Star Trek III - The Search for Spock (1984), Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home (1986)

Star Trek III - The Search for Spock (1984). For a film which title begins with "the search", the question is not wether the search would succeed or not, but more in line of wether the search would fun enough. Taking from where the second Star Trek, the Wrath of Khan left off, this film was a second part of the loose trilogy that begins with the Wrath of Khan although the term "loose" would also means that there'd be no significant losses should each of the film enjoyed separately.

Spock was missing (obvious fact from the title) during the Genesis project activation in the Wrath of Khan. A Klingon spacehsip obtained a knowledge about Genesis and decided that it would be nice to have it as a means to preserve the Klingon race. They headed to the Genesis, blowing up some United Federation of Planets' starfleet along the way, kidnapping Lt.Saavik, Kirk's son, and Spock, and finally confront Admiral Kirk and his Enterprise crew.

Just like the second film, this third film was more of an action oriented film and more or less in a similar enjoyment level with the second film albeit with a horribly bad title. But again, i wouldn't recommend it to a newly breed viewers who were more accustomed to a high-octane actions. So unless you're interested in Star Trek series or believed that films were more than just a hobby or a killing time, don't bother.

My rating: **1/2 / **** - Kinda dragging toward the end, but the middle part was a o.kay.

Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home (1986). The final film in the loose trilogy, it is easily figured out that Leonard Nimoy was inspired in one way or another by Humpback whales while writing for the film. I mean, checked out the premise. "Admiral Kirk and his crew travel back in time to retrieve a pair of humpback whales". Bad all over the place.

A mysterious probe appears out of nowhere. Its origins unknown, only that it was "more intelligent race". This probe ignores every "peace" and "hello" signal and apparently had some kind of a magnetic field that rendered every starfleet or computer equipments within its close proximity useless. When it reaches Earth, it sends a signal toward the ocean, and when it doesn't receive a return signal, it apparently threatens to evaporate the ocean, generating a cloud that blocked most if not all of the surface of the Earth from the Sun. And clearly, it was bad news.

On Planet Vulcan, our beloved starfleet crew led by Admiral James T. Kirk who was now a fugitive for violating at least nine United Federation of Planets rules, were heading back to Earth, and quickly learned about the probe and its threatening existence. Spock deduced that the probe was signaling for Humpback whales, long extinct. Although seemingly unbased, Kirk and his crew travels back through time and bring back a couple of Humpback whales to save the Earth.

Nowadays, when we're talking about time-travel, "the Butterfly Effect" was fully realized up to a point where it could be said that even the casual film-goers would know about "the Butterfly Effect" in one way or another. This film involves a time-travel and it ignores every rule of "the Butterfly Effect". Not only does they bent a strand of grass, they taught a scientist about a science that is way ahead of his time, regrows an elderly's kidney, but they also bring back not just two Humpback whales, but probably millions of plankton contained in the water tank, and also a human. How's that for "the Butterfly Effect"? They just did enough damage to renders a new whole of race when they back to their own time. But you know, it always fun when we see a man from the future, with 300 years of added knowledge met with a man who has no knowledge about what future would holds. However, the fact that one of the crew keep complaining about the futility of the time irked me. I mean, come on, you had 300 years of added knowledge, you KNOW you were traveling in time, you really had no right to complain that these people you meet were primitive. If i was to travel back 300 years in time, i wouldn't complain if they didn't have any internet. Other than that though, i've grown enough love of Star Trek to be able to in some limited degree actually looking forward to their next adventure.

My rating: ** / **** - All sci-fi aside, its tone was the lightest in the franchise so far.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Via Gizmodo

27 Dresses (2008), Over Her Dead Body (2008), One Missed Call (2008)

27 Dresses. A very definite chick film, it had all the formulas from the Great Book of Romantic Comedy Genre played out that nobody would missed any mark in guessing where does this film would ended up. Probably the only reason for seeing this film was Katherine Heighl. This is her sole vehicle, everyone in this film knows about it, and nobody wanted (or not strong enough) to steal her torch and most importantly, she was up for the challenge.

Kat plays a beautiful young woman verging on an obsession with Wedding that she took the task for organizing wedding of her friends seriously and more. She had a long live crush with her boss, Ed Burns but for unknown reasons, she was too shy to tell (how could she?). But then, her model and sultry sister came and Ed falls over her, and then soon to be married. Of course, Kat was the one who would organized her wedding. Meanwhile, there's this guy, James Mardsen, a cynical reporter whom we know from the very first minute would ended up with Kat in the end.

Beside Kat's near perfect performance in lead role, this film worked well albeit it was formulaic, and cliche, because of the chemistry between Kat and James. Now, this is coming from a man who really don't get James at all. I mean, i don't like his X-Man's role, and when i saw his name in this film, i had doubts. But it turns out that he was okay, and could really up to keep in par with Kat. Not to a point where he would steal Kat's torch, as this film is solely hers and hers alone

My Rating: **1/2 / **** - Formulaic but likeable

Over Her Dead Body. First of all, Eva Longoria and Paul Rudd? Not convincing. Lake Bell? Not good enough. And i personally hate any film that involves any fart-related jokes. As with any Romcom genre, no surprises of where the film would ended. The question would always be the same. "Does the journey good enough?". I would say "no" to this film.

Eva and Paul were about to get married. But an accident befelled on Eva during the preparation of their wedding. She was dead. A year later, to get him moving on from his grief, Paul's sister introduces him to Lake, a psychic to help him out. And what started out as a faking premonition that invovles the late Eva's diary turns out to be a blossoming feeling between the two (although i don't see it convincingly enough). Things turns hairy when Eva, all dead, shows up and determined to keep Paul from dating Ashley.

I felt the lack of chemistry between Lake and Paul was perpetual, and even verging to disturbing at times (one clear example, the 'extended' fart-jokes. Damn that was so unnecessary). That's why this film would ended up as one of those time-waster film where you seen it almost without any involvement. Once you're done, then you're done.

My Rating: *1/2 / **** - Boring

One Missed Call. It's almost safe to say, i think that almost every horror films released nowadays were rated PG-13. I prefer my dosage of horror films, or films that intended to disturb and shakes its audience with scary and haunting things, to be rated R or even better, NC-17. Really, watching a PG-13 horror films would feels like watching a porn film without any nudity whatsoever. Not really worth any time.

Based on a Japanese horror film, Chakusin Ari released many years ago (i've seen it, and loathed it. Thus, the decision to did a remake on it was really a 'huh?' for me). A bunch of teenagers received a missed-call in their cell, a voice-mail of their very own voices, dated two days in the future. Then, at the exact time of the recorded voice-mail, the one who receives a missed-call would be dead. Shannyn Sossamon was sharp enough (or crazy enough) to quickly concludes the pattern of her dead friends. Together with Ed Burns, a cop whose sister was one of the first victim of the missed-call voodoos, before long she was knee-deep in the mystery.

This film is purely supernatural. No flesh-and-blood killer devising inticrate plots to hunt down these teenagers and put the finger to the mystical beings, no logic required to explains the missed-call thingy, nor does any logic provided by the film to unravelled the mystery. It is simply the work of supernatural beings. I mean, how could you explained a live call made into a cellphone which its only source of power has been removed?. This film probably works best to a bunch of teenagers who had nothing else to do on a Saturday evening, and has no other choices although i had a pretty good reason that they would busy texting with their cells before long. This film is not even worth renting.

My Rating: 1/2 / **** - Not worth your time

Missing the Obvious

I went into a silent chuckle after seeing this video.

It's Been a While

Last two night's episode of The Big Bang Theory shows exactly why i liked this comedy show so much. It has "geek" and "nerd" stamped all over its face. For you unfamiliar with the show, it focuses on the life of a four "mad-scientists" whose genius level sky-rocketed way off the chart, one of them incapable of any social-related emotion, one of the other fall in love with a hot young blonde (and of course, normal) next door, and yet another one was totally incapable of talking to any woman except his mother. Trust me. If you considered yourself as a "geek", you're gonna love the show. In fact, watch any episode from the show, and if you can't understand most of it, then you're not a "geek" at all and just pretending to be one. And you should be ashamed of yourself.

Last episode opens with Howard apparently reading an RSS feed from his cell about the next Star Trek film which rumored would shown the birth of Spock scene that prompted to a lengthy discussion about Pon Farr and finally concluded with Spock's final word in The Wrath of Khan, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one" complete with a Vulcan hand sign. Now, really, if you're never seen Star Trek, you would've lost at the very minute. Later, when Penny pretending that she was hosting a quiz and asked Leonard and Sheldon about who is the most frequent actor elected as "The Sexiest Man Alive" by the Poeple Magazine, Leonard promptly answered with "William Shatner". And of course when Penny says no, Leonard and Sheldon takes a moment's pause before re-answering the question with a firm "Patrick Stewart" and did a high-five. Again, if you can't find the correct correlation between William Shatner and Patrick Stewart, then you're just pretending to be a "geek" and therefore need to relinquish the title immediately. I'm dead serious on this one. Go see The Big Bang Theory and see how "geek" you really are.

Reaper is back. But as most of TV series go, in my opinion, i found that my affection waned over time. It is, however, spins the tale a bit when the rebellious Demons plan to take the Devil out using Sam's connection with supposedly, an Archangel Michael's Greatsword. By the end of the episode, Sam earned himself a Demon that really really pissed at him. Oh, and the Devil has changed his cell number. Don't ask.

New Amsterdam hits a season finale after only eigth episode. A promising premise, actually. A man was immortal, he was 400 years old, and would only grows old and die whenever he has found "love of his live". Too much lovey-dovey drama to my taste.

Last night American Idol, Andrew Llyod Weber's night, was my favorite episode of the seventh season by far. Probably because it's Opera night, and although i've never sit on one (Broadway is one of the place in my most wanted list should i ever had a chance to visit New York someday), i louve Opera. Not too mention that Andrew Lloyd Weber was a great musician and actually giving a constructive advice to the contestants that at the very least, way improving one of the contestant's performance. He's a genius. One need only to hear him talking about music, and you know that he's a fucking genius. At this point, i only wished that Jason Castro would hit the bucket tonight. His was easily the worst of the night. Oh, Brooke White as well. The first impression lasts, and she starts out with a wrong foot last night. But i still prefer her over Jason on any given time.

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Charlie Wilson's War. Film review. Amy Adams is so beautiful. I believe i had said that over and over again, but i'm gonna say it again anyway. Amy Adams is so beautiful. She had a small role in this film, and probably because i have no knowledge of her being in this film, i was pleasantly surprised when i saw her and found myself longing to see her on the scene again.

Charlie Wilson's War is an ensemble film full of a high-profiled casts in it. We've got Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, the ever-venerable Philip Seymour Hoffman, and of course, the ever-beautiful Amy Adams out front. All four has been nominated in one way or another for an Academy Awards. And Mike Nichols who is more than just your average director behind the screen, if you asked me. Added to that, several familiar faces were also floating by. Now, the problem with an ensemble film was that sometimes the focus weren't tipped to a point of necessity as it tends to wander about trying to give a relatively same impression to all of its cast. But with a film that titled with a character's name, and the film's tight script, the focus of this film was rarely strayed afar from our title's character. And as Charlie Wilson, Tom Hanks, he could be said to appear in every single scenes in this film. Therefore, against all predicatements of a star-studded ensemble film, this film was focused, with a fucking smart screenplay, and top notch acting all around (sans Julia Roberts).

Based on a true story that happened in 1980s, Charles Wilson, who as one of the character in the film said, "a congressman of nothing of importance", got involved in the Afghanistan war against the Soviet, managed to raise a US$ 5 million of covert operation to a US$ 1 billion with a 'b' that eventually helped the Afghans defeated the Russians. This film, if it was indeed really based on a true story, confims my personal suspicion that CIA was involved in many things that had happened around the world since World War II. Including Afghanistan - Soviet war, and the chain of events that led to an overthrown of Sukarno back in 1966. But that's another matter.

Charlie Wilson as played by Tom Hanks was a unique persona as an US Congressman. He went to a party, dousing naked in a bath with three voluptuous women, two of whom are strippers, and one of whom is a Playboy cover girl. His office employed only women who on an occassion, one of them says, "you can teach them how to type, but you can't teach them how to grow a tit", and aptly billed at the end credit as Charlie's Angels. He loves alcohol, but he also showns a compassion and a competence in what he does. When he visits the refugee camp in Afghanistan, he promised to deliver a mean to at least levelling the odds of the Mujahidin warriors against the Red Army. And even if everybody said that he couldn't do it, he manages to raise a US$ 1 billion covert budgets that eventually forced the Red Army to retreat into their territory. However, the irony of it all was that he couldn't get to raise a mere US$ 1 million to re-built the school in a post-war Afghanistan. Thus, his quote at the end of the film. "These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world ...and then we fucked up the end game."

In these times of day when the word "War" almost means an already infamous Iraqi War or worse, if that's possible at all, the world's police involvement against Arabs (see: The Kingdom), i was actually surprised to see that this film took its focus on the second-hand involvement of the U.S in an event that took place nearly twenty years ago. I could very much enjoy this film, for it would seems to me, that even though the film takes on a serious War subject, Mike Nichols manages to ascertained the vibe of a film that was sooo amazingly light, fun, and not too mention humorous. Philip Seymour Hoffman definitely steals his scenes with his wry humors, and Amy Adams steals her scenes with her natural inner beauty. Oh, i love her. I would boldly say here, that get rid of Julia Roberts, and this film would get a solid maximum four stars from your self-important reviewer here. Don't really understand why she keeps getting a huge paycheck, i mean, come on, she hasn't improved a bit in recent years.

And although four months has gone into the year of dry-films, 2008, Charlie Wilson's War i would named as one of the best film in 2007.

The Bank Job (2007)

The Bank Job. Film review. I love heist films. They're usually smart, well constructed, and more importantly to a film, engaging. Usually doesn't mean always, tho' but i think that at this time of age, no producers would be so stupid to get a half-baked heist films released anyway.

The Bank Job differs than most other heist films in a way that it wasn't just a heist, get in, get out, all done, Ocean's way. The get in, get out, all done part was done halfway. The best part in this film was the pissed customer. Actually, make that customerS that made the plot thickens and spawned several subplots within. Terry Leather (Jason Statham) has been approached by Martine Love (Saffron Burrows) for a heist job in a bank. However, Martine was hiding something. She was sent by the MI-5 for her previous reputation to retrieve a content in a deposit box #118 in the bank. The deal was, she retrieves the content, and gets to keep the rest. Or so she had thought. Terry and his team, assembled in short notice, went in, get the job done, and get out. But along with deposit box #118, there are quite few others (which was an understatement in itself) deposit box 'accidentally' looted and some of the owners to these deposit boxes weren't happy about it.

For a year that has been gone very wrong in film although it has come to the month of April, The Bank Job provides a fresh breath of air (although the film was actually copyrighted in 2007). With rehashed idea of a heist, based on a true story, the film incorporates many entangled plots were The Gang had to put up and play a game of cat-and-mouse against The Police, The Government, and The Villain (these were how they billed in the end credit). It's not on how they pulled the heist, it is how they entangled the rope they tied in after the heist. Therefore, it won't be any red herrings thrown in or a flashback scene to wrap the "how they did it". If you're looking for Ocean's heist, this is not it. Added to that, the film's pace was tight and fast. You won't get any chasing sequence, or any other recipe for a typical heist film but you'd get your adrenaline pumping nonetheless. And as you can read it for yourself, i liked this film. Make that my second 'good experience' in the year 2008 after Cloverfield as it was a thrill ride right since the beginning.

I've been a fan of Jason Statham ever since Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels which is his very first film. Although his recent decision to work with Uwe Boll wasn't get that much of love (and one i'm not really looking forward to see in any foreseeable future), he's somehow still my main dude. In this film, he was easily fitted into the role of Terry. He was identifiable right away as a leader. He is competent, composed, and his men were always looking up to him. And unless for the two-second obligatory love scene somewhere in the middle, he doesn't make any "dumb" mistake.

On the last note, the film's first ten - twenty minutes contains many many nudity. Full frontal and all (which i figured, would made it really unpleasant experience to see it in our local theater). So for you uncomfortable with film's nudity, consider yourself warned.

DTV: Superman - Doomsday (2007)

Superman - Doomsday. A DTV (Direct to Video) review. My very first full foray into the world of Superman was through the Death of Superman novel. I wasn't aware at the time that the novel was inspired (or adapted, or whatever) from the comic book that spawned many volumes and had through various cross-overs. Nor could i remembered any from the novel except that the very cool bleeding Superman's insignia on its jacket.

Years later, my room-mate at the college had the Death of Superman and his Return from the dead in its original trade paper-back comic. It was a long read.

Yesterday, while browsing iTunes store on its Movie section, and something caught my eyes. I had never heard anything about it previously.

The original comic series that depicted the Death (and return from) of Superman were long, and in my opinion, a rather tiring experience. It was divided in two where the Death of Superman clearly outweighs his return. I remember merely skimming through the second volume where his returns from the Death depicted in more details. Details that were actually lost in me.

In the comic book, the Death of Superman was an epic battle, spawned over several issues, made many crossing-overs, and featured many more customed superheroes. In a glorious image from the comic, Superman's death casket was brought by high-profiled JLA members. Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and The Flash among others. And many many more lesser superheroes attending his funeral at Metropolis. In this video, it's solely about Superman.

A sinister killing machine, genetically altered by race far more superior than the Human was stored away deep within the confines of Earth's soil. The reason: the machine was simply too effective that it wouldn't hesitate to kill any living creatures. Friend or foe. Armed or no. A secret expedition funded by none other than what could well be as the only mortal who could stood up a chance against Superman, Lex Luthor, accidentally let this creature, unanimously named "Doomsday" (although no one in the video, as far as i could recall, was bothered to take a moment's pause to actually put a name to it), loose and in no time at all, leashed a havoc in Superman's territory. The battle ensues, and Superman managed to put a hold to Doomsday with his life as a cost. That was the first half of the film. The second half, Superman returns. No pun intended.

The absence of Superman was highly ascertained and prompted several figures to 'take in charge' his position as the protector of Metropolis. This was in the comic version. Although i couldn't remember very much the explanation on how Superman manages to cheat his death. But i found myself remembering that it was far easier to accept the explanation of his return (albeit brief) in the video rather than in the comic for his absence wasn't that much ascertained as it would seems that the fact was merely put in as an afterthought. It was clear that the video wishes to concentrate upon something that is more trivial, the fights. I could very much said that of 80 minutes or so of this video's running time, i found myself enjoyed the film for a mere 20 minutes which was naturally, the fighting scenes. Superman wasn't really my favorite superhero afterall. Even since i was a kid, Batman was the only superhero i could genuinely adored. Superman was too good and i found that there's no contradiction within him whatsoever which made him, well, Superman. And i personally, don't like that certain aspect of his.

Ne le dis a personne (2006)

Ne le dis a personne. Film review. This is a thriller film, a somewhat Hitchcockian thriller in its simplest form (that is, where the leading dude doesn't know about the truth or the nature of the story being told) which relies on loop holes and fill-in-the-blank facts to keep its audiences hooked and interested. That and more importantly, not cheating by giving a logical solution that suddenly came out of the thin air.

Alex and Margot was a happy couple, they're comfortable with each other, and deeply in love. Their marriage was merely another chapter of their life which has been entwined since their childhood time. But on one evening, a tragedy befell on Margot, she was found brutally murdered, and Alex was left in a coma for three days. Fast forward to eight years later, Alex received an anonymous email that led him to a live feed via web-cam that shown clearly, a face of a woman in the middle of a crowd. A face he knew all too well. A face that belongs to Margot.

For the next hundred minutes or so, the story involves quite numerous numbers of characters, all i could tell you that each character had their own importance. Probably due to the complexity of the story, or the short timeframe in which the story unravels, i see no red herring thrown in for good measure. Which is a good thing actually, for it doesn't cheat on its audiences' involvement. The action part, when it comes to that, was also well choreographed. They didn't overdone it, but kept it very very real. The freeway accident got me thinking, "Holly molly! A second late, and that dude would be dead for sure". And the likeable leading dude was also played its part nicely that even if he's merely slipped on a paveway, i heard the audiences moaning as if they felt it themselves too. In short, without giving too many leads away, the film kept its pace and its mysteries in a constant check.

And the film outsmart me. Really. During the final minutes of obligatory explanation (during which i could hear murmurs from the audiences, which shows that they were really hooked up with the film), when it would seems that the mysteries were already unwrapped, i've got a plot-hole question nagging that would otherwise made the film wasn't as good as it would be. However, three or four minutes later, in what feels like an 'extended' ending, the film revisits the explanation scene, and there, it answers the plot-hole question that has been aroused previously. It got me smiling and said to myself, "Good, it doesn't insult my intelligence and it doesn't forget".

My only problem was the too cliche final scene. Had the film leaves where the 'extended' ending was, it would've been better. Or if the cliche final scene was moved to another location, or another time, that would've been a little bit better too. Alas, the previous 115 minutes has been fun, and the final three minutes although it leaves a little bit bitter of taste, doesn't quite enough to marred the experience.

This has been a part of French Film Festival in Indonesia.

Lagerfeld Confidentiel (2007)

Lagerfeld Confidentiel . Film review. To enjoy a some sort of biography, wether in a book or a moving picture, it has to ascertain the need that the person in subject needs to be unique and recognizable. Famous is optional, if you asked me. But infamous wasn't. For a fashion enthusiasts, Karl Lagerfeld was a name to behold. With a quite remarkable twenty-something years of fashion career, both in photography and fashion design, Karl (at least in this film) was associated with the brand name Chanel. I'm not a fashion enthusiast. Therefore, before this film, i know absolutely nothing of Karl Lagerfeld. Might as well sent me an unanimous video about a daily life of somebody who is a total stranger to me and there you had me re-enacted this experience.

To keep the autobiographical film interesting to one who doesn't have any familiarity with the one being subjected to the film, it has to provide some kind of an unequivocally evident that this subject was indeed an interesting one and worthy of a feature-length film. In this sense, the film worked to me. Being unaware of Karl Lagerfeld's profession, i was first shown Karl's room, a very very untidy room ("I would freeze on a tidy desk", he said) with hundreds, probably thousands of books scattered about. That prompted me to guessed that he was an author whom i've never heard about. That was what had actually won me over. Next, we saw his iPods. I counted at least six from various generations. And his numerous rings (i couldn't vouch for its materials, but it looks heavy) collections, his suits (uniformly dark colored), and finally the man himself.

The film was advertised as a film to take on "the man behind the glasses" and we soon see why that was the case as Karl advertently maintained his identity in the way he dressed and ever wore sunglasses. The film then followed a daily life of Karl while interviewing him on various subjects, about his childhood, his relationship, his views on relationship, on work, on him being a homosexual, and everything else. Karl obviously lives a high-life, but somehow he said that "possessions is burdensome". Contradictory to that, he had this huge library that made me very very very envious, traveling around Europe (for work) with a private jet, a beautiful country house, as well as a house in New York downtown, and no stranger to celebrities. I would say that for an aspiring designer intending to start a career in a line of business similar to Karl's this film would be more entertained with it than myself. However, for a film that really, offers nothing new and which subject wasn't quite inline with my personal preference, it manages to keep my head floating above the boredom level. It was an interesting piece, but one i wouldn't remember for long.

This had me thinking that i had actually never seen a film about someone's biography for a long time. Nor had i enthusiastic about any of it. But, the news of George W. Bush's fictionalized biography film currently in production by Oliver Stonem and tentaively called "W", had my ears perked open. Now that was something probably worth the wait with election year and all. But above everything else, the notorious high-profile of Mr.Bush that i'm sure no one in this planet doesn't know who he is would surely made the film if it is being really made deserved at the very least a peek.

This has been a part of French Film Festival in Indonesia

Serko (2006)

Serko. Film review. Essentially, Serko is an coming-of-age story. I had forcibly being put to remembered Into the Wild and Dersu Uzala during the film. And as all coming-of-age story goes, the question of wether the film going to work or not, relies on a connection made between the leading dude (or dudette) with the audiences. He (or she) has to ascertained that his journey, his coming-of-age thingy matters. And in my opinion, although Serko built in a rather convolutedly straight manner (convoluted and straight weren't realy meant to be said on a same breath, but that was the best i can came up with to describe the film's pace and purpose), it manages to deliver on ocassions, a pleasant connection with your humble reviewer here. Finally, the second part of the film outweighs the first part as i was suddenly doesn't feel sleepy anymore at the certain minutes halfway around the film.

Dimitri is a yellow-bellied (coward) Cossack, and recieved no favor from his father, also a Cossack. His family lives on a far-Eastern side of Russia where they befriended a local tribe whom i figured for their relatively location that is close in proximity to China (or Mongolia) were speaks differently (still on a Russian roots, i persumed) albeit looking too Chinese (or Mongol) to my eyes. When a tragedy befell on one of Dimitri's local friend, a tragedy which could be attributed to the Governor ruled the area, Dimitri sets up his mind to demand justice from the Tsar himself, all the way in St.Petersburg, 6500 miles away, on a horse (his friend's horse which he would later named Serko), in a winter, alone. It was 1889.

The story of Dimitri and Serko was narrated by Fragonad a travelling 'ambassador of Paris culture', a shadow-puppeteer and storyteller whom had had cold reception from its audience ones too many to actually give a damn but still lives on an illusion of famous. He told us, the audience, that he would eventually going to meet Dimitri. So, there's no surprise there. It must be noted though, that the second part (one that i feel outweighed the first) begins when Dimitri and Serko finally meet with this travelling 'ambassador'.

One main conception i had about Russia, was that it would seems the land of Mother Russia is forever coated in white as perpetual snow, winter all the year, were all that responsible in giving me a reflexive shiver as if in a cold wind whenever i heard about Russia. Now i'm never been to Russia, and i'm sure it had a pleasant (if not hot) Summer. But for the time being, Russia means winter to me. This cold is, after all, was how Hitler's army was defeated in Stalingaard.

In term of cinematography, though i was far from being a film technical-savvy person, Serko wasn't lacking of any 'wow' moments. There's this really huge frozen lake, a magnamous nature refrigerator that sort of remind me to Dersu Uzala (as i've mentioned earlier). But the difference was that i could actually shivered in a room temperature while watching Dersu Uzala, the only shivers i had during Serko was because of the theater's air conditioning.

On a last note, one could really argue who is the leading dude in this story. Was it Dimitri? A young, yellow-bellied, but newly determined? Or was it Serko? A loyal steer to his man? Never complains, or shown any restrain. The way i see it, Serko here was a solid rock on a fast current to Dimitri. It was his only friend for nearly 200 days of his journey after all and if anything, it was heartbreaking to see these two finally get separated. But essentially, this is an coming-of-age story. It is clearly known who was the one who needed to grow. Dimitri bade farewell to his past, undergone a long, unfriendly journey, and when he's coming back, he was a totally different persona. That was, in essential, an coming-of-age story.

This has been a part of French Film Festival in Indonesia

French Film Festival in Indonesia

Silently, the 13th French Film Festival in Indonesia was started. I have counted at the very least 26 titles in all, gracing select venues in Jakarta, three, to be exact, and a dauntingly low fare to each screenings. It's an opportunity moviegoers can't be missed, had you asked me. Aside from Jakarta, the festival was also held at various cities in Java plus Denpasar for free albeit with more limited films to choose from.

Had i not marked the date on my iPod, i would've surely missed the festival. However, as much as i wanted to see all the 26 titles, i had to give up most of them for i had a rather tight schedule on an upcoming week. Added to that, except for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and "The Journey of Red Balloon", i was in a total darkness regarding the film choices.

So i spent a better part of the hour to see through the films scheduled to screened at the festival. And quickly, my personal preference shown its teeth that i had - unconciously - ruled out all of the films that has been billed as romantic comedy, and most of the comedy. Thus, my general preference in drama was once again, justified. This leave me with at least eleven titles that entered into my shortlist.

That being out of the way, let's see what i had came up during the festival.

Star Trek II - the Wrath of Khan (1982)

Star Trek II - the Wrath of Khan. Film review. They say, that the Star Trek series had a curse in which the odd-numbered serie of the films were inferior to the even-numbered ones. Having only seen the first film of the serie and now this, the second one, for the first time ever, i was having no doubt whatsoever that the curse was indeed largely in effect.

Having seen the first film a couple of days ago, and expecting or knowing nothing about whence the film is taking its direction, or rather, almost expecting it to feel almost like the first film (slow and meditating), i was pleasantly surprised that right from the first minute, this film's mood was entirely different than the first.

I had even read that some reviewers went as far as named this film as "the best film in the franchise and probably the best that it would ever be". With eight more films to go, i wouldn't dared to named this film in such a way. Not yet anyway. In the Wrath of Khan - i must say that i didn't really liked the title. I was puzzled, skeptical even that a film with such title could be really one of the better, let alone the best film in the franchise -, the NC-1701 USS Enterprise is back. And with it, its finest crew. But this time, much different from the first film, the crew of the Enterprise shown more chemistry than they were in the first film. Now this is coming from someone who hadn't seen the original Star Trek series, but i believed that this is a chemistry that existed in the original TV series and considerably missing in the first film. Right from the beginning, we see banters between Admiral Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Scotty which shown that they were more than just ship-mates bounded by respect cemented with professional hierarchy but instead a warm friendship. Shortly, where it lacked in the first film regarding with the Enterprise's crew chemistry, the second film had offered it generously.

As the title suggests, in this film, USS Enterprise would had an adversary named Khan. And he's not very much pleased. The one who keep rubbing him in every wrong places was of course, none other than our captain (now an Admiral), James T. Kirk. Khan had some grudge held against Kirk in a past, that leave him marooned in a distant sub-system and when the very first chance of revenge approaches him by chance, Khan was not in a mood to negotiate except to pursue Enterprise, rained her with every Phasers and all. Added to the equation, was a Genesis project which played its role at the final climax in the film. I couldn't help but made a comparison to Red Planet during the first few scenes even though in the end, i liked this film much better.

It was suggested - this, however, was the way i see it. I was, after all, had never seen the original Star Trek series -, that Admiral Kirk wasn't in charge of USS Enterprise having being named an Admiral. But, he was having some part of his life missing (a middle-life crisis, perhaps?) and time and again, he would return to Enterprise. But of course, when he boards the ship again intending for a training ride, he was up for a ride that put his and his crew's life at stake.

Although i've been said that the film was action-oriented, don't expect it to had a full-blast, high-octane action sequences. The film was pretty modest on a visual-effect usages that its climax battle scenes wouldn't be much appreciated to younger audiences having preferences and accustomed to the 21st century action films. This is after all, a film released in 1982. I'm not even a year old at the moment.

Next: Star Trek III - The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek - the Motion Picture (1979)

Star Trek - the Motion Picture. Film review. The only Star Trek that i could easily remembered and identified was Jean Luc Piccard's Enterprise Star Trek. A little research on Wikipedia revealed to me (just recently, if i may add, i know, i've been lurking in a cave somewhere) that this particular Enterprise was set in a different generations than the original Star Trek which many geeks would eternalized with characters such as James T. Kirk, and undoubtedly, Mr.Spock and a phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" which probably had become the most quoted phrase in film.

In anticipation to Star Trek XI produced by J.J Abrams in 2009, i had decided to start my venture to the world of Star Trek recently.

This film (the first Motion Picture) was released in 1979. I would say that in a way, you could think of it just like the X-Files film where a prior knowledge to the television series were necessary to enjoy the film in its earnest.

Au contraire, prior to seeing the film, i don't know anything about Star Trek but i could very much enjoyed the film nonetheless. I don't even know which one is Mr.Spock. But, i immediately knew that it was him before someone in the film actually patted on his back and says, "Spock". He is after all, probably the most celebrated character in the franchise which should made him stand out in a crowd. And he does. Mr.Kirk is your usual captain, no surprises there, but i was missed a mark by a mile with Mr.Scott. He was far less geeky than i had thought he would be.

On to the film itself, the overall film was slow-paced, thought-provoking, almost-meditating and awe-inspiring visual endeavor. Although one must remember, that we're talking about a 1979 film here. Thus, a proper adjustment to the word 'awe-inspiring visual endeavor' would be necessary. This is especially true to the first part of the film where many shots shown the CGI accomplishments and the film's characters ooh-ing and aah-ing out through their winshield. It wasn't so bad actually, had i seen the film in 1979, i would walk out of the theater already humming the tunes, and would occassionally look at the sky for a glimpse of the "USS Enterprise". But this is almost thirty years later we're talking about here. In a particular scene, even, where Mr.Kirk and Mr.Scott take a proverbial elevator and we see the first glimpse of USS Enterprise, i was laughing at the scene since it was tediously long, and incredibly reeks a huge amount of lamenesses out of my laptop screen.

The second part of the film, however, where Enterprise made its destined contact with this mysterious alien vessel which we had seen from the very first minute of the film, albeit also incorporates slow and prolongued shots, was more engaging that i managed to get through it - even if i know how the film would wound up its conclusion - without a hint of boredom or even a yawn. I believe it has something to do with one of my buried dreams in the past for being an astronomer. Space travels always fascinated me. Heck, i've managed to sit through 2001: A Space Odyssey twice. And comparing to its pace, this film is a blazing fast. Nonetheless, i would still advised that non-fans or ones with quite a limited love to anything galactic or sci-fi should avoid this film. I could easily imagined you (non-fans) yawning and fell asleep in no time.

This episode remind me of my childhood where on one night where my parents were gone until midnight (i had a strict curfew as a kid), i saw Star Wars (what we would called Episode IV: A New Hope, now) for the first time and the next morning, i spent many paper-sheets drawing an X-Wings, imagining myself holding the light-saber imitating its whoooing and squishing sounds but quickly shelfed the memories away and only retrieve it until much later for i was apparently the only kid in the neighborhood who had seen the film at the time. My point being, where i grew up as a kid, the environment weren't that savvy enough for a kid to develop his geekness. But thanks to the internet, if one was destined to be a geek, even if his childhood was considerably lacked the ingredients for geekness, he would find a way to find his path to the geek land.

Next: Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan (1982).

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

The Hunt for Red October. Not quite a Film review. This film had come to my attention (although i had seen it numerous times previously) after reading through an article at Cinematical about the authenticity of a particular accent used in film. The film had came up in the article due to Mr.Sean Connery, he with that thick Scottish accent who was a Russian sub-marine officer in this film.

This film was my favorite John Patrick Ryan film by far. I'm also on a strong opinion that compared to Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin was a far superior Jack Ryan. Added to that, the novel itself, which was among the earlier Tom Clancy's work was one of my favorite as well.

In the forementioned article earlier in this paragraph, it mentioned about how John McTiernan shifted the Russian dialogues to English. The last time i saw this film, which was years ago i couldn't really remember, i hadn't paid any attention to it. Therefore, when i saw the film for the n-th time yet again yesterday with all the intention to paid an extra attention to how the dialog changed, i paid an extra attention to the Russian dialogue. I'm no Russian, of course, which made me pretty much clueless about wether the Russian used in this film, especially ones which were spoken by Mr.Connery was as good as you could get or simply a pathetic imitation. However, i've always loved to hear Mr.Connery's accent, therefore, whatever came out of his mouth would be decorated in flowers and tasted like honey which made me completely sold on him beign a genuine Russian. Mr.Connery spoke few Russian words in the earlier part of the film, but with one subtle camera work from John McTiernan - which you had to see it for yourself, unfortunately - the dialog was shifted to English.

This was in a day when even if the film-makers understand that most of its viewers were too distracted - or too lazy - to read subtitles, they still put an extra-effort to provides some kind of a somewhat acceptable explanation to the great question of "why does everybody talked in English even if he is a Russian officer in an Russian flagship submarine?" to provides - again, a somewhat resemblance of an authenticity to a film. In The Hunt of the Red October, John McTiernan's approach to 'made' the Russian crew and officers talked in English was rather hilarious IF you knew that you're looking for its not-too-subtle of said change in the first place. Otherwise, given the nature of the film, it probably left mostly un-noticed.

In my office, it has become an undisputed fact that i was the 'go-to-guy' when it comes to film. I would had this question almost every Fridays of wether this particular film worth her money or not. Just recently, when 10,000 B.C hits the theater, i was un-equivocally expressed my contempt with the film. When asked, "Why? You haven't seen the film, why would you say that the film was bad?", i would firmly elaborate my experience when i first saw the trailer of the film. The first part of trailer wasn't that bad, actually, but when a character spoke, that was what ruined the experience. When she hears my explanation, she had this look on her face which says, "weirdo". But then again, this was coming from someone who hadn't seen Transformers for she thought that it was too manly, and hadn't seen Apocalypto, the first film that came to mind when i was asked about the most recent film with its lingua authenticity. Point being, i'd like to think she was one of those casual viewers. Later on, of course, you know that 10,000 B.C was a painful experience. Our protagonist tribe spoke in perfect English, their ally spoke in an accented English, and the designated antagonist tribe spoke in utter gibberish. Boo hoo. So much for authenticity. Might as well made the character in the film pointed out that they actually know that they were living in the year 10,000 B.C.

Random Shorts (12)

Damn, i really missed my muse. I really need to experience good films to inspire me in writing. I had several half-cooked writing though, but none worth mentioned. Even I hated the last several posts of mine myself.

The content of this post would be exactly look like the content of the Random Shorts #10 in which i fired up my iTunes and play 10 tracks randomly. But this time, as an added twist (whoa.. the tension *shudder*) the first track is not randomized.

1. Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize - Fear of a Blank Planet
My first introduction to Steve Wilson's project was through this album even though that i had heard about this project for quite a while and Steve had started the project since the late 80's and had practically shunned every mainstream and pop influence to continue made music like we were still in the 70's. My initial thought was that i had burned a good US$ 9.99 for something i can't really fit into my preference. And how i was so wrong because it turns out that after several through and through appreciation, one of the song in this album, Anesthetize, a 17-minute epic song about the fear of 21st century, about MTV and its cold philosopy, is also one of my favorite song so far. The futuristic back-drop, the gloomy epilogue, and Alex Lifeson as a guest guitarist, provide this 17-minute epic with sobriety and audophile pleasure. Who is Alex Lifeson you say? Err.. stick to your MTV should you asked that question.

2. Norah Jones - Those Sweet Words - Feels Like Home
I remember seeing the video for this song in one morning (you know, where Norah Jones sits in a bar and when the song starts she went to the stage, lights dimmed, and sing the song, karaoke-style. It was sweet, because really, i had always seen her as a homie girl and in the video she looks just like a commoner, almost too shy to actually perform), and immediately went to local store to bought the album the very evening. After all these years, the song still manages to put a shiver within whenever i heard it.

3. Yoko Shimomura - Deep Jungle - Kingdom Hearts OST (Disc 1)
RPGamers only. If you had played the game - and liking it, there's a huge chance you'd fell for its soundtrack because it kinda reminds you of the particular experience. Otherwise, i won't bet on it. In this case, i remembered the music was from the most annoying world in the game. One where i had to constantly timed my jump in order to made that impossibly wide crevasses on a treetops.

4. Green Day - Armatage Shanks - Insomniac
One of only two Green Day albums that i had. I remembered back in 1996/1997, i saw the video for When I Come Around and bought this album (not Dookie, which i bought a couple of years later) and liking every bit of it.

5. Every Little Thing - Kazemachi kokoro moyou - Crispy Park
Love the jazzy part around its guitar solo part. And sometimes, when the mood is right, i could and would sing a long with it.

6. Bon Jovi - Lucky (Demo) - Cross-Road (Limited Edition Disc 2)
Ah! If you're around my age, and never heard of this album or this band during your high-school, then i couldn't even begin to tell you what you had been missed during those glorious years. And i felt sorry for you. Anyway, i had the casette back then when i was in high school, and i just bought the 2 Disc Limited Edition recently on an effort to reminiscence my glorious years as a high schooler, standing on the stage with a guitar in my hand and felt like nothing in this world is bigger or greater than me.

7. Europe - The Final Countdown - 1982-1992
I believe that at one point of every-one's life who had an access to TV in the 80's and 90's would surely had heard and familiar with its famous riff. It was a classic, and certainly the best known single from this Swedish band.

8. Kelly Clarkson - Where is Your Heart - Breakaway
For a reason, i found that i liked her album only for its 5 first tracks. This song is track #7 in the album. Yawn..

9. Queen - Put out the Fire - Hot Space
Just all right.

10. Muse - Hysteria - Absolution
When Muse did a concert in Jakarta, i bought this album together with "Black Holes and Revelation" to help me decide whether i would like to go see the concert or not. I was, however, ran out of ticket.

The Mist (2007)

The Mist. Film review. More than any film in the great year for film in 2007, The Mist is the number one film in my queue of eagerly waited DVD release. More so because for reasons even unbeknownst to me now, i had missed its theater release on the local cineplex. Ah, those insipid shitheads behind the 21cineplex managements really doesn't know the good films from their assholes. Anyways, now that its DVD has been released, i'm glad that my anticipation wasn't go in vain. This film was indeed the horror of the year. And quite probably, earned itself an entry into my shortlist of the best film in 2007.

It took only twelve minutes before somebody in ragged clothes and bloodied nose came running and screams, "There's something in the Mist!". From there on, the thrill is on. Whatever was in the Mist (or was it The Mist itself?) is hungry and as usual it seems to had a preference in human fleshes. For a majority of the film, the humans were holed up in a nearby supermarket where Nights were nightmares, and Days were even worse for not only that they had to fight whatever was in the Mist, gradually, they also had to fight among themselves. Even more so, the inner struggle between the remaining survivors were more interesting and engaging than the fight with the Mist. If i may so, this is what made this film was so effective for we could almost neglect the entity presence outside of our survivors circle and concentrating more to inner struggle betweeen our survivors. I would bet that there'd be some characters in the film that you would really hate in earnest that good conscience or no, you would wish that these characters should be the first to die which in itself presents a dilemma of wether it was them or us that is a worse human being.

In my opinion, this is how a horror film should be. Dark, and tense, and just enough of gore to keep its nature true. The film was pretty balanced throughout. When the attention was focused on the inner struggle between the survivors, it has an engaging drama and enough character performances to - like i've said earlier - made its viewers pick their side and care for their well-abouts. But when the focus was shifted to the fight between the survivors and the Mist, it doesn't shy away to showed some gores and generous - thankfully, not too sell out - amount of gore to please the hard-core horror fans. My only complain is the soundtrack. Other than that, well, re-read the last sentence of the first paragraph in this review.

Based from a novella by Stephen King, this film was written and directed by Frank Darabont. He has directed two other films that based on Stephen King's writing effort, and this film, which was a third film, strikes home again for the other two was The Green Mile - which i highly doubt that anyone who has a decent taste in film would never heard of before, and of course, one of my personal favorite film of all-time, The Shwashank Redemption. I would love to see him doing The Stand (a trilogy perhaps?). But based on what the main dude (a surprisingly decent Thomas Jane albeit a bit too tight) was drawing on the first scene of this film, we might easily came to a conclusion that Frank Darabont would did a Roland, The Gunslinger misadventure for his next project. Well, i sincerely hope so, though i personally thought that it was rather improbable. But, we'll see. All i know and i could tell is that Frank Darabont doing a Stephen King's writing effort would worth the wait.

Oh, one last thing, if you loved film, i would guarantee that you'll love the ending. Great ending. I'm not sure if the book ends the same way, but i just bought the book (Skeleton Crew) along with this film, and i couldn't wait to find out about it.

Random Shorts (11)

The update rate for this blog has been so agonizingly slow of late. I had no excuse for it, but i was indeed has been away for a couple of weeks. I went out of the island for a week or so, and went on a training immediately after. Thus, when i got back in the office, the work things piled up nicely on my desk which effectively forbade me to doing even a small update. Added to that, the film industry wasn't much talked about subject in these months. Alas, i was quite surprised that for two weeks i've been away and the very first thing i did when i was back is to check the local cineplex schedules, i don't feel like going to a movie nor was i missed anything important during my absence. I opted to dig my collection instead and spent almost an entire weekend for a Star Wars Episode I through VI marathon. And i feel geeky right now.

Further, probably due to the long travel - although i've been very very careful in handling it, as always - i've got a hairline crack on the corner left of my MacBook's palm rest. The first noticeable damage for 15 months. Well, i've been planning to buy a 17" MacBook Pro anyway so it doesn't really matter. But at first, it was annoying.

In the working world, I'm sure that someone has pointed it out, but it was my first experience. In my office, everyone has their own laptop. And regularly, every two years, these laptops were renewed and with every renewal, the first and foremost request from every user in my office was to completely migrate their emails from the old laptop to the new one. I usually delegated these menial tasks to my subordinate. Because really, it was his job description after all. However, he was called in sick in the last couple of days, so grudgingly, i have to do the migration myself.

If i could say so myself, I've been quite successful in influencing others to loathe Microsoft Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. My recent experience further established the fact that in terms of portability, Office 2007 and Vista won't get any recommendation from me. Even so, since the latest laptops were usually pre-installed with Microsoft Vista, i don't recommend my users to downgrade to XP - it was actually due to my general reluctance to waste my precious time to deal with the task. It was either use it or shove it. Another thing that my users often had a concern with was the Office 2007. Many times a day i got a call on my extension complaining to me (as if i was the one responsible for the creation of Office 2007) that they couldn't open a Word or Excel file a colleague sent them because the origin files were written and saved in an Office 2007 format, and all they've got to open the file is an Office 2003. Compatibility issues that therefore, i urged my users to use Office 2003 instead or if they insisted to use Office 2007, to save their documents as an Office 2003 document format. But yesterday, as i've said earlier, i experienced another compatibility issues involving these 'cutting-edge' technologies.

Everybody here, uses Microsoft Outlook (of course, everyone but me) to read their emails. And since everybody loved to keep their two-three years old emails whatever laptops they were using, it was usually their first and immediate concern regarding with the migration. It turns out that i can't import the emails to a Vista machine had i imported it to Microsoft Outlook 2003. At some point in the import process, the green bar of progress was just stopped, and sometimes the Outlook simply crashed. I spent most of my days dealing with the issue. Re-exporting doesn't worked, and reboot doesn't worked. The only solution i hadn't tried was to drop the laptop from a height. But i highly doubted that it would worked either. By chance, i found out that in the same machine, using the same previously exported emails, importing it to Microsoft Outlook 2007 worked flawlessly. Compatibility issues, friend.

Granted, Microsoft made its software, and software only. They left the implementation of the hardware on which their software runs to other parties and if there's a compatibility issues, that was more or less, acceptable. Unlike Apple with its Mac OS X, of course. They built the software and the hardware. Therefore, if a Macintosh machine runs an OS X shown even a little less reliability than they were normally known for so far, i would be the first to suggests that you should buy a WIndows machine instead. But of course, i'm using a Macintosh machine, and would planned to do so in an unforeseeable future which is a rather long word for saying, "incredible".

Had Microsoft built their own hardware, we might not have these issues every too often. But then again, we have a reported thirty percent failure rate for the XBox 360.