X-Men: Days of Future Past (review)

X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the movie that I can't wait to see this year. I even watch X-Men: The Wolverine just to watch its end credit about Days of Future Past. With several rave reviews from critics and a high rating in IMDb, I watch it in the cinema with high expectation. Continue to read if you want to find out my verdict about this movie.

The movie tone is dark and somber. The acting is unquestionably great. Not a surprise since there are several Oscar and Golden Globe nominees in this movie. The story is cliche (how many films out there about going to the past to change history?) but interesting enough. There are several great scenes in this movie, particularly the one involving Quicksilver. It's hilarious. Marvel fans like me will smile when Magneto said that he has a skill with metals and Quicksilver said, "I think my mother know a guy like that". It's because Magneto is Quicksilver's dad in the comic. ^^. The music is so so, so does the cinematography. The CGI is superb, just like another big budget Hollywood movie. The production design is also good. But I don't know if it's because I watch it while I'm hungry and had a little headache, I didn't really enjoy this movie. I found there's something lacking in this movie that I still deemed X-Men: First Class as my favorite X-Men movie of all time.

One thing that I suspect as the main reason why I didn't really enjoy this movie is the pacing. It's become a little bit boring in the middle and the climax don't have enough punch. Maybe I just can't believe that after the damage and destruction that was done by Magneto (which is broadcasted worldwide) there is no pressure from the community to continue the Sentinel programs.

I'm not saying that this movie is bad. It still have many good scenes in it and I still gave it 8 in IMDb. But maybe because my expectation is too high, it's a little bit annoys me. In the end credit scene, there's a teaser about the next X-Men movie, Apocalypse. Overall I still recommend you to watch this movie, but just go without high expectation.

Black Butler - Live Action Movie 2014 (Review)

So 2 days ago I was lucky enough to win free tickets to the premiere of Black Butler in Indonesia from Animonstar. I only read the 1st Kuroshitsuji manga, so I might not be really familiar of the story but I do love Sebastian Michaelis. Moreover, it's the comeback movie for Hiro Mizushima after his long hiatus. That's way I'm excited to watch this movie. So, is Black Butler fullfiled my expectation?

This movie did not disappoint me even though some fans of the original manga might hate it. Instead Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian's master in this movie is Shiori Genpo, a descendant of Phantomhive family. Some might argue that this is a forced step to justify having Japanese actors as main stars in this movie (Japanese movie love to cast Japanese actors to play foreigner characters, just like when the producer of Attack on Titan cast Haruma Miura as Eren Jaeger. But to be fair, Hollywood also love to cast western actor to play characters from eastern countries just like in Dragon Ball live-action). Some fans also hate the fact that they make a girl as Sebastian's master, contrary to Ciel, which is a boy. I don't mind about it. 

The poster when I saw the premiere

The action choreography in this movie is great. I love to see every action scenes in Black Butler. I also love the facts that there are Rin and Tanaka in this movie. The story is interesting enough with some emotional or funny moments. We laugh and goes "awwww" in some scenes so it's fun. The music is sufficient. The production design is good enough. But the actings is so so. I love Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian, particularly in the action scenes. But his way of speaking is a little bit weird for me. He he he.

Overall, I love this movie. I might watch it again in the cinema. People with little or zero knowledge about Kuroshitsuji might still find this movie appealing and I recommend you to watch it. Some fans might hate it but I think it still worth your time and money. Comment below and let me know what you think about Black Butler live-action movie if you have watched it!

Marmut Merah Jambu (Review)

Sabtu minggu lalu aku menyempatkan diri untuk menonton Marmut Merah Jambu, sebuah film yang diangkat dari buku karya Raditya Dika dengan judul yang sama. Sebenarnya aku bukan penggemar Raditya Dika. Meskipun aku menikmati membaca beberapa bukunya dan menonton serial Malam Minggu Miko. Jadi sebenarnya tidak ada niatku untuk menonton film ini. Apalagi kudengar beberapa film yang diangkat dari buku Raditya Dika ternyata "garing" dan tidak lucu. Tetapi salah satu temanku bilang kalau film ini lucu. Mungkin karena tidak seperti film-film terdahulu, Raditya Dika juga sekaligus berperan sebagai sutradaranya. Jadilah aku menontonnya bersama temanku di Blitz MOI. Penasaran dengan pendapatku tentang film ini? Here's my verdict!

Ditinjau dari sisi akting, tidak ada yang terlalu menonjol di film ini. Tapi acceptable lah. Ada beberapa penampilan dari aktor dan aktris yang beken di masa lalu seperti Jajang C. Noer, Tio Pakusadewo, Feby Febiola, dan Bucek Depp. Juga beberapa cameo. Cerita di film ini ringan dan cukup menghibur. Beberapa adegannya mengundang tawa meskipun tidak di sepanjang film. Yang jelas, film ini sukses mengingatkanku tentang masa-masa remaja. Masa yang bisa dibilang merupakan masa terindah dalam hidup kita. Tentang cinta pertama dan persahabatan dengan teman-teman kita. Hi hi hi.

Overall, film ini bukan suatu film yang buruk. Meskipun ada temanku yang mengatakan filmnya kurang lucu, aku menikmati kekonyolan di film ini. So, klo kalian mencari film yang ringan dan menghibur yang cocok untuk ditonton saat senggang, film ini bisa menjadi alternatif. ^^

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (review)

There's so much hate towards this movie. The rating that had been given to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 mostly low or mediocre that at first I have a little doubt to watch this movie in the cinema. It had been slaughtered, dissected, insulted, like this movie is unnecessary and redundant project by critics and some users alike. Boy, I beg to differ.

Many people said that The Amazing Spider-Man series is just a terrible attempt to gain more money and worthless. Why rebooted an already perfect franchise? Well, I thought so at first. Even though I have to admit that Andrew Garfield version of Spider-Man is more fun and playful. And Emma Stone is perfect as Gwen Stacy, a love interest that I like more than Mary Jane Watson. Sam Raini's Spider-Man 2 is my favorite Spider-Man movie and my impression of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is nowhere near this movie. Nevertheless, I immensely enjoy it. I even watched it for the 2nd time yesterday ^^. Now I would tell you what I thought about this movie.

A lot of people said that it lack focus with so many subplots and pacing problems. When I watch it for the first time, I didn't feel overwhelmed by so many subplots in this movie. It's not as terrible as many critics said that made me almost question their "intelligence". Well, I accustomed to read books with strange but intricate and interconnecting plots like 20th Century Boy so I don't have difficulty at all (Although I have to point out that we can not equalize reading a book and watching a movie). But the 2nd time I watch this movie, I realize that the tone and pacing of this movie is uneven, the transition from somber tone to cheerful is not smooth. Like many mixed reaction that it got from the critics, I also think that this movie have both the things that I love and the things that I hate.

Here are what I like in this movie:

1. Dane DeHaan. I love him from the first time I saw Chronicle. Totally one of my favorite actor now. I love his take on Harry Osborn and can't wait to see more of him in The Amazing Spider-Man 3. One of my favorite scenes from this movies are when he's releasing Electro and take over the Oscorp with him. So wicked and naughty but so endearing.
2. Andrew Garfield. IMHO, he's the best Spider-Man to date.
3. The chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. It save the romantic plot in this movie. If not because their chemistry, I  might deem this movie as another teenage drama bullshit. 
4. The visual is good. The action scenes were cools, even though slow motion effects seems over the top. Too bad there's not many in this movie.

I become an OsbornArmy after watch this movie

They look good together. Even though the scenes where they first meet in this movie is rather awkward

Fangirls start shipping them together

That wicked smile *0*

Here are my complaints for this movie:

1. Sorry. I can't buy some scenes in it. Like when Spider-Man first defeat Electro just by shoot water at him. It's funny, but come on. Isn't it a really dangerous thing to do since water (not pure water) contains ions that can conduct the electricity? IMHO, pouring water to an electricity is not going to extinguish it, but will make you electrocute. Electro is a cool villain but the way he's defeated makes me go "ummm..". Oh. And that scene where Gwen Stacy insist that she should accompany Spidey because she knows the installation of that power plant and how to reset it. It turns out you do not have to be clever or knows the installation because all you have to do just push button with big "Main Reset" on it. *facepalm.
2. Some plot seems unnecessary. For example, the thing about why Robert Parker died. I thought those scenes could be save for the next Spider-Man movie. But maybe it serve a purpose of explaining why Peter Parker decision to not help Harry Osborn is the right choice. The closing act of this movie that involve a kid and Rhino is a little bit ridiculous too. I know that the movie maker want to show the world that Spider-Man will be back for the 3rd movie. But still...
3. Green Goblin screen time in this movie and his fight with Spider-Man is too short and end up abruptly. I heard that Green Goblin is the ultimate enemy of Spider-Man. Their fight deserve more than that. If not, it's better if they just leave that out from the movie.
4. The music, particularly Electro's music is too noisy. But I guess it really depend on your taste.
5. As I said, the romantic scenes in this movie is almost like in  teenage drama. Fortunately Andrew Garfield and Emma Stones save the day. And if I look back at my younger years, actually their on-off relationship is not as bad as several of my friends.

Overall, I love this movie and still recommend you to watch it. How about you?

Adventure on 27 April 2014 - Tour to 3 Islands in Thousand Island (Kelor, Onrust and Cipir Island)

I've always want to go to Thousand Islands. I've been in Jakarta for more than 4 years but never have the opportunity before. So when I saw a voucher trip to Thousand Islands in Groupon, I bought it without hesitation.

Last week I went to 3 nearby islands in Thousand Island (Pulau Kelor, Cipir and Onrust). We meet up with the tour group in Muara Kamal fish market. It's not hard to go there by Transjakarta bus. You just have to go to Rawa Buaya shelter and continue the journey with Carry cars to Muara Kamal. Those Carry cars is actually not a public transportation, so you must be careful to go with it.

To reach those 3 islands, we need to take boat from Muara Kamal fish market. It is smelly and dirty, but it has many fresh fishes. Contrary to my expectation, it's not take so long to travel from one island to another. That's why this is only a one day trip. By the way, there's many historical places in there islands. Fortress, old hospital, even a graveyard that rumored to be Kartosoewiryo's (the head of DI/NII movement) grave in Onrust island.

The world is so small. Without any appointment or plan before, somehow I met with one of my friend there. Ho ho ho. Here are the pictures that I take while on my trip.

Muara Kamal

Beach in Pulau Kelor

This is a fortress from when Netherland colonize Indonesia

Pulau Onrust

Pulau Cipir

Overall, it's lovely and refreshing. White sands, blue beach, historical places. The trip is also not expensive. Unfortunately, there are some garbage and mess in those island because the visitor are littering. Huh. I recommend you to visit those island, but don't litter! ^^

Adventure on 24 April 2014 - Floating Market in Banjarmasin

Last week I got the opportunity to go to Banjarmasin, the capital city of South Kalimantan. This is the first time I come to Kalimantan (Borneo) Island. But I think the scenery in Banjarmasin it's not too different with other big cities in Indonesia, with the exception of its vast river and how it affect the culture of its citizen whom live at the riverbank. This city is located in the junction of Barito and Martapura river so it's sometimes called the "River City". Banjarmasin is also famous as a center for gem trading, particularly rare diamonds and rubies in Martapura. I got the opportunity to see the famous Floating Market in Barito river and visit Martapura while I was there. Here are some pictures of it.

We have to wake up early to see the floating market.

Sunrise in Barito river

Many company cut trees from forest in Kalimantan

The Floating Market. Honestly, there are more spectator than the merchants

We bought some bananas from the seller

We visit a small place in the middle of the river. There are many monkeys.

I threw bananas for the monkeys

The monkeys go to the spectators boat to get bananas

Many citizen living in the riverbank have boat as transportation

Martapura

In front of Martapura market

One of the jewelry store.

Overall it's lovely. Even though the floating market is not as in my imagination, the journey along the Barito river give nice impression to me. It's so vast and huge. I've never see a river so vast before in Bali or Java. I don't have money to buy any jewel in Martapura. Hopefully I can go there again someday. And when that day come, let's pray I have spare money to spent ^^.