Short Term 12: A Flawless Movie

My first reaction when I halfway watched Short Term 12 was… damnit, this movie is so powerful and stylish. To me Short Term 12 was a simple movie which had an ordinary theme but somehow Destin Cretton managed to make this movie so beautiful and interesting. Mr. Cretton also wrote the screenplay amazingly. The dialogues he threw to us were witty and ironic but somehow super beautiful. The main character, Grace played by Brie Larson was a tough protagonist. You’d love her guts and you’d always root for her. I even amazed by Kaitlyn Dever, turns out this Last Man Standing star is capable of portraying a troubled teenager who struggled with child abuse.

I don’t know what to say about this movie other than flawless and perfectly beautiful. You would find the shots and the compositions in this movie were pretty amazing too. I also love the soft color Mr. Cretton made in this movie. It’s like he was talking about child abuse in this movie but he gave the viewers a bright pastel color just to kept the viewers warm. Also, you gotta love the slow motion ending shot. Damn it was perfect! I’m glad Mr. Cretton ended this movie with slow motion shot because the moment he made in the ending was priceless. This movie is perfect, both the narrative and the style. The actors are trained too. You wouldn’t be disappointed, even though they are not some Hollywood superstars like Meryl Streep.

I give this movie 5 out 5!!! Seriously I don’t outrank this movie. You really should watch it because it's great, flawless and powerful. I have like more than 10 reasons why you have to watch this movie. It’s very recommended and it has John Gallagher Jr. in it (fangirl alert).

Hi there Johnny!

River's First And Last Oscar Nomination

So I decided to continue watching Running On Empty after I paused it for weeks. It was the time that I felt regret because how could I be such a fool and paused a movie that good for weeks. Running On Empty might seem a little bit slow and boring at first, also I sort of thought that the story was too fictional to happened in real life. Like how the hell a fugitive family could survive and was on the run for years? And we're talking about American FBI on the hunt. But, please if you had the same thought as me, hold on a second and keep watching because good thing happens for those who wait (in this case). Sidney Lumet gave you the most touching and beautiful ending ever. You’re gonna have a sobfest. It was just like, I was glad I watched this movie until the end.

And I have to be honest with you, I watched this movie because I’m madly in love with River Phoenix (yeah, again). Running On Empty was the one which made River nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards (he was 19 back then). It was his first and last Academy Awards nomination, eventhough it was sad but I was glad that The Academy reconigzed his acting performance in his early age. His performance in Running On Empty might seemed kinda ordinary at first, but it would be spectacular when we reached to the ending. I don’t know, he seemed so powerful and he just being Danny Pope. He just blended in like he was the real Danny Pope, and that was when I get a real sobfest. I was in an awestruck with River at the last minute of the movie. He did a really good job, no wonder he was a teen heartrob back then.

Another most interesting part in this movie was the scoring, I mean the piano scoring. It was so peaceful and made you went with the mood Sidney Lumet intended to make. The piano scoring was always there and it made your ears used to it and automatically fell in love with it. If anynone knew where I could download it, please tell me. And for the last, I give Running On Empty 3.5 out of 5. I don’t know, I like the movie, but it made me pause the movie for weeks because it was boring at first. It was recommended, though if you are looking for a family drama-sobfest kinda movie.

One last thing...

Look how cute they were as a family (Martha Plimpton was River's Girlfriend both in the movie and real life that time. They were so cute together!)

What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

I know the answer to the question What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. It’s Arnie Grape! Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnie Grape was the one that made people wouldn’t pause this movie in the first place. Young Leonardo DiCaprio (he was 18 back then) showed us that he was a real deal (and he still is). He succeeded big time portraying Arnie, an 18 year old boy with autism. He was enchanting. I even forget that Johnny Depp was the main character in this movie. Arnie really stole the spotlight, everybody just wanted to watch more Arnie’s scene than following the movie storyline. I remember Lesse Hallstrom didn't want to go with Leo in the first place because he was too good looking for a boy with autism. I'm glad he changed his decision! He deserved an Oscar nomination for his Arnie portrayal because he was amazing. Leo is the answer to River Phoenix’s replacement (sorry for comparing).

The story was fine, it was just about the slice of life of Gilbert Grape. We won’t focus on Gilbert, though because he was eaten by Arnie. Johnny Depp’s acting performance not really impressive like usual. Maybe it was because Gilbert’s characteristic was just an ordinary young man who struggled with his tough life. He was fine, though. But I love his chemistry with Arnie. You could really see his soft side when he dealt with Arnie. The chemistry between them was uncomfortable but so lovely, you know? You should just see it to feel that chemistry.

I’m gonna give this movie 4 out of 5!!! It’s all because of Leo’s performance that made me fall in love with him in the first place and kept watching this movie. He’s an impressive actor who deserves an Oscar. Well, let’s cross our fingers for him, okay? :)

And say hello to young Leo DiCaprio & young Johnny Depp!

I really love that photograph!

Stunning Jared Leto's Performance After A Long Hiatus

I’m catching up with the movies which has nominated for 2014 Academy Awards. One of the movies I’ve watched is Dallas Buyers Club. At first, I was a little bit surprised that Jared Leto was in this movie. I mean, didn’t he tell the media that he was retiring on acting and wanted to focus on his band, 30 seconds to mars. Apparently, he came back after a long hiatus with Dallas Buyers Club and damnit Jared, you still got the vibe. I’ve always been a big fan of him. His acting performance always enchant me, like in Requiem For A Dream or Mr. Nobody (my favorite) and in Dallas Buyers Club, he didn’t disappoint me at all.

He portrayed Rayon, a drag queen who had AIDS. Have you ever imagined Jared Leto wearing dresses and stockings tighter than mine? It was hilarious! He succesfully portrayed Rayon! I think this is his finest work. He didn’t look like Jared Leto at all. His voice and his gesture are very convincing. I probably wouldn’t notice it was Jared Leto if I hadn’t read the news. He really deserves the Golden Globe! And I really wish he would get the Oscar, though. He’s such a lucky bastard… after a long hiatus now he’s nominated for Oscar.

Other than the amazing performance of Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club had an interesting story about a hustler who tried to change the world and a very tough protagonist, Ron Woodroof portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. You could see the determination of the protagonist to move the plot. I won’t say that he was lovable, he was such a jerk. You kinda hate his character but you’d just love his guts. I mean the story based on Ron Woodroof’s effort when he tried to find the right medicine for people with HIV virus and Jean-Marc Vallee’s decision going for Matthew McConaughey was right. This movie’s strenght was the actors who portrayed those characters. The casting seemed right and you just can’t doubt that.

For the story, I had a moment when I paused it because it was too slow and too boring but I kept continue because I was curious how the protagonist would solve those problems that he had. I mean it’s fine if you wanted to watch what kind of movie that deserves to nominated for Oscar. I give this movie 3.5 out of 5, though! I was amazed by Jared & Matthew’s performances and I kinda like the story too. You should watch it if you had like 2 hours of free time.

A Major Failure Of Spy-Agent Movie

As much as I love River Phoenix, to me Little Nikita was drab. The story was complicated and presented in a fucked up way. I didn’t get the suspense that the director intended to make. This movie is ugly and woeful. And what the fuck the name Nikita means anyway? It made River sounds like a drag queen.  The only thing that kept me watching is totally River Phoenix. This movie was a waste of his talent. I also think that the key selling point of this movie was River, since he was a teen heartrob and Sidney Poitier (he was famous back then, and everybody loved him).

The story? Ugh… Richard Benjamin wanted to force us to get the suspense and we just couldn’t feel it. It had every typical of a failed spy-action movie. And all the characters were dull and not really useful. The links between the characters were forced, so it seemed unnatural that those characters apparently connected to each other. The entire movie was flat. You couldn’t feel the key turning point in every act. Mr. Benjamin even gave us an unnecessary twist ending that we’ve been suspect all along. Major failure!

No, it’s not recommended although you are a drop-dead spy-agent or action movies lover. This movie only wastes your time. But if you love River Phoenix so much and probably have a strong attachment to him (like me) yeah, you should check it out, in case you miss seeing him in a wide screen. Oh god, time to give my verdict, huh? I guess, 1 out of 5. Well okay, 1.5 out of 5 because I appreciate River's hardwork and I'm being kind because this movie had River Phoenix.

one more thing, River said hello...

Damnit, he's hot! (not using past tense because he still lives in my heart -> total drama queen)

Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine might have an ordinary story. I mean, everyone could come up with that idea (I’m sorry Woody Allen) but what makes this movie’s powerful was Cate Blanchett’s performance. Being a New York socialite who went bankrupt and really tried hard to get back on her feet was a challenge, but Cate Blanchett succeed portraying this character, Jasmine. I could really feel how she tried hardly to survive and adapt her new life in San Fransisco. Eventhought she suffered but she was still well-dressed. You know, she could be the new icon for women that we could still be cute eventhought in the inside we just want to kill ourselves because of the problems we have. It’s an ecouragement for many women out there. I adore Woody Allen though because he came up with an idea like this.

Also, you just can’t doubt Cate Blanchett’s performance. She was convincing! You could really connect with her character and it moved the story, since the story centered in her life. She deserves those Golden Globe for best actress this year, because she is! And I love how Woody Allen being Woody Allen, this movie is so typical Woody Allen. The classic opening theme and the classic music background that made you feel you were watching a classic movie in this era is priceless. Please don’t stop doing this, Woody Allen because nothing beats the classic!!

I give this movie like 3 out of 5. But for the Jasmine’s wardrobe I could give 100 out of 100. I just love it so much how well-dressed she is. She really got class!

Not So Entertaining Combination of Robot and Cop

So I went to watch The 2014 RoboCop yesterday and it was different than I expected. I mean Joel Kinnaman was hot as hell (no doubt) but I kinda expect I’d be watching a lot of action and awesome visual effect in Robocop, because I thought this was suppose to be an entertaining movie, like Marvel heroes. Well, it’s not. This movie filled with a lot of drama. I didn’t really get a lot of action moves in this movie. I thought when someone combined Robot and a cop, I would at least get a non-stop action stuffs and heroic story like superhero movies but I was wrong. I also slept like twice when I was watching this because it was super boring. The long introduction wasn’t necessary. I didn’t even get the point, I mean Jose Padhila brought me everywhere and he seemed like he was missing the point in the middle of the movie, eventhought he brought me back to the main problem again in the end but it was very disturbing and I didn't enjoy it.

So, Robocop is not recommended for you who expect some action moves and heroic storyline. It doesn’t have any of that stuff. And my verdict? Ugh, I don’t know. 2 out of 5, maybe? I appreciate the hardwork on making those robot suit and the visual effects, though. Oh, and no, don't see it in imax. Not worth it!

Watch Out For The New Reign Of Comedy TV

It’s a relief that fox started a new reign of comedy, Brooklyn Nine Nine. It’s been a hard time for me seeking for How I Met Your Mother replacement, because apparently that show has been my whole 2 years (started not too long ago). But, when I watched Brooklyn Nine Nine pilot, I was just like… Damn, Andy Samberg’s decision to left SNL was right!

Brooklyn Nine Nine really has anything you’d ask for. It has cop jokes (because it’s about NYPD precinct placed in 99^th street, or so I guess), ludicrous characters, and funny story in every single episode. I was laughing real hard when watching the pilot. Every character has uniqueness and it affects the story. Although, it’s very different than How I Met Your Mother but it definitely will fill the void of HIMYM left you. And I guess, you could use some not-so-growing-up character, kinda like Barney, but not-so-like Barney. Jake Peralta’s character (played by Andy Samberg) is really a character that so lovable and definitely will win the viewer's heart. I think, there’d be so many Peralta’s quotes going on internet. Well, for a sitcom or mockumentary, you just need this silly but very lovable that represents its viewers, and Brooklyn Nine Nine kinda have this thing.

Well, it’s worth to watch. So you gotta start now to catch up the season 1 before it’s too late. And here comes my verdict: 4 out of 5!!! You just trust Andy Samberg for a comedy, huh?! Also, Brooklyn Nine Nine won this year Golden Globe for best comedy. You just can't doubt that!!!

Broadway Idiot!

I had mixed feelings when watching Broadway Idiot. A documentary film focusing on Broadway’s American Idiot behind the play. I was really hooked form the start. I don’t know whether I love the documentary or the Broadway play, but I think this is a very powerful work. You mixed rock music and brought it to Broadway, that’s a challenge. You got a whole new different audience and it sure was thrilling. As a Broadway fan myself, I find this play is unique and honest. Eventhough, I haven’t seen the play (I will), I could have these mixed feelings when watching this documentary because it showed a little bit sneak peek about the play. It’s either you want to cry so badly because it’s too awesome or you get lots of goosebumps because you just want to see it live!

Other than that, you could see the true Billie Joe Armstrong through this documentary, well a little bit. He’s a genius. I don’t know how he could come up with those lyrics that both are mean and cynical but also freaking poetic. He told us a little bit about himself in this movie, you just won’t believe that he could have such passion into Broadway which usually full of fairy-tale and tragedy theme. I’d prefer to think that was an anomaly.

Through this documentary we could watch the process of the play like when the director developed the story from a song, the making of the characters, arranged some music that has to be “more Broadway, but not too Broadway”.  You’re gonna adore all of those people behind the play, they are genius. Also the actors and actresses in this play were wonderful. This movie exposes the greatness of the play, and makes you want to book the next flight to New York City, hang around Theatre district and just wait until they have an opening night again. That’s how badly you want to watch the play after seeing this documentary.

I'd give this movie 3.5 out of 5. The movie itself was fine, well a little bit mediocre. But, it was the play that makes it powerful! *certified Broadway geek*

Interesting Way To Understand Parallel Universe

To watch Donnie Darko, one must have an understanding of parallel universe and time travel. But me? I do believe in those things but didn't have a clear understanding about it until Donnie Darko gave me a clearer visual about those things after watching this movie

Set in 1988, Donnie Darko had been told by a Bunny Rabbit named Frank that universe would reach an end in about 28 days. First time I finished watching this I was just like "what the hell just happened?!" I didn't really understand what was that about. I just thought that Donnie had a schizophrenia or something. Until I googled every analysis about this movie and watched it again for the second time in the same day. Turns out, this time, I felt like Richard Kelly was genius as fuck! I mean, how come a 26 years old director could make a movie this complicated? Well, I've never watched any scifi movie that could fuck your mind up like this and it took place in a normal world, not a star trek world or any of those made up world.

The screenplay was really well-written! Richard Kelly succesfully built the story and the links between the characters. he even made up a new theory about parallel universe. This movie was an interesting way to understand about time travel and parallel universe. Richard Kelly had to make a fake book about Philosophy of Time Travel to guide us through the movie, so we can understand what he really meant. You wouldn't realize that it took place in parallel universe or in this movie called tangent universe, until Donnie found the existance of the book. And if you wanted to watch Donnie Darko for the first time, here's my advice... "PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK". Otherwise, you'd have to watch the whole movie again for the second time and read the analysis, well, like me. Also I think it would be better to watch the director's cut version because it has a clearer explanation about everything that Richard Kelly meant to tell. Most of the actions have explainable reasons, alhtought some of the action that Kelly made still left vague. But, that's okay, because sometimes you don't really need a detailed explanation and you just like it to be a mystery. That's what I feel about Donnie Darko.

Donnie Darko tempted me to learn more about time travel and parallel universe which I believe is real. I really want to say a big big thanks to Richard Kelly for making this movie. I felt like.... how do I put this, open a new horizon for me? (what? That's a weird saying). Anyway, Jack Gylenhaal's performance was convincing too as a teenager with troubled behaviour. I recalled reading an article about how Jack feels about Donnie Darko and he kinda said this... "yeah, I don't really know, what do you think?" He asked back! It means he didn't really understand it as a teenage boy who played Donnie, but he played it incredibly well. That's amazing, right? How the hell he did that?

If you already watched Donnie Darko and might not really understand what that was about. Well, like me. Don't be shy. There are two ways to resolve this. one, watch it again and try to understand it and two, I suggest you visit this link: http://www.salon.com/2004/07/23/darko. It'll help you a lot!

And here goes my verdict for Donnie Darko..... 5 out of 5!!!! No doubt!

Dogfight: Not A Chick-Flick Drama

I was really hooked when watching this 1991 drama romance movie, Dogfight. Probably it was because of River Phoenix, but not actually though. I recalled watching River’s movie My Own Private Idaho and I paused it so many times, but this? Not even a second. Literally a second!

The story is very simple, yeah well, it’s drama romance, and you don’t expect a complicated storyline. But I could relate to the main characters in this movie. It’s like I was really identified by them. For me, the chemistry between River and Lili Taylor was weird but I don’t know they somehow just got something that cliqued. It’s like they were perfect for each other eventhough had so many differences. River and Lili’s performaces were not that great, I mean everybody could do this, but what made them so special was their weird chemistry that I enjoyed so much. It was really sweet.

I knew this movie was directed by a female director because it was so girly and any girl who watched it could relate to it. I could feel Nancy Savoca’s feminim side. This movie was very sensitive too. I think if a male director did this, it wouldn’t be this great. It’s really obvious the main target market is mostly female and Nancy succeeded big time directing this movie! I mean, what else do you need in a drama romance other than two main characters and a sweet storyline with an explainable ending? This movie fulfilled those catagories, so yeah, it’s worth to watch if you were looking for some light movie without any of those stupid chick-flick drama. And so, here goes my verdict… 4 out of 5!!! Love it so much (I swear it’s not because of River)

RUSHMORE

Wes Anderson always made a good impression through his motion picture. Rushmore is a cult movie which had a quirky story about a young boy named Max Fischer told in a beautiful cinematographic style. He’s an expert of taking precision shots and combined it with the right props and sets, it’s magnificent! He always coddle my eyes through his movie, I mean, I’ve never seen anything so ordinary seemed so beautiful like in his movies in real life. I thought, Wes Anderson could only make beautiful shots because of the scenery in most of his movies are majestic. I mean, yeah if you had a beautiful scenery location for your movie, it wouldn’t be tough to make some beautiful shots. But I was wrong. Rushmore's sets were ordinary, like in some school and neighbourhood; these are two locations that you always see, right? But Wes Anderson made those locations looked so interesting through his cinematography. Yeah, you just can’t doubt about Anderson’s style. It’s guaranteed!

Jason Schwartzman and Bill Muray also gave their best performance. Although, the characters of Anderson’s movies are practically the same but to me it’s always interesting. You won’t meet those characters in real life; you only found them in Wes Anderson’s movie. The relationship between two main characters is weird yet priceless. It would make you chuckle and think how the hell it happened in the first place?!.

Owen Wilson took part writing the screenplay. It’s amazing, I’ve never knew that Wilson could write such screenplay this quirky but so good. He and Wes Anderson are nuts came up with this idea, because it was cute yet really strange to happen in real life. Everything in Wes Anderson’s movies always stays in Wes Anderson’s movies. I give Rushmore: 3.5 out of 5!!! It’s an interesting movie and so Wes Anderson. You have to see it if you love Wes so much!

The Cutest Bromance Ever

Despite the annoying score that made this picture looked like soap commercial, The Cure had a good storyline and two lovable main characters that moved the story. It’s about two innocent friends tried to find the cure for AIDS because one of them had AIDS. I could feel the irony, like you know there were no cure for AIDS but these two BFFs had a high expectation that somehow they could find it. Aaaaww, really sweet, right?

Actually, the story is simple, but both of the protagonists were good enough to make you laugh because of their innocence and somehow you did wish they would find the cure. Peter Horton succeeded to cast the talents. Young Brad Renfro and Joseph Mazzello were lovable and really got the chemistry eventhough their characteristic were so different! They easily made the viewers falling in love with their relationship, probably was the cutest bromance ever! I love the dialogue, it was natural and cute. The screenwriter really knew how to make the right dialogue for both of them without seemed like a tragedy, because this movie is for kids and he made the suitable dialogue about explaining about AIDS and how to not avoid people with this sickness. The message of this movie is good, every kid out there should watch this, I think.

And I really love the ending! Brad Renfro gave me bazillion gallons of tears! It was very touching, and you’d just cry so hard because of his innocence. The ending was great, I can’t think any alternate ending if Peter Horton didn’t go with this one. So, I give like 3.5 out of 5!! The story was really really great but what really bothered me so much was the soap commercial-like theme. To be honest, it was very annoying!

And one more thing, Brad Renfro Forever!!! (Wish he was still here)

When Irony Meets Comedy

If you combined irony and comedy, you’d get Good bye, Lenin! Wolfgang Becker was really good at combining those two aspects into an enjoyable movie. Set in German year 1990, East Germany and West Germany had just united and the citizen destroyed the Berlin wall. The idea of this movie is brilliant. As we know, East and West Germany had a very different perspective about anything. Becker retold the story of how these two countries unite in a very interesting and seriously funny way. He made political history theme seemed so interesting and easy. This political satire made me laugh so hard also felt the poignancy of Alex Kerner who tried to hide that Germany had united from his mom. Becker made everything I felt in between, so I think he succeed to make this political satire because one of the viewers (me) felt that way.

Although Alex Kerner’s character, portrayed by Daniel Bruhl seemed so simple, but it had to be tough picturing him. Daniel’s attempt succeed, he could combine his poignant feeling, his funny action and witty conversation between him and another character. His chemistry with his mother might a little bit awkward but you'd laugh because you just love it so much.

What made this movie so powerful was the screenplay. Written really carefully, the screenwriters knew where they had to put the audience to laugh but felt the irony. It was a very difficult job and I’m glad they made this movie with exact amount of comedy and irony. Every problem solved perfectly, they don’t leave the viewers hanging. So I give this movie 4 out of 5! It’s a recommended movie if you were looking for a fresh and extraordinary theme with a little bit of laughter.