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Posesif (2017)
Tackling important subject elegantly
Toxic relationship is a big deal for teens, and Edwin - the director - is tackling this topic with care, attention to details, and his utmost sensitivity. The movie makes discussions on domestic abuse accessible for many. Don't miss Chicco Kurniawan screen-stealing performance!
The Last Days of American Crime (2020)
Unnecessarily Convoluted Action / Dystopian Flick
The story goes here and there, the scenes try so hard to be dark, gloomy and moody, then the performances are B-grade. It's a mediocre movie that takes itself too seriously.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
A Black Tie Entertainment!
The trend of humanizing classic characters - such as Batman, Joker, and even Superman - by injecting more emotions continues. It was clearly expected that the James Bond being reintroduced by Mark Foster and Paul Haggis would be following this pattern. He is no longer a "superhero" that will save the whole world from a nuclear blast in the name of humanity. He is a brokenhearted agent in search of personal revenge.
Tacky it may sound, but Daniel Craig renders the fragility of Bond in a perfect gentleman manner. His every facial expression is true, and his every movement is well-choreographed. Craig carries his multiple tasks very well: an agent of masculinity, Tom Ford, Omega, and of pure entertainment. He cares even less about what kind of Martini he drinks, and he finds it unnecessary to introduce his "Bond. James Bond"-name. He's too busy, too masculine, and too troubled to follow the rules.
Pushing his character more the ground is M's tighter and tighter attachment to her beloved agent, whom she never addresses as a series of number - "007". Through a sinister remark, Bond spells out his son-mother relationship with M.
"Quantum of Solace" is a Bond with no sex, no gadget, and no mercy. (There's only one "Q" in this story, and it's not a good one!) Yet, the rather-simple storyline makes it accessible for every generation. The plot may seem to be paper thin, but the script actually is full of classy sensitivity that ascends every action sequence - which is plenty! "Quantum of Solace" is a black tie movie that holds the substance over style.
The Painted Veil (2006)
A fine, delicate, and moving story about love and its catastrophes
Dr. Walter Fane goes in a mission to stop cholera outbreak with a wounded heart after the infidelity of his immature wife, Kitty. In a staggering beauty of China, amidst the desperate cry for help from the people, healing comes for the broken marriage, and love renewed.
Lang Lang's heartbreaking piano combined with delicate visuals make "The Painted Veil" one of the most beautiful movie ever made. Conflict and love chemistry run in an engaging plot, through a subtle way. Both Edward Norton and Naomi Watts present the story in delighful performances.
It is quite impossible not to feel the deep emotional impact even days after watching it.
Superman Returns (2006)
Hollywood's Second Coming
Kitty sang, "He's got the whole world in His hands ....", and the next thing we knew was Superman carrying the big globe of Daily Planet on his mighty hands. It's true ... that while trying to defeat Lex Luthor who wanted to play God, Superman was playing Jesus Christ.
"A son becomes a father, and a father becomes a son," preached Jor-El to his beloved only son who got sent to Planet Earth to save mankind. Kal-El ("El" means "God" in Hebrew (or is it Aramic?)) then was "crucified" before Lex Luthor and his "Roman soldiers". Humiliated. Stabbed. Thrown down to the depths of the sea. He (almost) died, and then rose again.
Bryan Singer has presented us a new Saviour ... at least to save the Summer of 2006 from a row of Blockbuster-mediocre. Brandon Routh successfully placed himself as the cool Saviour - humanly in love too. How we fell for him once again, and how we prayed for salvation in his name! More than just delivering an excellent movie - perfect in every shot, perfect in every angle, perfect in every second - Singer is transforming a movie-watching experience into become a spiritual journey to rediscover our lost faith in today's epic movies!
I humbly bow down ....
Cars (2006)
Finally ... a joyride!
It is almost impossible to tower out "The Incredibles", but Pixar writers have managed to come up with a nicely character-driven story for "Cars". The main plot is pretty much predictable, the sub-plots are all in the usual formula - father and son, Tinsel Town-esquire love story, teamwork, friendship, and all that - yet, they all race equally fast to an ending your kids will take a lesson from - quite gently, I must say.
Without being preachy, without over-dramatized scenes, "Cars" bring the urbanites in a feel-good drive, and kids to a fun roller-coaster ride.
Keeping the story tight and script compact, "Cars" seems to have no time for a totally laugh-out-loud sequence. Nevertheless, it is really something to look up for a Sunday movie session with the whole family, after recent rolls of disappointing animation flicks.
7/10
Flightplan (2005)
What a disappointment!
1.
That terrorist hi-jack a plane only for a personal reason? Only to make himself rich? That's all? And he had to go all the complicated way of killing Jodie Foster's husband first, etc, etc?
Hey! Why don't you just do it the classic way? Rob a bank. We love heist movies better than this psychological thriller-wannabe.
2.
What? That's what you call an ending? That easy? All the build-ups just go "BANG!" like that?
Hopefully all what Foster has been building up in her acting career won't end the same way.