Dallas Buyers Club (2013) #4

Dallas Buyers Club (2013) 
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Director: Jean-Marc Valée
Writer: Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editor, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Original Screenplay.

Ron Woodroof's (Matthew McConaughey) life of getting high in drugs, sex, alcohol and gambling turns upside down after diagnosed with AIDS and given only 30 days to live. He moves on his life and begins to do some researches for his sickness that led to regime of medications that could prolong his life. Aware that he can take advantage of it, he then overcomes his homophobic to partner up with a transgender and also an HIV positive, Rayon (Jared Leto). Together they start selling the drugs to other AIDS survivors. By the time passing by he realized he's not doing this for the sake of money anymore but the good to help AIDS survivors lives in need. But his righteous attempt meets troubles along the way. His drugs he's carrying hasn't approved by FDA. Now he has to face the fact that his struggling to stay alive is not only for himself anymore but also for the lives of Dallas Buyers Club.

Review
I love the story, it's well-written, rich in values of life and powerful characters, like Woodroof. He has not only transitioned from a rude yet sleazy sex addict into a social hero, but he also sort of handling a secret message. Like somehow, deep down even the utmost douchebag... do have hearts and a selflessness even if it's only a tiny bit. For what he's done is superbly inspiring. Especially that scene when Woodroof gave his last speech like a ghetto to a private FDA-AIDS survivors meeting. Just... snap.



Aside from the story, both McConaughey and Leto has pulled their best effort not only physical-wise (just look how unbelievably skinny they are, it's like they're physically ready to die) but also acting-wise. McConaughey appears to be drowned deep into his character resulting Woodroof to have a strong straight-forward quality. While Leto here as a transgender depicting a warm-hearted fragile Rayon that I believe everyone will fall for her at first sight. Hence, later at Oscars party, they should take a selfie together holding their own Oscars and post it on Instagram... I mean they deserve it!

PS: I do still hope that Leo gets an Oscar (just like the rest of the internet), but it seems a little dubious considering his other competitor like McConaughey. Then again, Oscars is like a box of chocolate, you'll never know who will take em home until you watch it yourself.

Final verdict: 8.5/10

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) #3

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) 
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Terence Winter (screenplay), Jordan Belfort (book)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey
Nominated for 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film focused mainly on the rise and fall of an american broker, Jordan Belfort's (Leonardo DiCaprio) eccentric life. On his younger poor days he started his very own brokerage firm--Stratton Oakmont from scratch by selling worthless stocks on the market. It gains a major success and he becomes richer than ever. Though he obviously realizes he has committed fraud by manipulating stock market, his company gains even more success as well as his wealth, along with his addiction of drugs, hookers, and parties. Blinded by his gleaming glory, he becomes careless and was unaware that his downfall is only waiting to happen. 


Review
Just a quick reminder if you haven't seen this film: There were so many nudity and drugs abuse here. So for the sake of averting awkwardness, don't watch it along with your parents or anyone :p. But aside from that, this another masterpiece of Martin Scorsese is pure brilliance. Plain great and actually pretty entertaining. It takes almost 3 hours but you won't notice that since the plot flows quite fast like bam bam bam with its dialogs, scenes and everything. Also I want to take a standing ovation to Leo because he did a great job. He's gone just completely... megalomaniac. His acting seems better. It's seen that he has pulled his best effort for this role. Like that time when he did such passionate speech in front of his employees. I can even see his veins showing from his neck as he speaks. So I am pretty sure he actually got a shot at taking home his very first Oscar this time. He just gotta have more luck than the other nominees.



By the way, The Wolf of Wall Street also reminds me of Leo's previous film with Steven Spielberg, Catch Me If You Can which I think they have a lot in common by storywise--success by deceit.

Source here.

And here's a super awesome--shot in the head--inspirational quote from the book by Jordan Belfort in real life (which I've just known by watching this film lol).

Final verdict: 8.6/10

Nebraska (2013) #2

Nebraska (2013) 
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Director: Alexander Payne
Writer: Bob Nelson
Starring: Bruce Stern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk
Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

Woody Grant (Bruce Stern), a senior man with alcohol issues insists going to Lincoln, Nebraska presuming he's about to get his "a million dollar prize" from a coupon letter. Realizing how badly his dad wants to go pursuing his sham winning, his son, David (Will Forte), takes a long journey from his house in Montana to Lincoln just for him. While on their way there, Woody gets his head thumped so he has to take some rests for a few days. David then stops by at Hawthorne which isn't as far to visit his relatives where Woody had spent his youth. His fake winning then becomes a talk of the town and he has to deal with people who wants to take advantage of it.

Review
This is a black white and mostly quiet film though it doesn't feel like it. I was of course doubt it since most b/w films were boring. But Nebraska didn't as well. I guess it's that folk town vibes and the music that makes it homey. First time I saw the credits, that folk-ish melody stuck quite well in my mind. Thanks to Mark Orton, unsung genius behind those pretty music. Also, Woody reminds me of my old grannie who was pretty much just like Woody. Like when she sleeps with mouth opened, or those typical old people conversation.



I could say Nebraska was a lovely film. Once you reached the end and found out the reason why Woody insisted going to Lincoln to take his a million dollar prize, you'll definitely go... aww and start sobbing a bit. (Well it works for me since i'm pretty sentimental :p).

Hence, final verdict: 8.2/10