It’s a cold and flu season, been effected by it recently so this post ended up a little late (and a little brief that I would hope). Many flavors in April; the blog’s birthday, catching up releases, seeing an early release of a movie, seeing an Indonesian movie after a while and finishing my 10 Favorite movies of 2014. It was a pretty cool month. Here’s what you might have missed :
The Avengers : Age of Ultron (2015)
Insurgent (2015)
Guru Bangsa : Tjokroaminoto (2015)
Rudy (1993)
- Inspired By : Ruby Sparks + Links
- Soundtrack Pick : Beyond The Lights (2014) & Furious 7
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Here’s the movies I’ve seen :
Closer (2004)
When I first watched this, I was a kid so I didn’t get it as I watched it now. But it was interesting seeing the twist, the ups and downs of these two couples. One thing is clear, when it comes to love, you can’t help but follow your feelings. Also, how the grass always seems greener on the other side. You probably know that Natalie Portman is an amazing actress who can play anything she set her mind to. In Closer, she’s an attractive and rather mysterious stripper who moved from America, who obviously stole many eyes with her sweet but deep personality. And also, with her sexy appearances. This movie has some element surprise that wouldn’t make you bored. Clive Owen was magnificent. Score : 7,5
The Bucket List (2007)
The Bucket List is about two old cancer-diagnosed men decided to travel around the world, in spite of spending their time in hospital and waiting for their time to end. One is a mechanic, the other is a wealthy hospital owner. One is a family man, the other can’t handle a commitment. One is a loving grandfather, the other doesn’t know where his daughter is. But their friendship works and they have a good time. But it’s a little vague if their trip is really what they want or they are just in a denial state.
Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson surely solid senior actors. Combining them in one light drama movie like this, you won’t get bad performances and chemistry. I enjoyed their friendship, adventure and their attempt to save each other from dwelling their desperation. But I can’t get over how two old men can climb a mountain and sit in the top of ruins in a desert. It was pretty sweet story, though forgettable. Score : 6,5
Beyond the lights (2014)
Beyond The Lights was a sweet treat flick, how a talented singer, Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) couldn’t recognize herself as a popstar (think Rihanna-ish) because her path arranged tightly by her dominating mother (Minnie Driver). Not until she attempts to do suicide in her hotel room and being saved by a substitute police, Kaz (Nate Parker). Avoiding bad publicity and bad image of her, Kaz was told not to say her suicide attempt to press. Noni followed that scenario but she can see how Kaz sees her differently aside her popstar attribute. They got along easily and hang out. Noni’s mask as a popstar is a ticking time bomb just when her solo album is about to get launched.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw was very believable as a performer and pop singer, quite thoroughly be this intimidating star and upcoming artist. We can see a little bit of how it works behind pop industry, the intrigues and the management. But it is obvious how society and industry demands to ‘print’ talented singers to be pop star to earn big bucks. When you see a little girl singing Nina Simone’s Black Bird in a singing contest, isn’t it odd if she turned out to be Rihanna when she grew up? This movie provides a pretty engaging drama, love story and great music to hear. Loved it that it went straight to my top 10 favorite films of 2014. Score : 8
Vanilla sky (2000)
Technically, it’s my second time watching Vanilla Sky. I ‘filed’ my first viewing as failed attempt to understand the movie, as : 1. I didn’t watched it with subtitles, 2. I was too young to understand this movie and 3. I didn’t expect Cameron Crowe would do a psychological thriller while he was always doing heartfelt drama movies. But I understand why I also hated the movie; it was because after Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise played a spoiled and handsome wealthy man in the movie. So it was a major crash. But thankfully, I still appreciate Crowe’s other films.
So to summon my experience watching it; it was unpleasant ride, as sometimes we couldn’t help but faced unpleasant things in life. Having those terrible moments, we can accept or we can deny it. David (Tom Cruise) denies it and got swept away by his terrible choices. So, it’s like watching someone’s meltdown and swimming in his illusion, but in the end we wake up. I appreciate Cameron Crowe’s attempt to do his work outside his comfort zone and I loved Vanilla Sky aside its imperfections. Score : 7,5
I am Sam (2001)
A movie I should have seen 3 years earlier. About a debatable case whether a parent with development disability can raise a kid. This movie explains why it couldn’t and why it can. In Sam (Sean Penn) and Lucy’s (Dakota Fanning) case, they are already bonded with each other so to separate them is not that easy. But according to law, Sam doesn’t have what it takes to raise a kid to an adult, because of his child-mental state. Luckily, Sam got a great lawyer behind him, Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer), who also a busy mother with a kid. Love how Rita and Sam as a parent is a contrast, but somehow Rita realized what Sam have but she doesn’t have. A great drama. Score : 8
Life of Crime (2013)
Jennifer Anniston as a ’60s/70s wife of a cheating man. I honestly didn’t watch this from the very start. Isla Fischer was stunning as the third woman. It’s just an okay and forgettable comedy crime movie. Score : 6
Last Vegas (2013)
What happens when a group of old men spend their time in Las Vegas to celebrate their bachelor friend’s bachelor party? I admit, the comedy was good and the fact that they aren’t exactly young studs was funny. Think the safe version of The Hangover, only with elderly men. A little bit of heated situation between two of them because of a past love triangle and new woman in their trip, seasoned the story pretty good. It’s a good comedy, involving Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, and Michael Douglas in the same frame. Score : 7
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Have you seen these movies? What movie have you seen in April?
