have sound. George seem reluctant to adapt to the new technology, in fact he insisted of making his own silent movie from his own pocket in the time of the peak of Miller's popularity with her talking movie.

It is a feel good and heartwarming movie for everyone to watch and the music background is amazing. However if you try to put this film with other 'real' silent movie, the story is just fine, not great but just fine. But in time where cinema has done more than just talking, this is some sort of breathe of fresh air for movie goers. That is if you are not lazy enough to read subtitles. You don't have to be an avid silent film fan to understand this film since the story is universal and easy to understand.

THE HELP

Directed by: Tate Taylor
Run Time: 146 Min
 

Racism is bad and countless film has shown us about that, from Color Purple to Mississippi Burning. But this one takes another less glitzy approach, instead portraying the big picture, it goes to behind the yard of a middle class Mississippi in the 60s where segregation is the 'acceptable' norm.

By focusing on African-American maids were treated by their caucasian employer, this one manage to extract good acting from the cast.

Focusing on Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), a recent college graduate who comes home and finds that her own society is treating the maids in a cruel way, thus fuel her spirit to write the stories of the maids from maids's perspective.

The maids are Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), who has to endure insult even threats of being fired. Aibileen takes care of the kids (who in the future had a chance to be just like their racist bitch mothers) and Minny has to face her ueber bitch employer; Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), a social climber who has tongue as sharp as razor. As the antithesis for Hilly there is Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain), who is nice and didn't treat Minny as if she is a sub-human.

This is a human story where ignorance and racism will make you puke and the problems of the maids will make you sympathize with them. Emma Stone shine here, but it is Chastain who add the comical effect for this 'serious but safe' movie. I do hope the film could be more 'daring' in exploring racism as a theme, perhaps as daring as American History X but this one is decent and worth watching.

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Directed by: Tomas Alfredson.
Running time: 127 minutes.

What does most spies do in real life? They waited in dark room, smoking, drinking coffee, typing telegrams and discussing. The real actions were done by the one in the field and not as glossy as James Bond. No car chases or fancy gadgets or let alone, sexy girls for the guys.

The story is straightforward but you really need to pay close attention (and intellect so to say) as to why, who and where since it does not being stated clearly on the screen. Having said that, concentration is a must. Bringing the A list of British actors, the acting is not disappointing. Even Benedict Cumberbatch we all know as Sherlock from BBC can shine here.

Main plot is about Smiley (Gary Oldman) who just being 'sacked' from MI 6 (The Circus is the nickname here) and try to find a Russian mole inside the top brass. To assist him is Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), head of the Service’s strong-arm ‘scalphunters’ unit and Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy), Guillam's so called henchmen. With multiple flashbacks often from different angles, we can see a glimpse of the main character's personality.

You can feel the atmosphere of cynicism, distrust, betrayal and insecurity from this one. It makes you feel, as a viewer, how cold, silent and soulless the world of spy is. Sadly this make the film lack emotional and dramatic impact. Not only because of the nature of spying but also the film duration that try to compress the meticulous story into two hour only. Had it been 30 minutes more it can explore more on the mole suspicion  to add the thrill or perhaps some personal insight into some characters. 

 

Thanks to a tight script and editing, the film manages to squeeze Le Carre's book into a two hour movie although sometimes fail to deliver Chekov's gun to make things interesting.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Run time: 129 min

Thank God this sequel doesn't have number '2' in it but goes for longer title instead. I do not set my expectation high for sequels since it tends to just bring you more superlatives. But I can say that I am entertained. Bringing back the super duo of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and James Watson (Jude Law) from the first film, the chemistry is still intact. If you have seen the first film this one dealing with James Moriarty, (Lex Luthor of Sherlock universe, well acted by Jared Harris) and watching the first one is something you can do to add knowledge although not necessary.

The year is 1891 and World War I is still far away but you can smell the embryo of it as it is being fueled by Moriarty himself. He even, in one scene, predicts that even Sherlock cannot stop the suppressed need of the nations in Europe for a conflict. Well we all know world war I is inevitable somehow.

Unlike most criminals, Moriarty is not a big mafia boss but an university professor making genius plot to put European nations head to head in a world war so his weapon industry could profit from it.

This time less bromance element and more to Sherlock's deduction plus pre-visualization skill. The slow motion scene is awesome and glossy, Zach Snyder better watch out, Ritchie can hold your breath for these scenes only.

Sadly Irene Adler's  (Rachel McAdams) screen time is too brief and the woman role taken by Simza (Noomi Rapace) as the kick-ass gypsy lady. The first half deal with how the special effect helps the story and the last half is about battle of wits between Sherlock and Moriarty. The fights are amazing and the change in setting (not only in England but also Paris and Switzerland) is visually refreshing. Ritchie has managed to breathe new air for this franchise by not dwelling too much on bromance but focusing on the investigation.

However the BBC miniseries is better, in terms of story and wits, but it doesn't make this one disappointing since each has its own pros and cons.

50/50

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Run time: 100 min

When you are up, it's not a wonder so many people wanted to be your friend. But when you are down, it reveals who your real friends are.

I rooted for the main character, Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who suddenly had the news that he had a rare spinal cancer with 50% survival rate (thus the  source of this movie title).  Hearing this new is a blow to Adam and without overly melodramatic (or even flashy) and trying to extort your tears, this one manages to make me laugh and cry at the same time.

Revealing he had cancer is quite difficult for Adam, His mother become extremely worry not to mention that she has to taken care of Adam's father who suffers from Alzheimer. His girlfriend, Rachel (Bryce Dallas-Howard) who initially back him, finally bow out in disgrace since she cannot handle the situation anymore.

But his friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen) stand by him, no matter what. Although at certain point he is just plain annoying and low (besides his character doesn't seem to be different from his previous movies), trying to pimp Adam's misery so he can get laid. The chemistry between these two characters is intense and funny. Then there is Katherine McKay (Anna Kendrick) an inexperienced young therapist who is nervous but actually have good intention.

This is one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's best act (let's just erase G.I. Joe from our collective mind shall we?) since he can deliver a realistic and memorable character.

The whole film is a beautiful experience for me, accompanied by a good soundtrack from Pearl Jam, one of my favorite band. It teaches you that if you cannot change how things are, at least you can change how you can see it.

CONTAGION

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Run time: 106 min

Don't talk to anyone. Don't touch anyone.

This one can be easily called Virus, Actually just like Love, Actually, a hyperlink (?) film with bunch of marquee names and it's all about one theme. This time it is virus and lucky for the viewers it's not about zombie or being as silly as Resident Evil.

But Soderbergh take another approach, he make it 'what if a lethal viral disease' is happening right now?' in the style of documentary and realism. Following Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) who contracted the virus in Hong Kong and his husband (Matt Damon) must face this. Then there's Dr Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) the head of CDC who send Dr Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) to investigate. Meanwhile the virus spread so fast, creating panic in the society, fueled by an activist blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) who publishes inflammatory and controversial stories about conspiracy theory involving the government and the pharmaceutical company.

Then there is Dr. Orantes (Marion Cotillard), a WHO investigator, who is being kidnapped by her Chinese counterpart Sun Feng (Chin Han); she is being held for a ransom of the vaccine, as soon as it is developed.

It is not only virus being taken care of in this film but also the fabric of the society plus how fast the spread of fear among people is. The film itself is good but at certain point it feels too brainy and left no space for character development due to the number of ensemble cast almost the same as the number of players of a football team.

This is not pure entertainment and felt like some documentary which pose us the most common question: what would you do in such situation? Would we just work separately and not as a global citizen helping each other regardless of politics and interest?

THE SKIN I LIVE IN

Original Title: La piel que habito

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Run time: 117 minutes

Just when you thought no movie could ever surprise you with the sickest twist, Almodovar came with his latest film about sexual identity, revenge, betrayal, loneliness and science fiction wrapped in the skin of thriller. He also dare to explore themes many other directors are afraid to absorb.

Almodovar has also succeeded to bring another side of Antonio Banderas mainstream audiences only known as the voice behind Puss in Boots or Zorro. Banderas acted as the mad but brilliant scientist Dr. Robert Ledgard, driven by his personal problems to repair human skin (and the hole in his soul). He attempted to create a synthetic skin through transgenesis by doing some experiment on human being, regardless of bio ethic.

At the beginning Ledgard held captive Vera (Elena Anaya) in his luxurious mansion for reasons later will be unfolded, including why and how is Vera being there. She wears some sort of skin tight body suit and constantly watched. The back story is that Robert's young wife badly burned in a car accident and something tragic also happened to his daughter.

With devious plot, Almodovar manages to slip so many psychological layers from each characters, Ledger's ambition which leave no space for emotion, Vera's psychopathic needs and the lust for scientific advancement into the film without looking as if it is something cheesy. In terms of cinematography nothing is new and Banderas has successfully acted as a mad scientist minus the comical stuff that usual happen to these characters. Don't forget the twist itself manages the viewers to squirm.

THE IDES OF MARCH

Directed by: George Clooney
Run time: 101 min


The road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue isn't paved with roses and red carpets but with mud slinging and dirty work. Everybody knows that, even those who never laid their ass at any campaign. So how does George Clooney try to depict the murky face of politics? He could have easily blame the Republicans, but here he portrays inside the Democratic Primary campaign where candidates would be, fight tooth and nail for certain number of delegates to seal the party nomination and if possible, the presidency.

At the center lies Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) as the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic presidential candidate, competing against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman (Michael Mantell). The place is Ohio where both candidates seek for the endorsement of Franklin Thompson (Jeffrey Wright) who pockets 356 pledged Democratic delegates, which if Morris or Pullman nail it, one of them will seal the nomination.

Shit hits the fans as Stephen found out the Governor's dirty secret plus Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), Pullman's campaign manager, made a move towards him. What would Stephen do? Be professional or smear his hand with mud to play the game according to what it used to be played?

As for me it is an interesting movie but lack of breakthrough, especially in the genre of political thriller. We all know that in politics people sell their soul to Mephistopheles and be cynical for the rest of their life but this one seems a bit 'safe'. We didn't see any drastic change from Stephen pre and post 'revelation' and it seems like a bit weird that a guy like Stephen looks like he can be inside politic without having to be dirty. As for Gosling he did well but Clooney is as wooden as any Republican candidate trying to unseat Obama.

The script is decent (and that politic is dirty is nothing new to the rest of us anyway) and full with terms perhaps not familiar with those who had no knowledge of how the election in the U.S happened but for political drama, I still like West Wing although this one didn't disappoint at all.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL

Directed by: Brad Bird
Run time: 133 min

If you go to Dubai make sure  you checked these items. Eyeglasses to protect eyes from sandstorm? Check. Some piece of ethnic cloth to cover your mouth and nose. Check. Money to go there? Not checked.

But after you saw Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt climbing Burj Khalifa in a stunning way, you will want to visit Dubai and check that money. But not climbing Burj Khalifa all by yourself.  As usual the fourth outing of the profitable spy franchise beside James Bond and Jason Bourne is full with superlatives. Everything must be grander, bigger and more. There's daring escape, infiltration and game of trick that will make you wonder, perhaps that's how David Copperfield is able to do his flying illusion.

Here, Brad Bird has successfully make a leap from animation into live action. Although in terms of action, Christopher Nolan's Inception is much more mind bending than this one. Which will make Nolan a better candidate for James Bond movies than Brad Bird. But it doesn't mean that this one is lame. In fact it was thrilling especially the scene in Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

The whole film gravitate towards Tom Cruise and for some reason I don't know he let his hair just like in the second film. The rest of the cast is decent with scene stealer Simon Pegg edged by Anil Kapoor, a big star in India, for comedic relief. This time the spies of IMF are not only relying on gadget but their hunch and improvisation, something that gives the element of surprise and thrill for this film.

Some might complain that it has comedic element, in fact it has the A113 signature from Brad Bird. But the real complain lies with the two dimensional villain. Little screen time was spent for the villain to unleash his character, unlike in the third film where Phillip Seymour Hoffmann can bring a very scary villain into the screen.

The rest is just action after action after action and it will entertain you to the max, making you feel that it is not the cold December winter but the hot summer of blockbuster movies.

THE KID WITH A BIKE

 

Original Title: Le Gamin au vélo

Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Runtime: 87 min

Cyril (Thomas Doret) is an 11 year old boy who search for his father, Guy Catoul (Jérémie Renier, the main actor of L'enfant, also by Dardennes brothers) who went missing without any notification. Cyril lives in a children care home and it looks like he rarely had contact with his own father. He also search for his beloved bike. Parentless, (his mother seem to be not present at all) he took refuge at the local hairdresser, Samantha (Cécile de France). He soon try to find his father only to find that his father is actually throwing Cyril out of his life. Angry and rejected he find a friend with the wrong figure which leads him into new trouble.

At first Cyril looks naughty and hard to restraint but as the film proceed, the viewers began to empathize with him since what Cyril did is just a manifestation of him seeking love and affection. He is just a kid who cannot articulate his own feelings in words. All he can do is just manifesting his anger into his surroundings.

Just like L'enfant, the previous Dardennes brothers film, this one has minimal soundtrack and neo realistic approach. Although almost free of soundtrack, it has a non natural music between certain scenes to mark an emotional change which reminds you of Kieslowski's Blue.

By avoiding to explain each character's back story the film which won Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival can avoid sentimentality but manages to provoke deep thought inside the audience's mind. To sum it up, all what we need is love, Beatles-wise of course.