8th Jakarta International Film Festival: The Tickets

I had bought the tickets to the Jakarta International Film Festival for these films and schedules:

• The Illusionist Dec 9th, 2006 6:30 PM
  
• Match Point Dec 9th, 2006 9:00 PM
  
• Little Miss Sunshine Dec 10th 4:00 PM
  
• Volver Dec 10th 6:30 PM
  
• A Stranger of Mine (Unmei Janai Hito) Dec 12th 4:30 PM
  
• All the King's Men Dec 13th 4:00 PM
  
• The Queen Dec 14th 4:00 PM
  
• Russian Dolls (Le Poupees Russes) Dec 16th 4:00 PM
  
• Babel Dec 16th 6:30 PM
  
• Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) Dec 17th 7:00 PM
  

I still wanted to see:
Breakfast on Pluto, M, Murderball, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, John and Jane, Sabah, A Soap, 3-Iron, Look Both Ways, and probably some Indonesian films (they were free by the way, that means you would only have to stand in line to get your ticket - if available - for free). Damn. But well, i'm going to enjoy this year's film festival. I know i will, expect the full report each on every day of the festival.

In Retrospect: Michael Mann

When i went back in time, to 1995 to be precise, i remembered an experience worthy to mention regarding the path of film-buffs which i had chose to embrace for these last 4 years. I was born and grew in a small city where the only theater in town would only play Indonesian film (you who went through 90's would surely knew what kind of Indonesian film that been released at the time), Indian film, or any B-film features Jean Claude Van Damme. So, not much of a choice if you asked me. But during that time, thanks to some (though barely enough) reading materials, i managed to get myself acquainted with some of better films out there. Well, enough to know that Van Damme's film aren't worthy of my money.

Sometime in 1995, i've got my hands to two films which become somewhat of a starting point of my path. Se7en and Heat. Se7en was particularly intriguing in itself that i dont need to mention its importance. I mean, for a kid who had never seen a decent film before, given a film that not only entertains but gave a little tease to te brain, with stellar acting from Mr.Kevin Spacey who easily become one of my favourite actor until now, it surely blows.

However, Heat was an entirely different story. For one, i certainly doesn't expect that the film would be three hour long, features less gun-fights, and many talks which at the time, was a source of boredom to me (really, i was 14, and i watched the film entirely without subtitles). In fact, i was able to appreciate the film, even tagged it with a word 'masterpiece' after three viewings. First time in 1995, second time in 2000, and finally, in 2004 where Heat become one of the film that i held high above many others.

The film has proven to stand the test of time and remains in my shortlist of great films that i could enjoy watching again and again. When i saw it last time, i held my breath when Al Pacino and Robert De Niro exchanging casual conversations over coffee even that they were actually nemeses to each other.

As this entry's title suggest, by the way, i want to talk about Michael Mann, the director who gave birth to that masterpiece called Heat. In 2004, Michael Mann directed Collateral, which easily become one of the best film in 2004, and arguably features the best performance from Mr.Tom Cruise ever since 1999's Magnolia. And in mid-2006, not so long ago, he directed Miami Vice which even though that only receives lukewarm reviews from his fan (even some mentioned that it was his weakest work), i could enjoy. Even though, obviously, not as much as the previous two.

Now, Heat, Collateral, and Miami Vice. If i was allowed to draw a red-line between the three, i had some distinct conclusion that all three films shared the same trait, and even why Miami Vice doesn't work that well compared with the other two.

Both Heat, and Collateral features a single character, a menace to society, a lone-wolf in otherwise tamed environment (Robert De Niro's character and Tom Cruise's character). And we went through the film through this character. We felt its estranged-ness and finally even though that both of the characters were naturally an antagonist, we could give our sympathy and even felt at loss when we're depart with those characters. Well, at least that's what i felt, and that's what i think that gave both of the films their respective stellar qualities in my short-list.

Now, what's wrong with Miami Heat? Mind you, i dont think that there was anything wrong with Miami Heat, i loved the cinematography, i loved how the camera works, and i especially loved the sense of 'being-there'. And maybe, just maybe, i mingth named Miami Heat as one of the best film in 2006. Definitely one of the best in summer. But, during the lengthy film, i was mostly lost. I've got nobody on screen to attach my feeling to. It felt just like watching porn compared to actually doing it. You still get excited, but it just wasn't the same.

Colin Farrell was supposed to be the lone-wolf, but he lacks the charisma, and his peer, played by Jamie Foxx, failed to compensate for the lack. Thus, i failed to sympatize with both Mr.Farrell's and Mr.Foxx's characters and devoid to any emotional feeling he might have on screen. It was a big question to me since Mr.Foxx was a surperb screen-duo for Mr.Cruise back in Collateral.



Anyway, though many would still considers Miami Heat is one of the director's pretentious and self-important works to date, i could still enjoy it, and given the right time, i wouldn't mind to spare another three-hours of my time to embrace the great visuals that is Miami Heat. And still i hope, that in the future, Michael Mann would made another film in coherence with his current films theme, a lone-wolf. Can't hope for another masterpiece though, since in my opinion every director should've been entitled to only one masterpiece through his career. And in my opinion, Heat was still Michael Mann's masterpiece.

8th Jakarta International Film Festival

Another worthy event to mention. Get your membercard now (it's relatively cheap, only 150,000 Rupiahs for 10 screenings). For your consideration, i'd be on these films screening, and they also serves as my recommendation.

• 3-Iron (Bin-Jip)
  
• All the King's Men
  
• An Incovenient Truth
  
• Babel
  
• Breakfast on Pluto
  
• Little Miss Sunshine
  
• M --> check this one out. It's 1931 German film, i've had the film, but of course, i wouldn't miss the opportunity to watch it again on big screen.
  
• Marie Antoinette
  
• Match Point
  
• Murderball
  
• Pan's Labyrinth
  
• The Queen
  
• Volver
  
• Walk the Line
  

The above films were certain to watch on my list, and that's already over than 10 titles. I may have had to bought two memberships since i also wanted to watch as many foreign (non-US) films as i can.

The 8th JiFFest will be held on December 8th to 17th. More on Jiffest's official web-site.

The Children of Hurin

JRR Tolkien's great trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, had a significant value in me. Both in films, and literacy. I was stunned when i saw the first instalment of the Lord the Rings, and immediately went to a book store to bought the book. The love went on until now. In addition to the original trilogy, i also bought The Hobbit and my favourite, The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion held a significant value since it's probably the book that i've read many times over and over again. If you think you love The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the book, not the films, i suggest you to stop doing anything and read the Silmarillion instead.

Furthermore, i also went on and bought all twelve volume of The History of Middle-Earth which compiled by Christopher Tolkien from unfinished materials that has been written in notes and annotations by his father (JRR Tolkien) during the writing of The Lord of the Rings. Of those twelve volumes, i just read three of them. Since you know, it was a significantly harder reading materials than the other works, and many of the stories written in the History of Middle-Earth were an early conceptions of the mythology found in the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings. Thus, i had to read the Silmarillion over and over again.

Now, when i was browsing some random facts at Wikipedia, i stumbled upon the news, that on Spring 2007, Christopher Tolkien was about to publish a new book based on his father's note, entitled 'Children of Hurin'. You can read more about who is this Hurin on ever trusted Wikipedia. I had to read The Silmarillion again. And oh, i'm definitely going to buy Children of Hurin should the book available in the store. It would also serve well if you'd like to... ah, you know, bought the book as a present for me.. :D.

Well, like i said, i'm going to read The Silmarillion again.

More on Daniel Craig's Issues as Bond

A while back, some 'purist' created this site and even suggest a boycott for Casino Royale. Now, after the relative success of the film, and generally accepted new-wave of Bond, AND not to mention general agreement of film critics worldwide to Mr.Craig, see what said site has to offer. Heh. Bunch of morons.

Festival Film Indonesia 2006

It's official. Though that i must warned you, to stay clear of this year's Festival Film Indonesia. This is your final and only warning.

Nominations:

Best Picture
Eskul
Dunia, Senandung di Atas Awan
Heart
Mendadak Dangdut
Ruang

Best Director
Nayato Fio Nuala (Ekskul)
Hanny R Saputra (Heart)
John De Rantau (Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan)
Nia Dinata (Berbagi Suami)
Teddy Soeriaatmadja (Ruang)

Best Actor
Albert Fakdawer (Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan)
Aries Budiman (Garasi)
Dwi Sasono (Mendadak Dangdut)
Ramon Y Tungka (Ekskul)
Ringgo A Rahman (Jomblo)

Best Actress
Ayu Ratna Pratiwi (Garasi)
Luna Maya (Ruang)
Nirina Zubir (Heart)
Shanty (Berbagi Suami)
Titi Kamal (Mendadak Dangdut)

Best Supporting Actor
Dennis Adhiswara (Jomblo)
El Manik (Berbagi Suami)
Mathias Muchus (Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan)
Minus Karuba (Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan)
Reuben Elishama (Berbagi Suami)

Best Supporting Actress
Ira Maya Sopha (Berbagi Suami)
Kinaryosih (Mendadak Dangdut)
Reggy Lawalata (Ruang)
Ria Irawan (Berbagi Suami)
Rieke Dyah Pithaloka (Berbagi Suami)

I mean, look at that. Nayato Fiowaerlaf-efa;la-whatever as a best director. That would be an equivalent to gave Uwe Boll an Oscar nod. And Berbagi Suami wasn't even in? i mean, the film that has won Hawaii Film Festival (need verification)? And as i mentioned earlier, no Barry Prima? and instead, we had that annoying, all self-important Dennis whatever-his-name? The only 'acceptable' (i put that word under single quote, mind you) thing was that Rieke Dyah Pitaloka and Ringgo Rahman had their nods.

When was the festival will be held, you ask? Do i look like the one who cared about that? No, i dont know when will the festival be held, and i'm not intended to find out. If you're really that eager for this year's Indonesian film festival, go look for the info elsewhere.

Film Review: Casino Royale (2006)

Or should i say, 'how does Bond turned from a human into an one dimensional Bond we've already familiar with'.

Let me say this beforehand, i dont like James Bond. Never. The way i see Bond over the last twenty films was that he is a cocky robot with that half-closed eyes, small smile, pensive demure, live large, defy death, emotionally detached when he slept with those 'Bond girls' be it friend or foe, beating some silly bandits whose scheme was as cheesy as world domination, and high-tech weaponry provided by ever-silly Q.

So when Daniel Craig appointed as the next James Bond after Pierce Borsnan, i merely said, 'oh, okay' without any anticipation whatsoever, even as the news begin to produce more rumors and speculations over the net, with of course, most 'purist' said, that Daniel Craig wasn't Bond.

I was neither pro or against at the time. That was until some stupid teenager said that the Casino Royale film will be certain bad, because he doesn't know who this Daniel Craig was. I got snapped at this teenager, and shoved him out of the discussion board by giving him two of Mr.Craig films, Layer Cake and Enduring Love. Both of which showed that Daniel Craig had a stellar acting capability and an already variety in his acting career. Right from that moment then, i'm all for Mr.Craig and i meant to see the film firsthand to prove to the public who against Mr.Craig that they could suck up their own ass. And oh how i really wanted to tell them after i've seen this film, that they should hung up their heads in shame.

I daresay, that this is the best Bond film that i've ever seen. Mr.Craig gave an hard edge to the Bond which we never seen before. He nails the dramatic scene and lending an impressive physicality to the action scenes. He loves to run, anyway, but thank god, he could run without looking like a girl *cough*Brosnan*cough*.

James Bond's character in this Casino Royale was surprisingly, for the first time ever (first time that i've seen anyway), had something akin to a character development. In this film, James Bond just received his 007 status, and thus his license to kill, and just like a teenager who just had his driving license, he had an urge to ... ugh... step on the gas? And through the film, we shall see Mr.Bond loses his temper, that even when he asked for a Vodka Martini in which the bartender replies, 'Shaken or stirred, Sir?', he snapped and gave the man an angry look which NEVER appears on the previous Bond's faces, 'Do i look like i gave a damn?'. That's something.

The action scenes were also a jaw-dropping. That opening scene were Bond chases his target without those stupid gadgets provided by Q (who, thank god, didn't appear in this movie) save for his own two foot, and his environment literally stopped my breath. Physically exhaustive, tremendously catchy, and well executed. I can't even start to imagine how if Roger Moore be on Mr.Craig's shoe, or that sissy Pierce Borsnan. In short, i was most welcomed this change of course from Bond, that instead depending on his gadgets (just like Batman, now that i think of it), he was depending more to his own physical ability.

Halfway through this article, i just realised that this new version Bond was just look like Jason Bourne. In truth, before the film loses his momentum (that extra 25 minutes was a total waste, they should've trimmed it down to 120 minutes instead of 144 minutes), i was thinking that 'hey, i could almost enjoy this film like i enjoyed the Bourne series'. Almost.

There were three things that has been a trademark of James Bond. Girls, Gadgets, and Villains. Let's talk about villains first. Mr.Bond's villain in the Casino Royale was a mathematical genius, chess prodigy, who instead wanted to rule over the world (like all previous Bond's villains ever wanted. Bah. You can't get more cheesy than that), only interested in wealth and personal profits. Nothing more but way more plausible than the previous villains. He's weird (just like every Bond's villains) with the scar over his left eye which constantly bleeding from time to time, but seemed more normal than steel-toothed Jaws (you Bond-freak must know who he is) but no less ruthless. And as with the girls, can't get better than it already has.

We've been talking about gadgets, which has been - to my personal delight - trimmed to minimum-level, so let's go straight to the girls. Mr.Bond's protege for this film was Miss Eva Green, who i knew best since she bares it all in front of the camera lest ruined with her attachment to Kingdom of Heaven. With perpetual French accent on her speech, beautiful close-up shots, she was more a Bond-woman than a Bond-girl. In fact, this is the first time i've seen a Bond-girl and not waiting expectantly for a coitus to happen or enchanting 'strip, strip, strip, strip' inside. Well, it happened anyway, but far from any lust that had been carried with Bond brand over the years. Miss Green (both her character and her merit), was among the best, if not the best, Bond-girl ever. She was not a mere sex object to Bond, for the first time, the Bond-girl has something more than a cleavage and a narrow hips.

Even if i had been praised this film beyond beliefs, considering the figure earnings this film would earned, i had a considerable doubt that the franchise would continue with Mr.Craig as the leading man. Take the last Bond film with Mr.Brosnan, Die Another Day (i watch the film in a big screen) though that it was a mindless numbing experience, the crowd seems to like it considering the six figure sales of the film. I would say that most of the crowd were youngsters where explosions, hot-babes, and fancy cars and gadgets were the main attractions. This film, as you would knew if you spared the time to read this review, had all the fore-mentioned things in a minimum-level. However, whatever you say, this film was the best Bond film that i've ever seen, and Mr.Craig was easily the best Bond since Sean Connery, even -- um, i guess i'm going to stop here.

All in all, except for a moronic, uncivilized youngsters who sits next to me (there were 7 of them) who won't keep their noises down, i'm ablet to come out of the theater in a satisfied manner. Now if you'd excuse me, i will go watch it again.

Pop Quiz

If you knew this guy, then you'd knew how my taste on movies lay. Hint: His next long awaited film was going to be released in limited area soon. And he often works with Naomi Watts.

Having a Bad Day?

Yeah, shoot yourself in the head. Geez.

Anyway, the man on this picture was one of my favourite Japanese director, Takeshi Kitano. Most of you would surely knew him from that stupid TV show, "Takeshi's Castle". Yeah, he's the one.

Still from Japan, by the way, Sony PlayStation 3 has finally hit the shelves. But of course, the limited supply of the machine scarcely enough to meet the demand of the hardcore gamers who wanted to get the first hand to the machine. And as the economist rule of thumb says, more demand means that the price would go up. Originally sold for 59800 Yen, by the end of the day, the price goes up to a whopping 90000 Yen. No telling on how much or when does the machine hit the Indonesian market.

Anyway, this lucky bastard was among the first person in the world who own Sony PlayStation 3. He (a 22-year old student) had been waiting in line since 6 p.m on Friday. That means, he had been standing in line for 14 hours just to get one.

November

I'll be here:

on 29th Jazz Goes to Campus, November 19th, 2006 and here:

on 8th JakJazz, November 24th - 26th, 2006. Got a three-day ticket for a bargain price!

I'm not an avid Jazz maniac per se, but i know and appreciate a good music when i heard one.

Dream Theater Score - Subjective Review

Now, finally, a proper review on the newest live DVD from the greatest band in the universe, Dream Theater.

The live DVD was made to commemmorate 20th years of reign that Dream Theater has established worldwide, and was the first live ever from the band with full Orchestra.

The live show was divided into two-sets of live. First set, features only the band, and second set, features the band with full Orchestra.

Set #1
1. The Root of All Evil
The next chapter from Mike Portnoy's Alcoholics Anonymous Saga delivers nicely and powerful enough to open the stage. It also delivers to open the stage in conjunction with the song being the first track of the Dream Theater's latest CD, Octavarium.

2. I Walk Beside You
No surprises on the two first tracks of the live. No alternative riffs, no additional sounds, everything were exactly the same as heard on the CD.

3. Another Won
Before progresses to the next song, James LaBrie had a brief conversation with audience regarding a brief history of Dream Theater. Whilst on stage, two center screens shows the old pictures of Dream Theater's personnel as they were twenty years ago, skinny, complete with longish hair very common in metal community at the end of 80's. From here on, the songs progressing based on the timeline, beginning with this song who was among the first song that they wrote.

4. Afterlife
Taken from the only album (their first) that features another singer other than James LaBrie, this song is my personal favourite from the album. Again, still no surprises, everything goes and heard just like on the CDs.

5. Under a Glass Moon
No comment on this one, taken from their second album. Great hand-works from John Petrucci. The resemblance solo sequence with the CD was uncanny.

6. Innocence Faded
I would prefer Scarred or Erotomania as the song that represents their third album. But still, the album (Awake), in my opinion was the most difficult album from Dream Theater to hear.

7. Raise the Knife
No comment on this one, taken from one of the sessions in process of their fourth album, the song never went officially into the official track list of the Falling into Infinity album. And i heard it the first time on this DVD.

8. The Spirit Carries On
Ah, probably the most known ballad album from the fifth album. Too easy. And with the end of this song, so ends set #1.

In truth, i was rather disappointed to hear (and see) set #1. No surprises, no technical show-offs, just a regular band playing the track from their discography as that they would doing it on a record sessions. But hey, it still Dream Theater.

Set #2
9. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Okay, the stage was darkened, and as the lights went on, no band members were visible on stage. Instead, we had a full orchestra!. I must tell you beforehand, that Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (from their sixth album) was a single song, the longest Dream Theater's song to date (42 minutes long), consists of eight sections. The very first section (Overture) was a six minute instrumental that originally on the CD was performed by the band. In this live version, however, the first part was entirely played by the orchestra. And if it didn't gave you a goosebumps, you ought to turn off your DVD player and switch to local pop materials such as Radja, Peter Pan, or stuffs. This event was also serves as the only time Dream Theater played the whole sections of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, from start to finish. John Petrucci changed his guitar at least thrice during the song play.

10. Vacant
Odd choice from the seventh album, though if you count the presence of the orchestra, it would made clear sense. I would personally prefer Stream of Consciussness or Endless Sacrifice. But both songs has been covered in the Live at Budokan DVD.

11. The Answer Lies Within
Another ballad song taken from the eighth album. Again, odd choice on my behalf. During the second view, i skipped track #10, #11, and #12 entirely.

12. Sacrifice Sons
This is personal. I never liked the song, because of its lyrical content. During the first view, i skipped straight to the solo section and never watch it again for the subsequent viewing.

13. Octavarium
Ah, my current favourite song. Another epic song (24 minutes), with first section showed-off what Jordan Rudess could do with that weird looking tuts-less keyboard (called Continuum). The flute part still creeps me out even more. I've got no further comment on the song. I just sit back, intently watching the show, oblivious to the world around, and smiled to myself as if to satisfy myself that i put this song above any other song ever written for a reason. And i'm watching the said reason. I said it before, and i said it again, Octavarium is the best song ever written.

Encore
14. Metropolis
After seemingly a perfect closure to the end of yet another tremendous show, Dream Theater bowed to their New York fans with Metropolis. A little bit of trivia, Dream Theater's management was said to be fined for thirty-thousand US dollars because they were 3 minutes past the 11 PM curfew permitted at Radio City Music Hall where the concert was held because the band took their time "thank you"-ing the audience.

Festival Film Indonesia 2006

The Indonesian equivalent for Academy Awards, Festival Film Indonesia with Piala Citra and Piala Vidya which serve as a substitute for Oscar statuette and Emmy awards, respectively. The final nominations would be announced on November 16th, 2006. But, the preliminary selection has been done and here's the result:

Film Cerita untuk Bioskop

Berbagi Suami, sutradara Nia Dinata (PT Kalyana Shira Film)

Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan, sutradara John De Rantau (PT Alenia Film)

Ekskul, sutradara Nayato Fio Nuala (PT Indika Cipta Media)

Garasi, sutradara Agung Sentausa (PT Miles Production)

Heart, sutradara Hanny R. Saputra (PT Kharisma Starvision)

Jomblo, sutradara Hanung Bramantyo (PT Sinemart Pictures)

Lentera Merah, sutradara Hanung Bramantyo (PT Rapi Film)

Mendadak Dangdut, sutradara Rudy Soedjarwo (PT Sinemart Pictures)

Opera Jawa, sutradara Garin Nugroho (PT Karya Set Film)

Ruang, sutradara Teddy Soeriatmadja (PT Parama Entertainment Picture)

Okay, that's an oddball, and weird interesting selection. Logically when those films mentioned above were going through a preliminary selection, those films were the Indonesian top-10 films in 2006 (according to the FFI comittee, at the very least). Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. But wait a second, Heart? Lentera Merah? Ekskul? okay, i'm not a big fan of Indonesian cinema, but as a legal Indonesian citizen, it's only appropriate for me to keep a close eye to the struggling film development in Indonesia and i knew, more than knew that Ekskul was a B-film material, at best. With stupid acting, pretentious shoots, obscure theme (blatant adaptation of a school-shooter there in the U.S) which still puzzled me on how those producers decided to easily projected, literarly translated the U.S youth culture into Indonesian?. And, one more thing, if you were suddenly decided to went to local cinema to catch Indonesian cinema, please made sure that the director wasn't Nayato OR Koya Pagayo (they're the same person). Spare your sanity.

Lentera Merah was an 'interesting' selection as well. I had a huge intuition that the comittee or whoever responsible in the selection process had only read two or three pharagraphs of each films before made their selection and not even bothered to watch each films. It's the only logical explanation. Lentera Merah was set on 1967 where there was a major shift in Indonesian government at the time. Now, i believe that the comittee only sees the word '1967' and thought, 'Ah, this must be about the communists and stuff'. In truth, even Hanung Bramantyo was puzzled and said that Lentera Merah was solely made for screaming pleasures of those kids who ditched school on Monday evening. It's a corny, light, horror (wait, horror fans, when i said horror here, it means that i refer to MODERN Indonesian horror - Suzanna was genuinely frightening, but that was like twenty / thirty years ago), and had nothing to do with 1966-1967 whatsoever. Yeah, that must be it. Otherwise, my logical circuit would bust on fire.

Now, where's Realita, Cinta, dan Rock 'n Roll? if i had to chose which Indonesian film i enjoyed the most in 2006, it's Realita, Cinta, dan Rock 'n Roll, the relatively unknown punk-film which wasn't that successful because it doesn't involve any ghosts, or spirit manifestation. If you hadn't watch the film, go see it. I recommend it. Indosiar would aired it, soon.

I would regard FFI as a rubbish even more than i spit on Academy Awards ceremony, if Barry Prima (Realita, Cinta, dand Rock 'n Roll) didn't get nominated as a best-actor (he should win it, by the way).

Check this blog for the official nomination later on.