Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Movie Comments

Keywords: magic, fantastic beasts, 

Audience: PG

Violent content: some fights and a few kills (mild visualization)

Sexual content: one kiss

Ketika pembuatan film ini diumumkan, saya pikir ini tentang petualangan Newt mengumpulkan hewan-hewan fantastis di Amerika. Rupanya film ini lebih banyak berisi ekspansi dunia sihir daripada soal hewan fantastis. Tanpa Newt dan hewan-hewan fantastisnya, plot akan tetap berjalan--sama sekali berbeda dengan kehadiran Harry Potter yang membuat Voldemort bolak-balik ke Hogwarts sebelum musim ujian.

Di satu sisi, cukup segar melihat tokoh utama yang bukan The Chosen One. Di sisi lain, pendalaman tokoh utama menjadi minim. Potterhead tidak menjadi jauh lebih banyak tahu tentang Newt daripada sebelum menonton film ini.

Kalau sudah menonton trailernya, kita tahu film ini mengangkat isu ekstremisme dan terorisme seperti serial Harry Potter. Karena lokasinya bukan di lingkungan eksklusif (seperti sekolah khusus penyihir), patutlah isu "The Others" banyak diangkat. Voldemort sudah mengungkit-ungkitnya: kenapa penyihir harus bersembunyi? Walau posisi penyihir belum segenting mutan-mutan X-Men (berkat mantra Obliviate), film ini sudah menggiring kita ke arah perang penyihir vs muggle.

Ada hal yang sangat mengecewakan, dari segi cerita, pada klimaks film ini. Pesan kasih sayang dan toleransi dilupakan oleh tokoh-tokoh protagonisnya begitu saja begitu klimaks berakhir.

Menonton film ini membuat saya ingin membaca buku-buku Harry Potter terakhir pada bagian masa lalu Albus Dumbledore. Selain karena Dumbledore pernah bersahabat dengan penjahat utama film ini, ada fenomena yang terjadi pada masa lalu Dumbledore yang terjadi pada film ini.

Spesial efek film ini memuaskan, bahkan bagi saya yang sebelumnya menonton Dr. Strange yang mengagumkan. Sayang, latar kotanya terlalu rapi. Jalanan terlalu bersih dan bata-bata terlihat seperti baru sekalipun dindingnya sudah separuh rubuh.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them adalah tontonan wajib bagi penggemar Harry Potter dan, terlepas dari kekurangan pada ceritanya, dapat menghibur penonton lain.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Comments [with spoilers]

Keywords: sci-fi, space opera, war

Audience: PG

Violent content: lots of fights (mild visualization)

Sexual content: none 

Star Wars is another old franchise with a long-awaited new movie released this year. In short, I think The Force Awakens (TFA) wouldn't disappoint the fandom, but it's not impressive either.

Before I proceed, I must tell you that I'm not a big fan of Star Wars (I like it, but I don't even remember much about the previous movies) and I'm not a Trekkie (I'm a Potterhead). If Rey didn't seem to be the next Jedi, I wouldn't have seen TFA this early.

You can call this post my comments of TFA instead of my review. It's just that random.

MODERATE SPOILERS AHEAD

So here's pretty much the conflict of TFA: Everyone needed to find Luke Skywalker--the legendary Jedi. The First Order wanted to rule the universe and used Starkiller (a much bigger Death Star) to destroy resisting planets. The Resistance fought their way to sabotage Starkiller. This is Star Wars, so family drama is strong in this movie.

Jurassic World: Born Out of Greed

Keywords: sci-fi, dinosaur, theme park

Audience: PG

Violent content: dinosaurs fight each other, humans eaten by dinosaurs (mild visualization) 

Sexual content: two short kisses

Jurassic World is the movie that I looked forward to this summer (even more than Terminator: Genisys). I saw Jurassic Park as a child and really enjoyed it (not too happy with JP 2 and JP 3, though). I even read the comic adaptation and played the video game (on SEGA console) for at least four times. Like for many of you, Jurassic Park is a part of my childhood.

I thought the Jurassic franchise was dead. I'm happy I was wrong. And I'm pleased that the development team decided not to rush the development of Jurassic World (or Jurassic Park IV, as the project was earlier called). And it's cool that it is a sequel, not a reboot of the franchise, since I don't think anyone can do a better Jurassic Park.

If you want to take your children to see Jurassic World, I can tell you that it is less violent than Jurassic Park in terms of fighting, eating, and blood (there is a talk about war, which is inappropriate for children, but I don't think little kids will understand or even care). However, if your kids are easily scared, you should consider showing this movie later when they're older.

Jurassic World is a living theme park in Isla Nubar. It's been opened for years to the point that people get used to seeing dinosaurs. The park's income slows down and the board of directors decided they need something bigger, louder, cooler, and has more teeth. Thus they invent a hybrid dinosaur: Indominus Rex. The movie follows two brothers venturing the park when Indominus Rex runs amock in the island and some people, including their aunt who happens to be the park manager, trying to save the day.

Review of Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I

Keywords: dystopian, oppression, propaganda, rebellion

Audience: PG-13

Violent content: shots and blood

Sexual content: one short kiss

[if you know nothing about Hunger Games series, you'll find this review unhelpful]

I went to see Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I today. I'd waited for the press screening, but somehow there was none.

The second movie of Hunger Games series was one of my favorite movies on 2013. So this is very unfortunate that Mockingjay Part 1 doesn't win my heart. It doesn't mean the movie is bad. The filmmakers have captured the essence of first half of the book well, but perhaps I expected too much. You can't blame me; they made great campaigns!

Rurouni Kenshin, The Legend (Should Not) Ends (Like This)

Keywords: samurai, assassin, action, early Meiji

Audience: PG-13

Violent content: lots of fights and some blood

Sexual content: none

This is the third live-action movie for Rurouni Kenshin, and it is supposed to be the last. I'd heard some complains about how cheesy this movie is. That was half the reason why I didn't look forward to it as much as Kyoto Inferno. I can hardly remember a thing from the manga or anime. Even I can't recall the ultimate fight between Kenshin and Shishio very well, but Shishio's fire and his girlfriend's act of love. So I just hoped the movie would entertain me and Kenshin would win in a satisfying way.

Rekomendasi Korea Indonesia Film Festival 2014 : Roaring Currents

Keywords: naval battle, korea, japan, historical

Audience: PG-13

Violent content: lots of blood, beheaded heads

Sexual content: none

See Roaring Currents in Korea Indonesia Film Festival (October 23rd-28th, 2014)

I went to see Roaring Currents last night. It's a great movie about a legendary naval battle (South Korea vs Japan, 1597, find out more) with the Korean fleet led by Admiral Yi Sun Sin (Choi Min Sik). Somewhere in the middle of the movie I fell asleep (too much drama about whining soldiers), but the naval battle was so captivating. Admiral Yi is a beast, yet the movie pictures him very humanly. My favorite part is how the movie theme, "loyalty", gets wrapped up nicely in the end.

Admiral Yi was a leader prone to disobey order. Although he always did it to protect Joseon Kingdom, the chancellor was angered and sent him for torture. Soon the raging war required everyone to stand up for Joseon and Yi was once again an admiral. And once again, instead of following the chancellor's order, Yi led his fleet to do what he thought as imminent: to protect Myeongnyang Strait. He calculated, and later his spy confirmed, that a large Japan fleet was coming. "To give up on sea is to give up on land," said Yi (more or less). Being outnumbered by far, Yi's soldiers were full of doubt. Fear spread like virus while the enemy was approaching fast.

Rurouni Kenshin, Kyoto Inferno: To Be A Swordsman Is to Invigorate the Heart

Keywords: samurai, assassin, action, early Meiji

Audience: PG-13

Violent content: lots of fights and some blood

Sexual content: none

I went to see Kyoto Inferno last night, after half a year waiting in excitement. I wish Indonesia got earlier release, because August was so boring.

The plot is full-packed, as if they cram stories from at least 8-volumes manga into it. I don't mind. I love the humor. I enjoy the fights. I leave my cynical mind at home, wanting to see my childhood "friends" on screen without unnecessary disappointment. Unfortunately, those who know very little of Samurai X may find it difficult to follow so many characters and actions.

The Expendables 3 Is Actually Expendable

Keywords: action, killing mission, secret team, age gap

Audience: PG-13

Violent content: lots of shots and explosions and some blood (mild visualization)

Sexual content: almost none

I suddenly went to the cinema today. I wished to see Guardians of the Galaxy but it was Sunday, so tickets for the trending movies had gone. Expecting some fun, I watched The Expendables 3 instead.

In short, it's actually expendable--something you can skip easily. Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's boring. Nothing is extraordinary. I love the cast, and they did act well, so this is a pity that I can't say the movie is great.

X-Men Days of Future Past: Story of Renewed Past

Keywords: action, sci-fi, super power, time travel
Audience: 13+ (under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian)
Violent content: some blood and severed limbs (mild visualization)
Sexual content: almost nudity (not only Mystique)

Warning: you may think this review contains mild spoilers (although I don't think it does)

I'm not a big fan of X-Men, but I like it enough that I'd been looking forward to Days of Future Past (DOFP). And I heard that it would be Jackman's last time playing Logan/Wolverine.

I rarely watch movie trailers (I hate them, in fact), so my expectation was build up upon my own assumption from random stuff I found on internet about DOFP. I thought that somehow the older team and the younger (past) team would meet and work together against a massive danger. It turned out that only one character does the time travel (doesn't need an expert to guess who, this poster is obvious).

Locke: Redeeming a Grave Mistake

Keywords: family, baby, mistake, construction, driving
Audience: 13+ (for some language and a subtle recollection about sex)


Warning: this review contains mild spoilers.

Yesterday I saw Locke on Blitz--it had to be Blitz because 21 didn't screen it. It's a movie I'd been looking forward to since watching its trailer before Wind Rises. I'd known it would be a 90-minute with Tom Hardy and he would be the only person seen on screen. I'd known he would have phone calls that would drive the story.

Well, I just hadn't imagined that those would be all I'd get in the movie. I'd expected a few dangerous maneuvers, even one simple danger, when he was driving. But there was none.

However, it's a good movie with a story-telling different from others. You might want to see it while it is still available on Blitz.

flicksandbits.com

So, Tom Hardy was Ivan Locke, a construction director at the peak of his career. When he started driving, he was nine hours away from a giant project: more than 200 trucks would come to the building site to pump concrete material for the building's foundation. His coworkers relied on him because his works had never been anything but perfect. Yet something called him to go, something more important than the biggest project of his career life.

"It's a family matter," said Locke to one of his coworker by phone.

It's not death. In fact, it's about life. He's going to have a baby and he had to see it. He decided to make sure that the baby know him and he was adamant to be responsible of the baby. The mother of the baby was not his wife.

Why did the woman go through with her unplanned pregnancy? She was a lonely woman, too old to hope for a baby. She thought it was her last chance for happiness.

Why was Locke risk everything to be there for his baby? He could come after his project was completed.

While the woman was a believable character, Locke was very deep. The foundation of his character was very solid. His decision rooted from his past experience in life. And the way he run things, both everyday and all the way in the journey to set things right, was the only way expected from such a person.

His family, his job, his soon-coming baby. Ivan was trying to make everything right, because something had been not right in his past.

His lovable sons, his bad-mouth but trusty coworkers, his way of talking (and cursing). Those are what will keep you engaged to this movie.

The pressure, the suspense, the tears...

All and all, Locke tells you a story about family and responsibility. It's about putting your best effort to redeem your mistake, however dire the consequence is.

Rekomendasi Korea Indonesia Film Festival 2014 : Snowpiercer

Kata kunci: distopia, aksi, pemberontakan, kereta api
Penonton: 10+ (10-16 tahun sebaiknya menonton dengan pengawasan orangtua)
Konten kekerasan: banyak darah dan perkelahian bersenjata walaupun tidak sadis
Konten seksual: hampir tidak ada

Jangan tonton trailer Snowpiercer apabila Anda hendak menonton filmnya.
Adegan-adegan kejutan akan menjadi tidak mengejutkan gara-gara menonton trailer ini.
(Yes, I hate trailers.)

Snowpiercer sedang diputar di Korea Indonesia Film Festival (23-28 Oktober 2014).

Snowpiercer (diangkat dari novel grafis berjudul Le Transperceneige) berkisah tentang dunia kita beberapa puluh tahun ke depan. Konon pada tahun 2014 para pemimpin dunia memutuskan untuk melepaskan sebuah zat untuk memperbaiki atmosfer demi meredakan pemanasan global. Apa yang malah terjadi? Seluruh dunia menjadi lebih dingin daripada kutub selatan! “Kebetulan” seorang juragan kereta api (Mr. Wilford) sudah membuat kereta api swadaya sehingga bisa mengangkut seribuan manusia. Selama belasan tahun mereka hidup di kereta api buatan Wilford Corp yang melaju tanpa pernah berhenti agar manusia-manusia tidak mati beku akibat cuaca ekstrem di luar.

47 Ronin: A Black and White Samurai Movie

Keywords: action, fantasy, Japan, Samurai, revenge
Audience: 13+ (under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian)
Violent content: much blood and severed limbs (mild visualization)
Sexual content: kissing scene, rape attempt scene (mild visualization)

This movie review is basically written upon a paradox: I'm writing a review about why I didn't want to write a review of this movie.

I saw the movie wall promotion on Blitz before watching The Hobbit last week. The promotional poster was captivating, especially the female villain. And then I was lucky enough to watch 47 Ronin last night (thanks to Duniaku.net).

sumber foto: screencrush.com

The 119 minutes watching the movie didn't leave me with the feeling of wanting to write a review about it. Unlike Snowpiercer, an impressive movie that I still want to tell people about, 47 Ronin was something that I don't know what to discuss about.

Oh, it's not a bad movie. It served us with great visual exploitation and neat storyline (not without plot holes). The problem is everything was black and white. The protagonists were good people: a noble group of Samurai and the only mistake they had made was looking down at the main character (Kai the half-breed, played by Keanu Reeves). The antagonists were bad people who lusted after power and hegemony. No one was in-between. No one.

(If you do want to watch the movie, don't check the trailer. It contains spoilers. I checked the trailer the day after I watched the movie and I was so relieved that I hadn't seen it.)

And the visualization of most things in the movie supported the black and white tendency. Behold, this is where the good people lived: bright buildings, square, forest, and hills! Now take a look at where the bad people lived: a dark castle looming over a tight square surrounded by mighty walls!

I can rant more about the cheesy love story and the odd ways the Japanese people interact in the movie. But Keanu Reeves is a good guy; I can't do that to him (or I'm just too lazy to write more). However, I couldn't say 47 Ronin is not entertaining. It's fun, especially for those haven't much exposed to Samurai spirit. For those looking for something deep, you'd rather watch The Last Samurai again.

Matt Damon and Greenzone

Yesterday my sister forced me to take her watching Greenzone. She's been crazy about Matt Damon lately. It was weekend, how expensive -___- but finally I brought her to Pejaten Village, much cheaper than Cilandak Town Square on weekend.

The movie was good, though not great. Matt Damon was cute and cool as always. I like the storyline, however, especially the idea that D.C. might hidden the truth that an Iraqi officer has told them that there was no WMD (weapon of mass destruction). Some people said that this movie is anti-American, and I think it's just one of self-critics for the states. Why did they invade Iraq if there was no such WMD? Why did they impose democracy to another country, seeming a paradox to the essence of the democracy itself?

My friend recommended Hurt Locker, another movie about the US invasion in Iraq. I'm not eager to it since I think Greenzone is enough for a while.

Traitor

"Cheadle stars as Samir Horn, a Sudan-born American who has gone to work for Muslim extremist groups, using his weapons expertise to help execute attacks all over the world. Charged with tracking him down is Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce), an FBI agent who, for some reason, is conducting an international investigation. He sends Samir to prison early in the film, but thanks to the help of his friend Omar (Said Taghmaoui) and some buddies on the outside, Samir escapes from the Yemen prison and starts planning a series of terrorist attacks that target Americans." (http://www.cinemablend.com/)

There are 3 tags that made me yearn to watch this movie: terrorism, Muslim extremist groups, CIA. I mean, okay, so this should be a fascinating espionage thriller movie--my favorite! Actually, I was worried that this movie will lead people (esp. western) to misjudge Muslim community. But it turned out to be a fair story.

Samir Horn was a son of a very good Muslim, and Roy Clayton's father and grandfather were priests. Nobody speaks of any religion negatively. Even when Roy's friend started to make jokes about the Muslim extremist ("He's ready to go to heaven to see 72 angels."), the dashing Guy Pearce gave equal sample about Christian ("My neighbour burned himself with a cross... Seems like every religion have their own rituals.")