All I Ever Want In A Teen Movie

The size of the poster in this post equals how much I love this movie…. Nothing special about the story; two teenagers shared the same taste of music, met in a gig then joined a quest of missing friend and a mysterious indie band with a bunch of gay friends, then had sex. But I think nerdy-looking Cera blends with freaky-looking Dennings. And great indie songs (downloaded soundtrack instantly the morning after I saw the movie), dreamy New York City in the night with a twist of battered Yugo and a disgusting gum, will make you love this movie.

Just go along. Don’t expect this to be Juno monumental, because this is not Juno and never intended to be one.

I’ve Watched It So You Don’t Have To

This movie… I don’t know… irritates? Exasperates? I can’t find the right word so I’ll just go with ‘pisses me off’. I can’t decide whether this movie is too smart for me or just pretending to be smart. I mean, it’s good to keep your audiences in mystery so your movie is not predictable and when it hits the end, bang! They get out of the studio with stunned look on their face. But it’s definitely not good when you keep them in a mystery that’s so confusing they don’t even know what you’re trying to say and not even care to solve. Then the conclusion they have when they get out of studio is, ‘How can I be so stupid, spending Rp 10.000 just to waste my 2 hours worth of living?’ Please, if you can’t do the homework don’t make the audiences do it for you! That’s cheating!

Or maybe I’m just too stupid or tasteless or ga nyeni or whatever! Point is, I don’t enjoy this movie.

Poster from tourism-indonesia.blogspot.com (click picture to follow link). Thank you!

Shoot! I Forgot To Review This!

Last weekend, I watched the movie after hastily finished the book. My final words for the movie version is: it’s good, but different.

It’s not better, not worse, not the same. It’s just different from the book. But not in a bad way because the movie complements the book, not substitutes it. The book is definitely for adults regarding the diction, the tone, and the problems that the characters deal with. But, the movie is more in family movies tone. Simpler, fun, and more comical. So I think Andrea Hirata still can expect good sales from the book because the movie doesn’t make people say, “I don’t need to read the book, I’ve seen the movie.” Instead, it kind of encourages people to read the book in order to get more complete story.

For some people, this movie may not be as good as they expected. You know, not ‘by-the-book’. But, come on… support it! Don’t you see what kind of Indonesian movies are playing in theaters now? This is considerably a must-watch movie compare to others. Natural acting from Belitong children (Mahar is the best!), touching story, excellent moral content, beautiful scenes… who can resist this movie?

Poster from laskarpelangithemovie.blogspot.com (click picture to follow link). Thank you!

The Happening

Starts off with an outstanding idea, this movie then ends up being a mediocre.

Who wouldn’t be frightened by the thought of the earth is taking revenge on us? That we kill too many of the plants, now they feel threatened by the existence of human. Despite the scientific explanation of it, the idea is unquestionably scary and relevant with current environmental issues. Sadly, Shyamalan making this movie is like a person pulling a cart full of huge rocks. The idea is too big for him, too big for the actors, too big for the movie. The movie is weaker and weaker as it reaches to the end then breaks into pieces when it’s finally there. It’s not really happening, it just… happens to be in theaters. But not recommended.

3:10 to Yuma

This movie is gooooooooood! Such a good ol’ western movie with cowboys, quick shooters, sexy outlaws, fight between good & bad… And of course with minimum special effect.

The plot is about a rancher, Dan Evans (Christian Bale), who agreed to join a group to guard the legendary outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe), for $200 reward. This group had to deliver Wade alive to a station where awaiting 3:10 to Yuma train would pick up Wade to prison. But they’re not the only one heading to the station. Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), Wade’s loyal right hand man and his group of outlaws, chased them down to the station. During the journey Evans and Wade got to know each other. About their past, their family, their secrets…. As they get closer to the station, they must decide who would help who.

Russell Crowe gave a way much better performance as Ben Wade than he did as Det. Richie Roberts in American Gangster. Crowe definitely was successful to bring the controversy for this character. I kinda feel a love/hate expression for this Ben Wade character. Wade was definitely not a saint, nor a heartless human being. He was sexy as hell and rough at the same time. But, why God, why wasn’t Russell Crowe nominated for Oscar????? Despite the nomination, this movie is still a must-see. Good plot, surprising ending, great characters, there’s no way you can be disappointed by this movie!