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.

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.

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.

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.")