Movie Review: Easy A

I once wrote that I disagreed with the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover". But I think I should agree now.

So a friend of mine showed me this movie Easy A. And I was like "Euuyh this must be only about high school bitches." But because I was bored to death, I decided to watch it. And, in fact BAM this film rocks my world. It's one of my favorite movies too.

This might contain spoilers. Might!

I have to say this movie has a similarity with Juno. Juno is a masterpiece, everyone knows that. I just love the main characters of these two films, a high school girl who faces her own problems by herself. I just wish I'd have a daughter like Juno and Olive.

Okay, yeah so the movie is about a girl named Olive (Emma Stone). She is just an ordinary school girl, definitely not popular. She has a best friend named Rhi. And Rhi wants to take Olive to dine together with her parents in a weekend. But Olive doesn't like Rhi's parents because they are nudists. And, Olive lies that she has a date with a guy named George. And the next day, Rhi asks her how the date was. Being forced and pressured by Rhi's curiosity, Olive lies she lost her virginity. Unfortunately Mary-Anne (Amanda Bynes), an extreme Christian, overhears what Olive tells to Rhi. And then the rumor begins to spread to the whole school that Olive has just lost her virginity. She is suddenly popular because of this totally false rumor.

Things get worse when Brandon asks for Olive's help. Brandon is a gay and bullied because of his sexuality. He asks Olive to pretend to sleep with him. So they go to a party and act as if they have sex. They moan and make noises. Everyone hears them. And finally everyone thinks she is paid for sex, like a prostitute. She then embroiders a red A on all her clothes, inspired by her reading assignment. Until finally she decides to stop bitching around because things have gone too far.

Why do I love this movie?

1. It's not cliché
Most teen movies have these characters. The total bitch (excuse my language lol) is usually a naughty cheerleader. But here, the bitch is a very nice girl, an extremist Christian. She always judges people in Jesus' or God's name.

2. Olive and Todd!
Oh my God this Olive and Todd (Penn Badgley) really make good couple. Todd likes Olive and Olive likes Todd too. But they don't show their feelings. They always get into these awkward-but-cute conversations.

3. Olive's family
I envy her because her parents are the coolest parents ever, especially her dad.

4. Witty!
I always like witty films. And Easy A is also witty, just like Juno or Date Night. I'll write some of my favorite lines later.

5. Moral value
Don't judge people based on just a rumor. Olive is in fact a nice girl. She pretends to be an adulterer to help those virgin nerdy boys. But in fact she still keeps her faith. She tries so hard to remain virgin. And through this film I learn not to be affected by what other people say about us. Just like what Olive says in the end, "(What she wants to do), it is nobody's goddamn business".

6. Olive herself
She's interesting and beautiful. But the greatest thing is she is tough. She finds the solutions of her problems alone. And she is a good friend. She still treats Rhi as a friend although Rhi hates her.

Here are my favorite lines from the movie

MaryAnne: Olive. That's your name, right?
Olive: Yeaaah. And you're MaryAnne. We've got 9 classes together since kindergarten.

Brandon: Do you wanna go out with me?
Olive: What?
Brandon: I mean like do you wanna be my girlfriend?
Olive: Uh Brandon, just a couple hours ago you told me you're a gay

Olive's mom: You know, I dated a homosexual once. For a long time actually
Olive: Dear God, dear Lord, tell me you didn't marry and have children with him

Olive's dad: Is everything alright? Sounds like you're having sex in here, which I know can't be true due to the fact that you have a homosexual boyfriend
Olive: He's not my boyfriend!
Olive's dad: Hey! No judgement, all God's children, it's fine. I was gay once for a while. No big deal, we all do it, it's okay.

Olive: Hey Anson
Anson (Rhi's boyfriend): Hey
Olive: I just realized the funniest thing. My name is an anagram for 'I love'
Anson: What's a- what's an anagram?
Olive: Look it up, big boy

Mr. Grifith: That would be when everyone is putting everything on facebook. I don't know what your generation's fascination is with documenting your every thought but it can assure you they're not all diamonds. Roman is having an okay day and bought a coke zero at the gas station, raise the roof? Who gives an ass?!

Mrs. Grifith: Okay I've never seen that girl (Olive) before in my life
Mr. Grifith: That doesn't surprise me
Mrs. Grifith: I know but I'm a guidance counselor, I should know all the students, especially the one who dresses like a prostitute

Olive: I knew there was one person to count on to set stories straight, Brandon. I'd helped him, and eventhough it'll destroy his new reputation as a straight stud, I knew he'd help me.
a girl: OH MY GOD! Did you hear that Brandon run away from home? Yeah, totally, he left his parents a note that said "I'm gay, bitches" and then he skipped out with some big old gay black guy. AAAH!

Olive: I really like this guy. I might even lose my virginity to him. I don't know. When it will happen you know maybe 5 minutes from now, tonight or six months from now or maybe on our wedding night, the really amazing thing is, it is nobody's goddamn business.

Movie Review: Cassandra's Dream

I watched this movie yesterday and am totally satisfied with it. This movie is great. I always enjoy this kind of movie I'm not sure how to describe it but I can say it is "dark". You know, like dark comedy or something like that.

At first a friend of mine told me he was going to download some movies and he asked me what movie could be good. I browsed some movies at IMDB. Having found no good movie, I then remembered how stunning Colin Farrell's acting in one of my favorite movies In Bruges. So I then opened Colin Farrell's page in IMDB and found one of his movie which sounded very interesting. And, that is Cassandra's Dream.

The movie is very interesting because Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor star it. After reading that these 2 guys play here, I guessed this movie was set in UK or Ireland. And that is true. This movie is set in London. Attention: this post may contain spoiler.

The story is about 2 brothers, Ian (Ewan McGregor) and Terry (Colin Farrell). They buy a boat named Cassandra's Dream. Ian is a businessman. He helps his father's restaurant but actually that is not what he wants. He wants to have a better life by investing some money to a hotel in California. He is head over heels in love with an actress, Angela and they decided to move to California to fulfill their dreams. Terry works in a garage. He fixes cars and he has a girlfriend named Kate. Terry is addicted to gambling and he owes 90000 pounds. So, they both need money. Terry needs money to pay his debts and Ian needs money for his investment in California.

Then comes uncle Howard, who has been living in China. He is a very successful man. Ian and Terry then ask for a financial help from him. But they must do him a favor and that is not an easy task. They must kill uncle Howard's rival.

Okay, let me tell you. The murder is successful. They kill this man and nobody witnesses and they burn the guns. Everything seems to be perfect. But the problems come later. Terry cannot get away with it. He feels so guilty that his behaviour change. And, I'll give you a clue about the ending. The story ends on the boat Cassandra's Dream.

I love this movie. This movie is I think a combination of 2 of my favorite movies, In Bruges and Brothers. Well the storyline is more like In Bruges and the tension I got while watching Cassandra's Dream is like the tension I got while watching Brothers. Colin Farrell has exactly the same character here with his character in In Bruges. In In Bruges he acts as a gunman who feels guilty after accidentally killing a little boy.

Movie Review: Jeux d'Enfants

I always enjoy watching french films. I even believe that french films are overall better than Hollywood. Yes, I admit it Hollywood wins in technique. Hollywood can produce films like Avatar, 2012, etc. But the stories? I guess french films win.

I always love films whose ending are so unpredictable. That is why I am not such a fan of superhero movies because well even since the beginning of the film I've known how it's going to end. The good guy wins and the villain loses. That's it. French films are unbelieavbly unpredictable making some people hate french films. Some people are upset that the movie ends just like that. But for me I'll be so glad if a movie ends very weirdly.

Today, I am going to talk about one of the sweetest and most romantic movies I've ever seen. It is starred by my favorite actress Marion Cotillard. The movie is Jeux d'Enfants. Attention: This post may contain spoilers.

This movie is basically about everlasting love. 2 kids, Julien (Guillaume Canet) and Sophie (Marion Cotillard) play a game called Cap ou Pas Cap. Probably if you don't speak french, you don't know how it goes. So the rule is simple. They have one box. When Julien has the box, he dares Sophie to do something. If Sophie is cap, she deals to do that. Then Julien gives the box back to Sophie and she dares him. However, nobody can understand the jokes they make. Julien's father is so mad at him and Sophie.

The problem is they continue playing this game till grown up. They know everything about love and lust. Sex and kisses are very hard to resist. They begin falling in love. But it is very strange for them to fall in love each other. It feels of course very awkward when you date your -let's say- soulmate.

How will their love story ends? I cannot tell you here. Clue: c'est l'amour sans fin.

I have to give this movie 100 out of 100. This movie is so perfectly made. Great actors, great stories, great music, great clothes, great settings, great dialogues and great scenes... great love scenes, great kissing scenes, great love story! This movie is beyond words for me.










My favorite scene in this film would be hmmm I don't know. I love every part of it. I love when Julien and Sophie have a pillow fight. And I also love it when they kiss on a car. And, the scene when Julien sings La Vie en Rose to Sophie under the rain.


Alors, aimes-moi comme le fou, cap ou pas cap?

Eat Pray Love

Oh 2 posts in a day. I just got so excited after watching Eat, Pray, Love trailer



I must see this film! Too bad she said, "I'm going to Italy, I'm going to India, and then I'm going to Bali". Hello! She has mentioned at first 2 countries. Bali is not a country. Bali is just a province of Indonesia. She should have said "... and then I'm going to Indonesia".

But, I just really want to watch this film. I know a russian who gets so inspired with the book and now she is in Bali, Indonesia. And she doesn't want to come back to Russia again. I don't know whether this movie brings good or bad effect to Indonesia (in this case Bali). But I guess and I hope it will bring many advantages.

Now that I live in Europe I need to go to Italy and eat great foods there.

Movie Review: Bangkok Traffic Love Story and Bangkok Love Story

This post is all about Bangkok! I have never been to Bangkok but I'd love to. I think I can fall in love with this city because it has many similarities with my hometown, Jakarta. This post may contain spoilers by the way.

So I watched a movie titled Bangkok Traffic Love Story. I decided to watch this movie from Jagoan Movie.

I had never heard about Thai drama. I used to think Thai movies are mostly horror and they're really good, for example Alone and Coming Soon.

Bangkok Traffic Love Story is amazingly interesting. I cannot say it is good. But I was so amused watching it.



It is a story about a girl named Li (Sirin Horwang). She is 30 and she never dates a guy. Her best friend then gets married which means she loses a friend to spend time together because she is married now. Once, she met a handsome man ridiculously. He is Lung (Theeradej Wongpuapan). And she fell in love with him.

The problem is Lung works at night and Li works at noon. It is very hard for them to arrange a meeting. Lung is asleep during the day while Li stays awake. Li is also a very clumsy woman. She breaks Lung's computer, camera, etc. She also often comes late to work. But in the end, they like each other. Lung asks Li out during Sungkran. I don't know much about it but it is a festival in Thailand.

For me this film is not really special. I like it. But I guess Hollywood is the master of romantic comedy. However, it is still interesting to see a romantic comedy from Thailand. And some scenes made me laugh out loud. But, the greatest thing about this movie is that it shows Thai culture and daily life in Bangkok. I always love movies like Paris Je T'aime because they can combine touristic value with romance. And, I guess that is a good way to enhance a country's touristic sector.



Snapshots of Bangkok in Bangkok Traffic Love Story

Woho! Thai women also love to watch soap opera together in the evening. Exactly the same like in Indonesia! Too bad my mom doesn't have a daughter :) She doesn't have company for watching soaps.


The cute couple in Bangkok Traffic Love Story

I want this badly. It is so sweet to see a dazzling temple in Bangkok together with your couple at night, right?

I have to visit Bangkok on this day (is it called Sungkran?) let's get wet in Bangkok!

And I also found a movie titled Bangkok Love Story in IMDB. And it sounds even more interesting. This one is definitely not comedy and not suitable for underaged. So, I watched it and I am very impressed with this movie.

Bangkok Love Story displays 3 social problems: homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, and poverty. It is a story about an everlasting homosexual love. A gunman named Mehk (Rattanaballang Tohssawat) is paid to kill Itt (Chaiwat Thongsaeng). Mehk is poor and Itt is rich. His mother and brother have HIV because his late father was homosexual. Mehk doesn't kill Itt because Itt is not a bad guy. Mehk is injured in a shoot-out with his boss and Itt helps curing the wounds. They hide together. They finally fall in love. And, it feels just strange. Itt is married and he loves Mehk more than his wife. Then, problems appear. Mehk doesn't want to see Itt anymore. Itt tries to see Mehk and tell him he really loves him. They are really really sweet. They see each other in the eyes, hold hands, and kiss under the pouring rain. I give two thumbs up for the 2 actors. I actually don't know whether the 2 actors are gay or not in the reality. But their actings in this film are just fantastic.

There are actually many things we can get from this movie. First, we must not discriminate HIV victims. We should encourage them to always stay strong. Many HIV patients also intend to spread the disease. They don't want to be alone in this world so they sell themselves to spread the disease. That is what Mekh's brother does. Second, love is everywhere. Everyone has freedom to love whom he/she loves even with the same sex.


Mehk's HIV-infected mom


this is where it all begins!


Itt's wife finds something strange about Itt. She realizes Itt has found a new love.


sweet everlasting love


After watching these 2 movies I just really have a big desire to visit Bangkok. I wish political problems in Thailand esp. in Bangkok would be solved as soon as possible.

Rumah Dara: Movie Review

After 4 months of waiting I finally just watched one of the most frequently-talked Indonesian movie this year. It is Rumah Dara.

I guess not many people know about Indonesian movies. I am ironically not a fan of Indonesian movies. But to be honest some movies are very excellent. My favorites so far are Opera Jawa, Berbagi Suami, and Ruang. Unfortunately the films I love didn't have good responses in the market because Indonesians don't like those kind of movies. However, these films (except Ruang) won lots of awards in international film festivals.

So what kind of movies do Indonesians like to watch? Horror and comedy. That's it. I have to say Indonesia has lots of horror movie collections that are spooky for Indonesians. The ghosts are usually Indonesian ghosts like Pocong, Kuntil Anak, etc. Because of positive response from the society for horror films many production houses keep making horror films and I'm now so sick of horror films. Finally, Indonesian horror films are no longer interesting.

Early this year movie lovers were made curious for one film. That is what I just watched Rumah Dara. It is not a horror, but a thriller. Directed by the Mo Brothers, Rumah Dara is also starred by many popular young celebrities like Julie Estelle, Shafeera Danish, Arifin Putra, Ario Bayu, etc.

Finally I got to watch it in dennyshotspot(dot)com. It is a site for Indonesian movies.


taken from Jagoan Movies

So what is this film about?
This film is about 6 young people on their way back home from Bandung to Jakarta. They suddenly met a young girl in the rain. And they take the girl to her home, which is deep in the forest. There they meet the family of this young girl and have a dinner with them. And, strange things happen. The family is in fact not a nice family but cold-blooded murderers.

My opinion:
I have to say this is the best horror film so far in Indonesia. Well, I actually haven't watched Bangsal 13. I heard that film also rocked but yeah I am just too afraid to watch it. And, I love Rumah Dara. Rumah Dara is a pioneer in Indonesian movie industry. We hadn't had this kind of film before. I think it is a bit inspired by Texas Chainsaw Massacre. And, they're successful. I really enjoyed watching it and got so thrilled. My heart beat really fast and I just really wanted to know how it would end.
My critic would be in its technic. Well, I don't know much about making a film. But, I still think the technic here is not yet perfect. It's good and it's a lot better than other Indonesian horror movies. But it's somehow not yet perfect.
I expected something cool but actually the scene was not really that good. It's hard to find an English expression of this but in Indonesian it is kurang nendang. Okay, this might be a bit spoiler. For example, the scene when this guy Mike Lucock is decapitated. I really expected to hear the loud screaming of the character before his death. But we hear no screaming. We just hear a very mysterious old-school music.
And, the actors. Well, the actings are OK-ish. It is quite unnatural (well I guess nobody speaks like this Dara - so slow and flat). But that's not a big deal at all. My favorite here is probably Arifin Putra. We know Arifin usually stars in drama series. And, his roles are usually like yeah a man in love or something like that. But this time he surprised me. He is a real killing machine. His face is so mysterious and stares people in a very strange way. Of course I also love Shareefa Danish, the most talked actress in this film. Her face is seriously so unique that she is good to be the boss of the murderer. Her voice is low and heavy. And she speaks in a slow and flat way. She sounds very strange there. At first, she is so calm and cool. But in the end, she yells and brings a chainsaw around. Oh I love the antagonists here.
Of course I give two thumbs up for the make-up artists. Without their good works, this movie is just a trash. The blood really looks real. I'm actually curious. Is Dara's hair natural or fake? It is so long and so shiny.
And of course I also appreciate the marketing team of this film. This is the first time I got so curious about an Indonesian horror film that I checked out its website. And I fell in love with its site. I always wanted to watch this film because of its website. The poster design is totally attractive too.

taken from IEW
Wow look it has participated many film festivals!

taken from Horrorblog

taken from resilla(dot)wordpress(dot)com
really like this Dara's mysterious look

So, I hope Indonesian movie industry keeps improving its quality and partipates more in international film festivals.