Nonton film ini pasti kita akan selalu dibawa ke suatu pertanyaan dan sekaligus kekaguman: bagaimana sang Director (Zhang Yuan) men-direct para cast yang sebagian besar adalah anak-anak berumur 4-5 tahun dengan setting kehidupan sebuah Asrama Taman Kanak-Kanak di Beijing tahun 1949, pasca revolusi Beijing.
Pada awal cerita, nampak seorang anak umur 4 tahunan (Quiang) yang diseret ayahnya menyusuri lorong2 kota hingga tiba di salah satu Taman Kanak-Kanak. Sang ayah kemudian menitipkan Quiang di TK dengan asrama itu tanpa peduli pada tangisan si bocah yang ingin memberontak.
Ceritapun dimulai bagaimana Quiang kecil mengalami kesulitan menyesuaikan diri dengan rutinitas dan peraturan-peraturan asrama yang sangat ketat, dimana anak-anak yang dapat menjalankan rutinitas dengan baik seperti melepas dan memakai pakaian sendiri, mentaati perintah guru hingga ‘pup’ di pagi hari, akan mendapatkan sebuah kembang kertas berwarna merah pada score-board mereka.
Di film ini kita akan disuguhi kelucuan2 dari keluguan anak-anak kecil dan juga adegan2 menyentuh ketika Quiang kecil berusaha keras dan berkali-kali gagal untuk mendapatkan reward berupa kembang kertas mungil berwarna merah pada score board-nya.
Quiang kecil kemudian bertumbuh menjadi seorang anak pemberontak yang tidak mau berkompromi dengan aturan-aturan dimana justru keteraturan dan ketaatan manjadi suatu harga yang dijunjung tinggi. Dijauhi oleh teman-teman kecilnya hingga hukuman isolasi di ruang sempit dan gelap yang membuatnya menangis berjam-jam ternyata tidak mematahkan semangat Quiang kecil untuk menunjukkan jati dirinya.
Quiang bahkan sanggup menggerakan seisi sekolah untuk ‘memberontak’ dan menangkap kepala guru Ms. Li dengan menyebarkan isu bahwa Ms. Li telah berubah menjadi monster
Sejak kemunculannya di awal film Sang actor cilik Dong Bowen pemeran Quiang sebagai pusat cerita sangat mencuri perhatian lewat penampilannya yang sangat ekspresif dan memukau. Entah bagaimana sang sutradara membuat anak ini bisa tertawa, menangis dan menunjukkan berbagai mimik2 wajah lucu, marah dan takut secara natural.
Yang unik dari film ini adalah ketika kita hanya dituntut untuk mengikuti dan mencermati alur ceritanya saja tanpa mengharapkan ending layaknya sebuah film pada umumnya.. nah lho!
Coba deh nonton.. selain cukup menghibur, mungkin ada juga pelajaran2 moral yang bisa kita ambil selain mungkin ada beberapa kejanggalan yang akan kita rasakan yang disebabkan perbedaan kultur.
Director: Yuan Zhang
Writers: Shuo Wang (novel) and Dai Ning
Release Date: 21 July 2006 (Sweden)
Genre: Comedy / Drama more
Cast :
Dong Bowen ... Fang Qiangqiang
Ning Yuanyuan ... Yang Nanyan
Chen Manyuan ... Yang Beiyan
Zhao Rui ... Ms. Li
Li Xiaofeng ... Ms. Tang
Jumat, 21 September 2007
Little Red Flowers - Kan shang qu hen mei (2006) - Review
Minggu, 16 September 2007
WAR - ROUGE ASSASIN (2007)
Synopsis :
Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) is an FBI agent who discovers that a hit man named Rogue (Jet Li) is back in San Francisco after 3 years of complete disappearance by Rogue's trademark titanium shells with depleted uranium slugs. Crawford knew Rogue from his past experience that Rogue killed Crawford's partner Chang (John Lone) and his wife and daughter and set their home on fire.
Crawford wants justice for his partner and vows to kill Rogue to get even. In the mean time, Rogue skillfully incites a war between the Triads and Yakuzas in San Francisco for no apparent reason. Rogue seems to be working for the local mafia Shiro (Ryo Ishibashi) while he kills his son-like man in Triads and skillfully manages to let him believe it's done by the Yakuzas and tips the man's brother working with Shiro to his location of a tea house where the rival gangs fight while Rogue sits in a winow pickin off anyone coming out with a sniper rifle from both gangs.
Rogue is a very good fighter, an excellent liar and is skilled at vanishing abruptly. He works for the Japanese mob while still workin with Shiro and kills Shiro upon the Japanese mob's orders. But he didn't followed the mob's full order by not killing Shiro's wife and daughter as he previously promised Shiro.
Crawford finds out Rogue was actually changed his face by a plastic surgery and found the surgeon who done the same and confirms his current identity Victor Shaw (Jet Li). By his watchmen, Crawford manages to get snaps of Rogue killin Japanese mob's guards and bringing the women and girl alive and boarding them on a Car. Crawford gives these snaps to the Japanese mob who finally turns up in San Francisco cleverly lured by Rogue using a pair of priceless gold horse statues (one of them is a fake of the other) from Japan. Japanese mob tries to torture Rogue to find out where the Shiro's wife and daughter were hidden but Rogue escapes and kills the mob's men and explodes the fake horse statue box killing almost everyone except the Japanese mob to whom he starts a sword fight. This is where the plot gets its twist, the mob asks him why he's doing this when Rogue tells it's because of a killing the mob ordered. The mob wondered which one of the many orders and it turns out to be the killing of Crawford's partner and his wife and daugher and burning the home. Telling he shouldn't have ordered to kill the women and child Rogue sets on a skilled fight which at last the mob was not able to hold and reveals another stunning truth that it's all because Crawford let it happen. This makes another interesting twist and after learning the fact, Rogue kills the mob.
The Wife of Shiro receives a package with a letter saying "Start a new Life" from Rogue with the original gold horse statue in it while the daughter of Japanese mob receives the same letter with a package of her father's head. Rogue calls Crawford to set a meeting at the first known place for both of them and Crawford sets a sniper and visits that place to kill Rogue.
Rogue and Crawford fight furiously and at one end when they're close to face to face, Rogue reveals he's actually the partner of Crawford, Tom Lone (Terry Chen) who's supposed to be dead but manages to survive and killed the real Rogue and made a plastic surgery to make him look like Rogue to avenge his wife and daughter's death. Crawford identifies him and tries to stop the sniper he set off from killing Rogue who stands up and tells Tom Lone is dead and so did the Rogue and kills Crawford. The sniper was not able to find anyone in the room to shoot at and fails his mission.
Rogue drives a car with a large suitcase full of money given to him by the Japanese mob earlier and the movie ends.
Director : Philip G. Atwell
Writers : Lee Anthony Smith & Gregory J. Bradley
Release Date : 12 September 2007 (Indonesia)
Genre : Action / Thriller
Cast : Jet Li,Jason Statham, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Luis Guzmán, Saul Rubinek, Ryo Ishibashi, Sung Kang
Sabtu, 15 September 2007
December Boys (2007)
Director: Rod Hardy
Writers: Michael Noonan (novel)/Marc Rosenberg (screenplay)
Release Date: 14 September 2007 (UK/US)
Genre: Drama / Romance
Cast : Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Christian Byers, James Fraser, Jack Thompson, Teresa Palmer
Dalam film independen yang bersetting di Australia ini Daniel Raddcliffe berperan sebagai Maps, remaja panti asuhan yang hidup pada tahun 60an.
Maps dan teman-temannya di Panti Asuhan berlibur ke pesisir pantai. Ketika terdengar kabar bahwa ada penduduk lokal yang ingin mengadopsi anak yatim piatu, keempat dari mereka saling berkompetisi untuk membuktikan siapa yang paling pantas diadopsi.. Persahabatan mereka pun diuji.
Kisah film ini diambil dari novel berjudul sama karya seorang penulis Australia, Michael John Noonan yang terinspirasi oleh kegemarannya berlibur ke pesisir pantai.
Layaknya film independen yang dibuat oleh studio kecil, maka rilis film ini akan terbatas dan kecil kemungkinan akan masuk ke Indonesia. Tapi kita masih bisa berharap untuk menyaksikan aksi Daniel non Harry Potter lewat DVD. Silahkan menunggu!!!
Iron Man (2008) Trailer
Synopsis:
Based on the Marvel Comics Character; Billionaire playboy industrialist Tony Stark makes wepons for the U.S. government. While out on a field test of one of his inventions, he is wounded, captured and foreced to make wepons for the enemy. Instead, he fashions himself a crude power armor to save his life and facilitate his escape. When he returns home, he revises his armor and finds purpose as the Armored Avenger Iron Man!
Director : Jon Favreau
Writers : Arthur Marcum/Matt Holloway
Release Date : 2 May 2008 (USA)
Genre : Action/Adventure/Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Cast : Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Samuel L. Jackson, Hillary Swank
My Preview:
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) adalah seorang yang sangat kaya dan jenius. Dia juga seorang penemu dan pintar membuat senjata-senjata canggih. Suatu saat ia terluka di Afghanistan sehingga dadanya hancur. Ia mampu selamat berkat benda khusus yang tertanam di dekat jantungnya. Dia pun tertangkap oleh pasukan Afghanistan yang memaksanya untuk membuat senjata canggih.
Dengan terpaksa Tony membuat prototype pertama kostum mesin raksasa berwarna abu-abu dengan koda Mark I. Setelah berhasil kembali ke Amerika, Tony menyempurnakan rancangan kostum mesinnya sampai Mark III yang bisa terbang. Warnanya juga sudah menjadi merah dan emas. Sejak itu Iron Man membela keadilan dibantu oleh sekertarisnya Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) dan sahabat setianya James Rhodes (Terrence Howard). Musuhnya adalah Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) yang merupakan lawan bisnis Tony sekaligus orang yang mampu membuat robot nyaris setara dengan Iron Man. Jadi bersiaplah menyaksikan pertarungan antar robot di bulan Mei tahun depan.
Jumat, 14 September 2007
Superbad (2007)
Director : Greg Mottola
Writers : Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg
Release Date : 17 August 2007 (USA)
Genre : Comedy/Romance
Cast : Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plass, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Martha MacIssac, Emma Stone
Dustin's Review :
The screenplay for "Superbad" is said to have been originally written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg when they were all of fourteen years old. Some touchups and additional drafts notwithstanding, this is key to why the film—an R-rated teen comedy of rib-tickling vulgarity and sobering sensitivity—seems so true to life. At least in part, Rogen and Goldberg were experiencing many of the same things as their characters, and had firsthand knowledge of the way boys of a certain age talk to each other and, in general, see the world. For that, "Superbad" hits a truthful chord that so often is glossed over with mainstream movies of its ilk.
In keeping with its semi-autobiographical genesis, the protagonists are named Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), best friends on the verge of their high school graduation. With the knowledge that Evan is headed to Dartmouth in the fall and that Seth is, well, not, it is very clear that life is about to change and the safety net of their friendship is destined to be pulled out from under them. Having never been social enough to take advantage of their adolescent years, Seth and Evan vow to attend a big party that classmate Jules (Emma Stone) is throwing. With the nebbish, dweebish Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) about to receive a fake ID, they offer to pick up the booze on Jules' list.
What Seth and Evan do not anticipate is that Fogell's ID is going to be for a 25-year-old Hawaiian organ donor named McLovin; that their trip to the liquor store will be interrupted by a robbery and Fogell, posing as his new alternate identity, will be whisked away by two police officers, Slater (Seth Rogen) and Michaels (Bill Hader), who are into partying just as much as he is; and that Seth being hit by a car will send him and Evan off on their own series of misadventures. By the end of the night, Seth and Evan are deadset on finally making it to the party in the hopes of getting one last chance before graduation to woo crushes Jules and Becca (Martha MacIsaac).
From much of the same team responsible for adult comedy hits "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up," sans director Judd Apatow (who slides into the producer's chair), "Superbad" has a similar brand of bawdy humor mixed with enough reality-based material to keep it grounded. Like those other two pictures, it is also a tad on the overlong side; trimming down the draggy middle act could have helped the pacing and cutting out the frivolous cop characters would have kept the focus on Seth and Evan, where it deserves to be. Even if the film has a free-floating, rambling feel—1993's "Dazed and Confused" must have been an inspiration—it also is frequently hilarious, impactfully nostalgic, and gradually sentimental insomuch that two male buddies who are about to go their separate ways can be.
Most appreciatively, director Greg Mottola (1997's underrated "The Daytrippers") and screenwriters Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg break down the wall of clichés and overdone portrayals of cliques that a lot of teen movies fall into the trap of. In the world in which these characters live—each one of the principles, both male and female, is presented as intelligent free-thinkers—high school is not a black-and-white world of popular kids and geeks, but of young people of a certain age coexisting together and trying their damnedest to make it to the other side. Some go to more parties than others and the like, but one-note jocks and cheerleaders are nowhere to be found, and there's a chance that the pretty girl might like (as a friend or even more) the overweight or slightly-built nice guy. Amen.
Time and again, "Superbad" is authentic in its observations of Seth, Evan and Fogell, as well as possible love interests Jules and Becca. Watching these people, whether they are trying pitifully to buy alcohol underage, taking peeks at the adult magazines in the convenience store, getting sloppy-drunk and sick at parties, having imperfect sexual encounters, confessing their love to one another in a naked moment of emotional bleeding, or even admitting to having a fetish with sketching elaborate drawings of penises, they are symbolic in one way or another of all of us who have ever been seventeen. "Superbad" can be very, very funny—as funny as any film that has come out this summer—as in Seth's multiple, increasingly ludicrous imaginings of how he might be able to buy liquor at a grocery store, or in one character's drunken attempt to seduce another, or in any of Fogell's (aka McLovin's) unsuspecting moments of glory. The kicker is that, underneath the raunch and outrageousness, is a heart (think 1999's "American Pie").
Jonah Hill (2006's "Accepted") is a revelation as the chubby, socially awkward Seth, and Michael Cera (TV's dearly departed "Arrested Development") is lovable as perpetually uncomfortable but innately good Evan. Both are fine young comedic actors who know how to deliver an acerbic line or a priceless facial expression, but they are just as convincing when things turn serious. Hill and Cera come off as genuine best friends, which is crucial for the arc of their relationship to work.
As Jules and Becca, Martha MacIsaac (2005's "Ice Princess") and feature-film newcomer Emma Stone are impressionable, down-to-earth, and not totally shut out of the physical comedy arena. And, finally, one would be remiss not to mention the immeasurable contributions of Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fogell, better known as McLovin. Mintz-Plasse is a quirky slice of brilliance and steals every scene he is in. His McLovin is destined to go down in the hall of fame of great teen movie characters. As joyriding police officers Slater and Michaels, Seth Rogen (2007's "Knocked Up") and Bill Hader (2007's "Hot Rod") are the weak links. More specifically, Rogen and Hader are well-equipped for their roles, but the problem is that their roles are too broad and cartoonish to mix well with the rest of the story.
As already delved into, "Superbad" isn't without a few blemishes, and the lack of an indelible soundtrack is also missed. Nevertheless, the film is smarter and more mature than one expects from the genre, and the casting of actors who look like actual high school students rather than artificial Hollywood twentysomethings is a welcome change of pace. The ending, not going for an easy gag but leaving things open-ended, upbeat, and yet appropriately bittersweet, is perfect. In many ways, the final scene marks the end of an era for Seth and Evan as doors to their future open up ahead of them, each one leading in a different direction. "Superbad" is a successful laugher, no doubt about it, but what lingers afterwards is the poignancy of childhoods reaching an end.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Director : Paul Greengrass
Writers : Tony Gilroy and Scott Z. Burns
Release Date : 10 August 2007 (Indonesia)
Genre : Action / Adventure / Mystery / Thriller
Cast : Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathaim, Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez, Albert Finney
Jason Bourne Strikes Back!
by Scott Mantz
reviewed: 2007-08-02
Just when you thought you've seen it all in terms of action movies this summer, along comes “The Bourne Ultimatum” -- the best installment yet in the popular franchise that has grossed more than $500 million worldwide. Adapted from the third in the series of spy novels written by the late Robert Ludlum -- following 2002's “The Bourne Identity” and 2004's “The Bourne Supremacy” -- “Ultimatum” successfully caps off a trilogy of intelligent, adrenaline-fueled espionage thrillers that raised the bar for the genre and made an action hero out of Matt Damon.
After his cover is blown by a front-page story in a London newspaper, former assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) once again becomes the target of the top-secret government agency that turned him into an unstoppable killing machine. With nothing left to lose, Bourne goes on the offensive, traversing the globe in his desperate attempt to seek out those responsible for making him who he is. When he finally reaches the end of the line, he is confronted with a startling revelation that may be more devastating than he can possibly imagine.
You don't need to see the previous “Bourne” flicks to enjoy “Ultimatum,” but it certainly doesn't hurt to check them out anyway (and besides, they're great movies). It will also help you appreciate the masterful direction of Paul Greengrass, who helmed the previous “Bourne” installment, as well as last year's unflinching 9/11 drama “United 93.” With “Ultimatum,” Greengrass takes his energetic style to the next level, resulting in breathtaking action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat for nearly 2 pulse-pounding hours.
That's especially the case with a spectacular rooftop chase, during which Jason Bourne easily proves that he could give James Bond a run for his money (and notice that they have the same initials -- coincidence?). But Greengrass kicks the excitement into high gear right from the start with an awesome fight scene in a London tube station. From there, it's off to Madrid, Tangier, Paris, Moscow and, finally, New York City. And when it does slow down to take a breather, the more conventional scenes are also given the shaky camera treatment, resulting in an increased sense of urgency that doesn't let up.
It all makes for a rousing cat-and-mouse game, only in this case, the mouse is the Terminator. That's because Matt Damon just keeps getting up again, even after being attacked by numerous oppressors, getting thrown across the road by a huge explosion and driving a car off a big city rooftop (in reverse, no less). Yet through it all, Damon makes Bourne emotionally vulnerable, which is what makes him worth caring about in the first place.
As for the supporting players, Julia Stiles benefits from a more substantial role this time around, as it is cryptically hinted that her conflicted agent had a past relationship with Bourne. Joan Allen also returns as the tough-as-nails internal investigator who has her own agenda with Bourne, while franchise newcomer David Strathairn (an Oscar-nominee for “Good Night, and Good Luck”) cold-heartedly plays the black-ops leader who vows to take him down once and for all.
So not only is “Ultimatum” the best in the series, but it also tops “Spider-Man 3,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” and “Ocean's Thirteen” as the best of the Hollywood threequels to come out all summer long. It effectively brings closure to the franchise, but given how the filmmakers keep topping themselves with each passing installment, I'm sure Jason Bourne will find a way to return somewhere down the line. After all, you just can't keep a good man down.
The Brave One (2007) - Preview
The Brave One Preview (Synopsis)
Radio host Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) is working and living a wonderful life in New York City without a care in the world. One night she and her fiancé, David (Naveen Andrews), are brutally attacked by three thugs in the park. David is killed and Erica is beaten within an inch of her life. Erica is traumatized to a point where she can not sleep and will not leave her apartment. To cope and work past this tragic event, Erica becomes someone else. She buys a gun and begins to roam the streets at night looking to take her revenge on the men who were responsible for killing her one true love. One late night, Erica is in the back of a convenience store about to purchase a soft drink when a man comes in and kills the woman clerk. She is a witness, and he comes after her. Erica protects herself and finds that it is very easy to shoot a gun. Days later, Erica is on the subway when she is about to be raped by two men, and again she protects herself. The City of New York is fascinated with the exploits of this vigilante killer, and NYPD Detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) is trying to catch this person, before he kills again. Erica gets a lead of where she can find the three men in the park, so they will be next. Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)
My Preview:
Sejak debut Oscarnya di The Accused (1988), Jodi Foster menjadi langganan berperan sebagai seorang wanita tangguh dan berkarakter seperti di film Flightplan (2005) dan Panic Room(2002). Dan sekarang di film terbaru besutan Neil Jordan ini Foster berperan sebagai wanita gagah berani yang menghukum pelaku2 kriminal.
Tokoh Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) tadinya hanyalah seorang Radio DJ dengan kehidupan yang lengkap dan cukup bahagia dimana karirnya berjalan lancar serta memiliki seorang tunagan yang mencintainya.
Tetapi kebahagian Erica serta merta lenyap dan merubah nasibnya ketika dia dan pacarnya diserang secara brutal oleh 3 orang kriminal di sebuah taman yang menyebabkan Erica terluka parah dan kekasihnya David (Naveem Andrews) meninggal.
Kejadian ini menyebabkan Erica terpuruk dalam trauma yang berat dan sangat menggangu hidupnya hingga akhirnya ia merasa muak dan kemudian mengambil keputusan yang sangat radikal, dengan berbekal sepucuk pistol Erica mulai menelusuri jalan-jalan di New York dan menghukum para pelaku criminal yang ia temui.
Konfliknya mulai memuncak ketika sepat terjang Erica mulai menarik perhatian publik dan penegak hukum, sementara Erica pun mulai larut dalam kebimbangan karena transformasi perilaku yang ia lakukan.
Melihat film-film Jodie Foster sebelumnya seperti Flightplan, Panic Room, The Silence of The Lambs, keliatannya The Brave One menjanjikan tontonan Thriller Drama yang seru dan layak tonton.
Director : Neil Jordan
Writers : Roderick Tailor/Bruce A. Tailor
Release Date : 14 September 2007 (USA)
Genre : Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cast : Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Nicky Katt, Naveen Andrews, Marie Steenburgen, Ene Oloja, Luis Da Silva Jr, Blaze Foster, Rafael Sardina, Jane Adams
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Director : Terry George
Writer : Keir Pearson/Terry George
Release Date : 04 February 2005
Genre : Drama/History/Thriller/War
Cast : Don Cheadle, Sofie Okonedo, Nick Nolte
My Review:
Ini salah satu film favorite gw.
Mengambil setting di
Ribuan kaum Hutu terbunuh dan mayat yang bergelimpangan disana sini menciptakan suasan menyeramkan.
Review by David Thomas (Filmcritic.com)
In 1994 an attempted genocide in Rwanda left over 1 million dead. The response of the international community was tepid, at best. The response of one hotel manager, however, was heroic. Hotel Rwanda tells his story with some insight, but perhaps too much restraint.
As the film begins, two tribes are at war. A Hutu majority faces a Tutsi insurgence. A disembodied voice on the radio fans the flames of hate, instigating Hutu violence against anyone even suspected of being Tutsi. None of this seems to affect Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a hotelier at the posh Hotel Mille Collines, which caters to European tourists and the local military elite. He keeps politics at arms’ length, using his charm and skill with negotiation to please his clients and superiors. Whatever pull he has is kept in reserve for when he might need it for his own family in the future. This is especially important since, while he is Hutu, his wife Tatiana (an impeccable Sophie Okonedo) is Tutsi.
All of that changes once a coup replaces the moderate president with a Tutsi-hating junta leading an increasingly uncontrollable militia bent on genocide. Paul must hide his Tutsi relatives and friends in his hotel while the UN stands guard outside. As the situation worsens, his negotiating prowess must serve over 800 refugees, all of whom are only a favor or payoff away from execution.
Don Cheadle is outstanding as Paul, at first depicting his quiet ease as a businessman, then his desperation as everything he takes for granted begins to crumble. The moment comes when Paul realizes who his real friends aren’t, and Cheadle’s performance resonates the horror of what Paul has become and how completely he’s been deceived. This, in turn, makes Paul’s conviction all the more believable when he chooses to use his skills, at great risk to himself and others, to save as many Rwandans as possible.
Also serving well in a small but memorable role is Joaquin Phoenix, as a photographer who captures footage of the atrocities while recognizing the ultimate futility of their broadcast. “If people see this they’ll say ‘Oh, my God. That’s horrible,’” he explains to Paul, “Then they go on eating their dinners.” Nick Nolte makes a nice turn as a compassionate, but ultimately impotent UN peacekeeper. He points out just how little Paul and his people mean to the rest of the world. “You’re not even a nigger,” he tells him, “You’re an African.”
One of the things the film does very effectively is in pointing out the disconnect between the horrors taking place in Africa and the response of the world community. Paul tells his refugee residents that they must “shame” the world into taking action. Rwanda seems to be nothing more than an investment or a tourist destination to the powers that be. This is captured perfectly when, as the European guests of the hotel are evacuated and the Rwandans are left behind, a man on the exiting bus snaps a photo.
What the film doesn’t do quite as effectively is capture the visceral horror of the event. It’s very difficult to do a PG-13 film about genocide. To some extent, director Terry George pulls it off. The psychological strain is evident in Cheadle’s performance and in the fear evoked in his guests by each new threat. But this is one of those rare cases where it seems the presentation isn’t violent enough. It feels like the blow has been softened, and this is one punch that should not be pulled. In effect, the audience feels like they’re being given the tourist version of the massacre instead of the real thing. Adding to this watered-down effect is the dialogue, which occasionally lapses into movie-of-the-week caliber. The story here is stronger than the actual screenplay, which is too bad, since this is a tale that deserves to be told with as much impact as possible.
Review Summary from The New York Times)
Stephen Holden
This wrenching political thriller, based on fact, performs the valuable service of lending a human face to an upheaval so savage it seemed beyond the realm of imagination when news of it filtered into the West.
The movie certainly isn't the first screen depiction of a nation consumed in ethnic strife. But its vision of the slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis by the ruling Hutu tribe in Rwanda during a hundred-day bloodbath in 1994, offers a devastating picture of media-driven mass murder left unchecked. The story is based on the real-life experiences of Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), the soft-spoken Hutu manager of the Hotel Des Mille Collines, in Kigali, who with his Tutsi wife, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo), and children, narrowly escapes death several times.
Mr. Rusesabagina was directly responsible for saving the lives of more than 1,200 Tutsis and Hutu moderates by sheltering them in the hotel and bribing the Hutu military to spare them. The movie, which is squeamish about showing the full extent of savagery, hammers every button on the emotional console.
Selasa, 04 September 2007
Ratatouille (2007)
Remi seekor tikus yang selalu mepertaruhkan keselamatannya di sebuah Resto Perancis yang mewah demi kecintaannya pada makanan2 bermutu dan juga keinginannya untuk menjadi chef, yang tentu saja merupakan impian yang sangat mustahil untuk seekor tikus. Halah... tikus ga tau diri juga hehehe...
Tetapi tiba2 kesempatan terbuka ketika Skinner, seorang pria muda yang hampir putus asa mempertahankan pekerjaannya di restoran itu karena kemampuan memasaknya yang sangat kurang, menemukan dan menjadikan Remy sebagai partnernya.
Dari sini ketegangan dan kekocakan dimulai ketika keduanya harus menghadapi kepala chef yang gila, berusaha mengangkat standar kehidupan keluarga Remy, mencoba memenangkan partner wanita Remy dan tentu saja menciptakan resep Ratatouille yang terbaik di seantero Perancis.... tikus gitu lhooo
OVERVIEW:
Brad Bird & Jan Pinkava (co-director)
Brad Bird (screenplay)
Brad Bird (story)
Genre: Animation/Comedy/Family
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This review from Bart's Homepage
Produksi: Big Beach Films
Tahun: 2006
Sutradara: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
Pemeran:
Abigail Breslin ….. (Olive Hoover)
Greg Kinnear ….. (Richard Hoover)
Paul Dano ….. (Dwayne Hoover)
Alan Arkin ….. (Edwin Hoover)
Toni Collette ….. (Sherryl Hoover)
Steve Carell ….. (Frank Ginsberg)
BaRT Review:
Kalau saya ditanya, “film drama komedi apa yang paling aneh sekaligus kocak dan paling enak ditonton?” …. maka saya akan menjawab “Little Miss Sunshine!”.
Menurut saya, film ini adalah salah satu film komedi tentang perjalanan keluarga yang menyegarkan, tetapi tidak begitu layak untuk ditonton semua anggota keluarga, karena terlalu berat dan di beberapa bagian terlalu vulgar (dari segi kata-kata dan ide).
Kesan komedi nya terbangun dari dialog-dialog dan situasi yang diceritakan, termasuk untuk beberapa bagian yang satir. Lihat saja ketika sang kakek berseloroh “decided to sign out earlier!” untuk menegaskan tindakan bunuh diri (saya sampai tertawa terbahak-bahak mendengarnya. Kocak dan cerdas!), atau ketika sang kakek tiba-tiba meninggal karena overdosis heroin dan seluruh anggota keluarga berusaha menyelundupkan/menculik mayatnya untuk dikeluarkan dari rumah sakit, atau juga ketika si sulung Dwayne tidak sengaja mengetahui bahwa dirinya buta warna setelah bermain tebak angka dengan si bungsu Olive.
Sama sekali tidak ada adegan slapstick di dalam film ini. Suasana komedinya benar-benar dibangun dengan mengandalkan dialog dan situasi saja.
Secara keseluruhan, film ini sama sekali ini tidak membosankan, walaupun dibangun dengan dialog yang cukup intens. Semuanya mengalir dengan lancar. Apalagi akting para pemerannya juga lumayan bagus. Ada Abigail Breslin, sebagai si bungsu Olive yang lugu dan cerdas dengan ke-pd-an nya yang tinggi. Greg Kinnear si ayah yang berprofesi sebagai motivasional speaker dan life coach, yang keras dan perfeksionis. Toni Collette yang tampil menjadi kontra peran sang ayah, sebagai ibu yang menyayangi anak-anaknya dan perhatian terhadap keluarga. Si Sulung Dwayne yang diperankan dengan baik oleh Paul Dano, yang hampir di dua pertiga bagian film hanya berdialog melalui bahasa tubuh dan tulisan dibandingkan dengan kata-kata. Kemudian juga ada aktor dan sutradara senior Alan Arkin, yang berperan sebagai seorang kakek yang sangat dekat dan mencintai cucu perempuannya -Olive-, namun juga dia tampil sebagai sosok pria tua yang mesum dan tidak tau diri (mungkin dia stress, sudah setua itu masih mengkonsumsi heroin, majalah porno dan dengan vulgar nya menyarankan si sulung untuk tidur dengan banyak wanita sebelum menyesal seperti dirinya yang hanya pernah meniduri satu wanita sepanjang hidupnya). Dan yang terakhir adalah Steve Carrel, sang paman Frank yang -sebenarnya- jenius dan bijak, yang baru saja selamat dari tindakan bunuh diri, akibat mahasiswanya yang juga kekasih gay nya berpaling kepada koleganya yang juga menjadi pesaing akademisnya.
Sebagai film yang dibuat dengan bujet yang kecil, “Little Miss Sunshine” terhitung cukup sukses. Apalagi jika dilihat dari prestasinya di beberapa ajang festival film. Pada ajang Academy Award saja, film ini mendapatkan empat nominasi, masing-masing untuk kategori: Best Picture ~ Film Terbaik, Best Actress ~ Aktris Terbaik (Abigail Breslin), Best Supporting Actor ~ Peran Pembantu Terbaik (Alan Arkin), dan Best Original Screenplay ~ Skenario Asli Terbaik (Michael Arndt). Yang pada akhirnya mengantarkan Alan Arkin dan Michael Arndt sebagai pemenang.
Pokoknya gak rugi deh nonton film ini. Segar dan Menghibur! Seperti poster utamanya yang didominasi warna kuning dengan gambar para pemerannya yang berlarian mengejar mobil van. Tonton dan buktikan sendiri!Alfa's Review :
Mungkin banyak yang belum ya. ’Little Miss Sunshine’ memang kurang populer di Indonesia. Masalahnya film ini bukan selera orang Indonesia yang rata-rata lebih suka nonton film horor.
Jangan takut nonton, karena film ini bukan tipe film yang harus ‘dipikirin’. Ceritanya cukup sederhana. Sangat sederhana malah. Coba duduk santai dan siapkan cemilan. Walaupun sulit untuk tertawa terbahak-bahak, tapi film ini cukup bisa mengundang senyum.
Bayangkan betapa repotnya menempuh perjalanan jauh mengendarai mobil tua yang koplingnya rusak, dengan seorang ’pembicara motivasi’ yang terus-terusan meracau tentang teori-suksesnya, seorang remaja keras kepala pengikut Nietzsche yang mogok ngomong, kakek-kakek ber-’darah muda’ pecandu heroin dan sepertinya anti-sosial, seorang paman yang jenius dan pernah mencoba bunuh diri, seorang ibu biasa yang mencoba bersabar, dan seorang gadis kecil yang berambisi jadi ratu kecantikan. Sebenarnya semua orang itu punya satu tujuan: mengantarkan si gadis kecil ke kontes ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, tapi sulit untuk ‘melupakan’ masalah sendiri.
Tapi ada satu adegan yang aku sendiri agak tidak tega melihatnya. Salah satu adegan klimaks di penghujung cerita. Bukannya apa-apa, tapi aku memang tidak tega melihat orang mempermalukan diri sendiri.
Menurutku kekuatan terbesar ’Little Miss Sunshine’ ini ada di akting pemainnya - yang bisa menguatkan karakter masing-masing tokoh, dan membuat film ini jadi “ada rasa” nya-, dan pemandangan yang ‘hangat’ sepanjang filmnya.
Begitulah, sepertinya ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ memang pantas bersaing dengan jagoan lainnya di 77th Academy Awards.
Georgia Rule (2007)
Buat penggemar film drama, Georgia Rule sangat layak buat di tonton.
Dibintangi 3 aktris handal dari 3 generasi menjadi salah satu kekuatan film ini.
Aktris kawakan pemenang 2 Oscar Jane Fonda, pemeran tokoh Lynette Scavo di serial Desperate Housewife yang sedang naik daun
dan baru2 ini juga menjadi nominator Oscar lewat perannya di film Transamerica - Felicity Huffman,
dan aktris muda berbakat Lindsay Louhan.
Cerita berawal ketika Lily (Felicity Huffman) memaksa putrinya Rachel (Lindsay Louhan) untuk tinggal bersama neneknya Georgia (Jane Fonda) di kota kecil Idaho. Keputusan Lily dipicu oleh sifat Rachel yang sangat pemberontak melebihi kenakalan anak remaja lainnya, sedangkan
rumah ibunya Georgia boleh dibilang adalah tempat terkahir yang ingin dikunjunginya karena Lily sendiri merasa bahwa ia membenci sang ibu yang selalu menerapkan aturan2 yang ketat di rumahnya.
Tinggal di rumah sang nenek yang penuh aturan di sebuah kota kecil yang membosankan ternyata tidak menghentikan kenakalan Rachel. Kecantikan dan sifat pemberontaknya mengguncang kota tersebut. Tidak cukup Rachel menggoda dan sedikit memaksa seorang pemuda Mormon yang alim agar mau di oral sex hingga usaha merayu seorang dokter terkemuka di kota itu yang ternyata pernah menjadi pacar ibunya.
Cerita memuncak ketika Rachel mengungkapkan satu rahasia besar tentang keluarganya pada sang dokter.
Dan demi mendengar rahasia ini memaksa ibunya Lily untuk kembali ke Idaho untuk mengecek kebenaran cerita Rachel yang menyangkut keutuhan rumah tangga Lily juga.
Disinilah kemudian terjadi pertengkaran2 antara Nenek, Ibu dan Anak yang memiliki trauma masing2.
Di tengah2 krisis inilah akhirnya ketiga wanita dari 3 generasi tersebut menjadi saling memahami satu sama lain dan akhirnya menjadi semakin dekat.
Selain adegan2 drama yang menyentuh, film ini juga menawarkan sentuhan2 komedi yang sangat mengibur.
Detil2 tentang kehidupan masyarakat Mormon di Idaho serta tokoh2 yang ada dalam film ini juga cukup menarik dan dijamin tidak akan membuat kita bosan nontonnya. Klo ga percaya... nonton aja dulu!!!!
OVERVIEW: