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!)

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)

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)

My Own Private "Potato State"

I wanted to watch My Own Private Idaho badly because I’m like having a huge crush on River Phoenix. Turns out this Gus Van Sant’s film is a little bit confusing. He presented the introduction of each character too long and it was like watching a play rather than a movie. There were one set and the characters just talked to each other about something that I didn’t really understand at first, but then, I seemed like slowly getting what they really meant.

The first half of the movie, I was really trying to survive to continue watching this because of River. Then, the second half, I was finally getting the problem what the characters really wanted to solve. This movie needs every patience you have if you really wanted to finish it. In the second half, Gus Van Sant finally explained to us the relationship between Scott and Mike, and it was really sweet. River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves really had the chemistry to play two bestfriends that really care about each other. I really love how Gus Van Sant built the chemistry between them. And River’s performance at first might seemed kinda dull but if you kept watching you’re gonna be amazed! He was just so good and natural portraying any character.

I kinda disappointed about the ending, though. Gus Van Sant didn’t solve the problem that he threw to us. It was like a hit and run, you know. You’d better give me a complete solution or an open ending at least. This was like an open ending, but I just didn’t like how it just ended like there was nothing to answer anymore , meanwhile I still have a lot of questions about the movie and maybe he thought that it was okay for the viewers but it is not okay for me because most of my wish wasn't fulfilled. My rating for My Own Private Idaho is 3 out of 5!! This movie just makes me even sadder and wondering why River had to leave us that quick. 

Oh, one more, Keanu and River said Hi :p

Stand By Me

Touching. Maybe it’s the right word to describe Stand By Me. A 1986 comedy-drama movie directed by Rob Reiner. I don’t know what to say, you should just watch it yourself. This movie is a whole package. Rob Reiner gave you a good story, good characters, good talents and good enough style for a drama movie. What else do you need? You’re gonna cry like a little baby when this movie ends, you will. Rob Reiner is really an expert of making people cry!

I love how Rob Reiner made those little boys had their own characteristics. I love the chemistry between Gordy and Chris. If I’m gonna be a mother someday I wish my son had a best friend like Chris. He was just the best, his character was so lovable. Young River Phoenix was so talented! (I wish he was still alive now L ). Those little boys naturally fit the character and they threw some cute and witty jokes that made them so lovable, eventhough at first you thought they were just four brats. And I love how this movie slowly touched your soul without being so mellow. It just happened naturally without being forced. This movie is an example of a perfect drama movie.

Also, who could resist young Wil Wheaton and River Phoenix? And for those of you who making fun of John Cusack, just watch this movie, he was really cute. I don’t know what’s wrong with him now, He looks creepy. Oh, I forgot about Kiefer Sutherland. Yeah he was good looking and he is still now.

My verdict: 4.5 out of 5. Rob Reiner is just the best!