tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46536891313568001502024-03-06T00:05:01.315-08:00MOVIE SYNOPSISanitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.comBlogger447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-40487210825974222532017-08-07T07:13:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.754-07:00The Glass Castle<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bdNiNhSeSDk" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Destin Cretton is anything but a household name. Yet, the gifted filmmaker turned heads with his massively overlooked 2013 drama, <i>Short Term 12</i>. The effort bridged together Cretton's singular story and vision with the remarkable acting talents of Brie Larson. Since then Larson has gone on to win an Academy Award (<i>Room</i>), but her career comes full circle in her latest collaboration with Destin Cretton in the adapted film <i>The Glass Castle</i>.<br /><br />Told non-chronologically through various flashbacks, <i>The Glass Castle</i> follows the unconventional childhood of gossip columnist and eventual Best-Selling author Jeannette Walls (Larson). Prior to her career as a writer, Walls grows up under the dysfunctional supervision of her alcoholic father (Woody Harrelson) and her amateur artist mother (Naomi Watts). But as Jeannette and her siblings begin to mature and fully comprehend their squatter-lifestyle and impoverished upbringing, they must work together to escape the clutches of their deadbeat parents.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid71xsxvdE-GWq47Prf_5tZAPCP5S6tcI5G-COQAJyhlN7Z0JXHfwI3A6ntkKWEcFhsVkFQiMmqacPO83Yz53qSE-5Y0Tuo4DecM3l2ZpxdDoheQcn-_TKpjj9VYtF9sUFCU9Sitblc6M/s1600/glass+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid71xsxvdE-GWq47Prf_5tZAPCP5S6tcI5G-COQAJyhlN7Z0JXHfwI3A6ntkKWEcFhsVkFQiMmqacPO83Yz53qSE-5Y0Tuo4DecM3l2ZpxdDoheQcn-_TKpjj9VYtF9sUFCU9Sitblc6M/s320/glass+castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Destin Cretton's <i>The Glass Castle</i> serves as a heavy drama that illustrates the director's keen vision and his cast's stellar performances. There are many captured shots scattered throughout the film that transcend the normal standards of direction, reminding us just how impressive Cretton truly is. Likewise, Brie Larson continues to shine and reinforce her standing as one of the best actresses alive today. And her counterpart, the underappreciated Woody Harrelson, always has a knack for commanding the screen. Witnessing these two titanic performers deliver the goods over and over again for more than two hours is what keeps this film from crumbling at the hands of its weaker elements.<br /><br />For starters, <i>The Glass Castle</i> begins its constant rewinding of time through flashbacks with a fluid approach that effectively links the present with the past. However, eventually, the film ditches its smooth transitions and forcefully breaks from its underlying format. And as Jeannette's character begins to truly ponder the joy vs. sorrow of her childhood, deciding whether her father was an inspiration or a burden, the flashbacks become a hokey and contrived element rather than a useful and informative tool. But even through much of the screenplay's over-extension and sloppiness, exceptional direction and performances keep the audience connected to this powerful tale of familial struggle.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B-<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-71093776056851793252017-08-03T06:45:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.772-07:00DVD Outlook: August 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEh4pwLVVGrVP3mVVNSBNiZ3RH95sluoZFEL7ekMlW1EaWSYp6GGiZd1UugQM9CRdMMQ2IpG5mC0pLRtIO-Qr6Bf-CuYVZNP_NXlPXFXnYO-2MXRlzbZGHhMGI395IrgBB8Dv_GxFog4/s1600/dvd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="350" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEh4pwLVVGrVP3mVVNSBNiZ3RH95sluoZFEL7ekMlW1EaWSYp6GGiZd1UugQM9CRdMMQ2IpG5mC0pLRtIO-Qr6Bf-CuYVZNP_NXlPXFXnYO-2MXRlzbZGHhMGI395IrgBB8Dv_GxFog4/s320/dvd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It appears August is rather barren with new DVD and streaming options (<b><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/07/dvd-outlook-july-2017.html">July's suggestions</a></b>). Thankfully, a hot slate of diverse theatrical offerings such as <i>The Big Sick</i>, <i>Dunkirk</i>, <i>War for the Planet of the Apes</i>, <i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> and so much more, you can find a worthwhile movie to enjoy no matter what your personal preference may be. Either way, here's a look at what's available on DVD and streaming services this month.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/svnAD0TApb8" width="518"></iframe> <b><br /></b><b><i><br /></i></b><br /><b><i>Alien: Covenant</i> - 3 stars out of 4 - (<a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/05/film-alien-covenant-starring-katherine.html">Read my full review here</a>)</b><br /><br />Earlier this year Ridley Scott returned to his storied <i>Alien</i> universe once again with the follow-up to 2012's <i>Prometheus</i>. In the latest installment, Scott and company shift their efforts from cryptic to visceral and disturbing with a bloody and twisted affair that feels immensely more horror-based than its predecessor. While on a colonizing mission to jump-start the humanity on a distant planet, crew members of the Covenant are awoken from their hibernation state following a malfunction with the vessel. Consequently, they abandon their long-term plans for a closer destination that proves to be a deadly decision. <i>Covenant</i> isn't the craftiest effort from the franchise but it certainly delivers some fine moments. It's difficult to sense where Ridley Scott will take things from here but as long as there's another <i>Alien</i> film, you can count me in. <b>(August 15th)</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c9iOjoOEYUw" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><b><i>Chuck</i> - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1610525/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2">Not Scored or Reviewed</a></b><br /><b><br /></b>Rarely do I put a film that I haven't seen in my top 3 suggestions, but <i>Chuck</i> is one I've heard good things about and I plan to watch immediately. I had an advanced screening planned but because of unforeseen circumstances I had to pass my tickets along to a friend who raved about the Chuck Wepner biopic. Liev Schreiber stars as the retired boxer whose real life title fight with Muhammad Ali inspired the screenplay for Sylvester Stallone's Best Picture Winner, <i>Rocky</i>. With co-stars Naomi Watts, Elisabeth Moss and Michael Rappaport, this intriguing examination regarding the origins of one of Hollywood's most prolific films has legitimate knockout potential. <b>(August 15th)</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ORL1d7GWoBc" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><b><i>Sleight</i> - 2 stars out of 4 - (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4573516/?ref_=nv_sr_1">No review available</a>)</b><br /><br />Under a normal set of circumstances, a film like <i>Sleight</i> wouldn't land in my top 3 suggestions. However, a lackluster crop of titles opens the door for this rather intriguing tale with a mediocre delivery. Newcomer Jacob Latimore stars as Bo, a young street magician who's forced to care for his young sister after the loss of their parents. Taking his remarkable talents to the streets for a modest payday, Bo becomes entangled with a dangerous drug dealer in order to make ends meet. But once he realizes that he's getting in too deep, he must figure out a way to cut ties and make it out alive. There's definitely more than meets the eye with <i>Sleight</i>, including some unexpected sci-fi that fits very well into the storyline. However, creativity doesn't hold the film back, it's a weak delivery and unimpressive acting that tempers the overall experience. <b>(August 1st)</b><br /><br /><br /><b>Honorable Mention:</b> One of August's biggest DVD releases is the highly anticipated, albeit very disappointing, Marvel sequel <b><i><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/05/rapid-reviews-guardians-of-galaxy-vol-2.html">Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2</a></i> (8/22)</b>. Other mediocre options that I've reviewed include the war thriller <b><i><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/05/rapid-reviews-guardians-of-galaxy-vol-2.html">The Wall</a></i> (8/15)</b>, Zach Braff's geriatric heist comedy <b><i><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/04/rapid-reviews-free-fire-and-going-in.html">Going in Style</a></i> (8/1)</b>, and SXSW selection <b><i><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/04/rapid-reviews-gifted-and-colossal.html">Colossal</a></i> (8/1)</b> with Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis. I highly suggest avoiding one of 2017's weakest efforts, the sci-fi drama <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4287320/?ref_=nv_sr_1">The Circle</a></i> (8/1)</b> starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. Finally, other notable options that I haven't seen include <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334871/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Snatched</a></i> (8/8)</b>, Guy Ritchie's <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1972591/?ref_=nv_sr_1">King Arthur: Legend of the Sword</a></i> (8/8)</b>, <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1469304/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Baywatch</a></i> (8/29)</b> and indie <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4411596/?ref_=nv_sr_1">My Cousin Rachel</a></i> (8/29)</b>.<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-17753240295294725182017-07-31T16:07:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.786-07:00The Best Performances in Christopher Nolan Films<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ3xkQJ46PEDepCJC5Ikx3qG-QFx7nW0om1Mg-scie8OfTVQU9AKSDMSiEZtNse3vs7Um07SX0Mgz1J6uL3DHgpBNhrcmNIjK7d8VW-ZedRzTBNM3x2bBp0HOatsmhCp0QTaNxUzgVUY/s1600/christopher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ3xkQJ46PEDepCJC5Ikx3qG-QFx7nW0om1Mg-scie8OfTVQU9AKSDMSiEZtNse3vs7Um07SX0Mgz1J6uL3DHgpBNhrcmNIjK7d8VW-ZedRzTBNM3x2bBp0HOatsmhCp0QTaNxUzgVUY/s320/christopher.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like a writer pushing his deadline, guest-writer Greg Rouleau has stepped in to deliver the first of a three-part Movie List of the Month featuring the magnificent Christopher Nolan just before the calendar changed to August (<b><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-best-movie-dads.html">June's list</a></b>). To begin the upcoming movie list series Greg begins by highlighting the Top 10 performances featured in Nolan's film catalog. Here's a look at the selections:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#10. Matthew McConaughey - <i>Interstellar</i> (2014)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONpiOYmN8XSAh2GCdSe0JJehI73zPYOqsdJq6F9yrQIbCBXzetAhhBWicS3Hf_IW6Z4yEifdjGg4Pi0EvbomQCxTYl5d586O59hxSpG6R-CLB19_j3SQhc5pYU10ufawwX8L_40rqMA4/s1600/interstellar-matthew-mcconaughey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONpiOYmN8XSAh2GCdSe0JJehI73zPYOqsdJq6F9yrQIbCBXzetAhhBWicS3Hf_IW6Z4yEifdjGg4Pi0EvbomQCxTYl5d586O59hxSpG6R-CLB19_j3SQhc5pYU10ufawwX8L_40rqMA4/s320/interstellar-matthew-mcconaughey3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The apex of the “McConaissance” came when McConaughey, fresh off an Academy Award win for Best Actor, signed on to star in Nolan’s big-budget sci-fi epic, with an ensemble that included its fair share of Oscar winners and nominees. Heading this cast in impressive fashion, McConaughey’s Cooper perfectly embodies the rural American family man who can’t deny his dormant thrill for exploration when he’s chosen to lead a team through a wormhole in hopes of discovering a new home for Earth’s inhabitants. Coop’s great balance of heart, heroism and exuberance captain us through the equally emotional and thrilling time-bending odyssey as he faces the possibility of never seeing his family again, in a mission that – while however bleak - he deems as completely necessary. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#9. Al Pacino - <i>Insomnia</i> (2002)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOXfe4leqB8TMR81mCdqdrVHOHApsOlV2MBZayfQYbGcN-3L3g3ow_5S6srx92TUtWfel0Ni96JR24cNZhsyXAPPAIynoWeBJFrSSi1VWczH9DKGyhmkzUJwwTeVG4pKpSDg3jXaGZfc/s1600/pacino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="976" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOXfe4leqB8TMR81mCdqdrVHOHApsOlV2MBZayfQYbGcN-3L3g3ow_5S6srx92TUtWfel0Ni96JR24cNZhsyXAPPAIynoWeBJFrSSi1VWczH9DKGyhmkzUJwwTeVG4pKpSDg3jXaGZfc/s320/pacino.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Al Pacino (Will Dormer) has never had an issue with playing it big -- chewing up the scenery was almost his shtick around the time he won an Oscar in 1992 -- but what Nolan pulls out of Pacino in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Insomnia</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is a tremendously subtle, nuanced performance. He never allows his performance to overshadow the story. The movie is a masterclass in atmosphere and much of that is aided by the veteran Pacino as a guilt-stricken detective suffering from major sleep deprivation as he tracks down the suspected killer.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#8. Guy Pearce - <i>Memento</i> (2000)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PPhXYLzyh1tzG_N1Aa5H6IFigl2p8F_T3qKc9RFwvVWSFFDi0jKP1UKXraJ9rCoCajZ0EJ7MSPrKslBc9phimtS0pO5VM27RUHwRjTwLJ7ZWSX-X9vbLZLzEMjYKtcr5KNLywQT8OSc/s1600/pearce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PPhXYLzyh1tzG_N1Aa5H6IFigl2p8F_T3qKc9RFwvVWSFFDi0jKP1UKXraJ9rCoCajZ0EJ7MSPrKslBc9phimtS0pO5VM27RUHwRjTwLJ7ZWSX-X9vbLZLzEMjYKtcr5KNLywQT8OSc/s1600/pearce.jpg" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Memento</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is the movie that made Christopher Nolan a name on the indie scene, and much of that can be attributed to the strong performance by Guy Pearce as the short-term memory deficient Leonard Shelby. Pearce brings Nolan’s screenplay to life with his ability to have us empathize with Leonard as he struggles to deal with his condition. If it weren’t bad enough that he spends half the movie tattooing notes on his body that serve as reminders of mundane tasks, we also come to understand his desire for vengeance that motivates him as he tracks down his wife’s killer. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#7. Marion Cotillard - <i>Inception</i> (2010)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1Kaxy5Wwu1YQGQQ79O0Ji9w5NpX0TSns5P17rvX2KXKDQGnuPP2hUHV3JjpMudOMGgelT5MwmxUQ_8yvCUbeRePFVRb-SFiH083qLpSNGVpL4yMOQM3RA0oewMlQDImpR9SE62CQyqI/s1600/inception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1Kaxy5Wwu1YQGQQ79O0Ji9w5NpX0TSns5P17rvX2KXKDQGnuPP2hUHV3JjpMudOMGgelT5MwmxUQ_8yvCUbeRePFVRb-SFiH083qLpSNGVpL4yMOQM3RA0oewMlQDImpR9SE62CQyqI/s320/inception.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Much of Nolan’s films are male dominated with the actresses relegated to background roles and love interests. With </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inception</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, the French Oscar winner was tasked with arguably the most well rounded role for a woman in a Nolan movie to date. As Mal, she is both the ambiguous villain whose projection haunts Cobb and creates a barrier between him and his team’s goal. And through flashbacks, she is the loving wife that our protagonist left behind and stands as a symbol of what he once had. Cotillard conveys both sides of her character flawlessly and delivers one of the finest performances in a Nolan movie, regardless of gender. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#6. Robin Williams - <i>Insomnia</i> (2002)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY6YTaZZCjKgO6xBy7vWeb4I_fE7TP46VCBOs4rful6qkbhk8h9eirEv9fY9lmznF74fo-s9OLK50Lv0cURTkd2l4-Liz2lV19ruO7Ch9LfuZYZdISbm1_Zp6onVC3j24dtzK9J77Kyk/s1600/williams.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1170" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY6YTaZZCjKgO6xBy7vWeb4I_fE7TP46VCBOs4rful6qkbhk8h9eirEv9fY9lmznF74fo-s9OLK50Lv0cURTkd2l4-Liz2lV19ruO7Ch9LfuZYZdISbm1_Zp6onVC3j24dtzK9J77Kyk/s320/williams.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What makes Al Pacino’s role in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Insomnia </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">work incredibly well is that he’s playing opposite of another major star at the top of his game, in Robin Williams as the obsessed author, Walter Finch. In a year that saw Williams shed his typical funnyman reputation in favor of darker, edgier roles -- also seen in the underrated </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One Hour Photo </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-- it was truly remarkable to see how easily he could make the transition. Williams had always shown a knack for the dramatic, but it was eerie to see just how well he could play sadistic. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#5. Gary Oldman - <i>The Dark Knight</i> (2008)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff02qFMAxohcpcHrQUNwCz2TyaYNSoHOzFGYrb76FKK1rYgi7VOHleFN8o_3Hm2QtMa7OKAI8Hd27OFPKyiaRxfOErK71excDpf6XFGMu1fiPYJIFO8MN-OeOdGmW_lLH8lFxCHwkAYY/s1600/oldman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="570" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff02qFMAxohcpcHrQUNwCz2TyaYNSoHOzFGYrb76FKK1rYgi7VOHleFN8o_3Hm2QtMa7OKAI8Hd27OFPKyiaRxfOErK71excDpf6XFGMu1fiPYJIFO8MN-OeOdGmW_lLH8lFxCHwkAYY/s320/oldman.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Dark Knight</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Gary Oldman turns in one of the best performances in the entire Dark Knight trilogy. Ironically -- in a film with an all-time classic villain portrayal -- Oldman, usually known for being cast as the antagonist, slips further into the straight-edged Gordon with grace and ease. It was evident from </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Batman Begins</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that Oldman had a strong grasp on the character and here he’s given much more to do including facing off against both the Joker and Two-Face and delivering the rousing final monologue that hammers home why Batman truly is the “Dark Knight”.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#4. Christian Bale - <i>Batman Begins</i> (2006)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRVsHZUXB5gnOd4msJGI6TTNjg75BRcdqu3B3tfj9cqRE4yCtb9nBkhUzytX8wAdq8L6p8UeiMvIRdVcO-q_VJr9etHRT5FtDEtjiKam9uVTb_wskz-rZBNL8ddfs8d9t1BQwOUDesgA/s1600/bale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="574" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRVsHZUXB5gnOd4msJGI6TTNjg75BRcdqu3B3tfj9cqRE4yCtb9nBkhUzytX8wAdq8L6p8UeiMvIRdVcO-q_VJr9etHRT5FtDEtjiKam9uVTb_wskz-rZBNL8ddfs8d9t1BQwOUDesgA/s320/bale.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Christian Bale was a relative unknown when he was cast as Bruce Wayne in the summer of 2003. In his audition, Christopher Nolan mentioned he could see in Bale’s eyes the determination of someone who would go to such great lengths to create something as extraordinary as the Batman. Thankfully, the movie works because of what Nolan saw in that audition. It’s difficult to remember now after a successful trilogy, but the Batman franchise was on life support after the critically panned </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Batman & Robin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Batman Begins</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> success rested on the shoulders of Bale who not only revived the franchise but sent it to new heights with his impeccable portrayal of both Bruce Wayne and the Caped Crusader. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#3. Mark Rylance - <i>Dunkirk</i> (2016)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVLCKvKWCAjwbaYTyJrbJKw7gPGrgIXC5E2UwfHepycgYC_cvU2jzpmTbTot1mw5dqLDcwut1kVSb3Rr6kT5rpvKFAjOJOu1H0yHkQC7gMlv2t6YVl8pijLSCaCGzVPoGGFwG_LSfyDM/s1600/rylance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVLCKvKWCAjwbaYTyJrbJKw7gPGrgIXC5E2UwfHepycgYC_cvU2jzpmTbTot1mw5dqLDcwut1kVSb3Rr6kT5rpvKFAjOJOu1H0yHkQC7gMlv2t6YVl8pijLSCaCGzVPoGGFwG_LSfyDM/s320/rylance.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In a movie where dialogue is kept to a minimum, it takes a true artist to give the kind of performance that Mark Rylance pulls off in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dunkirk</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. As the stiff upper-lipped Mr. Dawson, Rylance portrays him with such poise as he heads into a situation where the odds of survival are grim. One standout moment is late in the film when Dawson must acknowledge that his son made the right move to pacify a shell-shocked soldier, as he nods approvingly at his son’s coming to terms with the gravity of the situation. It’s the work of a master craftsman who for most of the movie conveys so much while saying so little. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#2. Christian Bale - <i>The Prestige</i> (2006)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUu64fyT7Z5dsLasn5vhpPspTM4yDbV-7-DwcGESESNPCSoaB6WewaGi6gTzkZYWSH15s-VCAe6981HmvptjdSfw9Gp1ZhqTL-zGTiZcIEn1QogqsmSkkKzuTLM6L-i60s4etJou_x_E/s1600/prestige.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUu64fyT7Z5dsLasn5vhpPspTM4yDbV-7-DwcGESESNPCSoaB6WewaGi6gTzkZYWSH15s-VCAe6981HmvptjdSfw9Gp1ZhqTL-zGTiZcIEn1QogqsmSkkKzuTLM6L-i60s4etJou_x_E/s1600/prestige.jpg" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Following their successful venture into Gotham City, Nolan and Christian Bale teamed up again for what would be their second of four collaborations, in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Prestige</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. As Alfred Borden, a working-class magician obsessed with pushing the boundaries and maintaining the illusion of his artform, even if the consequences are deadly, Bale adeptly depicts the con-man side of magic. What makes the performance even more impressive is on subsequent viewings -- after you’ve learned the twist -- you see how Bale adds subtle differences to both characters he portrays but maintains enough similarities to keep the illusion alive. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#1. Heath Ledger - <i>The Dark Knight</i> (2008)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPMUB_qLfm_aQY55P7VhQvt5Ec5QlIZSg101CO209yhqobmmda9vr0EOZx0JWH7whgVbnT4kFLJ7etTVGv8EU1lIq_VWFG6JgMN4fCVSV8EsJeZFxwpgFHDR6gmfz6z-bCo45LzJTgU/s1600/ledger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPMUB_qLfm_aQY55P7VhQvt5Ec5QlIZSg101CO209yhqobmmda9vr0EOZx0JWH7whgVbnT4kFLJ7etTVGv8EU1lIq_VWFG6JgMN4fCVSV8EsJeZFxwpgFHDR6gmfz6z-bCo45LzJTgU/s320/ledger.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s somewhat remarkable to think about how the casting of Heath Ledger as the Joker was met with such criticism. Despite showcasing a broad range of talent in a diverse filmography, the late actor had some naysayers to prove wrong. As it turned out, Ledger’s take on the Clown Prince of Gotham was seemingly the role he was born to play. Inspired by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">A Clockwork </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">Orange, his anarchic Joker seamlessly fit into the dark, twisted Gotham that Nolan created and will go down as one of the greatest villains ever put to screen. As the film opened to a record setting box-office debut (at the time) and heaps of critical and fan adulation, Heath removed all doubt of what was once a suspicious casting decision and enforced Nolan’s keen eye for talent. No amount of hyperbolic praise can do justice to what Heath created with this character. </span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-88250321195320900272017-07-29T04:29:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.804-07:00Rapid Reviews: Atomic Blonde and Wind River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmh-TRR3OV2GyOWcc6UQ5Q2NHIHToWwv4Uy6KYgoOBFDTe2RX5yahO1CVjHwWFfDpwPiDbO3FpjV2Oo8hDIgluM9jxRakInF1iFd2vd0Oc1f2MN6P6lkHhY-KK1_Rxm8EmVKKWQawtqs/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmh-TRR3OV2GyOWcc6UQ5Q2NHIHToWwv4Uy6KYgoOBFDTe2RX5yahO1CVjHwWFfDpwPiDbO3FpjV2Oo8hDIgluM9jxRakInF1iFd2vd0Oc1f2MN6P6lkHhY-KK1_Rxm8EmVKKWQawtqs/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W1EO0f6BPPA" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Another raved-about entry from this year's SXSW lineup finds its way into theaters nationwide this weekend. David Leitch makes his directorial debut (well, sort of ... he was an uncredited but otherwise acknowledged co-director of 2014's <i>John Wick</i>) with <i>Atomic Blonde</i>, a Cold War spy-thriller headlined by the shape-shifting talents of Academy Award Winner Charlize Theron. And what's next on tap for the budding filmmaker who possesses a knack for intensely-choreographed hand-to-hand combat sequences? Leitch has been handed the keys to the <i>Deadpool</i> franchise with June 2018's highly anticipated sequel.<br /><br />A remarkably skilled and insanely attractive M-16 Agent from England (Theron) is thrust into the heart of Berlin during the Cold War. Her mission is to coordinate with another implanted spy (James McAvoy) in order to investigate the death of a fellow agent, and to recover a widely valuable list of double-agents. But as her plans quickly become foiled, one after another, she realizes that no one can be trusted.<br /><br />Action gets a whole lot sexier with <i>Atomic Blonde</i>. But for as eye-popping as the film is, on many accounts, Leitch's effort stands as a classic example of style over substance. <i>Atomic Blonde</i> captures its Cold War setting perfectly thanks to an infusion of 80s retro in every inch of every scene. Yet, the film's desperate desire to outsmart the smartest person in the room with a twisty third-act feels forcibly unnatural and dissatisfying. <i>Atomic Blonde</i> opens with an explosive bang but the excitement and effect dissipates as the story further unravels. Theron's rangy skill-set is on full display as she both looks and feels the part in a role that requires rigorous amounts of physicality. Leitch does show why he's a strong choice to take over the reins of the <i>Deadpool</i> franchise, with impressively stylish and uptempo direction. But as <i>Atomic Blonde</i> presses on to its slightly disappointing final moments, the movie closes in a noticeably weaker fashion than it opens.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B-<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zN9PDOoLAfg" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (<i>Hell or High Water</i> and <i>Sicario</i>) knows a thing or two about crafting a well-oiled story. But nowadays, the hot commodity has his sights set on a larger role as he directs his first feature film since 2011, the Wyoming-set crime thriller <i>Wind River</i>. Sheridan's Cannes and Sundance selected feature takes a little time to get going, but it ultimately plays quite well by the time the credits roll.<br /><br />Cory Lambert (Jeremy) works as a hunter and tracker for the Department of Game and Fish in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. And when Cory stumbles upon the body of a dead girl on a Native American reservation, he teams with a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) and the reservation's head of police (Graham Greene) to investigate the murder. Together they battle jurisdiction complications and harsh wintry conditions while trying to solve the local crime.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Taylor Sheridan's <i>Wind River</i> struggles through a moping first act that reaches boldly for distractingly ineffective dramatics. Leading pair Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen also stumble out of the gate, never feeling right for their roles at first glance. But as Sheridan's cohesive story begins to take shape so do their characters, which allows the film to build momentum en route to its sleekly delivered "big reveal". <i>Wind River</i>'s mystery comes together through an original and remarkably fluid explanation that reminds us just how talented of a writer Sheridan truly is. And although his direction clearly plays second fiddle to a riveting murder mystery, <i>Wind River</i> improves with every passing minute and closes with an absolute bang, once again solidifying the writer/director's standing in contemporary Hollywood.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 3 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-29658388311696613602017-07-25T17:11:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.819-07:00Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League (NEW) Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJh-2e9KiNDlvOZeDoCttiSVXEftCvOzin89Slntf-F0W4venLNNFU2LoE6D1Hu3pv64S0TCXsOXvq0LFx7WoQSj3jaexJ95FzoJpBmnHF23Q7NSYspWZh3sHOfp7FcYDWWLTX4FXC3Y/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJh-2e9KiNDlvOZeDoCttiSVXEftCvOzin89Slntf-F0W4venLNNFU2LoE6D1Hu3pv64S0TCXsOXvq0LFx7WoQSj3jaexJ95FzoJpBmnHF23Q7NSYspWZh3sHOfp7FcYDWWLTX4FXC3Y/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Comic-Com is always a hot bed for debuting new footage, and one of the hot trailers to drop at this year's event belongs to <i>Thor: Ragnarok</i>. In the latest Thor (Chris Hemsworth) saga, the God of Thunder is forced to assemble a team of fighters including The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and others to fend off the evil Hela (Cate Blanchett) who plans to destroy Asgard and reconstruct it in her own dubious image. <i>Thor: Ragnarok</i> arrives in theaters early this November and you can catch the film's first-look trailer below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ue80QwXMRHg" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Another Comic-Com release includes DC's upcoming major title, <i>Justice League</i>. With rumors of re-shoots and Zach Snyder's unfortunate family matter that resulted in him stepping away from the film late in the process, DC's once "gem" is beginning to look like a cursed effort. Batman (Ben Affleck) enlists the help of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to recruit a team of metahumans to combat a world-destroying threat before it's too late. <i>Justice League</i> will introduce Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) to DC's ever-expanding universe. While some may argue this as a make-or-break effort for the Marvel counterpart, as long as the box office results stay strong, there's no reason to expect an ending in sight. Check out the latest footage for <i>Justice League</i> below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DblEwHkde8U" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-6507665890787189562017-07-21T08:42:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.834-07:00Dunkirk<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_cmgiys2n1o" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Christopher Nolan, a name that needs no introduction. As one of the most notable filmmakers in the world today, Nolan has earned the right to not be questioned. "Unconventional" is his calling card. So when it was reported that his new WWII epic, <i>Dunkirk</i>, boasts a running time of only 106 minutes, a far cry from the two and half and three hour staples we've come to expect from iconic war films, the only thought running through my head was "in Nolan we trust".<br /><br />In the early stages of World War II, the Germans have cornered Allied forces onto the beaches of Dunkirk, France. And rather than wasting valuable tanks to finish them off, the Germans bombard these helpless soldiers with an aerial attack of gunfire and bombs. But as word spreads to the common folk of Great Britain that their young fighters are stranded on the beachfront, they take matters into their own hands and embark on a heroic rescue mission across the channel to retrieve their soldiers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTJOxUyscn7jGuror5fWIktrPws0LHmB82laumhMz2qysdqWWvAGK7A_t_xzt5f_EsXq0020qvtcWPqEr_fZzi43irZHC97YmJLvQNhQZnDoJxNjL1RvJsYBvJJ64DcqhPy6jffdO9eE/s1600/dunkirk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="685" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTJOxUyscn7jGuror5fWIktrPws0LHmB82laumhMz2qysdqWWvAGK7A_t_xzt5f_EsXq0020qvtcWPqEr_fZzi43irZHC97YmJLvQNhQZnDoJxNjL1RvJsYBvJJ64DcqhPy6jffdO9eE/s320/dunkirk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Look no further than works such as <i>The Dark Knight</i> trilogy, <i>Inception</i>, <i>Memento</i>, <i>Interstellar</i> and many others to understand that Christopher Nolan has made a career off of unforgettable filmmaking. His latest entry is yet another spellbinding experience that refuses to waver in intensity. Nolan's direction is sharp and on point while <i>Dunkirk</i>'s cinematography is nothing short of majestic. But when all is said and done, the true all-star behind this film is Nolan's regular collaborating partner, composer Hans Zimmer. His relentless score keeps your heart pounding as the bullets fly and the bombs explode throughout the entire duration of the film.<br /><br />Although <i>Dunkirk</i> represents an exceptionally-made piece of cinematic art, it doesn't come without its blemishes. Dialogue is rare to come by, not that it necessarily matters, but it leads to a lack of character development and any real semblance of a story that ultimately plagues the film and keeps it from being an absolute masterpiece. Instead, <i>Dunkirk</i> simply unravels as a sequence of events which capture a truly amazing real-life occurrence. And the film's underlying dichotomy of both bravery and cowardice in the face of danger is delivered eloquently. <i>Dunkirk</i> is another strong piece of filmmaking from Nolan, something we've come to expect with each new release of his, but its complete disregard for character building and failure to offer a true narrative structure absolutely destroy the film's re-watchability. Oscar chatter is already being thrown around for this July release and I really wouldn't be surprised one way or the other. But if you're in search of a gut-wrenching and high octane throwback to World War II, Christopher Nolan's <i>Dunkirk</i> will certainly take you on a ride unlike any other.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 3 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B+<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-28337690854104030842017-07-19T07:50:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.846-07:00The Snowman and The Disaster Artist Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsggnLDNfyE7XiV5a4PO6HbMWuqVgPzZcN4SpgCI2QwdyCoC4EbSDYFHfR-XXRXiILmjys73VxgmIGFWKV-k7Q8ziMNsrPwkKPHmytlLtxRemeTVqXuRKsOhsf4iynW2bBpuOxqIR3moQ/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsggnLDNfyE7XiV5a4PO6HbMWuqVgPzZcN4SpgCI2QwdyCoC4EbSDYFHfR-XXRXiILmjys73VxgmIGFWKV-k7Q8ziMNsrPwkKPHmytlLtxRemeTVqXuRKsOhsf4iynW2bBpuOxqIR3moQ/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />From the acclaimed Best Selling Novel comes Tomas Alfredson's (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Let the Right One In) October murder-mystery, <i>The Snowman</i>. Michael Fassbender stars as Harry Hole, a detective determined to find a killer who taunts the police with snowmen at his crime scenes. Readers were enthralled by the novel and if the film can be anywhere near as good, then we may have the year's most gripping crime-thriller on our hands. Check out the debut trailer for <i>The Snowman</i> which just dropped this morning.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YvVBdtwxgUQ" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Tommy Wiseau's 2003 indie film, <i>The Room</i>, has been labeled as one of the worst films ever made, but that hasn't stopped it from earning an impressive cult following. And after debuting a "work in progress" screening at this year's SXSW Film Festival, James Franco's behind-the-scenes darkly comic, albeit respectful, dramatization, <i>The Disaster Artist</i>, became the talk of the town. Franco's brother, Dave, and regular partner in crime, Seth Rogen, co-star in this underdog December release. Catch the first-look teaser trailer for <i>The Disaster Artist</i> below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rir1WzZqwxE" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-34004930268765576302017-07-18T04:58:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.859-07:00War for the Planet of the Apes<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qxjPjPzQ1iU" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Matt Reeves closes out his third (and perhaps final?) installment of the rejuvenated <i>Planet of the Apes</i> franchise with this weekend's release. And while lofty praises continue to pour in for this latest effort, the film doesn't quite justify its combative title. Instead, Reeves bridges his story arc with the 1968 original film through an ambitious effort that reaches for a more emotional angle than battle-infused centerpiece.<br /><br />While Caesar (Andy Serkis) and the rest of his advanced ape society reside deep in the wilderness, they suffer a severe number of casualties during ambush attacks from a human army led by "The Colonel" (Woody Harrelson). But as the majority of the ape population wishes to trek beyond the mountains in search of a new land to call home, Caesar and a select few turn their backs on the tribe and seek vengeance on The Colonel. The feuding leaders meet in the midst of a deadly showdown that could determine the fate of humanity.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwARvWAINnJYlW-rLAfnY2kgrqXUYD50u-0NUl1JINEe9Xuae-Wh86bp04TibM8oWehcug7NhW7og-bKAKFen3lad8ZRhf58wEC0TnRmdbFjIDuvxGfF7GT-Xp6a57mo_t4lmFJou_FY/s1600/ape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="970" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwARvWAINnJYlW-rLAfnY2kgrqXUYD50u-0NUl1JINEe9Xuae-Wh86bp04TibM8oWehcug7NhW7og-bKAKFen3lad8ZRhf58wEC0TnRmdbFjIDuvxGfF7GT-Xp6a57mo_t4lmFJou_FY/s320/ape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Matt Reeves' aspiring epic prides itself on themes of family, revenge, sacrifice and morality. And one of the most profound aspects of the film is how Reeves and co-writer Matt Bomback circumvent any sense of repetition with the franchise's last film and continually drive heady, new ideas into this 140-minute tour de force. In doing so, <i>War for the planet of the Apes</i> always provides a clever turning of the page in its story and never falls victim to what could have been a long-winded endeavor. But despite these well-crafted shifts throughout the film, its screenplay does miss the mark with some puzzling new developments, especially those transforming Koba-loyalist apes into traitors who now pledge their allegiances to the humans. Koba was so anti-human and the backbone of the second film's brutal battle between the two ape factions, that it seems completely implausible.<br /><br />Another interesting development is the lack of full fledged combat in a film that carries a title such as this one. Rather than funneling his attention to a string of action-packed fight scenes, Reeves and company pivot their tale to a more emotional side of Caesar. In some regards this element of the film becomes very preachy, often reminding the viewer via dialogue all along the way as to why Caesar and his small pack are on their mission. Yet, this lofty attempt at the dramatics also serves as a refreshing and much-needed twist to the saga that Reeves captures pretty well. <i>War for the Planet of the Apes</i> isn't exactly the masterpiece some have labeled it to be, but the latest and possibly final chapter in this set of prequels is without a doubt a satisfying one.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 3 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-84910641933633158382017-07-17T07:19:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.871-07:00Blade Runner 2049 (NEW) and A Wrinkle in Time (Teaser) Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAqMulycLyIVbrkpVxIf5CvwQ4XwRI1RPV4FG0j0iMxWLj591pBdqNk0UekdO64fg8JyVwZVBwm-3rcOGvvdDZ3-u41AQ5mU313PmO2iWIVVPtLrgMxL0Zr0EBvfmmkZr4KbadxUkKvk/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAqMulycLyIVbrkpVxIf5CvwQ4XwRI1RPV4FG0j0iMxWLj591pBdqNk0UekdO64fg8JyVwZVBwm-3rcOGvvdDZ3-u41AQ5mU313PmO2iWIVVPtLrgMxL0Zr0EBvfmmkZr4KbadxUkKvk/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This October Denis Villeneuve (<i>Arrival</i> and <i>Sicario</i>) will re-brand Ridley Scott's beloved sci-fi universe with the sequel <i>Blade Runner 2049</i>. Set three decades after Scott's effort, a new Blade Runner named Officer K (Ryan Gosling) enlists the assistance of Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) in order to combat a dark secret with the potential to destroy society. Villeneuve is one of the hottest filmmakers in the industry and fresh off an Oscar nod, Ryan Gosling in the lead role has to excite everyone. Catch the just-released newest trailer for <i>Blade Runner 2049</i> below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dZOaI_Fn5o4" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Ava DuVernay tackles the classic Madeleine L'Engle novel, A Wrinkle in Time, slated for a March 2018 release. Following the disappearance of her father (Chris Pine), Meg Murry (Storm Reid) travels into space with her brother and friend in order to find him. This debut trailer for DuVernay's effort looks spectacular and feels authentic. With Reese Witherspoon, Michael Pena, Zach Galifianakis, Oprah Winfrey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw in supporting roles, <i>A Wrinkle in Time</i> could be a surprisingly worthwhile early-year release in 2018. Catch the film's first-look footage below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E4U3TeY2wtM" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-57906994902623128742017-07-15T05:57:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:38:24.156-07:00FILOSOFI KOPI 2 : BEN & JODY (2017) REVIEW : Revisi Nilai Hidup Untuk Sebuah Kedai Kopi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="496" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0y0pnG4jF-TBvvWe7r5C5NTfftiv4LoIyU8i5JWdmfEUTR2jZ6n0YhPPAwqF5g8KBYswN-uP72nXWL_l41VMwWHg0P3ie8T3aIhv2m1F3ZDmVZUqHquElnSor-7WUIeHcSGGFUzjIoFO/s640/149974286181500_496x330.jpg" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kisah pendek yang diambil dari Dewi Lestari ini telah dibudidayakan menjadi sebuah produk yang namanya sudah mahsyur. Selain film, produk dari Filosofi Kopi ini diabadikan menjadi sebuah kedai kopi yang nyata. Dengan adanya konsistensi itu, tak akan kaget apabila film yang diarahkan oleh Angga Dwimas Sasongko ini akan mendapatkan sekuel sebagai perlakuan selanjutnya. Tentu, kekhawatiran akan muncul karena cerita pendek dari Filosofi Kopi pun hanya berhenti di satu sub bab yang telah dibahas di film pertamanya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Sayembara muncul ditujukan kepada semua orang untuk membuat kisah lanjutan dari Ben dan Jody ini. Sayembara ini sekaligus memberikan bukti kepada semua orang bahwa Filosofi Kopi tetap menjadi film yang terkonsentrasi dari penonton seperti film pertamanya. Yang jelas, Angga Dwimas Sasongko tetap mengarahkan Chicco Jericho dan juga Rio Dewanto sebagai Ben dan Jody. Angga Dwimas Sasongko pun berkontribusi dalam pembuatan naskah dari cerita terpilih yang ditulis oleh Jenny Jusuf serta M. Irfan Ramli. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Meski tetap dipegang oleh sutradara dan orang-orang yang sama, sekuel dari Filosofi Kopi ini pun cukup membuat penonton khawatir. Ketakutan Filosofi Kopi 2 dengan subjudul Ben & Jody ini memunculkan penyakit dari film-film sekuel yang bisa saja jatuh dan tak sebagus film terdahulunya. Juga, kurang adanya urgensi di dalam latar belakang ceritanya yang dapat mendukung apa yang ditampilkan di layar. Tetapi percayalah dengan Angga Dwimas Sasongko, karena <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>tetap akan memikatmu dengan manis dan pahit kisahnya seperti kopi di pagi hari. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="610" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfPWvsgJmW092tVdwYOrBI3RrBvxZfLLAHygo1xLiasESW8HQ8a_kJojgTGmf63axZl8nJWRNlZyn-z4CAR0FTqzy7d-VCK0NQnFeDcscpxWAT-xRn2vh_MSgIU03iNxM0-OQX0eOO_4s/s640/fk7.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ada formula yang diulang di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini di dalam ceritanya. Tetapi, fokus cerita yang ada di <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini tak lagi mengenai bagaimana Filosofi Kopi sebagai kedai kopi ternama, melainkan tentang ranah domestik dalangnya. Menggali lagi personifikasi yang muncul dalam Filosofi Kopi yang dikonsumsi oleh penikmatnya. Sehingga, muncul problematika yang di film keduanya ini jauh memiliki nilai yang lebih personal dibanding film pertamanya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Rasanya tidak relevan membandingkan film keduanya ini dengan film pertamanya. Dengan konflik cerita yang lebih personal, tentu tujuan yang berusaha dicapai oleh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini juga pasti akan berbeda. Dengan adanya nilai yang lebih personal di dalam konflik ceritanya, mungkin inilah yang membuat Filosofi Kopi 2 memberikan tambahan nama karakternya –Ben dan Jody –sebagai sub judulnya. Apabila dalam film pertamanya menggunakan kopi sebagai medium refleksi, di film keduanya ini menggunakan Kedai Kopi sebagai medium berkontemplasi atas filosofi hidup mereka sendiri. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="780" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSQRWNlvMk8oOExra2o5pxziovDOho-r6TJVMZ-A1R6dhDXU5C5hmNo88S0l9BqUMZN1BMd6VvBZ0xHZvNbMqGnKPbc7h4-M1DDFb1ZBwd1a-X_q0GFv037R57vKJQ-cyPSc14dpqJ0yw/s640/fk5.png" width="640" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Melanjutkan kisah Filosofi Kopi pertama di mana Ben (Chicco Jericho) dan Jody (Rio Dewanto) yang sudah menjual kedainya dan memilih berjualan keliling Indonesia menggunakan Kombi. Setelah lama berkeliling menggunakan kombi berjualan dan membagikan Kopi, Ben merasa perjalanannya tak memiliki akhir dan tujuan dalam hidupnya. Ben pun membujuk Jody untuk kembali ke Jakarta dan menghidupkan lagi kedai Filosofi Kopi yang pernah dibangunnya itu. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Tetapi, membangun kembali kedai tak semudah yang dibayangkan. Jody harus memutar lagi otaknya untuk membeli lagi kedai yang telah dijualnya karena harga yang ditawarkan kepadanya sangat tinggi. Lalu, datanglah Tarra (Luna Maya), seorang perempuan yang menawarkan diri menjadi investor untuk Filosofi Kopi agar kembali bangkit seperti dulu. Dengan adanya Filosofi Kopi kembali, problematika tak hanya berhenti di situ saja. Ada konflik pribadi yang memacu mereka untuk kembali merenungi tentang apa yang mereka cari selama ini. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze4uRw7mZBEhnYJBVUiZVhSXwxhOvlV4Z_9p2aStxeZUHxIIem7d9WPOf-eHOB4QnqDp8t15-Sa2g1tDVYcrcYuLjpcKSVF20XZWn0jEGWMjrElDM2hvuOlTNlUxWWTk5xl9N7Pb29wN1/s640/fk6.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kesulitan untuk membuka kedai lagi tak hanya dialami oleh Rio Dewanto sebagai Jody, tetapi juga Angga Dwimas Sasongko untuk kembali membuat penonton percaya dengan sekuel Filosofi Kopi. Beruntung Angga Dwimas Sasongko selalu memiliki energi dalam setiap film yang diarahkan. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>memasuki sebuah babak baru di dalam konfliknya yang tetap memiliki cita rasanya yang begitu kuat dan emosional untuk dinikmati penontonnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Konflik yang lebih personal ini adalah sebuah kunci tentang bagaimana karakter Ben dan Jody ini pada akhirnya bertransisi. Angga Dwimas Sasongko berusaha untuk memberikan pertanyaan kembali kepada karakternya tentang filosofi hidup seperti apa yang mereka ambil. Ada di setiap adegan dan dialog dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>memberikan banyak sekali rujukan yang juga membuat penontonnya ikut mempertanyakan tujuan dan nilai apa yang digunakan dalam hidup setiap orang. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Nyawa dari Kedai Filosofi Kopi ini adalah Ben dan Jody dengan sifat-sifatnya sendiri yang meskipun bertolak belakang tetapi bisa saling mengimbangi. Dengan keputusan mereka untuk kedai kembali, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ada ideologi yang mengalami revisi dan dipertanyakan lagi agar kedai Filosofi Kopi bisa berjalan lancar lagi. Hal itu dikarenakan bagaimana Ben dan Jody mengalami banyak sekali kejadian dan referensi dalam hidup yang membuat mereka mengalami kontemplasi. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="800" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtrvphp_kB0Nya6FoTnNlQnqLHVWqocYtBhZTJBnrRCw3Ti454ervlEi7FHoDQ413HBHLvGCsxxjORBBrMyihvrzaYeY1WQgC98fVy7pCPLXAxMHb565uyVnDp4teRNqMP6Q-DFbGQIJj/s640/fk2.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Poin-poin itu muncul di dalam naskah yang ditulis oleh Jenny Jusuf, M. Irfan Ramli, dan Angga Dwimas Sasongko sendiri. Dituliskan secara implisit di dalam adegannya dan Angga Dwimas Sasongko berhasil menyampaikannya dengan baik <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>dan dapat dirasakan oleh penontonnya. Sensitivitas dalam mengarahkan inilah yang menjadi poin penting dalam Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody. Bagi penonton yang mengikuti film pertamanya, akan terasa kontinuitas dari karakter Ben dan Jody yang mengalami transisi. Penonton seakan-akan tahu bahwa ada nilai-nilai yang direvisi dalam diri Ben dan Jody seperti kedai kopi mereka yang berusaha lahir kembali. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kedai Filosofi Kopi kembali hadir tak hanya sekedar mengalami transisi dalam memberikan esensi, tetapi juga estetika yang memperkuat visualisasi. Gambar dan musik menjadi medium bernarasi lain dari Angga Dwimas Sasongko yang semakin memperkuat dialog-dialog antar karakter di dalam film Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody. Ada rasa khusyuk dan syahdu yang muncul yang bisa mempengaruhi penonton untuk dapat dinikmati setiap seduhannya. Sehingga penonton bisa ikut larut dan ikut merenungi bagaimana Ben dan Jody menemukan solusi yang tak saling menyakiti satu sama lain. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="800" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCQErYt2u2oH0Lg92JOo0TI-EFCQvTXEV8-cLpDHQVxdYOPNSm4rL9QQt6rsjoJFyi3Ube7lHinL46_mg-2SobIx1pZY-PEsZBJ4n7ZzopXZbtZvsN6MRDUNA6hsJwx9XZb0zvNwz3KdO/s640/fk3.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Sesuai dengan sub judulnya, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>memiliki penekanan khusus terhadap karakter utamanya. Sehingga, konflik yang muncul di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini memiliki problematika dengan lingkup domestik yang akan terasa berbeda dengan film sebelumnya. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini tak hanya sekedar memberikan konflik yang jauh lebih personal tetapi juga menjadi ruang bagi Ben dan Jody untuk berusaha berkontemplasi atas filosofi hidup yang mereka pegang selama ini. Dengan pengarahan Angga Dwimas Sasongko yang penuh atas kesensitivitasan ini, pesan yang secara implisit muncul itu dan berhasil disampaikan. Sehingga, di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filosofi Kopi 2 : Ben & Jody </i>ini terasa sekali berusaha memunculkan transisi Ben dan Jody seperti kedai mereka yang berusaha lahir kembali. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0KQAZJxXa62feTzvjs63mYDD3Z3P8CT_6_dwtkvfXC3HbLw0n-wFQVzHsxRynZYBYchqYOvT9F7p4yO4CYlILj1VfvTTrwmMBnnKCy7k9pO3og4NZLyQ7Nb93P_ZJhGe2QIeDYz8IoFe/s1600/4-5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0KQAZJxXa62feTzvjs63mYDD3Z3P8CT_6_dwtkvfXC3HbLw0n-wFQVzHsxRynZYBYchqYOvT9F7p4yO4CYlILj1VfvTTrwmMBnnKCy7k9pO3og4NZLyQ7Nb93P_ZJhGe2QIeDYz8IoFe/s320/4-5.PNG" width="320" /></a></div></div>anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-58226475524631713482017-07-13T00:14:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:38:24.176-07:00SPIDER-MAN : HOMECOMING (2017) REVIEW : Lika Liku Hidup Remaja Super <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="730" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKfD_PUtZWJuhxIsvD3TolzODgw3hm5ys4oLNbK7Vj75yR9yLkd6gLcOpUn6dT6oyOo8sGZsSrZcge4lz6faI-YBOzomob7-99d3oVHMSPF0BvxKH4Bk_0xMqNS8htSLYx5s9J5H-v_lG/s640/BN201707111922111937.jpg" width="640" /> </div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Setelah memiliki berbagai macam transisi dan pengulangan, pada akhirnya Marvel dan Disney memutuskan untuk mengakuisisi Spider-Man dari Sony untuk bisa masuk jajaran <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i>-nya. Dengan begitu, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i> memiliki ekspansi dunia yang semakin rumit dan punya deretan manusia super yang semakin penuh sesak. Tetapi, hal itu bukan menjadi sesuatu yang perlu ditakutkan oleh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i> karena dunianya sudah memasuki fase ketiga yang memang butuh komplikasi lebih. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan bergabungnya Spider-Man menjadi salah satu anggota dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i>, akhirnya manusia laba-laba ini masuk menjadi pemeran pendukung di Captain America : Civil War. Kemunculannya di seri ketiga dari Captain America ini menjadi usaha mencari perhatian<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>dari Marvel kepada fansnya. Sehingga, Spider-Man seolah-olah dilahirkan kembali dengan citra diri yang berbeda dengan film-film sebelumnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Spider-Man milik <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i> ini digambarkan memiliki usia yang jauh lebih muda dibandingkan dengan film-film sebelumnya. Dan kali ini, Jon Watts menjadi orang yang memiliki kontrol atas apa yang ditampilkan di film Spider-Man terbaru dengan judul Spider-Man : Homecoming. Kali ini, kisah tentang Peter Parker memiliki atmosfir dunia sekolah menengah atas yang jauh lebih kental dari film-film sebelumnya. Serta, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>berusaha keluar dari kisah-kisah generik yang dipakai oleh film-film sebelumnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9STMLu8xAOCjW-XCAOTST5G7hTdgaSK5oXB1o5U-GCPKikQ4RjMdYmgZRSLu8XgxpcS-p8z2bqY700Vp113z3wZwaEW9uPz9uqvEhu1AIKgAgWcoHqFf_eAtMXwnhfJtDa2_e67s1LrNh/s640/sp1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Seiring dengan diakuisisinya Spider-Man, Disney dan Marvel tak ingin lagi terjebak dengan cerita-cerita yang serupa. Maka dari itu, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>berusaha memberikan perspektid yang berbeda. Begitu pula dengan pemeran Peter Parker yang juga ikut diganti. Dari Tobey McGuire menjadi Andrew Garfield, kali ini Peter Parker diperankan oleh Tom Holland yang masih remaja. Hal ini sesuai dengan bagaimana Marvel dan Disney berusaha keras memberikan diferensiasi dari film-film Spider-Man sebelumnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan keluar dari babak cerita yang berbeda, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>berusaha untuk menjadi lebih dari sekedar film manusia super yang menyenangkan. Film yang diarahkan oleh Jon Watts ini membuat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>yang sedang menceritakan transisi dari kehidupan Peter Parker yang sedang dalam fase remaja. Menciptakan atmosfir <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">coming of age </i>dengan nuansa yang lebih kental untuk mengetahui bagaimana kehidupan Peter Parker secara lebih intim. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWHSS7oKiRiXfGYLxT5ql-u2NNL4XuhyWWjgDXueOzhOSg6rUpuaHs6GaeXyrrroKTKlD6hBECBpGxAWBSP_hDdcsZyrLATgQ-yn8th-Qgi_X0S9ne0SwAZB9JpwTit8vJOHseJuGILGM/s640/sp5.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Keintiman itu bermula di sebuah sekolah menengah atas di daerah Queens, kota kecil tempat Peter Parker (Tom Holland) tinggal. Paska pertemuannya dengan Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) yang sedang bertarung sengit dengan Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Peter merasa bahwa dirinya adalah orang yang sangat penting bagi dunia ini. Dengan keterlibatannya itu, Peter merasa bahwa di kota kecil ini penuh akan kejahatan dan ketidaknyamanan yang perlu dilibas olehnya. Tetapi sikap Peter Parker yang ingin terlibat itu, membuat dirinya malah terjebak dalam masalah. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Peter menemukan transaksi senjata ilegal dengan teknologi mutakhir yang diambil dari bekas-bekas pertarungan anggota Avengers dengan musuh-musuhnya. Peter berusaha memgingatkan Tony Stark tentang keadaan ini, tetapi tidak ada yang menggubrisnya. Dengan adanya kejahatan itu, Peter Parker tak tinggal diam. Dia berusaha sendiri untuk menangkap dan mencari tahu siapa dalang di balik penjualan senjata ilegal ini. Tetapi, Peter Parker juga mendapatkan resiko yang sangat besar dari apa yang dia lakukan.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQOlIXdQA8yjXd0k6uobcUQqnU3iL_n62vawPpRxDeWGWpj_bJBzvelxWBhf6UZKdH3ZfXIQ9iZp-Pj2edzW9gXtLe8_xoY60a-RlT9hr3YZCkXl4h7uhKzIfGXLqWcIcullABmZ1MDgE/s640/sp3.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kentalnya atmosfir remaja di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>ini seakan-akan memberikan nafas baru di deretan film-film manusia super milik Marvel. Bagaimana Jon Watts memvisualisasikan bagaimana Peter Parker sebagai sosok karakter yang tetap tak bisa lepas dengan kehidupannya sebagai orang biasa. Memiliki alter ego menjadi sosok manusia super tetapi juga tetap menjadi remaja dengan perputaran problematika yang tak jauh-jauh dari percintaan, persahabatan, dan popularitas saat SMA. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Inilah yang membuat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>memiliki diferensiasi dengan film-film manusia laba-laba yang lain. Atribut remaja seperti malam prom, pesta, dan persahabatan yang sekaligus menjadi karakter pendukung ini selalu ada dalam film-film yang menggambarkan transisi kehidupan remaja. Tetapi, Jon Watts berusaha untuk berkiblat pada film-film remaja khas dari John Hughes seperti <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Breakfast Club</i> dan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sixteen Candles</i>. Referensi itu pun semakin terlihat kentara dengan bagaimana Jon Watts menyelipkan sedikit cuplikan adegan dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ferris Bueller’s Day Off</i> di dalam filmnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Penonton diajak kembali ke masa-masa remaja sekolah menengah atas di dalam sebuah film manusia super dan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>berhasil memunculkan hal tersebut. Meskipun plot ceritanya masih terlihat generik sebagai sebuah film kisah asli dari seorang manusia super, tetapi ada usaha dari Jon Watts untuk berusaha memberikan diferensiasi tersebut. Tahu akan kelemahannya untuk membuat spektakel aksi, Jon Watts berusaha dengan memberikan kedekatan karakter Peter Parker dengan karakter lainnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1528" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oyI74bKZuYJpwmdFnNLKJ6ZqxfqaLy7NG8plp0JdKUvqs6g7W22lzwOo-jm2xljK6pYlQbr00vjYCQ4r_6DcgZhkQHTnAFigIBN-EXOLv9l1McD1CJ12juCC8IqEy6A5HggYitWB6tpE/s640/sp4.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Secara aksi, Jon Watts masih belum bisa memberikan detil-detilnya. Pertarungan akhir yang diarahkan di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>belum bisa memberikan sesuatu yang mencengkram dan kalah dengan adegan pertarungan sebelumnya. Tetapi, Jon Watts bisa mengemas dan menyatukan drama <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">coming of age</i> dengan tetap memiliki cita rasa film manusia super inilah yang perlu diapresiasi. Ketelitian Jon Watts ini adalah kekuatan dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>yang bisa setara memberikan porsi di antara dua atmosfir yang berbeda ini dan tampil begitu menyenangkan di dalam film ini.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>itu pun tak serta merta menjadi sebuah superhero spin-off film yang memang harusnya ada untuk menceritakan siapa itu manusia laba-laba ini. Tetapi, konflik yang ada di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>memberikan relevansi dan ekspansi dengan segala hal yang ada di <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i>. Dengan adanya film ini menandakan bahwa fase ketiga di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i> bukan sekedar tentang penambahan karakter, tetapi memang dunianya yang semakin besar. Tentang bagaimana apa yang dilakukan oleh manusia super ini benar-benar dapat berdampak kepada siapapun. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzInq79e5KSKXYVelboJVWqyeR_5nCSf7ezywEDDu0yRq-d9Jr_bQvvybp8njMIZCXG8tO_d0qQTf9S6Q1_2Fw8vRHu7Seu9hYTZESdZheKYmpb6K9tYVh4IFTSr-f2ufCPa_8gpO2VoTP/s640/sp2.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Oleh karena itu, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>bisa dibilang menjadi salah satu film penting yang dapat memberikan ekspansi lebih terhadap <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel Cinematic Universe</i>. Sebuah kisah asli yang memang memiliki plot yang lurus-lurus saja, tetapi dikemas dengan atmosfir yang berbeda. Sehingga, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>menjadi sesuatu yang segar untuk disantap. Memiliki atmosfir <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">coming of age</i> dengan berbagai macam tribut kepada film-film John Hughes yang kental. Dengan begitu, penonton bisa merasa dekat dengan Peter Parker yang sedang berusaha keras dengan kehidupan remajanya. Jon Watts bisa memberikan pergantian dua atmosfir tanpa merusak esensi dari keduanya. Sehingga, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>adalah sebuah drama transisi remaja dengan kekuatan super yang sangat menyenangkan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-KONlyrOknyyXsXhPi7ajNg_u-cD5VKvK9sk_8pLbjsoSxQTKhd9NO-lYNTHQWewdKHXZtAQZEBLA3YEd4P6IBmPR7f2vzH3utB8N2YBYmwXK_QP4DgoU6FGAwRxwwHMzm3ALgSXXBnr/s320/4%252C5-5.PNG" width="320" /></div><br /><i>Spider-Man : Homecoming</i> juga tampil dalam berbagai format, salah satunya yaitu IMAX 3D Format. Berikut adalah rekapan dari format IMAX 3D film Spider-Man : Homecoming.<br /><br /><b>DEPTH </b><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-KONlyrOknyyXsXhPi7ajNg_u-cD5VKvK9sk_8pLbjsoSxQTKhd9NO-lYNTHQWewdKHXZtAQZEBLA3YEd4P6IBmPR7f2vzH3utB8N2YBYmwXK_QP4DgoU6FGAwRxwwHMzm3ALgSXXBnr/s200/4%252C5-5.PNG" width="200" /><br />Punya kedalaman yang menarik, sehingga menonton<i> Spider-Man : Homecoming </i>terasa seperti mengintip dari jendela kamar kita<br /><b><br /></b><b>POP-OUT </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmsjl9f3oeKSKZay7YL7w3xFVr_YAYei_H4hS7SeB9XQATyNQKGNE3tzXBmkRe-1hHwvTAuEWX6293-6Bzj3O2b2hKy-EDDjHyQWqUyqiURtsN4vgukWWuEOIHDV_lGgpRIDPk1I12K3Z/s200/1-5.PNG" width="200" /></div><br />Mungkin tidak ada apapun yang bisa keluar dari layar di film <i>Spider-Man : Homecoming</i>. Film ini hanya menekankan tentang kedalaman gambar saat ditonton di format IMAX 3D.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D8C1Ya_MlUNBRyt-hNNLIJx7sIV7-Dtm1TjhZyYvBwYmethiX9CCe0-WX4kAwbrL5eGZ2_sH9KoonQ1knb-5DLuA3K11T1B4uByF6vFWULlJtayPzjd94ClRtThVtkNpMdhX0aC_Df3x/s320/3D+MUST.PNG" width="320" /></div><br />Tonton saja film ini dalam format IMAX 3D. Sangat direkomendasikan, apalagi format IMAX 3D hanya selisih sedikit saja dengan layar reguler. anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-68825973417481655332017-07-12T09:51:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.882-07:00Rapid Reviews: Despicable Me 3 and The House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59dMa2zcP4GgSs5I3denoLS5ZKPIo4TtcOaIfiqzR2RPIV7E3H1mvBvo1Zxoc7U3Oc7NHv9tCm-6w5LBoZjip9-pPQzLCwdQCS48qTbME6OCp_zHi9qbhwfHsMIX9K8y3AJI9gkxFhak/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59dMa2zcP4GgSs5I3denoLS5ZKPIo4TtcOaIfiqzR2RPIV7E3H1mvBvo1Zxoc7U3Oc7NHv9tCm-6w5LBoZjip9-pPQzLCwdQCS48qTbME6OCp_zHi9qbhwfHsMIX9K8y3AJI9gkxFhak/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/euz-KBBfAAo" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />If there's one current animated franchise I always look forward to, it's the <i>Despicable Me</i> films. Credited directors Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin and Eric Guillon (co-director) bring to theaters the third installment of this series. Yet, with each subsequent journey into the hilarious and complicated life of former-super-villain Gru (voice of Steve Carell), the <i>Despicable Me</i> franchise seems to take a step backwards.<br /><br />After foiling an attempt at capturing the disgruntled former child star and 80s retro villain, Balthazar Bratt (voiced by <i>South Park</i> creator Trey Parker), Gru and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are fired from the Anti-Villain League (AVL). And just as Gru breaks the unfortunate news to his trio of adopted daughters, he's visited by a man who reveals that Gru has a twin brother named Dru (also Steve Carell) who happens to possess a taste for villainy himself. The estranged siblings engage in some mischievous behavior behind Lucy's back and it leads on a path back to Balthazar Bratt once again.<br /><br /><i>Despicable Me 3</i> misses a grand opportunity with the franchise's over-arching story to develop a deep and impactful character conflict with Gru, all while continuing to keep its running time under the 100-minute threshold. Rather, the team involved takes a simpler and thoughtless approach that keeps the effort from ever really standing out. Sure, the film delivers familiar laughs with its quirky main characters and boundless minions, who always find clever ways of bringing the humor, but devoting all of its attention to a contrived twin-brother creation fails to take the <i>Despicable Me</i> franchise any further. If you aren't already an invested fan of the series, then there isn't nearly enough to warrant a watch.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C+<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FK5OJse8haA" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Over the last two decades Will Ferrell's career trajectory has been trending in the wrong direction. Its path falling steeper and steeper with each passing movie decision. But it's the latest co-called "comedy" from first-time director and established screenwriter, Andrew Jay Cohen (<i>Neighbors 1 & 2</i> and <i>Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates</i>), that marks an absolute low for the one-time king of comedy.<br /><br />Timid suburban parents Scott and Kate (Ferrell and Amy Poehler) are banking on a local town scholarship to help pay for their daughter's expensive college tuition. But when a crooked councilman (Nick Kroll) votes to terminate the scholarship fund in favor of building a fancy new community pool, they must do whatever it takes to afford the first fall payment, even if it means opening an underground casino in their emotionally unstable friend's (<i>The League</i>'s Jason Mantzoukas) house. The couple quickly learns that they have to toughen up in order to run a successful and respectable illegal gambling operation.<br /><br />The story borderlines on lunacy, the laughs are almost non-existent and, in fact, there's almost nothing redeeming in Cohen's <i>The House</i>. I apply to the school where comedies are supposed to be clever and make you laugh. The "clever" tag has faded a bit over the years, but at least most modern comedies can still generate a response with some type of identifiable humor. Oddly, <i>The House</i> doubles down on incoherently improvised gibberish that's neither funny or effective in any way, shape or form. Known for his outlandishly over-the-top personae in tv shows and on the big screen, Jason Mantzoukas stands as the only lifeline in the film and, honestly, he isn't all that great either. Roll the dice with something, even anything, else and take a long walk away from <i>The House</i>.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 1 star out of 4<br /><br />Grade: D<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-34797055822827365002017-07-10T08:49:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.894-07:00The Dark Tower (NEW) and Geostorm Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwgR-ETqdcZsf4dBlUTGnLsES42PVLpXAil21GfrQd1_OYl1K6m30_ndDRUUW8p7PW1UdRLkk7pm6stl6BMCw_IEIoEWyxFatsGwiK0xfU_wFjr-_kjMZ9dQnp5yQt8JzjxUSekBq8v0/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwgR-ETqdcZsf4dBlUTGnLsES42PVLpXAil21GfrQd1_OYl1K6m30_ndDRUUW8p7PW1UdRLkk7pm6stl6BMCw_IEIoEWyxFatsGwiK0xfU_wFjr-_kjMZ9dQnp5yQt8JzjxUSekBq8v0/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It took a while for Stephen King's series-origin novel, <i>The Dark Tower</i>, to finally get transferred onto the big-screen, but with each new trailer the excitement builds for Nikolaj Arcel's adaptation. Idri Elba stars as The Gunslinger, a man who protects the Dark Tower from The Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) who wishes to reign terror on both their world and planet Earth. A new international trailer has just landed for <i>The Dark Tower</i> and gives an even deeper glimpse into the upcoming August release. Check out the new footage below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZC5FoJ-cPU" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />If you're itching for a cheesy end of the world action flick with some insane visual effects, then Dean Devlin and Danny Cannon's have just what you're looking floor with their October release, <i>Geostorm</i>. Set in a future where severe storms have threatened human survival on Earth, humanity comes together to build a satellite system that can control the weather. But when those satellites begin to malfunction just as Earth faces a catastrophic storm, a pair of brothers (Gerard Butler and Jim Sturgess) are on a race against time to fix the issue and save humanity from annihilation. You can catch the debut trailer for <i>Geostorm</i> below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EuOlYPSEzSc" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-74335870781288583442017-07-07T09:46:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.909-07:00Rapid Reviews: Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Beguiled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Svi8P1Wf2nmh1BaaX68aGLvVKnhH34eJ3uc0QSu0v1-kYTEq_e_ogs_CLgIfABhkUsV4FPPRJJ721DO4Iz8bfih_hgBHW9NhvEQtZ4PYAXUq3QKh3Q7mxUWg2o1RitsdBNhaZ7e2DP8/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Svi8P1Wf2nmh1BaaX68aGLvVKnhH34eJ3uc0QSu0v1-kYTEq_e_ogs_CLgIfABhkUsV4FPPRJJ721DO4Iz8bfih_hgBHW9NhvEQtZ4PYAXUq3QKh3Q7mxUWg2o1RitsdBNhaZ7e2DP8/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U0D3AOldjMU" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />While many critics and outlets constantly insist that audiences are starving for the Spider-Man film that they deserve, it feels too much like revisionist history. Sam Raimi's <i>Spider-Man</i> starring Tobey McGuire in 2002 (89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 Meta-Critic score) and Marc Webb's <i>The Amazing Spider-Man</i> with Andrew Garfield in 2012 (72%, 66) both opened to strong critical approval. Yet, this rapid return to the Peter Parker character is a whole new ballgame with a completely different feel and trajectory. Marvel's Cinematic Universe (MCU) enters the heart of its third "Phase" with a mountain of steam, but can <i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> deliver?<br /><br />Set a few months after the events of <i>Captain America:Civil War</i>, a 15 year-old Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is operating under the watchful eye of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and his loyal assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). But as Peter tries harder and harder to impress Stark with his superhero alter ego Spider-Man, he uncovers an underground arms creator and dealer (Michael Keaton) whose powerful weaponry bridges alien technology with human machinery. Instructed by Stark to stop his pursuit of the arms dealer, Peter disobeys the orders and finds himself face to face with a nefarious foe.<br /><br /><i>Homecoming</i> fits seamlessly into the MCU with a familiar foundation of humor and action. Built on the shoulders of an ingratiating and clumsy teenage geek, played wonderfully by rising star Tom Holland, Marvel's latest release places the universe's macro storyline back on course. Insane visual effects form a web-like cohesion with witty one-line zingers to help keep the action-train churning. These over-extended sequences occur frequently and dwindle in effectiveness with each recurring appearance in the film, yet they're easily overshadowed by some clever maneuvering with the screenplay and Tom Holland's alluring performance. And as I usually criticize the MCU for its lack of attention to its film's central villains, Michael Keaton's Vulture is birthed from a truly intriguing concept. Although <i>Homecoming</i> fails to adequately venture down that creative path, instead delving too deep into Peter's buffoonish teenage quandaries, there's enough meat on the bones to entertain in exactly the way a summer blockbuster should.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B-<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iBoLK5z_FHo" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Having grown up under the tutelage of her father and directing great, Francis Ford Coppola, it's no surprise that filmmaking and storytelling stream through the bloodlines of Sophia Coppola. Her natural talents earned Sophia capture an Oscar nomination for Directing before her 33rd birthday with the widely-adored Best Picture nominee, <i>Lost in Translation</i>. But since then, Coppola has struggled to return to the same heights she once scaled early in her career. And not much changes with Coppola's new dark and Southern Gothic tale, <i>The Beguiled</i>.<br /><br />During the Civil War in Virginia, a few remaining women at an All-Girl's school shelter and care for a severely injured Union soldier (Colin Farrell) they find just off their property. And as he slowly progresses in health, sexual tensions begin to overtake the house and lead to a competition for his affection. Yet, all of this attention from the woman turns out to be a curse in the making.<br /><br />As expected Sophia Coppola continues to shine as a filmmaker, flashing riveting camera work and spectacular vision. She has an attraction to period pieces, where she brings together spectacular set design and exquisite costume design to create a genuine mood to the feature. But despite this strong foundation that supports <i>The Beguiled</i>. the slow-burning drama's somber story fails to deliver a bold-enough conclusion. Coppola's latest is an adapted work, which means this disappointment can't rest squarely on her shoulders. However, a compelling and well-acted build-up, courtesy of noteworthy turns from Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Kirsten Dunst, ends up squandered by a timid finale that doesn't do any justice to <i>The Beguiled</i>.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C+<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-65242323903155324552017-07-03T14:13:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.921-07:00DVD Outlook: July 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFqS_jp_CaD4rYnk-NO5jpZD5zn6oGtZ8b2O9xdT5qmLDDD0qf3W5ZdxzQjvD3AaTRXsboUcP2to8eeo-4hn7AHL0TurfVRDZtEfYFmADgh0OheZK9Rf_bKRxdvJRj7OBGyMi9WiVho8/s1600/dvd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="350" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFqS_jp_CaD4rYnk-NO5jpZD5zn6oGtZ8b2O9xdT5qmLDDD0qf3W5ZdxzQjvD3AaTRXsboUcP2to8eeo-4hn7AHL0TurfVRDZtEfYFmADgh0OheZK9Rf_bKRxdvJRj7OBGyMi9WiVho8/s320/dvd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />If I'm being honest, July doesn't have much to offer in terms of its upcoming DVD and streaming releases. You'd be better served catching up on other movies from previous months (<b><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/06/dvd-outlook-june-2017.html">June's suggestions</a></b>), heading to the theaters for a new release, or binge watching a show or two. Either way, here's a look at the new titles available this month.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G_yyIfhhR8I" width="518"></iframe><br /><b><br /></b><b><i>Free Fire</i> - 2 and a half stars out of 4 - (<a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/04/rapid-reviews-free-fire-and-going-in.html">Read my rapid review here</a>)</b><br /><br />I haven't been too kind to directly Ben Wheatley in the past, but the unique filmmaker puts his stylish eye to good use in the shoot em up action comedy, <i>Free Fire</i>. Set during the late 70s in Boston, two parties meet inside of an abandoned warehouse to take part in a massive arms deal. Yet, when tensions begin to rise for a multitude of reasons, the weapons get put to good use in an epic shoot out. Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson and Sharlto Copley lead a strong cast that produce stellar performances in a script that's heavy on both action and humor. And just as the non-stop gunfire begins to grow tiresome, Wheatley wraps up his film in an unexpected fashion. There's nothing groundbreaking at work in <i>Free Fire</i>, but it's a sure-fire good time. <b>(July 18th)</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AP0-9FBs2Rs" width="518"></iframe><br /><i><br /></i><b><i>Kong: Skull Island</i> - 2 stars out of 4 - (<a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/03/rapid-reviews-kong-skull-island-and.html">Read my rapid review here</a>)</b><br /><br />The latest <i>Kong</i> reboot offers a ludicrous script with phenomenal visual effects. Unlike the recent return to the <i>Godzilla</i> saga, Jordan Vogt-Roberts delivers plenty of the title monster and a whole lot more. As a team of scientists are escorted by the military towards an uncharted island in the Pacific following the close of the Vietnam war, they discover that monsters exist all over the mysterious island. Samuel L. Jackson does what he does best, providing genuine comic relief at the hands of an absurd storyline, but the military presence in the film does stand as an intriguing element. But beyond all of the muck and playful craziness that lurks throughout <i>Kong</i>, the films manages to entertain adequately enough. <b>(July 18th)</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tI01wBXGHUs" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><b><i>Gifted</i> - 2 stars out of 4 - (<a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/04/rapid-reviews-gifted-and-colossal.html">Read my rapid review here</a>)</b><br /><br />Chris Evans trades his Captain America outfit and shield for a more sentimental flavor in Marc Webb's <i>Gifted</i>. Evans stars as the primary caretaker of his brilliant and spirited 7 year-old niece. He hopes to raise the girl in a simple and sociable atmosphere, but things get complicated when his mother (and her grandmother) arrives and a custody battle ensues. Youngster McKenna Grace delivers an exceptional performance, and co-star Octavia Spencer continues her string of exceptional work in this moving film. Yet, as you engage in this custody battle throughout <i>Gifted</i>, the resolution feels cheaply written and nonsensical, forcing the movie to end on a bit of a sour note. <b>(July 25th)</b><br /><br /><br /><b>Honorable Mention:</b> Two lesser known films I haven't seen but are on my radar include the based on a true-story adventure, <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212428/?ref_=nv_sr_2">The Lost City of Z</a></i> (7/11)</b>, and the British dramedy, <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1661275/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Their Finest</a></i> (7/11)</b>. Franchise blockbuster <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4630562/?ref_=nv_sr_1">The Fate of the Furious</a></i> (7/11)</b> also arrives this month, and so does the WWII true drama, <b><i><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/03/rapid-reviews-zookeepers-wife-and.html">The Zookeeper's Wife</a></i> (7/4)</b>, starring Jessica Chastain. A pair of options for the whole family include <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3874544/?ref_=nv_sr_1">The Boss Baby</a></i> (7/25)</b> and <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2398241/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Smurfs: The Lost Village</a></i> (7/11)</b>, while Terrence Malick's SXSW Opening Night film, <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2062700/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Song to Song</a></i> (7/4)</b>, and ScarJo's sci-fi entry, <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/?ref_=nv_sr_2">Ghost in the Shell</a></i> (7/25)</b>, round out July's new options.<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-88150986704947683772017-07-03T01:53:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:38:24.194-07:00JAILANGKUNG (2017) REVIEW : Mitos Hantu dengan Wajah Baru yang Minim Eksplorasi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="496" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVwCFRbJEaaaQR0NBBZxccu-Yh5VF1Q5p8zPic0TcRuDcJXQ1dVGdYlmLysiYsq05b7VHPYv5O7OZn0JcoUBjXnNpVu6IaMFt7_0VhvXF8f1tCU3M13i0xEvf0wIk4Bk7l41IBBTecs9y/s640/149784388033228_496x330.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Mitos tentang sosok tak kasat mata yang dipanggil dengan mantra <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“datang tak dijemput, pulang tak diantar”</i>ini kembali menghantui penontonnya. Film tentang hantu legendaris ini pernah ada dan mewarnai perfilman Indonesia di tahun 2001 sekaligus menjadi penanda bangkitnya film Indonesia kala itu. Sehingga, sosok hantu ini sudah menjadi sebuah <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">brand</i> yang akan dengan mudah dikonsumsi dan mendapat kepercayaan dari penontonnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Sosok hantu legendaris ini kembali ditangani oleh sutradara yang pernah menangani sosok ini di tahun 2001 dengan rejenuvasi nama menjadi <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> sesuai dengan mitos yang ada. Tetapi, mantra yang digunakan dalam ritualnya kali ini pun sudah berubah. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Datang Gendong, Pulang Bopong”</i> menjadi mantra baru untuk memanggil makhluk tak kasat mata ini. Jose Purnomo dan Rizal Mantovani diakuisisi oleh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Screenplay Films</i> bersama dengan Legacy Pictures untuk mengarahkan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> yang dirilis di bulan lebaran 2017 ini. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Selain rejuvenasi nama dari Jelangkung ke <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>, proyek film ini juga memakai nama-nama baru di perfilman Indonesia yang sekaligus memiliki <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>potensi agar sukses. Jefri Nichol dan Amanda Rawles menjadi pasanan di dalam film yang terbukti mampu mendatangkan penonton lewat Dear Nathan. Formula itu pun digunakan di dalam film dengan genre yang berbeda. Bersama dengan Baskoro Adi Wuryanto, Jose Purnomo dan Rizal Mantovani berusaha menghidupkan lagi mitos hantu legendaris ini untuk disajikan kepada penontonnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="835" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsn486bSgEqa-3BnTQoGSF4NRz_B6ieX1c605CYbzrjSPFcqHX44-zK2QdeiFwJ5lQSSFTyair0tkqUQTAp6fpgQTCFRea5P2YTWqOkACxMTxG3sH10NYcnc15hqi0lCD6Anwmk-_u-MR/s640/jl4.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan kembalinya dua sutradara yang<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>berhasil menakut-nakuti penontonnya lewat film Jelangkung di tahun 2001, tentu penonton berusaha memiliki harapan terhadap versi terbarunya. Calon penonton tentu masih mengharapkan bagaimana dua sutradara ini memiliki kemagisannya lagi untuk sekali lagi dapat menghantui penontonnya dengan mitos yang sama. Nyatanya, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>memang memiliki kekuatan yang sangat minimalis. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> menitikberatkan kekuatannya pada nilai produksi yang menunjukkan bahwa film ini tak dibuat sembarangan. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> memiliki berbagai macam kekurangan yang perlu diperhatikan dalam mengarahkan dan menuturkan ceritanya. Meski Jefri Nichol, Amanda Rawles, Hannah Al Rashid, atau pun Lukman Sardi berusaha untuk memberikan performa terbaiknya, tak bisa dipungkiri bahwa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> secara tertulis dibangun begitu lemah. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>kebingungan dengan apa yang berusaha disampaikan secara visual. Sehingga, penonton pun akan merasakan banyak sekali pertanyaan yang tak terjawab. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="800" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A7HrGIOOEbFshKsci2umrMsziKbSkeOUKcpPEvYvADyAgoMbk5KAcNTIUgyuP335HLrNlGyM7ltNDEMKMbAMYwku0ZU04wLDsGNyAS3u7IjBmn50hLbnKFL3voWbfpnpxbSPxkcJNWnH/s640/jl5.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> langsung saja dimulai dengan bagaimana Bella (Amanda Rawles) yang sedang berada di rumah sakit menemui ayahnya (Lukman Sardi) yang sedang koma. Bella dan juga kakaknya Angel (Hannah Al-Rashid) berusaha untuk mencari tahu penyebab ayahnya yang tiba-tiba koma dan tak sadarkan diri begitu lama. Informasi pertama yang mereka dapatkan adalah sang Ayah, Ferdi memiliki sebuah rumah lain tempat dia ditemukan dalam kondisi tak sadarkan diri. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan adanya informasi tersebut, Bella berusaha mencari tahu seperti apa di sana. Bella yang putus asa secara tak sengaja mendengar sebuah penjelasan dari Rama (Jefri Nichol) yang membahas tentang mitos-mitos tentang dunia astral. Rama berusaha mencari tahu penyebab dari komanya ayah Bella dan memang ditemukan sebuah fakta bahwa Ferdi, ayah Bella, bermain <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> di area rumah tersebut. Dan sekarang, arwah Ferdi dibawa oleh makhluk halus sehingga dia tak sadarkan diri. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Konflik yang digunakan di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> ini sebenarnya bukan lagi hal yang baru di dalam film-film dengan genre serupa. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>tetap diisi dengan plot cerita yang generik di dalam film horor, tetapi hal itu pula ditambahi dengan keklisean dialog khas film-film milik Screenplay lainnya. Sebenarnya <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> berusaha memberikan mitos baru tentang makhluk tak kasat mata yang secara tak langsung terpanggil di dalam ritualnya. Tetapi, latar belakang cerita dan bagaimana konfliknya terbangun tetap tak bisa dipungkiri bahwa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> memiliki sesuatu yang generik. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="950" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvB95K0MniyqR43Ji3dpKrJEPwADSy7qjP_Li58fMEITsOk3ApmPPtWZDm81_iPTQjDYvTzrwjG2X6bI9dzAekkz5iqUrMOBtw10lQ-q4CxX4Gyk8fGTJfe7pM8AdT5NaAOl6GVH3AZdk/s640/jl2.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Meski dengan sesuatu yang generik, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>seharusnya bisa mengolahnya menjadi sesuatu yang dapat dinikmati. Sayangnya, konflik yang generik dan lurus-lurus saja itu tampil dengan terbata-bata. Plot cerita yang seharusnya dapat diikuti begitu saja oleh penontonnya, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> malah membuatnya begitu rumit tetapi tanpa diarahkan dengan teliti. Sehingga, hal itu berdampak pada performa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> yang terpisah-pisah dalam penuturannya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Transisi plot cerita dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>ini tak bisa berjalan dengan baik. Konfilk yang muncul terlalu awal di dalam film ini membuat penonton bertanya-tanya tentang apa yang sedang terjadi. Tetapi penjelasan itu tak dibahas dengan detil, hanya muncul sedikit informasi yang membuat penonton pada akhirnya meraba apa yang berusaha disampaikan oleh Jose Purnomo dan Rizal Mantovani. Permasalahan yang belum selesai dibahas ini masih ditambahi pula dengan cabang cerita yang lain. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Alhasil, dengan durasi yang hanya berkisar 86 menit, penceritaannya terbata-bata tetapi berusaha terlihat komplikasi. Hal itu mempengaruhi penyelesaian dari film ini sendiri yang muncul tak rapi. Penonton kesusahan untuk mendapatkan afirmasi dengan apa yang berusaha diselesaikan oleh para karakternya. Ada rasa ketidakpuasan yang muncul saat film ini berakhir. Penonton merasa butuh penjelasan selanjutnya yang lebih rinci agar penonton mengerti apa yang dimau oleh dua sutradara film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>ini. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mungkin ada niatan dari dua sutradaranya untuk hadir menyapa penontonnya di seri kedua. Sehingga, film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> ini hanya berusaha membangun <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">set-up </i>dunia horor yang baru. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="950" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60L1n0xFeKWs0mLfBXJ1KDDpFIxIzNk97F8b9a2q4lwpP-TGdbUJmaLYMyV-HQpcnhM6dopKZD13eQ7HYTD1Jzrqne5W_a0yNHt_uF8PLY5wR1f7bY9hoJezeL4jNnHGtNP8tBSOpv_m8/s640/jl1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Memang, performa dari para aktor dan aktrisnya berusaha memberikan sesuatu yang terbaik untuk penontonnya di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>. Tetapi, hal tersebut tetap tak dapat menutupi celah bagaimana <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> masih belum maksimal dalam pengarahan dan penulisan skenarionya. Sehingga, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> memang masih belum terlalu maksimal dalam performa isinya. Tetapi, tak dapat dipungkiri bahwa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i>memiliki performa teknis yang digarap tak sembarangan. Gambar dan tata produksi dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> ini tak memiliki kesan asal-asalan. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> memang akan dapat membawa kuantitas raihan penonton dengan nilai yang besar saat diedarkan. Tetapi, kuantitas tersebut tak memiliki relevansi dengan kualitas dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> yang belum benar-benar maksimal oleh Jose Purnomo dan Rizal Mantovani. Masih banyak kekurangan-kekurangan yang perlu untuk diperbaiki apabila memutuskan untuk memiliki seri selanjutnya. Pengarahan yang belum maksimal serta cerita yang masih belum dimatangkan lagi menjadi problematika utama dalam performa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jailangkung</i> sebagai sebuah film. Meski dengan plotnya yang generik, film ini masih terbata-bata dalam menuturkan konfliknya. Dampaknya, ada kesan buru-buru serta penjelasan yang belum tersampaikan dengan maksimal dan hal tersebut tak dapat memuaskan penontonnya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q13Oq1gAKoYM98qNR4lWc-JQgH0BpeUX2YIId061ux5YnMlyol0JX9IuZtFYXbE7XrEIevpxwJWMW-5hmoO8UjWw2IISLbwzftVGjSjgTYUYWkw8ki6rU1-_NLAv7oiFoquZZzHZkNCW/s320/2-5.PNG" width="320" /></div><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-92170953541099735462017-07-02T00:49:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:38:24.212-07:00SWEET 20 (2017) REVIEW : Nafas Segar dalam Film Adaptasi <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidMfmEXFPuxZ94AC9roNOYQbtcH6vEcoX4_jjyxpgbca4Cklg6V4wbrtWrhFPm8QQU18CSC2rR_CqHJvJ8FGEKn4c8NpmRo96nJ9hgyTTv3mQWz1Oc89wMEBJyVK2mVfTov2QtXbN-fwn/s640/sw1.jpg" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Adaptasi resmi dari film-film luar negeri pernah dilakukan oleh film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Love You, Love You Not”</i> yang diadaptasi dari film thailand berjudul <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I Fine, Thank You, Love You”</i>. Kali ini, adaptasi resmi lainnya di perfilman Indonesia hadir dari film korea berjudul “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss Granny</i>”. Film dari negeri ginseng tersebut telah diadaptasi oleh berbagai macam negara mulai dari China, Thailand, Jepang, hingga Vietnam. Maka, kali ini Indonesia menghadirkan adaptasi resmi tersebut dengan judul “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>”. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ody C. Harahap menjadi orang yang dipercaya untuk mengarahkan adaptasi dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss Granny</i> ini. Pengarahan Ody C. Harahap ini dibantu oleh naskah yang ditulis oleh Upi. Film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> ini<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dimeriahkan pula oleh aktris dan aktor kawakan seperti Niniek L. Kariem, Widyawati, hingga Slamet Rahardjo. Juga, aktor dan aktris muda mulai dari Morgan Oey, Tatjana Saphira, dan Kevin Julio sehingga pemilihan pemainnya bisa digunakan sebagai segmentasi penonton dari film ini. Dengan jadwal perilisan yang pas saat lebaran, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> muncul dengan harapan sebagai film keluarga yang pas untuk ditonton ramai-ramai. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ody C. Harahap pernah berhasil membuat film drama komedi dengan takaran pas lewat Kapan Kawin?, bahkan Me Vs Mami juga bisa menghibur penontonnya. Sehingga ketika Ody C. Harahap kembali menggarap di ranah genre serupa, penonton sudah mulai percaya dengan apa yang mau dia arahkan. Meski diadaptasi dari film yang pernah ada, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> berhasil menjadi sebuah film yang sangat segar dan begitu menyenangkan pas dengan suasana Lebaran. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="800" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeh6-7p3Lu0-AZtUOclUJapWUsb1DPQO9wNTLM07EfLD86LXPv6ogdED-isXRZzzHS8I6YH8U1kWidASmo6G_OTQJYtuEdbCskbidyoZFrmi5FAiQuxhVL21YD_AZlSQO3NCpBUzr1w0S/s640/sw2.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Seperti dengan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss Granny</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> menceritakan tentang seorang wanita lanjut usia bernama Fatma (Niniek L. Karim) yang tinggal bersama dengan anaknya, Adit (Lukman Sardi) dan menantunya. Keberadaan Fatma cukup menganggu ketenangan anak, menantu dan cucu-cucunya karena Fatma begitu cerewet dan suka menasihati mereka. Hingga pada akhirnya, Adit dan keluarganya memutuskan untuk memasukkan Fatma ke Panti Jompo. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Fatma yang mengetahui rencana tersebut merasa sedih dan memutuskan untuk kabur dari rumahnya. Di tengah perjalanannya, dia menemukan sebuah toko foto bernama “Forever Young”. Fatma masuk dan ingin mengabadikan fotonya agar bisa diingat oleh semua orang. Tetapi, keajaiban terjadi saat Fatma selesai difoto. Fatma berubah menjadi seorang perempuan muda belia berumur 20 tahun hingga semua orang tak mengenalinya. Fatma pun mengubah identitasnya menjadi Mieke Widjaja (Tatjana Saphira) dan hidup menjadi perempuan masa kini yang mengejar mimpi-mimpinya dulu. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="800" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwlKzw4Z9H18gFmskJlTvWHY66M1SGosN-cFfmOw9E98xRaW41LuRpsCWPl_di4lYlaUBhU_GH0D5JUgp2-oo4OxCCm4_MD0pBQug1dQcXn7rmtkQm0qX0NlI9HGwsdco0MXdk_85ZjpR/s640/sw3.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ketakutan dalam sebuah adaptasi dari film lalu adalah tak ada pembeda dan hanya melakukan penyalinan yang serupa di dalam filmnya. Tetapi, pernyataan generik itu dipatahkan begitu saja oleh presentasi secara keseluruhan dari film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> ini. Ketika mengarahkan film ini, Ody C. Harahap tak sekedar menyalin adegan demi adegan di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss Granny</i> untuk ditampilkan di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>. Ada cita rasa yang disesuaikan dengan referensi kultur Indonesia sehingga membuat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> seperti sebuah film baru yang segar untuk dinikmati. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> tampil dengan konsistensi energi yang sangat kuat dari awal hingga akhir yang berdampak kepada penontonnya yang akan sangat menikmati 115 menit film ini. Sehingga, penonton bisa sangat terhibur dengan segala komedi dan drama di dalam film ini. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ody C. Harahap berusaha agar setiap unsur di dalam film ini mulai dari konflik, karakter, dan atmosfirnya berjalan sesuai dengan porsinya masing-masing. Pengarahan yang begitu teliti yang dilakukan oleh Ody C. Harahap inilah kunci kesuksesan dari performa dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ada perubahan suasana yang dilakukan secara signifikan di setiap babak di dalam film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>. Tetapi, apabila hal tersebut tak dilakukan dengan teliti, perubahan atmosfir itu malah akan mendistraksi pondasi cerita. Inilah kepiawaian dari Ody C. Harahap dalam mengarahkan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>, perubahan suasana itu bergantian tanpa merusak suasana penontonnya juga. Semua berjalan seirama yang malah semakin memperkuat lajurnya cerita dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> ini. Hal ini membuktikan bahwa Ody C. Harahap memiliki pandangan yang sangat visioner dalam mengarahkan genre-genre seperti ini. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1080" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w-sjmkemts1REJh80STP3jVlydHzE8rkFLlJBg-JiObyR_tsqgs0BZw9nkauqgE13VRWBN8PaJ_Gs0VeebEoGbAPQ2AAQh8_bN_Ue2phNh6v0ywS35psXKjMa8arT0qK8byGRC1GZbW9/s640/sw5.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Selain pengarahan penuh sensitivitas dari Ody C. Harahap, naskah adaptasi dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> ini patut diacungi jempol. Adaptasi yang dilakukan oleh Upi ini berhasil memasukkan kultur budaya yang relevan dengan Indonesia. Pun, hal itu tak sekedar sadur budaya saja, tetapi juga diperhatikan bagaimana penyaduran budaya itu dimunculkan di dalam adegan film. Mulai dari tembang-tembang lawas yang menghiasai beberapa adegan film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i>hingga pemilihan kata yang disesuaikan dengan usia setiap karakternya. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Apabila diperhatikan bagaimana setiap karakter mengucapkan dialognya akan muncul kesenjangan pemilihan kata antar generasi yang memang selalu terjadi ketika setiap orang melakukan komunikasi. Bahasa baku dan bahasa gaul terkadang menjadi hambatan bagi orang lanjut usia dengan generasi masa kini. Sehingga, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> tak sekedar memiliki konflik di dalam plot ceritanya saja. Tetapi juga menjadikan gambaran bagi penontonnya tentang konflik komunikasi antar personal melalui pemakaian bahasa di setiap rentang usianya yang terkadang memunculkan kesenjangan dan konflik. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Konflik tentang problematika dalam menggunakan bahasa inilah yang disematkan di dalam karakter Fatma yang diperankan oleh Niniek L. Kariem yang berubah menjadi Mieke yang diperankan oleh Tatjana Saphira. Meskipun tubuhnya berubah menjadi sosok yang lebih muda, tetapi nilai-nilai budaya lama tetap tersematkan di dalam diri Mieke. Sehingga, Mieke tetap harus beradaptasi kembali dengan generasi masa kini. Bagusnya, Tatjana Saphira berhasil menerjemahkan kesenjangan budaya yang ada dengan gerakan dan mimik wajah yang kuat sekali. Berhasil meyakinkan penontonnya bahwa Tatjana Saphira memang seorang wanita lanjut usia yang sedang terjebak di tubuh perempuan usia muda. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="900" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa_DjBdox2UXeLEVSjgp9LhgxGyaG1SQ6ZAD9kwlpe03wfmT5n0gDlszeVkRCEstfYF6QsgpOfKX5cjpGzfT_G8TriLPsia7iZeto3kR3xiXnlZZgkMQa5CpaN-rZKUohRxpC8aVbRF6A/s640/sw4.jpg" width="640" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Meski menjadi sebuah film adaptasi dari film lain, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> berhasil memberikan nafas baru dari film aslinya sendiri. Ketelitian dan sensitivitas Ody C. Harahap inilah yang menjadi pegangan bagi presentasi keseluruhan dari <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> hingga menjadi sebuah film drama komedi keluarga paket komplit. Akan ada tawa, haru, sekaligus kontemplasi tentang konflik-konflik di dalam film ini yang dengan mudah memberikan relevansi dengan penonton Indonesia. Hal itu juga karena kepiawaian Upi selaku penulis naskah yang dapat menyadur kultur budaya lokal yang tak sekedar tempel, tetapi juga diperhatikan penempatannya. Dengan begitu, konsistensi energi yang muncul di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> selalu terjaga dan akan menetap rasa bahagia di hati penontonnya. Ya, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweet 20</i> adalah film libur lebaran yang pas ditonton ramai-ramai. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tatjana Saphira is a next big thing!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLlcfxrkYuxXMhJv9R9qLrHQtxpNDbWtgQrfgj4M69JHQsTbOv62lXl7pSSqgUZxzEwJiQbrY3IO-dUqurPMmtGef0BppkkGa2WD_lCIXJAqeRRCGt4L6ktGgoxkXZjP9h9Q1sSBHPtRw/s320/4%252C5-5.PNG" width="320" /> </i></div>anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-4817918112626989482017-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.934-07:00The Greatest Showman and Breathe (2017) Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDEKwFTKJ8D6CkgCelcC1q1iRuoU-7QIGgZ07GCVSnxKJd-3DaZ7AvS_tekDx0aymDvwgmsZYt_45fPJvC2E4jgr4CCsEQEEOrj6Qvfq9JuH1fdsToW-NDIAsmt-PE2uNz0GQfYaw17M/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDEKwFTKJ8D6CkgCelcC1q1iRuoU-7QIGgZ07GCVSnxKJd-3DaZ7AvS_tekDx0aymDvwgmsZYt_45fPJvC2E4jgr4CCsEQEEOrj6Qvfq9JuH1fdsToW-NDIAsmt-PE2uNz0GQfYaw17M/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Fresh off of <i>La La Land</i>'s remarkable success comes Michael Gracey's original new musical, <i>The Greatest Showman</i>. The Christmas release will be a directorial debut for Gracey and it stars the theatrical stamina of Hugh Jackman. Its story follows the rise of P.T. Barnum (Jackman) and his revolutionary origins of "show business". Also featuring Michelle Williams, Zac Efron and Rebecca Ferguson, <i>The Greatest Showman</i> delivers some spectacular footage in its first official trailer. See it for yourself below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXCTMGYUg9A" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Andrew Garfield has quite a cinematic year in 2016 with an Oscar-nominated turn in <i>Hacksaw Ridge</i> and a lead showing in Scorsese's <i>Silence</i>. Garfield returns this October in Andy Serkis' awards season hopeful, <i>Breathe</i>. Garfield stars as Robin Cavendish, an adventurous fellow who wins the love of his beautiful wife (Claire Foy), only to succumb to the paralyzing effects of polio. At first glance <i>Breathe</i> appears to filled with and Oscar-baity story and performance, but I'm feeling a bit skeptical of its chances. However, Garfield is a remarkably gifted actor and if anyone can pull it off, it's him. Catch the debut trailer for <i>Breathe</i> below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7_YnYrLfjxA" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-87791472974252422722017-06-28T09:59:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.949-07:00Rapid Reviews: The Big Sick and Beatriz at Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bf4d45rtgP-J5RUNA3F77VtMPXEDAecuajWGp2fNZcNhVoMqgxcz7wPbL3WL7v8dWJhWgflisRNxpZP1n8w39IV0F81nuokFyvAB367VDcj-vCYsnYlWQkubUcg8GfYu6ks42LijX8Y/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bf4d45rtgP-J5RUNA3F77VtMPXEDAecuajWGp2fNZcNhVoMqgxcz7wPbL3WL7v8dWJhWgflisRNxpZP1n8w39IV0F81nuokFyvAB367VDcj-vCYsnYlWQkubUcg8GfYu6ks42LijX8Y/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcD0Daqc3Yw" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Kudos are in order as Judd Apatow has officially transformed an acclaimed filmmaking career into legitimate brand-name recognition. The "Apatow" name has become synonymous with comedy, and it's been plastered all over television screens and billboards as a luring attraction for the general public. His film company's latest production, director Michael Showalter's Sundance Audience Award winner <i>The Big Sick</i>, brings hilarity back to the forefront of independent cinema, reminding us why it's always worthwhile to take a chance on any creative endeavor cloaked with the "Apatow" seal.<br /><br />Kumail (<i>Silicon Valley</i>'s Kumail Nanjiani) is a Pakistani-born amateur comedian living in Chicago. After a performance one night, he meets a free-spirited white woman named Emily (Zoe Kazan) and their instant connection quickly turns into a meaningful relationship. But when the strict Muslim beliefs of Kumail's family force a wedge in their relationship, Emily soon suffers a severe sickness that leaves her comatose, and the trying situation helps give Kumail the strength he needs to confront his loved-ones.<br /><br /><i>The Big Sick</i> is a poignant and timely examination of the modern Americanized Muslim struggling with their own faith. In an era of division across all walks of life, Michael Showalter's hysterical work addresses cultural and religious differences with nothing but sheer love. The tenderness displayed from scene to scene is effortlessly organic and stems from the real-life inspirations of star Kumail Nanjiani and his wife and co-writer, Emily V. Gordon. Scripted from their own crazy and true love story, taking creative license with only a few minor exceptions, Nanjiani and Gordon pen a wonderful screenplay that does a phenomenal job of setting up perfect comedic conclusions to the film's more personal moments. No matter what direction the story wanders, <i>The Big Sick</i> always circles back to its humor-first foundation. This well-balanced dramedy also benefits from brilliantly crafted characters that come to life through unique chemistry and fearless performances. Nanjiani and Kazan light up the screen together, which allows for a bitterly outstretched third act to feel like nothing more than a mere hiccup in an otherwise exceptional romantic comedy.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 3 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B+<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bCLNTmNj5bI" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />It's rare, but I went into Miguel Arteta's new drama, <i>Beatriz at Dinner</i>, completely blind. I hadn't seen a trailer or read a synopsis. It was the film's modest 82-minute running time and familiar favorites such as Salma Hayek and John Lithgow that were enough to draw me into the theater. Yet, this darkly-comedic Sundance selection packages together the story of an unlikely encounter with an absurdly frustrating finale that leaves <i>Beatriz at Dinner</i> as a remarkably forgettable film.<br /><br />Beatriz (Hayek) is an illegal immigrant who happens to be an expert at holistic medicine. She lives a very simple lifestyle, but travels to the wealthy Los Angeles home of a family she's helped treat for years. And when car troubles leave her stranded at the residence just moments before an important business-related dinner party, Beatriz becomes an extra dinner guest at a table that includes billionaire real estate developer, Doug Strutt (Lithgow). The evening's events provide Beatriz with an in-depth look at how the rich and powerful view the world around them, and how different it is from her own experiences.<br /><br />Director Miguel Arteta and screenwriter Mike White deliver a tone-deaf effort, one whose underlying sense of mystery and intrigue can only take the film so far. Eventually, <i>Beatriz at Dinner</i> becomes forced to show its hand, and everything spirals downward quickly from that point on. There aren't any issues with the onscreen work of this finely-assembled cast. The audience takes an unfamiliar journey into the life of Beatriz, an extremely unique character which Hayek engulfs so well. However, as the minutes mount and tensions between these opposing lifestyles grow, <i>Beatriz at Dinner</i> loses its voice with motivated rhetoric and pseudo thrills. The entire chance-encounter between the title character and tycoon Doug Strutt seemlessly morphs into a caricature of a dinner party. Both characters deviate into bloated figureheads of conflicting ideals, settling into a nauseating resolve that's littered with disappointment after disappointment until the final credits arrive to rescue us all from the torment.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 1 and a half stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C-<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-63984325477353891232017-06-27T18:40:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:38:24.247-07:00WONDER WOMAN (2017) REVIEW : Hanya Film Manusia Super Seperti Biasanya<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXmxcGH3g148Q4NdrXgTPfPbqtfCsmmsuCDHbDWBADnkSMLJOpXuvXjoCk2NnaGDrW79hjyZxQMXCpFojWElWfjAieR1xlYDV9Am839A87GBT8gS-oif1nCUQbMf4MhrT3OecfwGRHRYw/s640/ww1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i>DC Extended Universe</i> kembali mengeluarkan sebuah kisah salah satu manusia supernya untuk dikenalkan agar bangunan dunianya semakin memiliki dimensinya. Digadang sebagai sebuah film manusia super wanita pertama yang dibuatkan filmnya sendiri –meskipun sebenarnya sudah ada beberapa film-film manusia super yang dibuat sebelumnya –DC Extended Universe menunjukkan taringnya bahwa dunianya sudah menjadi sesuatu yang perlu diantisipasi. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Wonder Woman yang diperankan oleh Gal Gadot ini akhirnya mendapatkan porsinya untuk bercerita tentang dirinya. Patty Jenkins, seorang sutradara perempuan yang kredibilitasnya sudah diakui oleh Academy Awards lewat film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monster </i>memiliki kesempatan untuk mengarahkan cerita manusia super wanita ini. Selain itu, film ini juga dibintangi oleh Chris Pine dan beberapa aktor aktris lainnya sehingga Wonder Woman menjadi salah satu film yang diantisipasi oleh banyak orang. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Setelah Batman V Superman : Dawn of Justice dan Suicide Squad, film-film milik DC Extended Universe tak memliki performa yang bisa membuat terkagum. Bahkan, kedua film tersebut memiliki performa jauh di bawah film-film manusia super lainnya. Sehingga, menantikan film-film DC Extended Universe tak bisa membuat hati berdegup kencang, kecuali para penggemar komik yang telah begitu dekat dengan karakter-karakter di dalam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DC Comics</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla79u6Pt8c8sRSzyL1OjFodogZJHoOgtumKIKRRiWB1_CxgxiyQHLCVHxFdjgJju5hAHO6N0CVk0tQGtz6CcqSbVsGnKpcKrMt2Jc1cFgldOW6vsrhz63HjKW6qzLQtPtXI37h3WS9I_E/s640/ww4.jpeg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ketika Wonder Woman dirilis, film ini mendapatkan resepsi kritik yang begitu dipuji-puji. Wonder Woman digadang menjadi sebuah kisah asli manusia super yang sangat segar dibandingkan dengan kisah-kisah dari manusia super lainnya. Dengan munculnya klaim hiperbolis seperti itu, Seketika muncul sebuah harapan baru bagi kelanjutan DC Extended Universe selanjutnya. Tentu semua berharap DC Extended Universe bisa menjadi alternatif tontonan kisah-kisah manusia super di sebuah pengalaman sinematis yang ada. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Tetapi, semua kembali dari bagaimana pengalaman dan referensi setiap penonton yang ada ketika menonton Wonder Woman. Sejujurnya, Wonder Woman memang memiliki nafas yang terasa berbeda daripada film-film DC Extended Universe. Hanya saja, ketika disangkutpautkan dengan kata-kata “sangat segar” rasanya Wonder Woman juga tidak bisa dikatakan demikian. Wonder Woman punya kisah asli yang sudah pernah dirasakan oleh penonton di film-film manusia super 4 atau 5 tahun lalu secara sinematis. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4y1SndzzD9_Gh-KTAu6YnWo3MOLGVxOfqLrVvTNmCFUGVwMa990t6ivRL098egbu9KLvIKtOW9JWRXAutpoWHCHMtdzocqo9PU6BU_Km-O2Gg80917Chuk76HQ4xYTZP65YUBhj9Hx5o/s640/ww3.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Menceritakan tentang Diana (Gal Gadot) seorang putri amazon yang hidup dengan tenang pada awalnya. Tetapi, dengan keadaan tenang tersebut, Diana tetap diperingatkan tentang kejahatan di luar sana yang melibatkan sosok Ares. Dengan begitu, Diana akan selalu waspada apabila suatu saat kejahatan datang dan menghancurkan Amazon yang mereka cintai. Hingga pada akhirnya, kekacauan datang ketika seorang pemuda tiba-tiba terdampar di pinggiran pantai Amazon. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), seorang mata-mata yang sedang bertugas ini terdampar ketika para musuhnya mengejar dirinya. Sehingga, para musuhnya juga ikut menganggu ketenangan para Amazonian ini. Perang pun terjadi antara Amazonian dengan musuh dari Steve Trevor yang menyebabkan banyaknya korban salah satunya adalah saudara perempuan Diana yaitu Antiope (Robin Wright). Diana menganggap ini semua adalah ulah Ares dan menggunakan Steve Trevor untuk mencari keberadaan Ares ini.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZSkYF_5aCWxNdoTaC-PHhcG1cm2lz13j8OD0r3co279L5KMO0rYBpNP0WQLKX8APgtIccrOB-LMyYWv2mABaxW83lHT6Tad02xedPgKLeKs_FxbrHmkGTGqzCzu50FREsyCdn_Ynac-y/s640/ww2.jpg" width="640" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Mendapatkan sebuah klaim tentang kesegaran dan kejeniusan di dalam film Wonder Woman, rasanya hal tersebut kurang pas. Sebagai sebuah film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">origin story, </i>Wonder Woman sebenarnya memiliki formula yang pernah digunakan oleh berbagai film asal mula superhero lainnya. Memang, ada rasa naif di dalam sosok manusia super yang muncul dari karakter Wonder Woman. Tetapi, Wonder Woman tak sepenuhnya menjadi sebuah tontonan yang mendapat klaim kata “segar”. Wonder Woman mungkin akan lebih tepat dikatakan sebagai pemicu rasa nostalgia. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan durasinya yang mencapai 141 menit, Wonder Woman muncul menceritakan sesuatu yang terlalu biasa.. Tetapi, secara bertutur, Wonder Woman tak ayal adalah sebuah film dengan plot yang lurus-lurus saja dengan penyelesaian konflik yang seadanya. Pembangunan dunia para Amazonian muncul terlalu sebentar, sehingga tak ada korelasi emosi yang muncul antara karakter dan juga penontonnya. Ketika penonton sudah mulai terkoneksi dengan ceritanya, poin pemantik konflik di dalam film ini muncul terlalu cepat. Sehingga, bangunan dunia milik Wonder Woman tak bisa mengikat begitu kuat. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kejeniusan Allan Heinberg di dalam naskah yang ditulisnya adalah ketika menggunakan Wonder Woman sebagai medium untuk menyampaikan kesetaraan perempuan yang sedang menjadi isu sosial di berbagai belahan dunia. Kenaifan yang muncul menjadi sifat dari Wonder Woman adalah cara bagaimana Allan Heinberg memberikan pengertian tentang bagaimana peran <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gender </i>muncul dari setiap manusia. Bukan ingin berprasangka buruk, mungkin hal inilah yang membuat Wonder Woman mendapat resepsi baik. Wonder Woman adalah sebuah propaganda politik tentang marjinalitas kaum perempuan. Tetapi, ketika melihat Wonder Woman sebagai film itu sendiri, sebenarnya tampil baik tetapi performanya tak muncul sebaik itu. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJyb7Nzo6VszSyww6KZ2ts3c7nwxYDtuRpDRNC8yCcsJU_qi73DeQkxW2bhCClInqWcR_CBGyx1wfTERh2GgpfoI4LLN7zDZBBqhA4mKgapyv1pPw7eQFtsZgUy5TazLovJGt_kGRG5G2/s640/ww5.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Dengan durasi 141 menit, Wonder Woman seharusnya bisa memiliki komplikasi yang lebih baik lagi untuk membangun setiap plot beserta subplotnya. Tetapi, di akhir 20 menit, Wonder Woman masih memiliki keterbatasan dalam menyelesaikan konflik. Membuat filmnya terkesan memiliki banyak sekali subplot yang perlu diselesaikan karena munculnya 2 karakter <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">villain </i>yang tertuduh menjadi karakter yang penting. Tetapi dengan konklusi seperti itu di dalam filmnya, dalih tentang 2 karakter penjahat tersebut terkesan sia-sia dan tak memiliki tujuan utamanya. Belum lagi keklisean yang muncul di dalam konklusi Wonder Woman yang melihatkan bahwa tak ada lagi unsur “segar” di dalam film ini. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Memang, sebagai sebuah film yang berada di dalam DC Extended Universe, ini adalah sebuah film yang segar. Tetapi, ketika dibandingkan dengan berbagai film manusia super yang ada, Wonder Woman hanyalah repetitif bahkan adaptasi dari berbagai referensi dengan performa yang cukup tapi tak semegah itu. Menonton Wonder Woman dan memahaminya butuh referensi dan pengalaman dari dalam diri. Sehingga, ketika selesai menonton, Wonder Woman adalah hal yang bisa didiskusikan untuk saling berbagi pengalaman dan referensi. Wonder Woman mungkin lebih tepat untuk mendapatkan predikat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“nostalgic”</i> ketimbang menggunakan kata-kata “segar” yang sebenarnya menimbulkan anomali. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="820" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6_PaharG9qcXONLfKf69A2KUnqCik3Ca_WhNLfRMl0i02L9reNx7te36gSIoERnBZ_zkAnpABYpigx810c5JbTGqsDTwUMLnd0PTGa77fO5pPQPPbQ2cG3YKPFNJ412NhHRevSiYeyaD/s320/2%252C5-5.PNG" width="320" /></div>anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-32057647810209653122017-06-24T06:59:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.961-07:00Stronger and Thank You for Your Service Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-90ZbxidJrwQwAYnbNokCff7s4FfTSH9d1q5FBeCorrXCOKvk-SfaNBSVDiF6P5FYj0gjrz-7lIiiItbW3kEcSkAUnX11ASFBh63CXkPYsP86KKec3OVMXgEqxMmAVIVkJtKdeQtTk1I/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-90ZbxidJrwQwAYnbNokCff7s4FfTSH9d1q5FBeCorrXCOKvk-SfaNBSVDiF6P5FYj0gjrz-7lIiiItbW3kEcSkAUnX11ASFBh63CXkPYsP86KKec3OVMXgEqxMmAVIVkJtKdeQtTk1I/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />As we get into the swing of the summer season, fall's potential Oscar players begin to unveil their trailers. One such film comes from the long-time comedy guru, David Gordon Green. <i>Stronger</i>'s Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, a Boston native who lost his legs during the deadly 2013 marathon attack. And as he struggles to accept his fate, Jeff also serves as a valuable resource for investigators as they work diligently to find the bombers. It's evident that <i>Stronger</i> will be a heavy drama and perhaps one that could propel Jake Gyllenhaal into the heart of the Best Actor race. <i>Stronger</i> debuts September 22nd and you can catch the film's first trailer below<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I6MN0QfQx7I" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />From the screenwriter of <i>American Sniper</i> and the producers of <i>Lone Survivor</i> comes the latest tale of a soldier struggling to adjust to life after war in Jason Hall's <i>Thank You for Your Service</i>. Miles Teller stars as Adam Schumann, a decorated soldier experiencing severe PTSD as he attempts to live a normal life with his family, <i>Thank You for Your Service</i> appears to be a respectful nod to the soldiers who put their lives on the line for freedom, as well as the lack of resources our country provides for them after the fact. <i>Thank You for Your Service</i> arrives in late October and you can catch the film's debut trailer below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/50LQGcb5knE" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-32806079678918903022017-06-21T09:54:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.972-07:00Rapid Reviews: Rough Night and 47 Meters Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNP_tU6M-JidnNicOPzj1kLJ5tBOXAANWkXhaB_vAmq5iP3lnu88SceFpf_IFYm6341v1r5-cJx6H-5vydCTC6TIh-bYP9xNW8CQQE-i0e3TipQSvO7aNpQeL3i35SUqfrIab3RsrXhE/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNP_tU6M-JidnNicOPzj1kLJ5tBOXAANWkXhaB_vAmq5iP3lnu88SceFpf_IFYm6341v1r5-cJx6H-5vydCTC6TIh-bYP9xNW8CQQE-i0e3TipQSvO7aNpQeL3i35SUqfrIab3RsrXhE/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kyIlMQvv-qk" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Back in 2009 Paul Feig's <i>Bridesmaids</i> launched the R-rated female comedy genre into the middle of mainstream cinema. And since then, stars like Melissa McCarthy, Tina Fey and Amy Schumer have carried the torch through a mostly unspectacular crop of releases. But in-steps the eye-popping Scarlett Johansson, an unlikely character actress who finds herself starring in <i>Broad City</i> director Lucia Aniello's feature film debut, <i>Rough Night</i>.<br /><br />The film centers around bride-to-be Jess (Johansson), a state politician caught in the middle of a neck-and-neck race. Her former college roommate (Jillian Bell) demands an elaborate bachelorette getaway weekend, and things go completely sideways when a freak accident leads to a dead stripper in their shore house. Jess and her best friends need to put their petty grievances aside and work together to avoid some serious jail time.<br /><br />There are a few strong positives provided in Lucia Aniello's <i>Rough Night</i>. Cleverly scripted humor is sprinkled throughout, allowing the film to do more than just rely on raunchy and vulgar jokes. In addition, Scarlett Johansson transitions from drama to comedy with exceptional ease. Her performance is the glue that holds the rest of this up-and-down cast together. Co-stars Jillian Bell, Zoe Kravitz, Ilana Glazer and <i>SNL</i>'s Kate McKinnon, who sports her finest Aussie accent, each offer a handful of shining moments. Yet, they also suffer from grossly embellished characters and instances of all-out absurdity. Sometimes the craziness is effective, but other times it's a legitimate concern. Futhermore, <i>Rough Night</i>'s secondary storyline following Jess' fiance Peter (screenwriter and co-star Paul W. Downs) is way over the top. If you're seeking some easy and constant laughs with little regard for a sensible plot, <i>Rough Night </i>will surely suffice. But if you're searching for a comedy that's plausible and grounded in reality, then you should look elsewhere.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C+<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nIjL7Pn8grU" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />The Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" marathon is right around the corner and if you're trying to find a way to set the mood for July's annual festivities, you may want to consider Johannes Roberts' new underwater thriller, <i>47 Meters Down</i>. Roberts, who has also been handed the keys to the upcoming 2018 horror sequel <i>The Strangers 2</i>, brings a recognizable lead, Mandy Moore, on board for this new release. And with shark infested waters and bikini clad women dominating the screen time, what more could a horror fan ask for?<br /><br />Sisters Lisa (Moore) and Kate (Claire Holt) are vacationing in Mexico trying to break Lisa out of her conventional and boring lifestyle. But when Kate convinces her sister to climb into a rickety cage in the middle of the ocean surrounded by enormous Great White Sharks, things go south quickly when the cage breaks from the ship and crashes 47 meters below to the ocean floor. Running out of oxygen and with blood-thirsty sharks hovering above, the sisters try desperately to formulate a plan for survival.<br /><br />There are some noteworthy elements to Johannes Roberts' tense new thriller. After a heart-pounding free-fall into the dark depths of the ocean floor, <i>47 Meters Down</i> makes you feel the confinement of its lead characters. The film provides an inherent "ticking time bomb effect" with air-tank gauges that constantly remind the audience of the impending doom. Moreover, the visual effects with the sharks are superb, creating genuine fear during their timely arrivals on screen. But despite these effective attributes to the film, <i>47 Meters Down</i> finds itself mired in a repetitious cycle of conflicts and resolutions that transform this 89-minute experience into an unimaginable marathon. And as the film crawls to its finale, Roberts and co-writer Ernest Riera miss the mark completely with a crafty ending that doesn't quite provide the punch that they were expecting. <i>47 Meters Down</i> is a frustratingly slow, albeit occasionally tense, thriller that turns its back on some golden opportunities.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C<br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-73959845582804100422017-06-18T09:38:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.985-07:00The Best Movie Dads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl0z0tU9dL34Gi-U4e9aGPXl7hXHKYYd3OX7-oogafyFSHwShF85nIFuGqCZVPhfuhdGRHbZyONNe_2jOVnPd6b4JpIYLrqthEXpg4RuEq_GtlTsOYE446soAzOUdiVq6WAZyFnxXCug/s1600/father.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="625" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl0z0tU9dL34Gi-U4e9aGPXl7hXHKYYd3OX7-oogafyFSHwShF85nIFuGqCZVPhfuhdGRHbZyONNe_2jOVnPd6b4JpIYLrqthEXpg4RuEq_GtlTsOYE446soAzOUdiVq6WAZyFnxXCug/s320/father.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This being my first Father's Day celebration as a dad, I decided to put together a list of the best cinematic fathers for June's Movie List of the Month (<b><a href="http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-best-tom-hardy-performances.html">May's list</a></b>). Since being a dad is hard work and time consuming, this was a spur of the moment list and one that I may have missed some notable choices. Feel free to comment below with some of your personal favorites and ones I've regretfully omitted. Happy Father's Day to anyone out there who's performing a father-like role!<br /><br /><b>Honorable Mention:</b> <b>Bill Nighy </b>- <i style="font-weight: bold;">About Time</i>, <b>Eugene Levy</b> - <b><i>American Pie</i></b>, <b>Ray Liotta </b>-<b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Blow</i>, <b>Stanley Tucci</b> - <b><i>Easy A</i></b>, <b>Sean Connery</b> - <i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</i> and <b>J.K. Simmons</b> - <i style="font-weight: bold;">Juno</i><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#5. (Voice of) Albert Brooks - <i>Finding Nemo</i> (2003)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxVvY098Iripwbqq54hPLnUpDx3zMOl7NTa9duemocE4dFkv28ifDdVHuDzGb7lBmeCamrGXblQAEzAtcsvEGYhrf1n7g_3db0L5vgw0NXKSZR03W6GjDKHONcmm5NjTsxJ3kN9bznqU/s1600/marlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="686" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxVvY098Iripwbqq54hPLnUpDx3zMOl7NTa9duemocE4dFkv28ifDdVHuDzGb7lBmeCamrGXblQAEzAtcsvEGYhrf1n7g_3db0L5vgw0NXKSZR03W6GjDKHONcmm5NjTsxJ3kN9bznqU/s320/marlin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to kick off my Top 5 with the animated film <i>Finding Nemo</i>, which tells the fantastic story of a father who goes to great depths to save his son. After Nemo becomes captured by a boat full of scuba divers, his father, Marlin (Brooks), teams with a forgetful Blue Tang (Ellen DeGeneres) to rescue him from impending doom at the hands a dentist's reckless, brace-faced niece. Marlin never gives up in his quest for Nemo and even learns a few positive parenting tips along the way. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#4. Liam Neeson - <i>Taken</i> (2008)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-3yMoFOlR2ANh2TLoXLnRU-pSh2Rfi8K5wJMAi8OW52LMwbj22i-dYSO6_edKQ9DmsCzdVLVz0HS-yrFzurwh6hQ7dbuvgJg_6Xrzk9CA-t3sdkejXGYuVjL5PV5s2ALs8NYIEAT3KI/s1600/taken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-3yMoFOlR2ANh2TLoXLnRU-pSh2Rfi8K5wJMAi8OW52LMwbj22i-dYSO6_edKQ9DmsCzdVLVz0HS-yrFzurwh6hQ7dbuvgJg_6Xrzk9CA-t3sdkejXGYuVjL5PV5s2ALs8NYIEAT3KI/s320/taken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking back at another heroic father whose love for his daughter knows no bounds, Liam Neeson reminds everyone to make sure that a girl's father doesn't know "a particular set of skills" before kidnapping her. Retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Neeson) learns that his daughter's been abducted on a European trip and travels the globe to kill her captors and hopefully find her alive. Not only is Mills an absolute killing machine, but he also has a soft spot for the special young lady in his life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#3. Marlon Brando - <i>The Godfather</i> (1972)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSoRFpwQx9YXJvsqYWJG_g_rjiaKc6daGhxfIh8y7j3UByQKeFTkDOV_zUHlCjPaf1lq_jloXRnpzGhtTEL9tBK5Q-NR8VJBIvAlq2u3umwGz5ILwwHsbEJGpMehK3mG1hnRM-LtWJQE/s1600/brando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSoRFpwQx9YXJvsqYWJG_g_rjiaKc6daGhxfIh8y7j3UByQKeFTkDOV_zUHlCjPaf1lq_jloXRnpzGhtTEL9tBK5Q-NR8VJBIvAlq2u3umwGz5ILwwHsbEJGpMehK3mG1hnRM-LtWJQE/s320/brando.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not all dads can provide positive influences in every aspect of life, some are saddled with a darker side. Yet, no one can ever question Don Corleone's (Brando) love for his family. As the patriarch and head of an organized crime empire approaches the latter stages of life, he tries passing the immense responsibility and leadership onto his reluctant son Michael (Al Pacino). <i>The Godfather</i> isn't just a gangster-film masterpiece, it's a beautiful examination of loyalty and family-commitment through and through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#2. Robin Williams - <i>Mrs. Doubtfire</i> (1993)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibafTF-5-42x8JRQTNZ5rDXGlnuBHixJ-MCk-FNK2olFyuBj-ZPlnTaSj-xpA2P-22dERUUs0fP0rt6lHR5YUt3ecE_HPQW52UxWoEVnCHUnPRSx1m0ceDGBYzl06p024JziaUu91rbF4/s1600/doubtfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibafTF-5-42x8JRQTNZ5rDXGlnuBHixJ-MCk-FNK2olFyuBj-ZPlnTaSj-xpA2P-22dERUUs0fP0rt6lHR5YUt3ecE_HPQW52UxWoEVnCHUnPRSx1m0ceDGBYzl06p024JziaUu91rbF4/s320/doubtfire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here to lighten the mood is the late Robin Williams' masterful performance in <i>Mrs. Doubtfire</i>. After a fed up mother (Sally Field) decides to divorce her hilariously childish husband (Williams), they embark on a bitter custody battle that provider her full custody and leaves him with Saturday visits only. He decides to do whatever it takes to see more of his children, even if it means dressing in drag and posing as their new British nanny. This clever and comical story simply revolves around the boundless love between a father and his three kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#1. Chevy Chase - <i>National Lampoon's Vacation</i> (1983)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqawSSUjNtRqijGtMJAwahNMvFhxxbGFp1jvq8uOUe4XTFgg6AHUm42tFX5FHfRYXXxrebdCPQYSRFgtGgjNjF3mQoDgdfc4vHlNMZ1pC33B286MWHatI68eD3dKBr7apWMq3szrCnA/s1600/chase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqawSSUjNtRqijGtMJAwahNMvFhxxbGFp1jvq8uOUe4XTFgg6AHUm42tFX5FHfRYXXxrebdCPQYSRFgtGgjNjF3mQoDgdfc4vHlNMZ1pC33B286MWHatI68eD3dKBr7apWMq3szrCnA/s320/chase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, <i>The National Lampoon's</i> Clark Griswold (Chase) takes the top honor as cinema's greatest dad. Clark's patriarchal conquests (or lack thereof) span a collection of films, but I'll focus on his humble beginnings when a family road-trip to the Wally World theme park tests his patience and sanity. Life isn't always too kind to Clark, but he's been blessed with a (sometimes) loving family whom he cherishes. And through these ups and downs that the world constantly throws his way, Clark reminds us all that family is the most important thing we have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-87486356106529164692017-06-14T06:45:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:52.999-07:00Rapid Reviews: It Comes at Night and The Book of Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1NGhdwZeQAjSXUiJD-9uoqZrQJ0eK3NiIRQ4IEtVelVcOuu0Y7qPbg0omWvtqEHaOoO9JKLTj-mFpHCQLN7UUW0cA0sVlDG7kiWK-by7ukmXSzOYXsqcrLT8UH_raZA_6ZSuidrQ20o/s1600/rapid+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="619" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1NGhdwZeQAjSXUiJD-9uoqZrQJ0eK3NiIRQ4IEtVelVcOuu0Y7qPbg0omWvtqEHaOoO9JKLTj-mFpHCQLN7UUW0cA0sVlDG7kiWK-by7ukmXSzOYXsqcrLT8UH_raZA_6ZSuidrQ20o/s320/rapid+reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6YOYHCBQn9g" width="518"></iframe> <br /><br /><br />Having experienced both of his films, it's clear that Trey Edward Schults cares more about how his movies make you feel rather than the boldness of their stories. Consequently, the young filmmaker has maneuvered a stranglehold over the independent filmmaking world with his festival-darling debut feature, <i>Krisha</i>. Countless accolades from the most prominent indie awards groups bridged Schults' accessibility to bigger talent and larger funds in order to return with his shamefully mis-marketed follow-up, <i>It Comes at Night</i>.<br /><br />A highly infectious disease has dwindled mankind and a former history teacher (Joel Edgerton) has managed to keep his wife and teenage son alive in a secluded and enclosed shelter in the middle of the woods. But when a stranger arrives at their safe-haven seeking water and refuge for his family, they agree to stay in the shelter together and combine resources. Yet, tensions arise when both families quickly discover that they'll do whatever's necessary to stay alive.<br /><br />I can't understand why <i>It Comes at Night</i> has been branded as a horror film when its most terrifying scenes all occur in a handful of brief dream sequences. If you're chasing scares, then look elsewhere. Instead, Schults' sophomoric effort blends feelings of claustrophobia, paranoia and fear into a rangy psychological drama that offers rare and thinly-spread moments of suspense. Trey Edward Schults uses a manipulation of aspect ratios and clever camerawork to frame instances in the story that elicit various emotions from the viewer. It's a unique ability that resonates well, but one that also needs a complement of other factors to fully appease the audience. Therefore, despite the film's narrowly developed story, exceptional performances from the entire cast help ease its slow-building tension that mounts like a well-choreographed dance as the stakes for survival grow higher and higher. <i>It Comes at Night</i> shows a darker side of humanity through a largely ambiguous lens. Personally, I enjoyed connecting the dots and cementing my own belief to the film's events. However, if you're someone who needs to know every little detail of a story, then expect to be frustrated. But either way, we'll all remember exactly how the film's explosive finale made us feel.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 3 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: B<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dz8R2xxeyaA" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Director Colin Trevorrow's career has been on an odd trajectory ever since his well-made 2012 indie debut, <i>Safety Not Guaranteed</i>. The film's sci-fi backdrop and critical success paved the way for Trevorrow's emergence on the big-budget blockbuster stage with the money-printing franchise reboot, <i>Jurassic World</i>. Yet, before he closes out the latest <i>Star Wars</i> trilogy as the visionary behind 2019's concluding <i>Episode IX</i>, Trevorrow changes course entirely with the new limited-release drama, <i>The Book of Henry</i>.<br /><br />Henry (Jaeden Lieberher) is a remarkably gifted and bright 11 year old boy who serves as the voice of maturity in a household that includes his waitress mother Susan (Naomi Watts) and younger brother Peter (Jacob Tremblay). But when Henry discovers that his next door neighbor and classmate Christina (Maddie Ziegler) is being abused by her police-chief stepfather (Dean Norris), he concocts a deadly plan to help free her from this miserable home life. Yet, unable to take care of matters himself, Henry pens a precisely detailed book so that his mother can carry out the plan.<br /><br />At its core, <i>The Book of Henry</i> tells a heartbreaking, albeit somewhat uplifting, tale that satisfies with minor elements of humor, suspense and tenderness. Yet, an unforeseen sappy mid-section, one that would typically crumble under normal circumstances, plays surprisingly well thanks to a pair of Hollywood's most talented young performers. Jordan Lieberher and Jacob Tremblay. Lieberher broke into the industry as Bill Murray's sidekick in the affable comedy <i>St. Vincent</i>, while Tremblay is best known as the youngster in recent Best Picture nominee, <i>Room</i>. Together, these two stars in the making guide the audience through a messy and flawed story. Trevorrow and screenwriter Gregg Hurwitz attempt to wrap everything up in an inspiring fashion, yet force puzzling and unrealistic behaviors onto characters in order to make this narrative fit. Henry's cerebral and premeditated nature constantly preaches the notion that any miscalculation can throw off a plan entirely. Sadly, in opposition to what <i>The Book of Henry</i> teaches, flimsy and imperfect writing transforms this fun and heartfelt drama into a wildly mediocre film.<br /><br /><br />Stars: 2 stars out of 4<br /><br />Grade: C+<br /><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653689131356800150.post-21983528321699994882017-06-11T08:08:00.000-07:002017-08-08T11:36:53.014-07:00Black Panther (TEASER) and American Made Trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ3z42KiWyxqNJFaxFPrvvaCXGNwpTYIsWHR4hI48qbqH7zHBM7CtUsKNTZT4c2JocVHgnNUtRsfTv9VVspXWGa5WIFqsvmkOcnL_PSjakgYqcpyzea3uo9WM1-9tynw4IQ7QlQFJ-30/s1600/trailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ3z42KiWyxqNJFaxFPrvvaCXGNwpTYIsWHR4hI48qbqH7zHBM7CtUsKNTZT4c2JocVHgnNUtRsfTv9VVspXWGa5WIFqsvmkOcnL_PSjakgYqcpyzea3uo9WM1-9tynw4IQ7QlQFJ-30/s320/trailers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues its expansion as we're given a teaser trailer for Ryan Coogler's (<i>Creed</i>) 2018 entry, <i>Black Panther</i>. Following the events from <i>Civil War</i>, King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to rule his technologically advanced African Country where he finds a faction of his civilians who desire to overthrow his power. <i>Black Panther</i> is set for a tempered February release early next year, but it should primed for another huge box office as a spin-off sage from Marvel. Catch the premiere teaser trailer below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dxWvtMOGAhw" width="518"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Tom Cruise's weekend release, <i>The Mummy</i>, hasn't fared too well, but the one-time king of the box office hopes to rebound with September's crime-thriller, <i>American Made</i>. Doug Liman's (<i>The Bourne Identity</i>) 1980s-set film follows a pilot (Cruise) who aids the CIA on a reconnaissance mission to a volatile Central America where he soon finds himself atop one of the agency's biggest covert missions of all-time. A Cruise-Liman collaboration should pique the interest of action fans everywhere, and you can see <i>American Made</i>'s first-look trailer below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="291" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEBIJRAkujM" width="518"></iframe><br /><br />anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10159345048570341446noreply@blogger.com0