The Not-Yet-Amazing Spider-Man 2

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy might stand as one of the best superhero trilogies. I'm still dumbfounded and puzzled as why would Sony reboot a trilogy so fine that soon with 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man, just FIVE years after 2007's Spider-Man 3. And the fact that they added 'Amazing' in the title made me even more infuriated. The Amazing Spider-Man was an exact carbon copy of the original with a second-tier villain. Instead of bettering the first film, the sequel went Spider-Man 3 and Captain America by introducing multiple villains and setting up future films. To clarify, Spider-Man 3 was the weakest among the trilogy and Captain America is the most bland MCU film. The trailers spoiled EVERYTHING. I hated Sony for it. As much as I hate the idea of Spider-Man being rebooted I still need to see the film in its full integrity without spoilers. I only saw the first trailer and maybe looked at some TV spots. It was enough for me.

In this film, Spider-Man meets a new foe Electro and also gets reunited with an old pal Harry Osborn who's dying because of a genetic disease. While at the same time trying to juggle his own feelings toward Gwen Stacy and investigating his father's unfinished business. That's about it. Really.

My first impression about the film was it's definitely better than The Amazing Spider-Man. It improved but only for a little margin. The action scenes were well-directed and staged. They were one of the best things about the film. The Times Square set piece was incredible. Marc Webb seemed more comfortable and confident here. It shows because there were less awkward moments here. The second best thing was the cast. Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Dane DeHaan was top-notch. I keep wondering what would it be like to have Shailene Woodley in the mix too. The charm and chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone is what made the boring love story and the climactic scene works. If it were anybody else it would've flunked within the third second of the scene.  My main complaint was still that this Peter Parker is too cool. I always love Tobey Maguire's awkward Peter Parker. No hate for Andrew Garfield but I prefer Sam Raimi's Peter Parker. But I do love the wise-cracking, talkative Spider-Man. The movie felt alive whenever Spidey's in action. There's also an overabundance of nods and characters. There are little reference to future villains played by Felicity Jones and BJ Novak. There's also Chris Cooper as the totally unnecessary Norman Osborn.

The second is the villains. Jamie Foxx is nice in his role as Max Dillon/Electro but his character is annoyingly unfit to be a villain. Electro is not even a main villain because he's more like a pawn to Harry Osborn. It's like the awkward, nerdy version of Jim Carrey's Riddler in Batman Forever. Electro is also like the electric version of Doctor Manhattan. And the way he thought of his own villain name is simply ridiculous. Not to mention that he played a song during a fight is even more ridiculous. Dane DeHaan's Harry Osborn would never have the same effect as James Franco's Harry Osborn. In Sam Raimi's trilogy, the transformation was so understandable because we were invested in the character already. Here, not so much. But Dane DeHaan is siiiickkk. But that hairstyle must die. Lastly, the FUCKING Rhino is only shown for maybe five minutes and it's at the end of the film! Pro-tips: don't show a film's spectacular last shot in the trailer and don't sell Rhino as the third main villain when the fact is the whole movie was about Electro and Harry Osborn. Another complaint, Hans Zimmer should go learn some music because the score reminds me a lot of The Dark Knight Rises and Hans Zimmer-produced, Ramin Djawadi-composed Clash of the Titans. And to the Magnificent Six, don't call yourself Magnificent when you're composing forgettable music. All I can say about the film is, it's a satisfying film and a good universe-building film but as a stand alone film it's lacking. In 142 minutes, the film felt short because the story was incoherent in favor of building up to future films. And there's also a misleading after credits scene from X-Men: Days of Future Past. As much as I disliked this film, I would recommend you guys to see this in IMAX. The Spidey scenes alone justify it. At least fool yourself to enjoy this film more. The Amazing Spider-Man 2: rated 2.5/4.

Three Most Overused Movie Quotes of the Social Media Age

It's not going to be hipster enough when you took a filtered photo on Instagram and you didn't include the right caption. This is the two quotes that must die because it's waaaaaay too overused.

"We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it."
Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), The Breakfast Club (1985)

And then insert some party photos with friends or just photos together with your friends. Bottomline, this is the ultimate weird/unique friendship quote. Seriously. Stop. However, noting that this film is from the 1980s it's pretty awesome for this quote to have a lifetime this long and is used by teenagers. But still, stop.

The next two is a combo from The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012). That friendship movie where a regular guy befriends Emma Watson and a super awesome, cool gay guy. You know, right? Even if you don't know, you'd know these quotes. Wallflower might not win any major awards but it sure is a teen-cult hyper-quotable film.

"We accept the love we think we deserve."
Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Feel like hiding your true love life behind a quote? Then that quote above is definitely for you. Either for you who's in a relationship with the wrong person, or for you who's still not in one. Ultimate heartbreak quote.

Lastly,

"..and in this moment, I swear we are infinite."
Charlie (Logan Lerman), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Or usually paraphrased as, 'the only quote you can think of when you want to talk about a lasting  relationship'. Scratch that Breakfast Club quote, this IS the ultimate friendship quote. Fuck, stop already. You're not even using the whole sentence!

There are tons of other quotes but these three are the one I'm already sick of reading. So, stop. For your good and for others' too. But if you have other quote in mind that you're already sick of, don't hesitate to shout them out in the comments. I'll add em to this post later on.

For music, "first lemme take a selfie" is the biggest offender. I have never even heard the song. Call me anti-mainstream or lacking in social interaction but, no, I have no intention in hearing a song about talking a selfie.

Sorry for this sudden, unexpected ranting post. But we're still on for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 review later this week!

Ranking De Niro's 2013 Films

I guess the title is pretty obvious. Let's see, the living legend Robert De Niro has collected two Academy Awards wins from seven nominations, a Golden Globe from eight noms and a Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement awards. He starred in classics like The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Casino. He recently scored his latest critical hit Silver Linings Playbook for Best Supporting Actor in 2012. But in 2013, his films were critical flops. In 2013, he released six films. We won't count American Hustle although he's one of the film's many high points because his role was a minor one and uncredited. Also, no love for his so-called ensemble comedy The Big Wedding and Killing Season. Wedding was a total failure even Summit let You're Next to use the poster for the viral promo for that home-invasion thriller. As for Killing Season, it was only in limited release and come on, would you watch John Travolta as a Serbian war veteran? Also both films have scores below 6 on IMDb.

The Family / Malavita (September 2013)
First off, the trailers looked fun. It has a great cast that joins the Oscar winner with Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones and Glee's Dianna Agron. But in reality, the film was just okay. It even made fun of De Niro and Scorsese's own Goodfellas. Did I mention that Scorsese produced this film? Although it's sometimes funny, The Family is a bizarre, violent comedy that's only fun for the first time around
High point: Dianna Agron kicks asses
Low point: De Niro watches a mob film
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $68m/$30m/29%

Last Vegas (November 2013)
It's the old guys' Hangover! That was the hype. But was it fun like The Hangover? It teamed up legends like Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, but the movie doesn't turn out to be legendary. It was a bland, boring comedy-drama about being old. Positive side: it's slightly better than The Hangover Part III and the film got decent success thanks to the cast's appeal.
High point: can't think of any--maybe that sappy part about De Niro and Douglas' friendship
Low point: that guy from LMFAO does the 'wiggle wiggle' in front of De Niro's face--mega insult to his stellar career.
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $134m/$28m/47%

Grudge Match (December 2013)
Once again, the trailer was deceitful. It used Macklemore's Can't Hold Us to a great effect but I can't hold myself to focus during the actual film. Stallone looked like he was forced to do the job because it paid bills and De Niro seemed very happy making bad films. I've never watched Kevin Hart before, and is he just that funny? Because it wasn't funny at all. Alan Arkin is funnier. Grudge Match is a sappy drama about aging boxers that wants a long-awaited rematch because a girl was jealous 30 years ago. It could be a great film that makes fun and homage of their old selves as Rocky Balboa or Jake La Motta. But it's just like a parody. Best way to watch Grudge Match? Watch that Can't Hold Us trailer and fast forward the film to the 'climactic' grudgement day.
High points: the bromance during the final fight and De Niro kicks ass while referencing his son's name
Low points: all that drama and exposition before the fight
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $41m/$40m/30%

Rank from watchable to unwatchable
1. The Family
2. Grudge Match
3. Last Vegas

and when you include the three I dismissed

1. American Hustle (duh)
2. The Family
3. Grudge Match
4. Last Vegas
5. The Big Wedding
6. Killing Season

"You talkin to me, Nic Cage?"

at least The Big Wedding looks more fun than the grim Killing Season. 2014 doesn't look kind to De Niro as well, The Bag Man with John Cusack seems like a joke. However his 2015 slate looks better with a biopic Hands of Stone with Edgar Ramirez. Here's to De Niro making great films again hashtagcheerz


Anyway, we're still on for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 review. I'm betting it to be bad (or good, as I've been avoiding trailers since the first spoilerish trailer)

New World

Summer came early this year! Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits theaters this week (for some regions, last week). It's the third post-Avengers film and the second Captain America film. The film is a follow up to financial hits but personally disappointing and mediocre Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World (disappointing is for Stark and mediocre is for the Asgardian). Chris Evans is back as Steve Rogers, Scarlett Johansson is also back as Natascha Romanoff with Sam L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill and also new faces (but old) Robert Redford and Anthony Mackie. Trailers look solid and I was sold.

The story is Captain America being employed as a SHIELD agent doing errands for Nick Fury until he discovered a certain plan that puts SHIELD in jeopardy as he uncovered a mole within the organization. Cap teams up with Black Widow and newcomer Falcon to clean up SHIELD as well as the world. Plus, he also has to face some recurring faces from his past that caught up to him.

Trust me, this one will entertain you. Iron Man 3 was a smug movie with occasionally cool moments, saved by Marvel's no 1 asset Robert Downey Jr. Thor: The Dark World was a safe movie with Brit accent and fun along with Marvel's no 2 asset Tom Hiddleston. And Captain America: The First Avenger was basically a plot device to introduce the 90 year old virgin to the Avengers and to introduce  the Tesseract, the film as a whole was the weakest MCU entry alongside Iron Man 2. But The Winter Soldier changed all that Marvel 'fun' formula by opting for a more serious storyline. The story cleverly was balanced with the action too. Moreover, the action are more solid than the other post-Avengers films. While it also works as a MCU canon, it also works well as a stand alone film. After it ends, the story set up a different world for the superheroes. Chris Evans is okay in his role, sometimes he's so wooden. Scarlett Johansson steals the show like she did in Iron Man 2, and she's given all the nice dialogues. Bye-bye bikinis. Sebastian Stan has a rising career from being a guest star in Gossip Girl to being a sub-titular villain in a major superhero film! There are also nice little details that incorporate the other Avengers. Bruce Banner and Tony Stark was occasionally referred or name-dropped. And there is an easter egg about Dr. Strange (I actually don't know what he is, but he came up in some development stories). I wish there are more to The Winter Soldier, Agent 13 and Maria Hill. And I was expecting an appearance from Hawkeye but sadly no. Also fun cameos from Marvel's own legend Stan Lee and Abed of Community. All that fun and thrill were capped off by a killer post-credit scene that ties up to next year's big event The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Let me give you a hint, two of my favorite young actors are in that scene (sorry I've said too much). There are also one other post-credit scene at the very end. So be sure to stay in your seats until the very last second. Overall, this is very satisfying and it's on par with the quality that Marvel showed circa 2008, that is of course during the first Iron Man film, y'know before they slowly downgraded to making kids' films. It's also a very nice surprise from the director duo whose last feature film credit was 8 years ago and it was You, Me and Dupree. Captain America: The Winter Soldier: rated 4/4.

Bonus! That post about badass girls is still on and this gal is definitely on it

Food for thought, also spoiler for warning:
Now that SHIELD is done, does that mean automatic cancellation for Agent Coulson-powered TV series Agents of SHIELD? And by the way isn't Agents of SHIELD enough to show that SHIELD is the most incompetent intel organization to ever exist? Now they had to make a movie out of that too? Anyway, they should've included Coulson in the film--fan service and also promotion for that shame you call spinoff on TV. Note: I actually follow SHIELD, and it's getting good these last few episodes, but after seeing this film, SHIELD is total shit.
One more, in 2008, Coulson struggled to find the abbreviations for SHIELD, but it's actually have been around since the WW2? I guess Coulson missed a memo or something.
And boom, Johnny Depp burn! Arnim Zola was Transcendence-d!


This might be my last Indonesia-based post. If it is, then the next movie review would be The Amazing Spider-Man 2.