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rafkiridwan
Reviews
Top Shot (2010)
Nice
First of all, it doesn't really bother me that this show airs on History Channel. After all, this is the same channel that gives us Ancient Aliens, Pawn Stars, American Pickers and Larry the frickin cable guy. If H channel wants to show us a reality TV with gifted marksmen and markswomen, doing all kinds of shooting with all kinds guns/rifles/bows/etc and blow stuffs up, then i'm all for it. This show is way better than any other reality shows.
Though there are small conflicts here and there, the contestants are generally likable. This show also featured many talented individuals who can pick up and mastered new skills in a relatively short time. Most of the challenges have required some marksmanship feats that are difficult or legendary for shooters with experience with the weapon. It's surprising to me seeing that at least half the contestants have minimal or no experience and yet they still generally perform competently. And the coolest thing is contestants can shoot their way out of the elimination, making the better, more well rounded shooters to live to compete another day.
The editing doesn't really bother me. It's standard reality quick cut stuffs, but it gives you some dynamic and makes it more interesting. I don't want to see a camera that's fixed only at the targets, while shooting is in progress, while listening to to Colby's obvious comments (He hits!, He miss!) that would be too boring. I want to see the experts nervous, i want to see them fumbles and out of their elements, and i want to see them triumph against all odds.
In summary, if you like guns and people who can shoot them extremely well, you'll like this show. If you are purists who like to watch "real" sports show or competitions, you might as well go outside to the event and watch it live rather than watching it on TV (on History channel on top of all that, oh, the blasphemy!)
Merantau (2009)
I Gotta Be Honest...
When I've found out about this film and the rave local reviews that surround it, I was a bit skeptical. The poster makes it looks like an "Ong-Bak" imitation, and let's face it; without the success that Ong-Bak gained, this film probably wouldn't be made in the first place.
And I bet that the balls-to-the-walls action and fight sequences that Merantau had (a huge improvement compared to laughably stiff kung fu knock off that they tried to pass off as "silat" on the television, fireballs, flying and all) was inspired from Tony Jaa's stuffs too.
But don't get me wrong, this film is awesome. even with all that doubt, i couldn't help but be amazed watching Iko Uwais doing his thing. the way they portrayed Pencak Silat as an unique martial arts (combining speed, guile, grace of a dancer, and a high pain threshold) that could hold up against other styles makes me think "finally, somebody gets it".
The acting is even better than most Indonesian "film" that came around the same year. Though the plot is not the most original, at least it's solid. And the stunts, damn, where do they get these people? they're amazing to say the least.
I do have a bit problem with the Padang (West Sumatra) language/accent; coming from West Sumatra himself, my Dad straight away pointed to me that the way they speak is an odd mix of Padang and Indonesian, even when they're in kampung (village), where they supposed to speak in full Padang language. Perhaps a bit nitpicking, but still an annoyance for people who came from West Sumatra.
Despite some of its flaws, this film is like a breath of fresh air among the staleness of Indonesian Action film genre. I truly like this film and I hope this film will inspired others to make a movie at least as good as this. Bravo, Merantau. Too bad that sequels are probably out of question, huh?