May oh May. Not only I gave much effort to attend Europe on Screen this year (I can only watch five movies, too many obstacles), I just realized that with Jakarta’s traffic jam, the distance, my schedule and errands, I can’t attend much events. I’m way more in zen at home. That’s because I now have cable in the house (yeah, I can’t believe it took me a while to finally did that), so that explains the amount of movies this month (17 movies, plus 4 re-watches). Here’s the details of them all :
Europe on Screen 2014 :
- Philomena
- Last Love
- The Great Beauty
- Metalhead
- Delicacy
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Midnight’s Children (2012)
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All About Eve (1950)
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Admission (2013)
Loved Tina Fey. This time she brings something that quite rare to be brought up; the arrogance of leading university on choosing their applicants. It satirize how they dismiss potential kids, only choose the perfect ones and ignore their other unique abilities. Flavored with potential romance between Portia (Tina Fey) and John (Paul Rudd) that was a bit predictable and cliche, I find the background of the admission cruelty can be looked deeper (and therefore can be more of a serious film). Quite entertaining movie, and it shows the ‘funny’ side how some parents and kids only look after the image of a prestigious university.
Movie Score : 3,5 Stars
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The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
Shows how a parent strive hard to have a child, and ended up frustrated, write qualities they’d want from a kid and bury it on their yard. After heavy rain and storm that magically only happens in their home, a child with leaves in his legs suddenly appear and thought of them as his parents.
This movie is for parents and parents wannabe, as it has some parenting lessons to sow. Different kids, different potentials and uniqueness, and some only need acceptance.
Movie Score : 3,5 Stars
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The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
It’s ashamed that one of my most anticipated films in 2014 turned out to be bad. I loved Dane DeHaan and the idea of Jamie Foxx as Electro, the romance between Gwen and Peter is the best thing. But to put all in one seems to be wrong and too much. Dear Marc Webb, I sincerely hope you’ll get off doing superhero films and get back to your expertise; making romantic comedies. Read Febrian’s review.
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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Blancanieves (2012)
A great Spanish matador adaptation of Snow White, a silent film. Like most Spanish films, it was quite dramatic and intense. Interesting and unique adaptation. It can combine reality and fairytale. Loved the cast, especially Macarena García as the lead. The dramatic theme might be too much for me.
Movie Score : 3,75 stars
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Zombieland (2009)
Never have a zombie movie can be so refreshing. I loved the cast; Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin. Even Bill Murray’s short appearance was quite entertaining. Usually horror movies felt so slow, but this movie was that entertaining that it felt too short.
Movie Score : 4 Stars
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Pretty Woman (1990)
This is actually quite embarrassing. I have never seen Pretty Woman fully my whole life, until I saw it on cable. Best couple in a movie ever, Gere and Roberts, was at their best. Even Runaway Bride couldn’t level this movie. A forever classic and everlasting romantic movie, an urban fairytale. Loved Roberts classy and modern clothes.
Movie Score : 4,5 Stars
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Hall Pass (2011)
An idea of a hall pass, a one week off from marriage, seems terrifying but according to the two couple in this movie, it’s necessary. Interesting situation, one might not actually do it but just see this movie. It’s a pretty standard American comedy, but with Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis was quite funny, especially Christina Applegate as one of their wives.
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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Wadjda (2012)
A pretty innocent story on how a girl wants to buy a bike, that she gathers money until she joined a Qur’an competition. I don’t know if it’s the reality, but she has a pretty strict school. It’s a little bit hard on how she can’t buy a bike because it’s rare to find a woman ride a bike in her place. I find the story kind of slow, and some parts of the story, like Wadjda’s parents situation seem almost unnecessary.
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Movies like The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) is perfect for a lazy weekend time, sweet and heartwarming. I felt kind of envious with the characters since they can connect with Jane Austen books and discuss it, I only have watched (not read) a couple of movies based on her novels. A good chic flick, especially for Jane Austen lovers.
Movie Score : 3,5 Stars
Fast-
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
With me watching this movie, makes me have watched a complete of Cameron Crowe’s work as a scriptwriter. Fast Times at Ridgemont High can capture the spirit, goofiness, rebel side and naive mind of high school kids. Reminded me the simpler days of just entering school and laugh at your friend’s clumsy things as contrast as the strict teacher. The pool scene, the imagination of Linda in Brad’s mind was very vivid. Can’t believe a high school kid (Linda) suddenly looks very adult. It’s funny to see some of today’s successful actors back then was just a cameo, like Nicholas Cage. Forest Whitaker and Sean Penn in a younger role you’ve never seen before. Like most of Crowe films, there’s rock songs playing all over, makes it feels familiar. Thankfully, there’s no drama about the most popular girls in school. The ending was too simple for me, like jumping for shortcut. But it was indeed a high school movie with style.
Movie Score : 3,5 Stars
Re-watch : Clueless (1995), Dark Shadows (2012), Catch and Release (2006), An Education (2009), Julie & Julia (2009)
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So, here’s the top 3 this May :
As usual, my Blind Spot movie always turned out to be the best of the month. The Great Beauty‘s absurdity makes me hard not forget it. And Pretty Woman was such a delight.
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Readers, any thoughts? What’s the best movie you watched in May?
