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.

Sindrom Asperger

For a reason, I translated some articles about Asperger's Syndrome to Indonesian (with a few adjustments). I simply think posting them will help some Indonesian parents who can't read English very well. If you are the owners of the articles and you want me to remove this post, please tell me.

Table-top Game Reviews: Steam Park and Assassin's Creed Arena

Recently I spent a day to just play table-top games with my friends. Most of the games were new for us, only one of them had always been our favorite. We played Steam Park twice, Heroclix once, Assassin's Creed: Arena twice, and COMBO once. I owe some friends to review Steam Park and Assassin's Creed: Arena. So, I'll just make short reviews here.

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.