It’s April. Have you experienced your April Fools Day? Well, I have a friend who said she’ll move to away after married, to live in a city where her husband lives. Funny? Yeah. But change is inevitable. I still have couple of boxes left to pick up for me to put in my new place, leaving your comfort zone seems hard but needed to move on. Now me and my husband are making the new place comfortable.
As for this edition of 30 Days Recap, I put together two months, February and March because I skipped February and watched just two movies in it. It’s nice to catch up new movies and dive in some classics. I intended to give The Raid 2 a full review, but have short time yesterday. Furthermore, read my mini reviews :Watched in February :
Nebraska (2013) - review soon
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The Apartment (1960)
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Watched in March :
Singin’ in The Rain (1952)
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Divergent (2014)
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Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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Blue Velvet (1986)
A movie that combines innocence, thrill and erotica at the same time. Plus, it have one of the most creepiest antagonist (Dennis Hopper) I have ever seen. It was odd, freaky and funny at the same time. While Kyle Macdonald brought innocence to the story, have a mix of fear and romance with his own detective case suspect. The erotica itself felt was kinky and rough. Their romance was not clear of their own desperation or a real feelings. I have mixed feelings on this movie, wasn’t sure if I’m liking it or not.
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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About a Boy (2002)
Seeing the plot, it can easily turn to be one of the common cliche romance comedy. But thankfully, About a Boy is not like that. Interesting to see Nicholas Hoult as a promising little actor, while recent he wowed me in Warm Bodies (2013). I always enjoyed Toni Collete performances, it’s not a surprise she nailed the part as a loving but depressed mother. While Hugh Grant, some say it’s his best performance. Well, I can honestly say he did performed great as a self centered bachelor, but I don’t think it’s his best. Making life more meaningful by being there for others, is a great message from this movie. But, the very end scene was a little cliche. In general, it’s a heart warming, lovely movie.
Movie Score : 3,5 Stars
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The Raid 2 : Berandal (2014)
Yayan Ruhiyan (Prakoso), previously as Mad Dog in the first movie starred again, but sadly in a more mellow role and more sadly only appear a very few scenes and ended quickly. The best performance was by Arifin Putra as Ucok, the biggest supporting actor, Rama’s (Iko Uwais) frenemy. I think his villain role shines more than Rama, but though maybe he shines because like the tagline ‘no shadow appear without sun’. Very excellent performance and very promising, a total performance as a villain. Lots of other performance added cool factor in the movie; Julie Estelle, Oka Antara (known in The Dancer), also three Japanese actors, Ryuhei Matsuda, Ken’ichi Endô and Kazuki Kitamura. While for Iko Uwais, actually a very safe protagonist. What makes me still loving his character is that behind his deadly moves, he regrets killing good people, still checks on his family. The very best martial arts scene was in the climax chapter, in the kitchen where Iko fights with Cecep A. Rahman.
Because I am Indonesian (and live in Jakarta), I recognized the streets (in the chasing car scene) and knew the locations were jumping around, but actually a common thing in movies for they have to use suitable locations. But, one scene I felt the oddest was in Prakoso’s last scene, it was snowing but the streets were definitely in the (supposedly) tropical city. Some fights also must cause serious injures, especially towards the end, but Iko seemed unaffected much.
Movie Score : 3,75 Stars
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Ju-On / The Grudge (2001)
It was last Saturday night and I’m watching with the rest of family who is fond of horror movies. The cable was playing Ju-On / The Grudge (2001). I’m thankful that I have seen lots of movies before watching this, because the minuses helped me less influenced by the horror. I find the non-linear plot a little irritable and the lack of explanation (or narration) led to many confusion. Plus, the background of the story felt a little dull. The good side is, I can separate the good and the bad horror movies now, ahah
Movie Score : 2 Stars
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Rewatch : Punch Drunk Love (2002)
Forcing myself to watch a good romance between my wedding planning. Punch Drunk Love was not a cliche romance, one that tells how love can change people to be better. Emily Watson was enchanting.
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Top 3
A little easy pick to pick three of the best. Who can beat two legendary classics? Nebraska was just one of the best of the best from 2013.
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Readers, what’s your best experience on watching movies in March? Are you looking forward for April?
