Suffering

I had a double feature earlier today, celebrating my two done exams (actually two more to go). First is Denis Vileneuve-directed Prisoners and Kevin MacDonald's Brit-YA How I Live Now. Both films include lots of suffering and I am currently suffering because I have to study for final exams so I guess it's just fitting that the title for this post be Suffering.

Prisoners
This star-studded indie-feeling yet studio-funded film initially didn't catch my attention from the trailer. I dismissed it as generic, but of course there's more to that because look at the star power in this film. It turns out to be right, the film got a lot of awards buzz, and my brother was raving about this back in Indonesia. The story is about two families who lost their daughters and one father who's willing to cross the line to get her daughter back, and one detective who's assigned to this dismal case. The film's exciting and engaging story made you stressed out and emotional. The twists and turns are unexpected. The film's bleak color palette is gorgeous, and the quiet, atmospherical score is also fitting. However, the film's weakest point is Jake Gyllenhaal's Detective Loki's character who seemed to be incompetent on working the case. I bet you could work out the case before this Detective. However, Gyllenhaal was great in the role and it's a shame that this character didn't get the chance to be fleshed out. We already saw his weird eye-blinking, his Freemasons ring and strange tattoos on his fingers, but I guess that's up for our interpretation. Great performances by Hugh Jackman, Paul Dano and the near unrecognizable Melissa Leo. The film plays on the issue of religion and karma, mostly from the viewpoint of Jackman's Keller Dover. The film's overlong duration was necessary because in the end, we just want the film to continue. Prisoners: rated 4/4.

How I Live Now
Saoirse Ronan stars yet again in a young adult novel adaptation after her failed outing in Stephenie Meyer's The Host just earlier this year. But this film is based on a Brit YA, and of course it's so different. The story is set in the near future where World War III was breaking out, and Daisy (Ronan) was sent from the US to England to seek refuge to her family, things started to move when a nuclear bomb was dropped in London. The film kept it small scale but it could make us care for the character on-screen. Apart from the film's love story sub-plot, the story works. However, the things the characters do on-screen are sometimes downright stupid. For example a young boy lost his will to live after the terrorist group killed his dog, what the fuck right? Or, how Daisy, after one sex, decides to stay in England, a place she loathed, when she already got a ticket back to the States. Those are the ridiculous parts, but the rest of the film were doing okay. It has strong sequences accompanied with killer soundtracks, great sceneries, intense electronic score, and apparently it's rated R! I didn't even realize it. Did I mention that this film also stars the brilliant Tom Holland, who plays the kid in The Impossible? The little kid who plays Piper is another gem in the film. Unlike other YA which needs a big name actor who could carry the film, this one doesn't at all. In conclusion, the film is waaay better than Twilight, Beautiful Creatures, The Host, or most young-adult adaptations. But still this film is out of The Hunger Games's league. How I Live Now: rated 3/4

No Temperature

The Counselor is one of the rare example of how I managed to watch a film earlier than my home country Indonesia. To be honest, this only the second one, the first one being Les Miserables earlier this year. The Counselor is Ridley Scott's follow-up to his excellent yet polarizing sci-fi Prometheus. Scripted by Cormac McCarthy of No Country for Old Men and starring an ensemble cast that can't be refused, The Counselor definitely has everything on the table. The cast includes Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt. And you'll be surprised by the film's 'cameo' extravaganza later in the film. This is an interesting trivia for the film: in Japan The Counselor is titled more vaguely 悪の法則 / Law of Evil. Strange because Japan tends to simplify movie titles (the latest I learned is that the Japanese title of Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is just Life!).

The story follows a counselor simply known as The Counselor as he made a seemingly great deal involving drugs from Mexico with his friends Reiner (Bardem) and Westrey (Pitt) to start a family with his lover Laura (Cruz). But there's a mole in the group with her own's scheme, Malkina (Diaz).

For me, that's the whole plot of the film. Since this film is extremely dialogue-driven and script-heavy, I may missed something due to heavy accent deliveries by Bardem or just I was still amazed by the greatness of the previous sentence. The film itself is too convoluted on the story for me it was quite confusing. It's almost like an appetizer to Cloud Atlas. There are bigger stakes than the life of the titular counselor but it was not conveyed clearly. The film was too long during the first half, but not until the story moved in the middle, the film started to get exciting. No doubt, I need to watch it again for clarity. But what McCarthy lacked on storytelling, he made it up in his excellent characters such as The Counselor himself, the bad-haired Reiner, or the possible-psychopath Malkina. The actors playing them are amazing. I mean this might be the first film I saw with a great Cameron Diaz performance in it. Fassbender is superb, Bardem is as always, Pitt also looked comfortable in the role although he's just Brad Pitt, it's a pity that Penelope Cruz's role isn't big enough.The second half of the film has a great number of cameos, from ASAC Schrader Dean Norris, John Leguizamo, Edgar Ramirez in a near-pointless scene, or hottie Natalie Dormer (sadly playing an American here). Cormac McCarthy's script is very great. It was full of killer one-liners or just thoughtful, undeniably great long speeches. However, McCarthy's script might be off-putting for some, Ridley Scott did a great job keeping the interest going on. The set-pieces in this film are also amazing, I counted two outstanding scenes, first of course, Cameron Diaz having sex with a Ferrari and second is Brad Pitt got Bolito-ed. The car sex scene was jaw-dropping and the Bolito was pulse-pounding accompanied with an eargasmic score by Daniel Pemberton. The Counselor is definitely the true definiton of 'that so cool' and 'wtf is happening!' combined.  Maybe the film was ahead of its time. The potential is there but not reaped entirely. Maybe it's going to be worshipped in the years to come. Maybe not. The Counselor: rated 3/4


I didn't review Carrie as promised, but I will review Captain Phillips in the next two weeks!

Summer Leftovers

You cannot believe how much I embrace the age of Netflix and iTunes where you could watch a film literally everywhere and without having to buy a DVD. I fucking love digital download. Let me rephrase this: I fucking love "digital" download. So, anyway, this week I caught up with the summer films I missed, which means a whole lot of hours devoted to watching a screen. But dude, that is the life. Not spending countless hours on meaningless lectures in university and dealing with too much stupid along the way.


The Heat
The Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy buddy cop comedy is actually not among my watchlist in the summer. I find it too comedic for my taste, just like how Identity Thief didn't spark any interest in me. However, I find The Heat to be quite entertaining and funny at times, but didn't last that long in my memory. Melissa McCarthy stole the film for me, she's just too funny. But Sandra Bullock didn't do a bad job either, she can equal McCarthy and in a few times, top McCarthy. The jokes on the albino guy are the best in the film (although highly inappropriate, but that what makes it funny right?). The Heat: rated 3/4

The Conjuring
Finally I got to see one of two James Wan's horror films this year. The film got my attention after the news told that the film got an R rating just because it was too creepy and scary. The film is incredibly well-made, the main actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are already used to this kind of environment (Wilson in Insidious and Farmiga in Bates Motel series). The child actors are okay too (in the sense that they are not annoying). What sucks is that this film is NOT that scary. Maybe I set a really high expectation on this film that I ended up disappointed. I bet Insidious Chapter Two is far more terrifying than this. The Conjuring: rated 3/4

The Internship
Some regard this as a semi-sequel to the superbly funny Wedding Crashers with both Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. The story follows the two of them chasing jobs at Google via a summer internship. They became misfits and worse, ended up with other misfits. The film is funny and kinda dirty (just like my preference), but not as funny as Wedding Crashers. But the story is good enough. Although some logic are just fucked up like how come Wilson and Vaughn's characters know The Hunger Games but not Harry Potter or X-Men? In this world nowadays, even my mother and father knows about them. And it's great to see Will Ferrell here although once again, not as funny as Wedding Crashers. AND THERE'S ROSE BYRNE AND JESSICA SZOHR. YES. Anyway, The Internship: rated 3/4 (but funnier than The Heat)

White House Down
I actually can see this film in the theaters in Japan but I decided to skip this. Mostly because the trailer for this film was off-putting for me. The trailer showed a strange mix of action and comedy that didn't appeal me. But hey, in the actual film, it works! White House Down might not be listed as anyone's favorite this year, but the film is a great time. There's an equal amount of action and comedy along with great actors and great destruction. It seems that after G.I. Joe Retaliation fucked up with Channing Tatum, I get to appreciate his role more, especially in this film. Tatum and Foxx are a great pair, supported by stunning cast that includes child actor/young Talia Al-Ghul Joey King, Jason Clarke and James Woods. This film doesn't disappoints but it's just not that great in terms of quality. White House Down: rated 3/4

*BONUS: WHD versus OHF
Olympus Has Fallen may the better film in overall but White House Down has that irresistible and spot-on casting. White House Down may have a greater action but Olympus Has Fallen has that gore action. I bet if they teamed up and made Olympus House Down the result would be..............  disastrous. No just kidding, it could be better than both films. See you next year for the battle of the Hercules films.

Monsters University
This is also the other film that I can see in Japanese theaters but I would definitely waste 1k yen because animated films are dubbed in Japan. The film itself is the second top grosser only after Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. The film itself is a pleasant surprise because I honestly have very low expectations for anything other than an original Pixar film except Toy Story films. The story is your usual heartfelt Pixar although not the 'back-to-form' Pixar, but an acceptable 'getting-there' Pixar. Love the voiceworks especially when you recognize Nathan Fillion's voice right away. Honorable mentions (not mentioning the Monsters regulars--Crystal, Goodman, Buscemi because they are already greats), Charlie Day as Art and Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble. Monsters University: rated 3.5/4.

Man most of em are rated 3/4. is it me that's hard to please, or is it them?
Actually there are many leftovers that I haven't watched, but then again they are THE leftovers.

7 Years of Tradition

This may not mean much to other people but this tradition means a lot for me. I have no idea why. It all started back in 2006, when one of my best friends had a birthday party and decided to watch Casino Royale. It's not a big deal but I already watched the film days prior with my family. From that year, every year I watched at least one film twice in the cinemas. 7 years of tradition. Never thought I would be that committed even until in Japan, where cinema tickets are highly overpriced. Let's go back to 7 years ago. [This post is sponsored by Breaking Bad as I wrote this listening to my BB playlist, most importantly Badfinger's Baby Blue]

2006: Casino Royale
The film that started this tradition. It's a darker, Bourne-esque James Bond reboot with Daniel Craig in his first outing as James Bond.

2007: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Same scenario, but different order. Watched this first on my friend's birthday and then re-watched it again with my family. The film got better everytime you see it. The best of the series.

2008: The Dark Knight
Again, same scenario with Casino Royale. I'd watch this a thousand times if I could.

2009: Avatar and Up
Avatar is the only film that I watched three times in the cinemas, but to my defense, I watched different versions every time I watched it. The first time was in 3D, and then 2D. And then a couple of months later in 2010, I spent 3 hours of my life for the special edition. And for the fourth time, I watched the extended version on DVD. The biggest shame is that on 2012, they released it on IMAX 3D but I already went to Japan. Whereas Up has the same scenario with TDK and Casino Royale.

2010: Toy Story 3 & Tron Legacy
I was obsessed with these two films back then. To be honest, I have never watched Toy Story 3 without tears flooding. That two times I watched in the cinemas, that two times I cried like a baby, literally. As for Tron Legacy I was crazy about the film and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. I even attended the Tron Night event months before, for approximately 20 minutes preview of the film.

2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, Fast Five, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, and Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I
Yeah I know. Baby boom. Bada boom. Mostly because I watched the films with my family and then with my x. Except for Harry Potter which I was incredibly obsessed at that time. Also note that the year 2011 was the year that Hollywood films were boycotted for about 6 months. Take this boom as redemption for me.

2012: The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, and The Hunger Games
I watched TDKR twice because the other viewing was to feel the fire rising in IMAX. It was my New Year's resolution: to watch TDKR in IMAX. Whereas Prometheus was one of my 2012 favs and it's my first IMAX film. For THG, I was obsessed with the amazingness of the film and of course Jennifer Lawrence's breathtaking performance. Literally, I can't stop thinking about the film right after I first watched it.

2013: Man of Steel
It's a bit tricky now that I'm in Japan. There are films that I really want to re-watch right after watching it, like Tom Cruise's Oblivion, the Pirates' team's The Lone Ranger and ultimately Pacific Rim. However there are things to consider: money and time. It's expensive to watch a film twice in the cinemas and it's hard to squeeze a film in your tight schedule. But then, Man of Steel compelled me to watch again. Even after a month of its initial release in Japan. The film gets better after second viewing and you get to discover overlooked details like the Wayne logo on a satellite.

Here's to the continuation of this (for you-unimportant) tradition. CHEERS.
Achtung: no new film reviews in October. But still there will be posts.

Update Aug 8, 2015
The tradition is very much alive. 2014 entries: Godzilla & Interstellar. 2015 entries: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Cinderella, and Jurassic World.

The Bourne Apocalypse

Elysium is my last on the list for summer movies in Japan. The film is Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to his brilliant District 9 and now it stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. It is also the last of the 'scorched-Earth' films of 2013, after Oblivion and After Earth. Basing it on the premise and D9, it is fair to say that we expected a different kind of sci-fi film. A more grounded, yet socially relevant theme is expected to be employed in the film.

The story takes place in Los Angeles, year 2154 after the Earth became overly populated and polluted. The rich lives in some kind of sustainable, livable and highly exclusive space station named Elysium. The world is also overly reliant on droids and robots. Enter Max Da Costa, one of the 'slum people' who are left to live on Earth breathing on dust and dirt. After an accident happened, Max has to reach Elysium in order to save himself by getting himself on the high-tech, 100% curing medical equipment up in the rich people's place.

It's safe to say that Elysium lands second place among 2013's 'scorched earth films', definitely ahead of Shyamalan's After Earth. Elysium is also a decent sci-fi too, if you're willing to overlook the glaring plot holes. So good news first, the film has Matt Damon in one of his bests. Starting from the brave physical transformation to the performance on screen. Although intriguing, it's hard to see Eminem in that same kind of dedication. The actors are basically one of the strongest driving force, with amazing work from Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley. And also the surprise appearance from William Fichtner. The other driving force is Neill Blomkamp himself, with his vision and story. There are also some exciting camera works too during action scenes. Plus, the music by Ryan Amon is a perfect fit and quite surprising to have that kind of music comes from an unknown composer. I was expecting Harry Gregson Williams for some reason (it sounds Zimmer-y but he's too busy).

Now the bad part: the logic of Elysium is all over the place. Firstly, how does the Elysium work? It looks amazing yet there seems to be no gravity and pressurized atmosphere. Plus with all the problems with Earth-settlers coming to Elysium, there are no space-bound security. And people on Elysium does not stay at home. Second, Max's exoskeleton is not as awesome as promoted in the trailers. The ending is also one big plot hole. [spoiler alert] Now everyone has the MedBays, so no one will die? What a way to fight overpopulation. One more thing, Sharlto Copley's Kruger is arguably worse than Bane, and he does not even wear a mask. Also on Kruger, when he went to the MedBay, the thing restores Kruger's beard too. That's the simplest offense that shouldn't have happened. Also when Max has his exoskeleton suit on, no one seems to give the tiniest damn. It's like common fashion. Despite all the problems, Elysium is a good time at cinema. Come for the actors, setting and action, but don't settle for basic sci-fi rules and common logic. Let's hope Blomkamp's Chappie isn't as laughable as the title. Elysium: rated 3/4.


I may not be watching films in the cinemas on October because apparently The Conjuring isn't playing in my city and Diana turns out to be so bad (the rest of the movies on October is either bad or I already watched, like RIPD--Jap-titled Ghost Agents and Now You See Me--Jap-titled Grand Illusion). Though it's safe to say that I'll be back reviewing films on November with Carrie remake. Though I would be very sure, to post something in October too, probably relating to the end of Breaking Bad and pilot season.