Another Street-Racing Flick

I hate that I haven’t watched anything worth to write movie lately. Two days ago, my sister asked me to accompany her watching Need For Speed. I actually hate all street-racing flicks, because I think they are all stupid. They just wanted to show some cool sport cars but the story was crappy with a lot of girls wearing bikinis in the middle of the night, like really?

Need For Speed was mediocre. Well, it was okay when the characters were inside the cars. It was pretty cool, though watching those sport cars raced in a high speed. But, when they finally get out of the car, I was like having my “uh-oh” moment. I hate the characters; Aaron Paul tried to portray the protagonist by being super unnecessary cool. No, Aaron, you’re better than this. Imogen Poots was dull as hell. She tried to portray a sexy intellegent woman and left no good impression to me at all. Even, his British accent felt stupid and phony, and she’s a British in real life. The story was drab, forced and has no point at all. I mean, it was about revenge? Please. It’s like the screenwriter run out of ideas.

Well, it’s better if the characters stayed in the cars, just drive and never get out. Once they got out, I want to get out of the theatre too. I wished this movie end sooner, because it was boring and they tried to make suspenses with surprising sound effect that would make your heart fail. Ugh, I hate that, it’s getting old and it’s not even a horror movie. My verdict is, okay, I’m being nice because I love Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad, 1 out of 5. If you’re not a street-racing flick lover, don’t even try to watch this movie. You’re gonna have the longest 1 and a half hour in your life.

Grave of the Fireflies

If my friend didn’t tell me that Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru No Haka) is one of the best movies Studio Ghibli ever made, I wouldn’t have the heart to watch it until the end. I mean, how come any person could sit through the animation movie about a little girl left by her mother during World War II. Seriously, I didn’t have the heart to watch it, but I was just sitting through it and fight my uncomfortable feeling. And yeah, my friend is right… big time.

I was having a real sobfest the whole movie. It was both ironic and tragic, but somehow really sweet and beautiful. The little girl, Setsuko bonded with her brother, Seita since her mother died. Their relationship was priceless. I wish I had an elder sibling like Seita. This Seita figure officialy makes me failed in being an elder sibling to my younger sibling.

For the animation technique, well, you never doubt Studio Ghibli. They have great resumes and every year it gets even better. What makes this movie interesting is the story. At the first minutes, you’d love this Setsuko’s character because she was so cute and you’d do anything for her. Then, when the conflict arose, she became a little bit annoying but her brother always tried to cheer her up. That what makes their relationship is priceless. Both of the protagonists were lovable, and you wish you could see them together forever. You could feel Seita’s affection to Setsuko like he realized that he had to protect his little sister no matter what. Also, the scoring supported the story very much. Placed in the right scene and the right time. I’m not gonna lie to you, but I had those sobfest pretty much because of the scoring. And well, mostly because of Setsuko’s dialogue and her innocence, but the scoring was one of the big aspect that affected to the mood of the viewers, though.

After watching this movie, I probably should check other Isao Takahata’s movies. I always thought that Miyazaki was the brightest of Studio Ghibli and never check any movie directed by other director in Studio Ghibili. But, once again, I’m so freaking-deadly wrong. Yeah, since The Secret World of Arrietty, I probably should watch another movie that wasn’t directed by Miyazaki. And for the last, I give this movie 5 out of 5!!! Seriously, you have to watch this movie if you want to test whether you’re sensitive enough… or not.

A Non-Stop Suspense

I might be a little late to write a review about Non-Stop. I never interested in watching Liam Neeson’s movies before; turns out I’m so deadly wrong about this one. If it’s Liam Neeson then you know that you’re gonna have a big amount of action stuff in the screen. Well I never liked his kinda action movie with a lot of crash cars and planes, but Non-Stop brought me to a whole new level of suspense.

Joume Collet-Serra really cares about his viewers. I mean, he built a super fun suspense about an airplane hijacking. You know, there are a lot of movies quite like this one, but this one’s different. You don’t know who hijack the plane, you don’t know who terorize the protagonist, and you’re gonna suspect everyone because it could’ve been anyone. And Liam Neeson played the protagonist beautifully, he’s the one who moved the plot and made everything interesting. He played a hero without any of those stereotype heroic moves. It was naturally portrayed by him and you’re gonna rooting for him big time! Also when you watch this movie, you won’t get bored. There are some action-mystery movies that you wish that it’d end quickly because you tired of the suspense they gave and you just want to know who the bad guy is, but Non-Stop is different. You’re gonna enjoy your one and a half hour so much. You will enjoy the suspense and carried by the story Joume Collet-Sera made.

But, you know, nobody’s perfect. This movie’s weakness was the lack of back story of the antagonist and the reason behind this hijacking. You’d wish it was because of something very big and have a lot of impact in anybody. No, don’t expect that kinda back story because you won’t get it. Well, just enjoy the suspense and Liam Neeson’s acting. After all, I love this movie, entertain me so much, though.  I’ll give this movie 4 out of 5. 

The Secret World Of Arrietty

I’ve always been a huge fan of Hayao Miyazaki since Spirited Away became a hit. He always thinks outside the box and his animation movies are unique and I don’t know I just love it eventhough most of them are strange and very imaginative. The Secret World of Arrietty probably  the most “normal” movie among any Miyazaki's movies. Well not really “normal” but anyone could sit through the movie until the end. It even made the top list of my Miyazaki’s favorite movies. I’ve seen quite a few movies with an idea like this, but to me, Miyazaki’s is the most lovely, heart-warming and awesome movie with this kind of idea.

Every Miyazaki’s movie always left something to its viewers. Although, he only wrote this movie's screenplay but still a deep message secretly told through his animations. Eventhough it’s always presented in a strangely kinda way but you always have something to remember after watching it. So was The Secret World of Arrietty, it secretly left a deep message to the viewers without forcing it. It’s just lovely because kids these days need to watch this kind of animation movie.

The strong-willing of the main protagonist is the most powerful thing this movie had. I really love Arrietty’s character. She was willing to learn anything new, she struggled and tried hard to protect her family and she was pretty courageous. This is one of a hell protagonist because her body size is little and she was willing to do everything to protect her family. I also love her chemistry and Sho, it’s confusing althought you really wish they could be together no matter their how big and how small they were.

So, I give The Secret World Of Arrierty 4.5 out of 5! I really wish Miyazaki could make any other great animation movies, because as a fan I feel loss when he announced that he’s retiring after his latest movie, The Wind Rises. It means, he’s retiring now because it’s already released. No matter where you are, you’ll always be loved, Hayao Miyazaki. Thank you for making those imaginations came true. 

Three Dysfunctional Brothers & A Spiritual Journey

How many times I told you that I’m a big fan of Wes Anderson and The Darjeeling Limited only makes me love him more and more. Set in India, three dysfunctional brothers tried to have a spiritual journey to meet their mother. As usual, the characters are very unique. They have unsual characteristic that would make you chuckle because it wouldn’t happen in real life. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman succeed brought the life out of those brothers. They really won my heart because they were so lovable.

The cinematography and mise en scene is very typical Wes Anderson. Something that really caught my eyes on is the luggages those brothers have. It was cute and very important props. Apparently, those luggages designed by Louis Vuitton. Well no wonder it had everyone eyes on, it was so cathcy yet so bizarre. Really looked like designer bags because the design was unique and I've never see one like that before. I'd kill to have those bags! seriously. Wes Anderson also always coddled my eyes through his cinematography. Through Wes’ cinematography India could looked majesticly beautiful. Every color he used in his movie is in harmony. It just naturally fit the screen and you’ll just love it.

So, I give this movie 4 out of 5. I just love Wes very much. I might not be able to rate his movie below 3, because he always gave the best in his movies. At least, if you didn’t like the story, you’d just love his shots and his sets & props. Yeah, those are the things Wes best at.

Oscar Babble

First I want to say Congratulations!!!! For all the Oscar Winners. Eventhough, sometimes I don’t agree with The Academy, but I know they will choose the best out of those film makers and actors in Hollywood. It is sad, because I don’t have a cable at home, so I can’t watch Academy Awards live. But, thanks to technology, I now could read the live-tweet from those my favorite twitter accounts. So far my favorites are @Forbes @IMDb @HuffingtonPost @Eonline and @Woodstock. They were live-tweeting the Oscars! So I know the results and what was happening there. Also big thanks to my friend Arina Karen cause we were live-chatting about Oscar and talked about how super hot Benedict Cumberbatch was. #Cumberbitches.

I’m gonna blab about The Oscar Winners now.

The first one I knew was Best Supporting Actor this year is Jared Leto! I knew it! My prediction is right. You might have read my review about Dallas Buyers Club. Jared Leto did a super duper great job portraying a drag queen after a long hiatus from the wide screen. He indeed deserves an Oscar for that!

And don’t forget about his mate in Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew Mcconaughey also won the Best Actor! Ugh, I kinda love-hate it. I rooted for Leo DiCaprio big time, you know. Because he really deserves an Oscar, he starred in so many good movies but he never won one. He also only nominated for like 3 times. It is sad Leo didn’t bring the Oscar home but it’s also hard to envy Matthew. He did a great job portraying a struggled hustler who tried to change the world. So I’m gonna say… Matthew, you deserve the oscars. And Leo, people in the internet won’t die in peace if you haven’t won the Oscar. At some point, you will!

Lupita Nyong’o brought the Oscar home for Best Supporting Actress. She played Patsey in 12 Years A Slave. Honestly, I haven’t done with 12 Years A Slave. I keep it pause for weeks. I was bored because the movie was really slow and 2 hours long. But I caught Lupita a glimpse. She was pretty good though. I never heard Lupita’s name before now she won both Golden Globe and Oscar. That’s something! I really love her, though. She’s not that beautiful like other African-American actress like Hale Berry but somehow she managed herself beautiful. She showed up in red carpets wearing dazzling dresses and you just know that she’s super stunning! She really got class!

For the Best Actress we have Cate Blanchett! Congratulations! I knew you’d win! Although I rooted for Sandy Bullock but I think one Oscar is enough, right? Cate’s performance in Blue Jasmine was enchanting. Portraying a socialite who went bankrupt and tried to struggle with her new life was hard. Since the main conflict was within her. I gotta say Cate did a really good job. She also inspires so many women out there that eventhough you are down, at least you have to dress nicely, because good thing will happen:)

Frozen won two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. I knew this would happen. Nobody rejects it. Everyone agrees that Frozen is the best animated film last year! It brought back Disney gold era. It has every Disney formula to make a good animated film. The lovely protagonist, the witty sidekick and bunch of great songs. This achievement also makes Robert Lopez (Let It Go songwriter) officialy an EGOT (Emmy Grammy Oscar Tony) winner. Wow! That’s really cool, right?! It’s hard finding an EGOT now, since Whoopi Goldberg. LOL.

In the other hand, Gravity brought the most Oscar home. This movie is super cool, so no wonder, right? Gravity won Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects and BEST DIRECTOR! WOOOW, JUST WOOOW! You seriously have to watch this, because you will be like… “oh right, it’s obvious it won the most Oscar”. You can’t doubt Alfonso Cuaron and his team. One of the best movies ever!

The Great Gatsby won Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. It’s obvi. The most majestic movie all time. Just, no wonder if we take a look back at all the Baz Luhrmann’s movies, you just know that they will win the Oscars for those two categories.

12 Years A Slave won Best Adapted Screenplay and BEST PICTURE. Honestly, I didn’t see it coming. I thought Terrence Winter would win the Best Adapted Screenplay and Gravity would win the Best Picture. Turns out, my prediction was wrong. I really should unpause my 12 Years A Slave. I know it’s not fair to pause a movie after Benedict Cumberbatch’s part ended. (Sorry, I will get back to it).

And the last…. HER won BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY. Congratulations Spike Jonze! You really deserve it. I knew Spike Jonze will bring Oscar home, because Her is a unique movie that represents our possible future in this planet. Spike Jonze always think outside the box. Love it very much!

So, that pretty much sums up my thought about Oscar 2014 winners. How about you? Did your Oscar predictions are right? Please share your thoughts; I’d love to listen to it!

Congratulations for the winners! You all really deserve that!

One more thing, I still want to watch Leo holding the Oscar statue. #SadLeo #NotNowLeo #YouWillLeo.

NO! It'd be mean!