The days are rainy. Have written my last Blind Spot. Still making list of best movies in 2014 in my Letterboxd. And the year is officially over. Little late posting this recap since I am having slow days of getting sick and catching up with things. I can’t say that I have watched all the movies I should be seeing for awards season, but I tried. I’m caught up with my new business; making my online shop. Unfortunately, little ‘big’ movies have impressed me. Quite disappointed (or maybe I caught the overrated bug) with Boyhood, especially. But hopefully, list of other will wow me. Here’s the full recap :
Gone Girl (2014)
Days of Heaven (1978)
Stand by Me Doraemon (2014)
The Golden Cane Warrior (2014)
7/24 (2014)
I started the month by seeing a local movie, 7/24. It’s a comeback for actress darling, Dian Sastrowardoyo. It’s about husband and wife who are used with their hectic schedules somehow wound up sick and stay in the same hospital room. The comedy felt mediocre, though Dian surely was a sweet addition. Somehow the only scene that attracted me was when both husband and wife fights hard in the climax. Known for their great drama performances, maybe Dian and Lukman Sardi should stick with drama movies (or better comedy script). Score : 5
Magic in The Moonlight (2014)
It occurs to me that though Woody Allen produced a movie every year, apparently the good ones only appeared every two years. After last year, he amazed me with Cate Blanchett’s performance in Blue Jasmine, Magic in The Moonlight surely didn’t feel magical. Something surely missing though supported by A-Class actors such as Colin Firth and Emma Stone, with socialite background, mannered language and comedy. I still can’t turn my eyes everytime Stone performed (she’s such a candy for the eye), but she surely have better chemistry with Andrew Garfield rather than Firth. The basic of why Stanley (Firth) have such critical eye for the psychic Sophie (Stone) felt made up or unpowerful enough. It was a waste of great actors and beautiful set and costume. Score : 5
Boyhood (2014)
Without a doubt, Boyhood is a breakthrough on how motion pictures used to show a character’s growth. By real documentation of the person through the years, not just casting someone younger/older or with make-up and even visual effects. It shows Richard Linklater’s commitment and hard work as a filmmaker. It did make me feel like part of the family, since I saw these kids growing up until they are teens. It also showed how the family struggles and maintain their lives, huge part from the mother, Olivia’s (Patricia Arquette) role in their lives, while her ex-husband, takes them for a day occasionally trying to keep up and involve with their lives. In general, Boyhood is about a man’s character formation, without anything too dramatic. In short, this portrayal might be happen for most young boys today, who might have a separated parents and sibling. It did wowed me on how Linklater dare to create film beyond the standards, but not much than that. I particularly did not find the grown-up Mason (Ellar Colltrane) to be likeable compared to him as a kid. Arquette was excellent. Score : 8
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
Is it just a coincidence that this year happen to release a couple of culinary movies? Either way, I find it exciting to see. The Hundred-Foot Journey is about a talented Indian chef, Hassan (Manish Dayal) who cooks for his family’s restaurant. After a big fire killed their mother, the family migrates to French. Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), a civilian who happens to love to cook, help them open-hearted. His stubborn father (Om Purri) have a strong instinct to open an Indian restaurant, despite his children’s protests. The restaurant located exactly the side of the road of a well-known elite restaurant, run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), Marguerite’s boss. In short, Madame Mallory and the father battles for the best restaurant. But then Mallory had to fire her best chef, and shockingly, Hassan applies to replace him, though it angers the father. It makes relationships more tense than ever.
The Hundred-Foot Journey favor the experience of culinary, where it is beyond skills, but also taste and talent. Sometimes we must trust our own instincts, with cooking and business. Though Hassan proven to be the best chef in his family’s business, he dreams higher and how far he can go. Unfortunately, this movie opens with Indian family struggling to bring their culture to French, but the story somehow fades until the middle of the movie and changed to Hassan’s career. It should be clear where they should focus the story. Overall, it’s a pleasant movie to watch, with all the cooking, French village views and good characters. I enjoyed it so much. Score : 8
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The Stepford Wives (2004)
I watched half of this movie maybe 10 years ago, and half of it now. It angers me everytime, seeing how woman should be stereotyped as an obedient perfect housewife. I wonder which one this movie actually take it side, because in one side I do agree that women basically belongs in the kitchen and they are a team with their husbands. But to really disappear themselves to be the perfect housewife is demeaning, especially that they established themselves to be their husband’s servants. I actually interested to see the original version of The Stepford Wives. Glenn Close was great as the antagonist. Score : 6
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Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
After The Spy Who Shagged Me, Goldmember didn’t feel as funny though some still laughable. Beyonce’s performance was pretty okay. The singing and dancing scene in jail was pretty hilarious. Score : 5
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Birth (2004)
From the same director of Under The Skin, Birth did have that intriguing mysterious atmosphere. The whole movie leads to the question who is the kid who claims to be Sean, Anna’s (Nicole Kidman) dead husband. Unfortunately, the horrifying atmosphere didn’t serve us back with satisfying ending. Score : 6
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Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
Caught my eye as I was changing channels and saw Julie Andrews. The movie were both silly and cartoonish, sometimes doesn’t make sense. I love Andrews clothing. But the plot was pretty readable half of the movie. Score : 6
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Erin Brockovich (2000)
Have always curious about this movie. Julia Roberts was mesmerizing as Erin Brockovich. Confident, persistent, enticing and brave, in addition to be a mother with two kids. The movie simply tells us to do passionate work to get you far. Excellent and totally an Oscar movie. Inspiring. Score : 8
Best in December 2014
Was wowed with Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl. Stand by Me Doraemon has reached personal love of mine. While I thoroughly enjoyed A Hundred-Foot Journey, though it’s not perfect.
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What movies you’re looking forward in January? Or, any thoughts?
