So as you know HIMYM tells a story of Ted Mosby in the year of 2030
recounting his story about how he met the mother to his future children.
He started the story on his 20s living in Manhattan along with his
witty group of friends. Its very last episodes has just ended around a
week ago and it's been one of my fave sitcom ever so, in order to give.. say.. an ode, I feel like writing more about its 'controversial' ending.
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) IMDb Rating:8.6/10 Creator: Carter Bays, Craig Thomas Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders Nominated for 2 Golden Globe Awardsfor Neil Patrick Harris as Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2009-2010)
Idk how to to put my feelings properly, I've been sort of in between of love and hate. Well, slightly more on the hate actually. Because it feels like it isn't a proper goodbye ending. Like it's been forced to end so suddenly. I mean, does it matter that there are millions of viewers out there been loyally watching it for years and somewhat grow up with the series, o dear writers of HIMYM? And as well dat wise quotes the gang's been babbling about which we've taken them very seriously as an enlightenment in life? The whole ending thing was such disgrace (sorry cant help the drama!).
SPOILER ALERT
Since the last bits of season 9 moves too slow and it basically explains all about Robin's wedding, I thought that it would be nice of you guys to make at least one more season for that two last episodes.We're all left perplexed by so many loose ends here. Like how the hell did Barney and Robin ended up split (I mean, specifically)? Now what've all that Robin Barney crap been doing all along? Have they turned into an actual form of 'bullcrap'? And yesss we'd kill to know more about Robin's journey being a news reporter, more from Ted's marriage and his children, Barney's sudden fatherhood (for sure!!!!), Marshall's being a judge supreme and anything Lily's been doing now? Also the last but not least, the mother.I think it's so cruel to save her only for a season and then throw her in front of a cancer bus and bring back Ted Robin. (someone has tweeted this before in #HIMYMFinale and it sounds soooo sarcastically hurts but at the same time feels... true)
The gang hanging out at MacLarens Pub.
Anyway, no matter how much I couldn't bear to loathe, there's still love left for HIMYM. It was indeed... an epic ending.I've never and I bet nobody has ever had any slight of thought, whatsoever, that it would end like that. The clues are there lying in front of our eyes but we're too busy wondering how the mother would be like. Like the very first clue, Ted told the story right when he first met Robin and how he's always been there for Robin at any circumstances. It's a shame we need Ted's daughter to help us putting the jigsaw clues back together. But then again, if it supposed to end like this then why titled it with "How I Met Your Mother" at first place?
Regardless all these forever unanswered questions in our heads, lastly, thanks for being there dear HIMYM.To somehow being our faithful source for soul searching and guided us to get through 20s with your wise, thoughtful dialogues. Also that surreal gagssssss we couldn't help to laugh so hard we needed to hit pause to continue laughing. And the pappapaparara opening song, legend-wait-for-it-dary Barney, doppelgangers, suit-up, slap bets and everything! Ya'll be missed.
Oh here's a clip of the infamous Let's Go To The Mall by Robin Sparkles which I think was such a mindblowing side of Robin Scherbatsky :')
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.
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.
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).
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).
Well the actual series ended around September 2013 on AMC. At that time, I had no idea Breaking Bad even existed. Then when I moved to a new dorm back in Bintaro and I basically got nothing to do but sleep, eat, repeat.. I browsed some series on IMDb just to kill my time yet I found Breaking Bad sitting at the top of most rated tv series. I was very interested in watching it and I was this close buying their pirated all season DVDs on Blok-M. But I thought I just need to get home soon and turn on my wifi so I could download them all on piratebay... free of charge! ;)
Breaking Bad (2008-2013) IMDb Rating:9.6/10 <---- I KNOW RIGHT! Creator: Vince Gilligan Writer: Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, RJ Mitte Won 2 Golden Globe Awards including - Best Television Series - Drama and - Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama, Bryan Cranston
Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is a loving family man and a brilliant chemist who unfortunately lives in a not-so-equally-brilliant wealth. For a nobel prize honoured in crystallography chemistry, he only works as a high school chemistry teacher. Overqualified, indeed. But then bad luck doesn't stop right there, he was also diagnosed for stage 3 lung cancer. Having realised the fact that he's going to die soon and his salary as a chemistry teacher still can't manage to secure his family finance, he decides to cook crystal methamphetamine with his ex- student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), whom he met at a drug raid. Walter uses his skill as a scientist making purest (yet highly demanded) methamphetamine to ever existed in the drug market. Producing this meth, though has been extraordinary profitable, doesn't come out easy for Walt as his DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank Schrader (Norris), often interferes his business. He has to face a greater challenge, not only to keep away his identity as the most wanted, Heisenberg, from his DEA brother-in-law and his family, but also to develop better strategies against the cartel.
Review
Once I watched the first season, I couldn't stop it really. I kept eating the whole season then moved to next.. unstoppably. I strongly recommend you guys to watch it bcs it's overly addicting. Technically just like snorting a dash of meth (ok sorry this is too much). It doesn't look like it's gonna bore you anyway since... I know, first time you read the short synopsis you'll be like, ain't nobody got time to watch a helluva heavy hourly based series. Well, it's not gonna happen bcs Breaking Bad is fairly light-medium one plus the plot makes you wanna go and go watch the next eps without even realizing it.
Walt and Jesse making crystal blue meths.
Now when you finished watching all seasons you'll feel like a part of you had gone away, and you're left clueless abt what to do the next day. Just prepare to feel like an absolute shit at that day. But at the same time feeling so... I don't know how to express this but you'll moan to yourself that this has been a great ride watching Breaking Bad. You'll feel sad that this is over but yet happy because IT HAPPENS. It's just.... so gooooood you got to watch it asap. (sorry for being overly persuasive, can't hold it :p)
Smashed up crystal meth candy.
A little trivia, you're gonna want to make that crystal meth legally once you watch Breaking Bad. I mean I'm talking... crystal meth candy. Here's a blog from sugarhero.com to show you how to do it. It looks so yum, isn't it?
Lastly, final verdict:(since nothing in this world is perfect, so...)9.8/10
I've watched Stoker, Shame and Prozac Nation which all were psychological themed films the past month. Things have been tied up as I've been interning at a govie treasury office in my hometown. Then I thought that the theme suits perfectly with my current life. Well it doesn't mean I have the exact same psychological problems but I can tell we share the same fundamental value. We're most definitely bored.
Stoker (2013) IMDb Rating: 7.0/10 Director: Chan-wook Park Writer: Wentworth Miller, Erin Cressida Wilson Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Dermot Mulroney
Sets in nowadays, a coming-of-age India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) has to deal a tragic loss of her father, Richard Stoker (Dermot Mulroney) and a sudden visit of her long lost uncle, Charles Stoker (Matthew Goode). India starts smells some funny business between her mother, Evelyn Stoker (Nicole Kidman) and Charlie after seeing their frequent affection and intimacy around the house. Something mysterious is hidden inside his uncle's mind, she knows it's bad. Though Charlie keeps trying to get to know her better by cooking a dinner for India and her mother, picking her up at school, saving her lives after getting bullied and nearly raped by her school mate. But still, India has to find out a mystery behind Charlie's appearance in the family. The mystery that will change her forever. And all it takes, is the key she got from her 19th birthday present from her dead father.
Le Review
Getting bored is a dangerous state to every beings in life. It'll trick
your mind to do something else, something different than you usually do.
Something that pleases you. An escape from a routine, a reality. If we
talk about sane people, they'll probably take a day off, go for a
vacation, cherish life a little bit. However, this won't be the options
for those who is mentally unstable. I mean not generally, but some of
them will do for sure. Common people have
boundaries of things they want to do when they get bored, while the
sick.. apparently don't share the same idea. It can be worse like
killing, raping, vandalizing, and all the batshits.
Talking about Stoker, it is exactly about the ugly causes of
getting bored. They get bored, they're sick of having poor
expectations. It turns out the other way in real life that things don't
happen the way they want it to be. Hence, they will do 'something
different' just like us, common people, going on a vacation. But this
time... they do 'it' in their very own way. Same thing happens between India and Charlie's relationship, implicitly.
Charlie and India piano duet
This film is dark and puzzling. Creepy but sublime. Just to see Charlie's eyes has given me goosebumps. They look scary and intimidating but preposterously beautiful. Also India's house and outfits seems vintage, you won't realize this film sets in modern day. The horrific classic music and the fairly fast plot.. also roots Stoker's cold atmosphere. Three main actors, Wasikowska, Goode and Kidman performances are well done nicely too. Such great approach by Chan-wook Park, the director, who is also the director of Oldboy (2003). (A korean film, same psychological theme just like Stoker, but a lot more puzzling and the most mindfuck film ever seen. You should watch it too.)
I recommend Stoker if you want a mindblowing puzzled film with a twist ending. Final verdict: 8/10
Memoire bercerita tentang Adam (Hurip Suseno), pemuda yang terpuruk dalam kesengsaraan hatinya. Cinta tulus yang diberikan pada kekasihnya Eli (Benedicta Ika Ermadela) dibalas dengan pengkhianatan yang menyakitkan. Eli tidak pernah mencintainya dari awal. Dengan rasa sakit hati yang semakin memuncak, ia memutuskan untuk membakar semua barang kenangannya bersama Eli di sebuah hutan.
Namun, di balik kepedihan yang dirasakan Adam, ada sebuah kenyataan pahit yang tersembunyi. Yang lebih buruk dari apa yang dia rasakan. Yang membuatnya ingin tidur dan tak ingin bangun lagi. Suatu kenyataan yang ia sangkal keberadaannya.
Here'sMEMOIRE!
I admit it's a bit confusing so just in case you guys don't fully follow the plot which is normal though. I'll give some commentary below :)
SPOILER ALERT!!! (Don't read before watching!) Ketika Adam selesai membakar semua barang kenangannya ditambah dengan scene flashback Eli menolak bunga pemberiannya lalu menyambut tangan lelaki lain dan mengatakan "Aku nggak pernah sayang kamu.", Adam berbalik badan lalu menemukan sepucuk surat Eli yang tidak sengaja terjatuh. Surat itu adalah surat terakhir Eli untuk Adam berisi pengakuan terakhir Eli dan ucapan selamat tinggal. Dengan perasaan yang campur aduk dan tidak terkontrol, Adam pun berlari dan terus berlari. Screen fades out. Screen fades in. Adam seketika berada di samping sebuah makam membawa sebuket bunga Chrysant dan sepucuk surat yang ditemukannya. Scene flashback kembali hadir di pikirannya, menguak sebuah kenyataan baru bahwa Eli tidak pernah mengkhianatinya. Eli menerima bunga pemberiannya dan menyambut tangan Adam sendiri, bukan tangan lelaki lain. Lalu memori baru teringat kembali dimana mereka duduk di sebuah pohon berdua. Di suasana yang romantis itu, Adam hendak menghisap rokok kesukaannya. Melihat hal tersebut, Eli pun menarik rokok yang sudah sempat dihisap oleh Adam lalu mematikannya. Adam merogoh saku celananya untuk mengambil batang rokok baru untuk dihisapnya, namun bukannya rokok yang ia temukan namun remah bunga Chrysant putih di dalamnya. Eli pun tertawa kecil melihat Adam yang kebingungan. Dengan makin banyaknya momen-momen yang bercampur aduk di benaknya, Adam pun menangis sendu meratapi sebuah kenyataan bahwa Eli tidak pernah mengkhianatinya. Eli meninggalkannya dalam keabadian. Adam tidak mau menerima kenyataan pahit ini. Ia menyangkalnya dengan sekuat tenaga, menggantikannya dengan ekspektasi karangannya sendiri untuk mengobati rasa sakit ditinggalkan pujaan hatinya untuk selama-lamanya.
Behind Memoire
Memoire kami buat 2 tahun yang lalu ketika kampus kami sedang libur panjang bulan
September 2011 di Malang, bersama kru Monostudio, Ananta Wahyu (Mek) , Rizky Akbar (Bowr), dan Ekki Finalianto. Sebelumnya kami memang pernah bekerja sama dalam Initial Step to Love dan The Air Between Us / Berbagi Udara
yang disutradarai oleh Mek, yang alhamdulillah, memenangkan kompetisi Motion
Picture Carnival (Mopica STAN) di tahun yang sama (drenched in tears of
joyyyy). Kami pun makin kompak, kami memutuskan untuk mengisi liburan
dengan membuat Memoire untuk diikutkan di ajang LA Lights Indie Movie
namun sayangnya tidak berhasil menembus babak penyisihan. Buat saya nggak masalah, kami berkarya dengan tulus dan yang paling penting nambah pengalaman dan portfolio. *ciah
Kalo di film sebelumnya Mek jadi sutradaranya, kali ini di Memoire saya jadi sutradaranya karena saya sendiri yang nulis ide cerita Memoire ini dibantu dengan narasi yang dibuat oleh Mek. Ide ini bermula dari pengalaman sendiri, di satu bagian kecil cerita yang akhirnya saya kembangkan sedemikian rupa sehingga hasilnya jauh lebih dramatis. Seperti pada
ending, narasi, dan momen-momen kecilnya. Btw ngomongin soal momen-momen kecilnya, saya ngrasa film
ini terlalu panjang scene bakar-bakarannya, karena emang di-setting gitu
buat menuhin spesifikasi lomba LA Indie Movie yang mengharuskan durasinya 10 menit. Setelah tau nggak jadi
masuk babak penyisihan, niatnya sih mau dipersingkat lagi, tapi niat aja
sih ujung-ujungnya.
Untuk pemilihan aktor dan aktrisnya,
baik Hurip maupun Ima adalah teman baik kami dan emang punya skill
akting yang jauh lebih baik dari orang kebanyakan terutama Ima, yang
aktingnya keliatan natural banget dan emang punya basic anak teater.
Sedangkan Hurip pernah bekerjasama dengan kami di film Berbagi Udara, ia
pun punya potensi untuk menjadi aktor yang baik jadi kami pun
mempercayakan peran Adam ini kepada Hurip.
Percayalah, di balik layarnya jauh lebih mengerikan.
Setelah skrip jadi kami memulai syuting di beberapa sudut kota Malang termasuk di hutan Malabar, perumahan Dieng, depan Toko Oen, dan pemakaman cina di daerah Sukun. Secara keseluruhan, syutingnya berlangsung dengan lancar, meskipun ada beberapa kendala contohnya di scene membakar kenangan di hutan. Kami nggak sadar kalo daun-daun kering di sekitar hutan itu mudah terbakar jadi kami sempat panik ketika api menjalar semakin besar ditambah nggak prepare air buat madamin daun2 kering yang terbakar itu.
Setelah semua adegan selesai disyut, kami percayakan post-production film kepada Ekki karena ia sudah berpengalaman dalam hal edit mengedit video maupun sound dan juga musiknya. Hasilnya alhamdulillah tepat waktu dan kami pun puas. Meskipun ada beberapa kelemahan di Memoire yang kami sadari betul itu, misalnya dari sisi kualitas videonya yang kurang HD, suara narasi yang kurang halus, kami tidak terlalu ambil pusing. Bowr bilang kalo Memoire ini endingnya ngena banget, jadi terlepas dari kelemahan-kelemahan tadi kami pun cukup lega mendengarnya.
And we're surely looking forward to making more films in the future. Hopefully.
Quentin Tarantino, never fails me. Since his third directing debut, Reservoir Dogs (1992) until Django Unchained (2013), he never quits trying to amuse people. His visionary directing style, his ability to cast only the best actors, and the most apparent reason which makes him rules will be.. his piece of writings, his way of making a conversation sounds smart, sarcastic and dreadfully meant something. Heavy but fairly light in the same time. That's a kind of talent not every director slash writer has.
Django Unchained (2012) IMDb Rating: 8.6/10 Director: Quentin Tarantino Writer: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Jamie Foxx,
Christoph Waltz,
Leonardo DiCaprio,
Samuel L. Jackson. Won 2 of 5 Oscars nominations including Best Supporting Actor by Christoph Waltz and Best Original Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino.
Unlike any of his previous films set in modern era of 21st century, this time he brings us back to 18th century antebellum era of the Deep South and Old West, where slavery were still quite an issue.
Django and Schultz bounty hunting.
Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave freed by Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German dentist and also a bounty hunter, both are on the journey across the United States to rescue Django's wife, Broomhilda, from a cruel plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). The pair goes in a smooth way at first, as Schultz well acclaimed as a professional bounty hunter. He can predict what will happen ridiculously in a very precise way. He always knows a way out of trouble with his plan Bs running around his head. But unexpected things happen when they head towards Candie's mansion. Something even Schultz can't expect.
Le Review Splendiferous as always. I'm glad Tarantino still entrusted Christoph Waltz as a smartass Schultz and yet he won the best supporting actor for it. Incredible. While Leonardo DiCaprio--in my greatest attempt to make it sound as humble as possible--had failed taking over the spotlight. I honestly expect more coming from DiCaprio's acting, unfortunately he's kind of in static mode right now. Though he played a bad guy here, still seemed uncanny to me just like his roles in Blood Diamond, Gangs of New York, The Aviator. He better try a completely challenging, different roles than any of his previous films. Move on to Jamie Foxx, I think he did an okay job, just right. At first I thought he played it stiffy nervous Django, and at the end of the movie, deus ex machina as always, he turned into fierce Django and saved the day.
The plot is brilliant indeed. It's like riding a hysteria. It'll goof around your mood, lift you until a certain point and then drop you fast and hard. It slowly lift up afterwards and start all over again. Also the dialogue is smart and light, it's not gonna bore you. This is a kind of treatment everytime I see Tarantino's pieces. I get my mind blown all the time. Happy watching!
I knew this film from kazillion years ago. I did I wanted to see it but kinda doubt it bcs I was worried it'd turned out to be a cult, reaaaally weird, completely random film. But then an itsy bitsy voice inside of me said "Ah maybe, maybe not Indah, you totally gotta see it. You'll thank me if it turns out to be as great as Juno." As I expected, the itsy bitsy voice inside of me was wrong, so.. no 'thank you' to you mademoiselle.
Ghost World (2001) IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 Director: Terry Zwigoff Screenplay: Daniel Clowes, Terry Zwigoff Based on the book:Ghost World by Daniel Clowes Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johannson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Stacey Travis Nominated 1 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2002 Meet Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johannson), two young social outsiders who just got graduated from high school. As most social outsiders do, they hate society. Uhm no, they pretty much hate everything, like literally EVERYTHING. They hate high school popular girls, a stand-up comedian on tv, just everything they see or hear will be stuffs they mock and loathe about. Especially Enid.
Enid and Becca mocks everyone after graduation.
One day, after seeing an ad which a lonely middle-aged man called Seymour (Steve Buscemi) asks a woman he recently met to contact him, Enid and Becca decided to make a prank call pretending to be the woman and inviting him to meet her at a diner, and
when he goes there, the two girls secretly watch and make fun of him. Discover that Enid feels sorry for him, she wants to see if he's okay by stalking him, then gradually becomes his friend after series of meetups and matchmaking to women around the neighborhood.
Seymour and Enid shares thoughts.
At this point, the film starts focusing on Enid and Seymour's relationship, while Becca turns to be more mature person. She shares different things than she used to be which slowly tears them apart. Then out of the blue, Dana (Stacey Travis), the woman Seymour had written to in the personal ad, called him and wanted to meet him. Sure things change the whole Enid-Seymour's odd relationship that forces Enid to deal her confusions towards her immaturity. Le Review Though I am an absolute sucker for teen and coming-of-age film, like Submarine, Donnie Darko, The Virgin Suicides, but it's not the same for Ghost World. The thing is, this film is cult, definitely. Most people will see this as an extremely bizarre yet pointless film. However, there are also some people -minority cult film fans- who loves this kinda film because it's non-mainstream, unique and out of the box. They apt consider it as a work of art for it's uniqueness. In my opinion, I personally don't really like this film because it doesn't have a strong plot or a strong ending. For few people maybe, will see this "Well this is what makes Ghost World different", but unfortunately not for me. I do I love cult films but not in this way, I just don't see what's the point of this film and what message does it trying to deliver to the audience. And I hate the ending as well. I really do. It's just... pointless to me. Nevertheless, Ghost World still has charms. The young Scarlett Johannson looks very different in Ghost World than what we used to see her in blockbuster movies nowadays. Then a quick appearance of Josh, played by Brad Renfro, totally 'illuminate' this dark themed film. Anyway, I will recommend Ghost World only for a moviefreak who will watch just any film, and for those hipsters who's into cult, weird and social awkwardness kindafilm.
Final verdict for Ghost World: 6.9/10
Fyi: I just googled Brad Renfro. Apparently, he died from a heroin overdose 5 years ago. In commemoration of his death, Mark Foster of Foster the Peoplewho was his roommate, had written a song about his death called "Downtown." Ah so sad :( Here's link of the song.
Sebenernya film terakhir yang saya tonton itu American Reunion (2012), franchisemain series keempatnya American Pie (1999), bukan spin-offnya lho ya, kaya band camp, naked mile dan beta house. It's a bit inappropriate kalo review pertama filmfavore b-movie yang begituan (yakali -_-), jadi judul film pertama yang kepikiran di benak saya adalah Argo (2012)which was an a-movie, award winning oscar film and duhhhh yes it was dang a joy to watch.
Argo's official poster.
Argo (2012) IMDB Rating: 7.9/10 Director: Ben Affleck Screenplay: Chris Terrio Based on the book:The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez; The Great Escape by Joshuah Bearman Starring:
Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman Won 3 of 7 Oscar nominations including Best Picture Jadi, sekedar tambahan info aja nih, latar belakang cerita ini dimulai tahun 1979 dimana terjadi revolusi Iran yang mengubah sistem pemerintahannya yang sebelumnya monarki menjadi republik Islam. Tokoh dibalik revolusi ini adalah Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, seorang pemimpin Islam yang berhasil menggulingkan rezim Mohammad Shah Reza Pahlavi, raja Iran terakhir. Shah Reza Pahlavi menjalankan pemerintahan yang brutal, korup, boros, dan menganut paham westernisasi, serta bekerja sama dengan Amerika Serikat yang bertentangan dengan identitas Muslim Syi'ah Iran. Ketika revolusi ini berlangsung, beliau dilindungi dan diasingkan oleh AS. Nah, dari sinilah asal muasal kemunculan rasa nasionalisme rakyat Iran yang anti banget sama Amerika Serikat, keliatan kan sampe sekarang. Apalagi dengan dipimpin oleh Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yang notabene tokoh konservatif, sangat loyal sama nilai-nilai revolusi Islam Iran ini. Gara-gara revolusi ini, militan pengikut Khomeini yang anti banget sama AS, berbondong-bondong menyerbu kedutaan besar AS di Teheran. Mereka niatnya mau menyandera diplomat-diplomat AS, atau warga negara AS yang kepergok lagi di dubes apapun profesinya karena mereka dicurigai sebagai agen mata-mata AS. Sialnya, beberapa dari mereka bukannya disandera tapi malah kena public execution. Sadis, ngeri, kalo liat mayat mereka yang dieksekusi dan digantung pake crane kaya gini.
Creepy public execution.
Dari penyerbuan militan Iran di dubes AS, 6 diplomat AS berhasil melarikan diri dan sembunyi di dubes Kanada di Iran. Mereka jadi buronan paling dicari oleh militan Iran. Dengan keadaan kaya gini, Departemen Luar Negeri AS berusaha menemukan cara gimana keenam diplomat ini bisa keluar dari Iran dengan selamat. Nah, dikirimlah si Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) seorang agen CIA untuk membantu mereka. Kemudian Mendez mendapatkan ide setelah nonton film science fiction sama anaknya. Ia berencana mengembangkan skenario dimana ia sebagai produser film asal Kanada hendak membuat film science fiction palsu berjudul Argo dengan 6 diplomat AS tadi sebagai kru film yang lagi survey lapangan di Iran. Setibanya di Iran, Mendez mulai melatih 6 diplomat tadi untuk menyamar jadi kru produksi. Semua informasi diberikan mulai dari paspor, nama, dob, jabatan, sampe latar belakang palsu mereka, semata-mata untuk meyakinkan revolutionary guards yang jaga-jaga di bandara Iran kalo mereka bukan buronan yang dicari. Salah satu diplomat sempet ragu dan menolak skenario gila Mendez, tapi setelah diyakinkan oleh Mendez, ia bersedia menjalankan skenario ini.
Mendez's best line.
Sialnya nih di hari H keberangkatan, eh Mendez malah disuruh ngebatalin rencananya karena Presiden AS waktu itu, Jimmy Carter memerintahkan diadakannya operasi militer Amerika untuk menyelamatkan para sandera AS di Iran (padahal gagal lho operasinya). Mendez seketika panik, tapi beliau mencoba kalem dan keukeuh untuk menjalankan misinya ini. Apakah Mendez berhasil ato malah gagal, ketauan kedoknya dan malah kena public execution? Makanya pada nonton yak. Le Review Dari segi aktingnya Ben Affleck, kalo menurut saya sih biasa aja dan agak kaku. Mungkin karena faktor jambangnya ato emang sengaja dibikin gitu kali ya. Entah kenapa malah lebih oke aktingnya Scott McNairy as Joe Stafford--salah satu diplomat--mimik nervous sekaligus berusaha convincing juga dapet ketika ia berusaha meyakinkan tentara revolusioner dengan menceritakan cerita Argo lewat storyboards-nya.
Dari segi plot, pada awalnya agak ngebosenin, jujur saya sampe 2 atau 3 kali ngulang awal film karena kurang paham ceritanya ( dan sempet googling juga soal Ayatollah Khomeini :p). Di tengah film mulai kerasa tense-nya ketika mereka mengunjungi central market di Iran. Lama kelamaan makin tense dan mencapai klimaks ketika Mendez dan 6 diplomat ini diinterogasi oleh tentara revolusioner yang mencegah mereka boarding.
Overall, this is literally a great movie, totally worth-watching, not in an inspiring way, but in a quite thrilling way plus it has based-on-true-story, historical-ishyang ngebuka wawasan saya soal revolusi Islam Iran. Ben Affleck juga pinter merancang plotnya sedemikian rupa sampe bikin gregetan di scene terakhirnya. It doesn't take a lot of famous actors like Les Mis to make this film look great, it only takes a great plot and an interesting background story. Final verdict for Argo: 8/10.
